new members to our family

No, we are not expecting a baby.....and, no, we are not getting a new pet. Just wanted to make that clear right of the bat.

When my blogging friend, Jennifer, shared about her experience going to Kenya last month with Compassion International, it touched my heart. Not only did it touch me, but it brought me back to my mission trip days.

Especially going to Mexico the summer between my sophmore and junior years of high school. I remember my experiences there so vividly.....like they just happened yesterday. I remember going to the inactive dumps -- places they hadn't dumped garbage in years -- to help wash people's hair, pass out food, play games with the kids, etc. There was one little girl I think about often. Her name was Jessie. She was a little 4 year old girl who, through the help of our translator, told me she walked by herself to where we were and that her house (a cardboard box) was quite a long way away. All Jessie wanted was to be picked up. I would like to say that I picked her up the first time she asked me with no hesitation.....but I can't. See, Jessie looked....well, unsightly. She was covered in dirt and grime, her hair was a complete mess and you could see the lice in hair, she smelled......so I patted her shoulder the first 3 times she asked me to pick her up and walked away. Yes, 3 times! Not my shining moment.

But she kept coming back. Finally I felt the Lord's amazing prompting, put aside my squeamishness, and picked Jessie up. I can't explain the love I felt for this little girl. We were inseparable the entire day. When it was time to leave, my heart broke. Jessie clung to me and I to her. All I wanted was to take her home with me. I got down on the dirt with her, had her look at me, and told her "Adios" through my tears. She said the same to me and let me go. As our van pulled away, she was the only one left standing in the area we were working. She stood there and waved at me and I at her. Jessie forever touched my heart.

I think of her often and wonder if she is even still alive. When I heard Jennifer's stories from Kenya and then her encouragement to sponsor a child through Compassion, I was hugely convicted. I talked to Jeff about it and he gave the "2 thumbs up".....even when I told him I wanted to "adopt" 4 children from Kenya....1 for each of our own kids. So, I would like to introduce them to you.

This is Johah. He is 9 years old and in kindergarten. He lives with his father, mother, and 7 children. His responsibility in the family is carrying water and caring for animals.

This is Margaret. She is 8 years old and not going to school right now. That saddened my heart. She lives with her father, mother, and 6 children. Her responsibility in the family is running errands.

This is Joseph (wonder why we chose him!). He is 6 years old and in kindergarten. He lives with his father, mother, and 4 children. His responsibility is caring for animals and cleaning.

This is Nyiro. He is 5 years old and in pre-school. He lives with his father and mother. This little boy touched my heart because he also has asthma....something that is very life threatening with no medical care.

Please pray for these new additions to our family. We are so excited to write them letters, send them pictures, and maybe....just maybe....someday we can meet them. If you would like to sponsor a child or 2, please visit Compassion's web site here. Sadly, there are many kids waiting for help.