I have had a very long and tiring day. Hit the baby home at 8:30 a.m. for worship, left after feeding them breakfast, and headed to Arusha for baby home shopping. Five hours later we returned, where I then ran outside to spend time with the babies who were freshly awake from their afternoon naps. Before I knew it, we were feeding supper and getting ready for bed. So 10 hours later... I was finally home. Oh, man, am I tired! But it was a good day. I was unable to adjust my blog, so you get a few more days of public viewing. Here are some updated pictures of Pendo and our amazing nurse, Batilda. A big THANK YOU to Elly S. (Tami C.'s niece) who sent me all the samples of Eucerin cream and lotion. Poor little Pendo has so many open cuts, tears, and sores on her skin due to malnurishment. We were able to rub some of the Eucerin ointment on her head sores. You will notice in one of the pictures, she holds on to the tube of ointment. Later that evening, I held her on my lap-- for about an hour or so. She kept twisting the cap on that little tube... the only energy she has... to mimic play. She started to whine and laid the tube in my hand. I just thought she was weak and tired and didn't want to hold the tube any longer. Oh, but that was not the case. She started to rub her little cracked, scaly fingers across mine and i realized she wanted me to rub the ointment on her hands. As I started to gently and carefully move the ointment along the terribly dry and damaged skin, she opened her hand and would slowly point to every cut and torn area of skin. She is so bright... and I am the slow one in this scenario. She saw this moment as an opportunity to advocate for her own care, and she was trying to tell me how to help her. It was a strange and beautiful moment. And one that I will never forget for as long as I live. Never.
I am so in awe of how capable your babies are. What a special place you have in her heart, and obviously she in yours. Keep up the good work. God is using you beautifully in the lives of these little ones.
ReplyDeleteKeep the blog coming it is such an inspiration. You,the babies and all of the people that keep you and them in their prayers. Thank you all for upholding my "baby".
ReplyDeleteI have been praying for and wondering about little Pendo. What beautiful images of her, as you can she is growing stronger. Such a little trooper!
ReplyDeleteOh my, I am never astonished by the tenacity of these children. I am beyond happy that little Pendo is doing well and also sad/happy to know that Clinton is gone now! Crazy how quick things like that seem to happen. I know it may sound rehearsed but still I'll continue to say praying for the babies and for you and the other volunteers! lots of love from ga :)
ReplyDeleteI noticed this baby while I was there. I was far off and didn't notice the scaring. It wasn't until I got close that I saw the scars. So malnurishment caused her cuts?
ReplyDeleteI love your first sentence. I think that it is awesome that you guys take the time for worship together. That is great to put God first at the start of your day. Especially where life is such a struggle for those little ones.
ReplyDeleteStanley - Unfotunately malnourishment causes a breakdown of her skin. As she is hydrating we are noticing great improvement in the tearing and flaking of her skin. Thank God!
ReplyDeleteKimber- It is sad that Clinton has left. But oddly, I don't feel as sad as I thought I would. The knowledge that he went home to family fills my heart.
Sara - My director worked hard to make worship a priority when she returned from the states. I love it because it is a reminder to me that as much as I feel like a caregiver all day... I am really just a child who has been cared for by God. It sound hokey... but its true. Thanks for commenting. Its cool that this detail touched you when I only mentioned it in passing...