Who's coming to dinner?

Per Wikipedia-

"Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. "

So my Thanksgiving Day was celebrated on Sunday, November 21, 2010, in a little apartment in Usa River, Tanzania, AFRICA. The mood was positive, the excitement was high, as one little American tried to bring some harvest joy to the volunteers of Cradle of Love, Havilah, and ADRA. Who new that one little suggestion of "lets get together and do something for Thanksgiving" would turn into a feast for the masses! It was a labor of love that took much planning of menu, of shopping, of coordination of transport, and set up for so many. What started off as a little meal to feed a few turned into a giant feast to feed 12!

God really blessed as cooking commenced at 7:00 a.m. Sunday and didn't stop until the first bite was taken at 7:30 p.m.! It was a hard day of work that I would do a hundred times over. God blessed us with modern technology and kept the electricity on all day for cooking. The joy of gathering so many people together to cook, to talk, to sing, and to enjoy is one that I won't ever forget. Seven countries were represented in the 12 volunteers in attendance. It was a gathering that would make the United Nations proud! Enjoy the pictures.

I really got into cooking. Man, were my feet tired by the end of the day.

There was so much to prepare on such a small space.

Anika, Danielle, and I got involved with the pumpkin puree.

Danielle did an awesome job with the spices and puree mixture.

Anika's amazing dinner rolls. Thanks Ashulu for the recipe!

The masses gathered after the feast!

Only floor seating available. Not a bad thing.

With all those dishes, our poor sink couldn't keep up.

3/4 of a quad of women that have really made Cradle an amazing place to be!

Thank you Anika, Alison, Danielle, Dolly, Darren, Kezia, Jacky, Jordan, Rebekka, Ruth, and Simon for coming and making this day so wonderful!

A VERY SPECIAL NOTE TO SELF: "I will offer thanks, for what has been and what's to come."

~Shae

How YOU can help

Its 4:37 a.m. and I can't sleep.

There have been a few issues on my mind of which I feel much unrest. As much as it pains me to admit it, I realize that these issues cannot be resolved by me. It can only be resolved by you and God. So this is my open letter, my written invitation, my request for sanctuary as I lay these burdens down and let God work his wonders through you. My best resolve is that in your actions, or inaction, will be God's gentle answer to the prayers I have been sending His way. Thanks for your time. Thanks for your involvement. Thanks for your faithful support. Hopefully now I can sleep.

TO ALL MY LOCAL READERS: (Arusha, Usa River, and Moshi)

1) We have a little girl at Cradle who needs a family! A local woman in our community has requested that this precious little girl come live with her. However, this woman works full time and has other children at home. Additionally, our precious little girl has physical and mental special needs and requires SO MUCH. This amazing MOM says that she can take our special little girl if she can find help. She wants a "housewoman" who is mature, responsible, and physically capable of lifting, cleaning, feeding, and caring for our special girl while MOM is at work. Are you that capable person????? Do you know someone looking for work who has a heart for a little girl in need??? Please contact me and I can give you more details.

2) We have another special cradle child who needs a temporary family! This time, her special need only involves needing a "foster" family of sorts. She has become available for adoption but her new adoptive family needs a temporary home for her as they prepare for her arrival and start the adoption process. A christian home where the "temporary" family has a heart and understanding of the adoption process is all this child needs. Please contact me and I can give you more details.


TO ALL MY INTERNATIONAL READERS: (America, this is you too!)

There are A LOT of volunteers, student missionaries, and long term missionaries serving all over the world. They need your help. They need prayers. They need letters. AND THEY NEED MONEY! So many of you have gone out to eat multiple times this week... how much did you spend on that meal? How much have you spent on meals all month??? While you are going to see Harry Potter, your student missionary is working in a hospital with no gloves, or serving at an orphanage where there are no diapers or clean water. And what are you doing about it??? GIVE TO YOUR MISSIONARY! GIVE TO THEIR LOCATION OF SERVICE! There are labor wards all over the world who are losing babies everyday because they have no suction to clear the lungs of the a baby in distress. And your Harry Potter money would solve that problem and save a life. Give to your missionary, please. They are sacrificing their life for another. Its your turn to do the same. Thank you.

~ Shae (goes to sleep now. Sweet dreams everyone.)

Where, oh where has my little church gone?

I miss Florida Hospital Church. I miss the music. I miss the sermons. I miss people coming up to me-- of whom I don't know-- making polite conversation and telling me that they don't like my shoes. Oh wait. No. No. I don't like that!! To be fair, the shoe thing only happened once, but its ok. I miss it anyway! Yesterday, our Cradle of Love director treated a few of us by driving us to Arusha Vineyard church. This is a community of "foreigners and locals" who worship together in christian fellowship. It was so lovely as the music, the sermon, and the people were most similar to my church back in Orlando, Florida. Here are a few pictures of our day at church and afterward enjoying some lunch at Njiro.

This is Kezia and I in front of the new facility

This is the view from the porch of the new church


Someone's baby was VERY good and someone's baby was NOT

Sweet Happy / Sleepy Happy

First time eating store bought baby food. He loved it

I think she loved the lid more than the food!

These two really enjoyed their day together

And on a related sidenote...I need some thoughts and prayers. Really, I just need God. The sermon at the Vineyard church was actually done by the children's department and it was on the topic of Prayer. Prayer: What it is, what it isn't, how we do it, how we listen, and accepting God's answers of YES, MAYBE, and NO.

I'm currently asking God and I need to hear His YES, His NO, or His MAYBE. The details aren't important at this moment as I need His answer to make the decisions and share with the world. But the need for Him, the need for His guidance, and the need to ACCEPT His decision is where my heart is in trouble. I just need. And I think only HE can supply my need.

Clear eyes. Full hearts.

~Shae

NOTE TO SELF # 13 - Its ok to not know what to do. Its not ok to do nothing.

Why you should know about the Nyange Church

Do you remember anything about 1994? Specifically the spring of 1994? I do. There was this little movie coming out-- Forest Gump! Can you believe it was that long ago??? 1994 was the year of Green Day and Wheezer. And JORDAN CATALANO! Oh my goodness! Remember "My so-called life?" I loved that show. And MTV when "the Real World" was good! Bill Clinton was President and I'm pretty sure that the Monica Lewinsky scandal had already begun. But truly, I don't remember, exactly, and I'm sure that I didn't care anyway. Life was good for a Tennessee girl. All was right with the world... or was it?

On April 15, 1994, Americans were all aflutter with filing their taxes on time and complaining about Uncle Sam. On the nightly news that evening, I'm sure the headlines were about federal spending and "this American life". However, half-way around the world-- if anyone had bothered to notice-- 2,000 Rwandans were being annihilated by other Rwandans. A GLOBAL atrocity was underway. And no one was doing anything about it. Please hang with me a moment to explain.

Just under two weeks ago, me and two other volunteers traveled into Arusha to attend the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. It was an amazing and eye opening experience as we listened to the testimony of one witness about the events leading up to the killings of 2,000 Rwandan Tutsis at Nyange Church. These people sought refuge at their local Catholic parish and were turned over by their very priest to be exterminated. The cold, callous, and calculating way in which the witness described his involvement with the massacre at Nyange Parish on 15 April and 16 April, 1994 was disturbing.

"We tried many things to bring the people out. But they didn't all die. We used the normal things to kill... you know... machetes and grenades. But then after we were VERY tired from all of our work [of killing] and had to get home for food and drink. I was very thirsty. Its a long day, you know?"

Ok, I have to confess that I put his words in quotes... but I may not have gotten it exact. However the sentences about food and drink ... that was direct. I was emotionally moved at how much he stressed the importance of having enough food and getting drinks after the corporate killing events of the 15th and 16th. The biggest surprise came in the midst of all of this "drink" talk when he casually slipped in "and on the way to the parish, I killed two Tutsi myself." Um, what?

The defense attorney asked "as far as you recall, do you know the identities of those two that you murdered?" And his response, "Oh, I'm not sure that I can remember... a young child and a woman. I think her name was Analise. But how could I possibly know the child?"

My heart stopped beating.

Defense attorney: "so you cannot recall the name of the child?"
Witness: "No."
Defense attorney: "can you recall the name of any of your victims and child victims?"
Witness: "Not all. How could I? And don't ask me to tell you where the head of the child from the last trial is! I told you then that I cannot possibly know and if I did know where the head of that leaders child is, all the other accomplices would have said. So don't even ask me! (in reference to a previous trial where a Tutsi political leader 's child was killed, according to the internet, to make a point).

My heart stopped beating again.

We've all heard the stories of Rwanda. Actually, sadly, many Americans HAVEN'T heard the stories of Rwanda. But instead of hearing the "big picture story", I got to witness the story of one location, of one group of people, and of one sinister man who valued his "drink" more than he valued people of his own community. At one point, as the attorneys were referencing the children killed at the Nyange Parish, my mind raced back to Cradle of Love. All my babies. All my beautiful, innocent, gorgeous babies. All made up of different villages, of different tribes, and of different circumstances. How different their lives would be if they lived just a few hundred miles to the west... Rwanda. How could anyone kill CHILDREN over tribal differences? I was totally emotional.

I am unable to take pictures at the tribunal as it is a real courtroom with real security. But I was able to pull some stock photos from the United Nations media library. Three of the judges in this picture were on the bench the day we visited and we were able to hear them speak.

This is a stock picture of the outside of the tribunal. The building is HUGE but houses other offices and businesses in Arusha. Its one of the larger buildings in the city.

Everyday in America, we are told of the atrocities around the world but we don't really listen. The amount of people killed between 1 January, 1994, and 31 December, 1994, would encompass all residents of Orange County, Florida (ORLANDO- for our international readers). So, why do you need to know about the 2,000 Rwandans who lost their lives on April 15 and April 16, 1994?????

We need to know so that American taxes, Wheezer, and Forest Gump are never a higher priority than protecting the lives and human rights of people a world away!

Something to think about.

Clear eyes. Full hearts. CAN'T LOSE.

~Shae

Who is sick now?

It seems that our little Happy girl is doing better! She is not totally out of the sickness "woods" yet, but I do see improvement. Since I only have a few more sabbaths here on the continent, I decided that it would be nice to just stay in and spend some time with a baby. To the left, you see that I have engaged in our favorite activity - bathtime! This is one of my favorite parts of sabbath. Unfortunately, it is also the activity that reveals to me just how how dangerously thin Happy can get. I grabbed clothes from the nursery to dress her. Unfortunately, the size 3month clothes didn't fit. I had grabbed a newborn outfit because it was cute, but I never thought she could actually wear it. I was wrong. The outfit you see her sleeping in is size NB. It breaks my heart to see her so thin. She'll be 11 months old on the 10th. I have got to get this child out of Tanzania and to a better hospital so we can figure out what is wrong with her. But alas. That is not the reality we live in.

Here are some more pictures of our day. And at the end some information on one of our new volunteers and "her" baby!

Happy's little skeletal system is making an appearance. Scary thin.




See the nail clippers? Bigger than her hand.

Waking up from our afternoon nap!

This is Rahman and a new volunteer, Kezia.

Rahman hasn't been feeling well, so Kezia has made a point of holding him everyday and monitoring his health. He is such a beautiful, sweet little boy and I think these two are fast friends!

Such good friends in fact, that Rahman decided Kezia would make for a good place to vomit! Pole Kezia. Double POLE as Kezia has now been in bed for 24 hours with her own bout of vomiting. Ah, the life of a Cradle volunteer!

What can I do to help?: Happy goes to the Hospital

Dear Readers:

If you are a long term visitor to my blog, you will note that there are certain children that I tend to “spotlight” more than others. Happy Edward Msaki is one such child. She and I have bonded in ways that I did not expect and she is just a delight to my life. Last week, she was stricken with vomiting and diarrhea. After receiving a positive test for malaria, she was treated and expected to make a full recovery. However, our staff supervisor came into the office early yesterday morning asking for urgent intervention as our little Happy girl was vomiting again and dangerously dehydrated. I was supposed to go to Arushatown with Davona, but I accompanied our nurse to the hospital instead. It took over 45 minutes to get an IV started on Happy. Her veins are just too small and the dehydration made it almost impossible to find access. It literally took three different nurses (including our own) to get a successful vein. Happy screamed the entire time and another woman had to end up holding her as I nearly passed out! All the nurses kept asking “what’s wrong with the Mzungu?” And my nurse from Cradle would say “blood” and they would all nod their heads and giggle! They ended up moving me to one of the beds in the pediatric ward because I was “very white” (as opposed to my normal shade of pale!). I have seen many procedures on children, but the stress of having this tiny 11 pound wonder losing her mind as the nurses twist, and poked, and squeezed, and dug for a vein… I think it was emotionally too much. I knew it was in Happy’s best interest to gain access, but I didn’t handle her crying very well. Great parenting Shae!!! Anyway, here are a few pictures from our time in the hospital. I stayed with her through the day and our Cradle nurse stayed with her at night. Get well Happy girl.

This is the pediatric ward. 8 beds in one large room.

Happy on her bed. No cribs. No pretty colors on the wall. Not your typical Peds ward! Just a mosquito net and a pole to hang her IV drip. Primitive but clean so I really can’t complain. Also, the sisters at the hospital couldn’t have been nicer.

Poor little Happy was really too weak to drink but she did anyway and I was thrilled.

At any American hospital, you enjoy the comforts of air conditioning, a gift shop, a phone, the cafeteria, televisions and trash cans!!! But here in Tanzania, you bring your own everything. Food, water, toilet paper, entertainment, blankets, sheets, bags for trash, wipes, etc. Florida Hospital is looking like the freakin’ Ritz-Carlton to me, right now !!!! Of course, it only costs $5 to stay here overnight. I’m pretty sure Florida Hospital is a LITTLE more expensive than that!

After a full drip, and a few hours of sleep, Happy was becoming more enthusiastic to drink some milk. She just took the bottle from me and attempted to hold it herself. All my pictures of her are so deceiving because she looks a little pudgy in her face. But look closely… this is a small, 4 ounce bottle, and look how big it is compared to her head. This child is 10 months old and wearing a 0-3 month outfit. All parents would understand this… she is still in stage/size 1 diapers. She’s tiny!

Thank you to all my readers out there! I am always amazed when I meet people of whom I have never met, but they know me from this blog. Its a blessing to be able to share this experience with all of you. Please, please, please, feel free to leave a comment as it helps me to feel connected and get to know those who are reading.

~Shae

Who is that?: Hidaya goes home for a visit

About three weeks ago, I got the privilege of accompanying Ashley to the home of baby Hidaya. Hidaya has been at Cradle of Love Baby Home almost since birth. She lost her mother but has a surviving baba, dadas, kaka, and two bibis (that's father, sisters, brother, and two grandmothers!). Hidaya's older siblings and one grandmother had only seen her once, whereas her father and maternal grandmother had only seen her a few times. It was upon the visit of Hidaya's father to Cradle just days before Ashley was to return to the United States, that she was invited to visit his home and meet the family. The following is a simple pictorial of her visit (I was invited to accompany and capture the moments). Visiting this home further helps me to feel confident in our work here at Cradle. Without a living mother and without us, these families would have no where to turn and would lose their babies. I'm so happy that we can be here to help them in their times of crisis. Its truly our privilege and honor.

Room one of two: Where the family gathers to eat and socialize

The friend who referred the family to Cradle of Love was also there to visit with Hidaya

Hidaya's beautiful three year old sister

Me in the alleyway leading to Hidaya's home





Hidaya cried a lot during the visit but her Baba didn't mind! Daddy's love their little girls!

The whole family, with a few friends that you might recognize

Go ahead and sleep Hidaya. Its already been a long day.