Immanuel AGC Visit

     We wanted to officially inform all of you that we are in the process of trying to adopt Hope into our family.  Because of the medical conditions that Hope has, and because of the care that we have given her, she has been paced with us by the social worker and the adoption agency.  We have been to a local lawyer and have started the process.  We have already received the official okay from World Gospel Mission and we are so very excited.  We have been able to Skype or FaceTime with Nathan, Andrea, Talia and both sets of parents to introduce them to Hope.  They are all on-board with this and are very happy to accept her into our family.  This is something that we had always hoped for (no pun intended) but had never dreamed that God would open this door to us so widely.  Thank you to all that have prayed for Hope and all of you that I know will help pray us through the process.

Little Miss Hope sitting up for the first time alone

     This weekend was very full.  The four of us along with Pastor Meshack & Cate Habib & family, our Social Worker, Irene, our KCH representative, Eunice, one of our caregivers, Ruth, and three of our kids, Wycliff, Michael Mwangi and Seenoi, travelled to Kericho on Saturday.

Our group with some of Manu's family

     Our main reason for going was to speak at Immanuel AGC on Sunday morning in both services.  Since we went the night before we stopped in at our Business Manager, Emmanuel, family's home.  We had a lovely time taking tea and mandazi with them.  We visited with them for awhile and then made our way to the church for supper.

The Baby Centre kids reciting their verses

     We had the privilege of staying at Anthony and Rev. Joyce Tonui's home overnight.  Then we had an 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday morning.  Immanuel is the biggest AGC church with well over 1700 in attendance.  AGC Baby Centre basically had the entire time in both services to speak.  Dan spoke on Micah 6:8 and Matthew 25:31-46.  It was a wonderful service and the children did such a great job on their Bible memory verses' that they recited.  Cate, Irene and Eunice also spoke on their area of expertise, informing people how they can help and how to go about adoption.

Some of our group in the first row

     We were so warmly welcomed and the whole congregation fell in love with the children.  It is so wonderful to see how God warms peoples hearts when they hear about the children.

Dan speaking and telling Hope's story

Rev. Joyce Tonui with Hope

     It was a privilege to be able to once again tell the story of the Baby Centre to the people of the Africa Gospel Church.  We saw the congregation moved and there was a great response after the service.  We look forward to seeing how God will use these seeds that have been planted to further His Kingdom through the Africa Gospel Church Baby Centre.

Blessings,

D&D

Celebrating A Life

     Yesterday was an emotionally exhausting day.  We laid to rest little baby Ruth that had passed away on Thursday morning.  The day was so full of emotions with saying good-bye to Ruth.  She leaves behind an empty spot in our hearts, but fills the space in heaven that the Lord had for her.  She completed her task here on earth and the Lord called her home.
     Her smile would light up a room.  No matter how gloomy you felt if you made your way into Wing B you would not leave without Ruth making you smile and laugh.  Suddenly your mood had changed and all because of this little gift from God, baby Ruth.  We could all learn something from Ruth's life.  You never know the impact you are going to have on someone with just a simple smile.

     We are so thankful for the time that Ruth was here with us, this is the only home Ruth ever knew.  We were the only earthly parents that Ruth ever knew.  This has the entire staff contemplating the significance of that role.
     In the midst of all of this, life goes on and we were called to pick up another abandoned child.  Please help us in welcoming Floyd Jacob to the Baby Centre.  He is a healthy one month old.

     Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of the notes and prayers that have come our way.  These are very difficult times to go through, and the power of prayer and encouragement are very evident.

Blessings,

D&D

A Bittersweet Day

Ruth

     We wanted to update you about baby Ruth.  She remains at Tenwek Hospital and is in stable but critical condition at the moment.  She has had cardiac arrest 3 times in the last 24 hours.  All that can be done medically has been done, unless the Lord intervenes we fear that she will not survive.  Please lift her up in prayer.
     This is a difficult time for all our staff.  All our thoughts are on Ruth, all our hearts are crying out to God on her behalf.
     We are thankful for the team at Tenwek that are working so diligently using the gifts God has given them to try to save Ruth.  We know God is in control and He already knows the outcome.

     Today was AGC Baby Centre day at Ngata AGC.  All the children were dedicated to the Lord and we gave a presentation and message.  Since Ruth was not there we had the Habib's daughter stand in for her and dedicated her.

     Some of our kids did some songs and memory verses as well.  They did a wonderful job.  Everyone loves seeing the kids and hearing them sing songs about Jesus.  Our caregivers did a great job practicing with them and teaching them the verses.







     We were also able to dedicate Hope today.  That was such a blessing.  It seems as though it has been many weeks since her heart surgery, but it has only been 4 weeks!  She continues to improve and is now eating baby food!

Hope being dedicated

     Dan gave the message today at church and spoke about the Baby Centre and how the local churches can get involved.  The response was tremendous and a large donation of gifts-in-kind and monetary donations were given at the end of the service.  It was very humbling for us to see how the church poured their heart out to the Baby Centre.
     We thank you all for your continued prayers and support.  We are very blessed to have such a wonderful group of champions behind us.

Blessings,
D&D



   

And The Cows Come Home...

     We are very pleased to announce that the cows are now at the Baby Centre in their new structure.  They moved to the Baby Centre this afternoon.  Several of the staff along with the farms hands helped to drive the cows from the farm to the Baby Centre, it was quite a site.  Once the cows knew where we were headed they ran most of the way.  We had a hard time keeping up with them.

Loading the calves

Receiving instructions from the drive boss

Headin' out, raw hide!

Our son the cow herder

He's doing a good job bringing up the rear

Stampede, visitors crash gate

The Cow Pokes!!

     We also welcomed a new little one to the Baby Centre two days ago.  Her name is Angel and she is 2 years old.  Angel is very small for her age and we are still assessing her medical needs.  Please pray for her and wisdom for us as we move forward.

Angel

     We also said goodbye to two of our kids, Erick and Patrick (Patty), who went home with their grandmother yesterday.  Please pray for a smooth transition for them as they are placed back with family members.

Hope on her first game drive

     This past Sunday we had an opportunity to take a few hours in the afternoon and take a trip to Lake Nakuru Game Park.  It was Hope's first game drive and as you can see she was more than enthused by it.   At least she dressed for the occasion as you can see by her monkey shirt and pink capris.

     We also want to keep you updated on speaking engagements that we are having with AGC churches.  This Sunday, March 3rd, is Baby Centre Sunday at Ngata AGC, the church right next door to us.  All the Baby Centre kids will be dedicated during the service and we will present a power point presentation and Dan will give the message.   Please keep this speaking engagement in your prayers as well.
     Please remember Kenya in your prayers as we head towards elections on Monday, March 4th.  We are being told that the announcement of who won will not take place until Tuesday afternoon.

Blessings,
D&D