Afeefa's time here is quickly coming to a close. Last week we purchased plane tickets to take her home again. Healing the Children doesn't usually allow host families to take the children back, but because of all of the new therapy and things that Afeefa has been learning that her family needs to keep up with, they have given permission for me to take her back. I was feeling ok about traveling to Guyana alone this time, but as I lay in bed thinking about it the other night, I realized that I would feel so much better if someone else could come along with me. I wasn't sure if HTC would approve of another person coming along, and the only person who seemed logical to me is Kristin VanWieren, who accompanied me last time, since she has all of the necessary shots and passport already. I called HTC and got their permission late on Wednesday, but was told they needed a definite answer by Thursday morning in order to lock in at the fare we had. So, I called Kristin just before she left for parent-teacher conferences, and having really only one night to work things out----discuss it with her family, get permission from her principal, clear her calendar and figure out child care----everything miraculously came together and she is able to accompany me and Afeefa on our return to Guyana. We plan to leave on Wednesday, February 29-----only 9 short days away.
This time with Afeefa has been very special. We've seen marked progress in her use of her eyes as well as her mobility. We've enjoyed her sweet little voice, her hugs, her laughter, and her affection for each one of us---especially for the kids. Some of the things we've particularly enjoyed:
* when she sings along with songs at bedtime----it's amazing how many of them she has memorized!
* when she tastes a new food and says "Tastes like beef" and everyone laughs!
* every time Glen prays at meal times, at the end of the prayer Afeefa says, "Good job!!!"
* each time we get in our van to go somewhere, she says "We ride in the Mama Bus!"
We've been so blessed by this precious little one. Though it is a lot of work, we feel so blessed to be able to welcome and love Afeefa as our own. Yesterday our sermon in church was about love. All week long we had read chapters about love, and our Sunday service culminated with a sermon tying them all together. I was remembering the very first time Afeefa came, the very first night, when Afeefa was handed to me and entrusted to our care. I sat rocking this crying child that I didn't know, feeling overwhelmed and totally inadequate, and I prayed, "Lord, please, help me to love this little one. She is so sad, so homesick, and she needs a mama to love her, but I don't feel like I can love her that way. Please, help me to love her with your love." Over time, God grew His love in my heart to enable me to love Afeefa like one of my own children. And He not only enabled me to love her, but also Glen and the kids----they've loved her so well, too. So, I was thinking about love during our sermon yesterday, and particularly about loving Afeefa. We learned that to say "I love you" is to say "I want to serve you." I love that definition of love. It has been hard work to love and serve Afeefa and her family, but because of the love Christ has for us, and for His Spirit in our hearts, we are able to love that way. I know for sure that in my own sinful, selfish nature, I have no capacity for this sort of serving love, but God has given us a tangible task to teach us to love, and we are so grateful for all that He's taught us through Afeefa and her family in our lives. Our prayer for them is that when they see our love for Afeefa, they will know it is but a mere reflection of the incomprehensible, MASSIVE love that God has for us and them in Christ Jesus.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Thoughts About Winter, or the Lack Thereof, and "Sweetie"
I am convinced that the unseasonably warm weather of January and the first part of this month has been God's gracious gift to Afeefa. Even though from the day she arrived here, Afeefa has asked to see pretty snow, I truly believe God knew it would be best to send some milder temps for this hot-climate child to adapt better. AND, all of our trips to Detroit are finished, and each time, we had sunshine and perfectly clear roads for travel. I do not think it is a coincidence that the day after our last trip, which was last Thursday, a snow storm came. Had we been traveling on Friday, it would have made for a miserably long trip. So, again, I just marvel when I see God's loving care and provision.
And, how wonderful, too, that Afeefa has gotten to "see some pretty snow." She has gone sledding on our little hill with Rebecca. She wasn't too sure what to think of it at first, but in the end, was asking for more rides, until the cold got to her. Her favorite thing, though, is to be outside when it is snowing hard and to catch the snowflakes in her mouth. Now, whenever we step outside, she opens her mouth, says "Open wide, eat some snow."
This week we began work in our home with a therapist who specializes in mobility and orientation for the visually impaired. This wonderful woman, Ann, is a retired vision therapist who used to work for GR public schools. She has graciously offered her time to help Afeefa learn to walk with her special cane, which she tenderly refers to as "Sweetie." I'm excited about the progress Afeefa is making as she is learning to navigate better and gain some confidence as she moves about. It was so exciting to see her walk all the way from our living room to her bedroom, and then to our kitchen with little assistance. It's hard to believe that she has gone from total blindness to now being able to navigate her way around somewhat independently. Pray that she'll continue to make good progress, both with mobility and using her eyes in every day tasks.
Thanks to those of you who have donated money to support her medical care and travel expenses. If you are able to help, you can still donate at any time, just be sure to write "for Afeefa Ally" on the memo line of your check to:
Healing The Children/Michigan-Ohio Chapter
2140 44th St. SE Ste. 204
Grand Rapids, Mi 49508
Also, we want to thank all of you who have kept Afeefa, her family, and ours in your prayers. God is faithful, and we are blessed!
Some recent Afeefa quotes to make you smile:
After tasting any new food, her favorite thing to say is "Tastes like beef."
Afeefa thoroughly enjoys watching the boys' basketball games and cheering for them. Some of the things she's heard at games have been repeated at various times during any given day:
*in the bathtub when I wash her quickly, "Good hustle!"
*to Micah at breakfast, "Shake it off, Micah" (she heard this when he got hurt in a game)
* at the boys game, she cheers for their team, "Go Hawks!!!" and then the next moment echoes a cheer from parents of the other team with equal enthusiasm, "Go Bucks!!!!"
And, a couple of pictures, too......
Here, Afeefa and Micah are watching "Baby Einstein"----her favorite. With my other kids, TV watching was always frowned upon, but for Afeefa, it's legitimate and good vision therapy!
Afeefa's first walk around the house using "Sweetie."
And, how wonderful, too, that Afeefa has gotten to "see some pretty snow." She has gone sledding on our little hill with Rebecca. She wasn't too sure what to think of it at first, but in the end, was asking for more rides, until the cold got to her. Her favorite thing, though, is to be outside when it is snowing hard and to catch the snowflakes in her mouth. Now, whenever we step outside, she opens her mouth, says "Open wide, eat some snow."
This week we began work in our home with a therapist who specializes in mobility and orientation for the visually impaired. This wonderful woman, Ann, is a retired vision therapist who used to work for GR public schools. She has graciously offered her time to help Afeefa learn to walk with her special cane, which she tenderly refers to as "Sweetie." I'm excited about the progress Afeefa is making as she is learning to navigate better and gain some confidence as she moves about. It was so exciting to see her walk all the way from our living room to her bedroom, and then to our kitchen with little assistance. It's hard to believe that she has gone from total blindness to now being able to navigate her way around somewhat independently. Pray that she'll continue to make good progress, both with mobility and using her eyes in every day tasks.
Thanks to those of you who have donated money to support her medical care and travel expenses. If you are able to help, you can still donate at any time, just be sure to write "for Afeefa Ally" on the memo line of your check to:
Healing The Children/Michigan-Ohio Chapter
2140 44th St. SE Ste. 204
Grand Rapids, Mi 49508
Also, we want to thank all of you who have kept Afeefa, her family, and ours in your prayers. God is faithful, and we are blessed!
Some recent Afeefa quotes to make you smile:
After tasting any new food, her favorite thing to say is "Tastes like beef."
Afeefa thoroughly enjoys watching the boys' basketball games and cheering for them. Some of the things she's heard at games have been repeated at various times during any given day:
*in the bathtub when I wash her quickly, "Good hustle!"
*to Micah at breakfast, "Shake it off, Micah" (she heard this when he got hurt in a game)
* at the boys game, she cheers for their team, "Go Hawks!!!" and then the next moment echoes a cheer from parents of the other team with equal enthusiasm, "Go Bucks!!!!"
And, a couple of pictures, too......
Looking at blocks and learning to build towers
Some fun in the pretty snow!!!!
Here, Afeefa and Micah are watching "Baby Einstein"----her favorite. With my other kids, TV watching was always frowned upon, but for Afeefa, it's legitimate and good vision therapy!
Afeefa's first walk around the house using "Sweetie."
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
How Can I Not Love This Child?
Our time with Afeefa is so busy-----diaper changes, sleepless nights, snotty noses, slooooowwww meal times, therapy, therapy, long trips to Detroit, occasional 2-year-old melt-downs, more therapy, and more sleepless nights. Sounds pretty horrible, I know----but I wouldn't trade it for the world! All day long I think to myself, "How can I not love this child?" When she says out of the blue, "Mama Kori, you are sooooo special," how can I not love her? When the kids get her laughing so hard that we're all in tears with laughter, I can't help but love her. When she accomplishes a new task in therapy with so much excitement and raises her arms and says "I'm the champion!" I have to just love her. In the quiet moments of singing songs, and when she joins in, singing in her tiny, sweet voice, my heart is warmed, and I am compelled to love her. It is such an honor to have Afeefa in our home; it is hard work, for sure. But just like raising our own children, joy abounds in and through it all. And I stand amazed at the things I know Afeefa sees when I think back to when we first met her and she had absolutely no vision. God has been so faithful and so good.
Yesterday we went to Detroit and Afeefa received her long awaited new glasses with elation! She was so excited to get them. She ordered pink ones this time; and yellow ones for her sunglasses. Both colors really are appropriate for such a cheerful child who truly brings a ray of sunshine wherever she goes.
Last week we had 3 appointments all one long day. The long and short of her progress is that there has been tremendous healing and significant functional visual improvement in one eye, but not so much in the other. For that reason, her surgeon really wants to see her back in 9 months. Some of you have received a FB invitation to sponsor Afeefa, some of you have received a personal note, and some of you are reading this for the first time. Either way, would you consider giving a financial gift to Healing the Children, with the gift designated for Afeefa Ally? Because of the on-going nature of the care she needs, it would be great if we could raise some funds so that there aren't excessive HTC resources going to one child and they continue to do the good work they are doing with other children, too. If you'd be willing to help out, you can make a check to Healing the Children, and you can send it directly to them. Just be sure to designate on the memo that it is for Afeefa Ally. Here's the pertinent information:
Healing The Children/Michigan-Ohio Chapter
2140 44th St. SE Ste. 204
Grand Rapids, Mi 49508
Some More Great Afeefa Quotes for Your Enjoyment
*While sitting at the dinner table, out of the blue: "I'm telling you, I am discombobulated!" ( a favorite word of hers that the kids taught her)
*Also at the dinner table, commenting on the meal, "This is NOT good!"
*Every time she brings something new up to her eyes to see: "WOW!!!!"
* She affectionately calls our van the "Mama Bus," and loves to go for rides.
Below are some pictures we thought you'd enjoy:
Afeefa LOVES playing with the kids!
NEW GLASSES!!!
Yesterday we went to Detroit and Afeefa received her long awaited new glasses with elation! She was so excited to get them. She ordered pink ones this time; and yellow ones for her sunglasses. Both colors really are appropriate for such a cheerful child who truly brings a ray of sunshine wherever she goes.
Last week we had 3 appointments all one long day. The long and short of her progress is that there has been tremendous healing and significant functional visual improvement in one eye, but not so much in the other. For that reason, her surgeon really wants to see her back in 9 months. Some of you have received a FB invitation to sponsor Afeefa, some of you have received a personal note, and some of you are reading this for the first time. Either way, would you consider giving a financial gift to Healing the Children, with the gift designated for Afeefa Ally? Because of the on-going nature of the care she needs, it would be great if we could raise some funds so that there aren't excessive HTC resources going to one child and they continue to do the good work they are doing with other children, too. If you'd be willing to help out, you can make a check to Healing the Children, and you can send it directly to them. Just be sure to designate on the memo that it is for Afeefa Ally. Here's the pertinent information:
Healing The Children/Michigan-Ohio Chapter
2140 44th St. SE Ste. 204
Grand Rapids, Mi 49508
Some More Great Afeefa Quotes for Your Enjoyment
*While sitting at the dinner table, out of the blue: "I'm telling you, I am discombobulated!" ( a favorite word of hers that the kids taught her)
*Also at the dinner table, commenting on the meal, "This is NOT good!"
*Every time she brings something new up to her eyes to see: "WOW!!!!"
* She affectionately calls our van the "Mama Bus," and loves to go for rides.
Below are some pictures we thought you'd enjoy:
NEW GLASSES!!!
Here, Afeefa is using her eyes to look at blocks with her new glasses! This is a big milestone for her!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Afeefa Returns
We decided it might be a good idea to update our blog once again, for those who are praying and interested in knowing how Afeefa is doing. After much planning, and the amazing ways that God provides, she arrived on this past Monday night, thanks to the work and coordination of Healing the Children, and a very kind airline ambassador escort named Masako, who accompanied her on her multi-stop flight here.
Needless to say, we were all very excited to see her again, as it had been over a year since we brought her home. I was surprised at the many mixed emotions I felt in anticipation of her arrival-----at moments I was simply excited, also a bit nervous, saddened at the thought of her family having to place her in the arms of someone they didn't know and not knowing for how long.... But, God is so faithful. He gave Afeefa's family the strength and courage to let her go once again, and daily, He is giving our family the love and strength we need to care for this precious little one.
Next week she has a number of doctor visits, and we are eager to hear what their assessment is of her vision and her healing.
Please, keep her in your prayers as she adjusts to the many changes of being here, and pray for her family who misses her so much. Also, please pray for good rest, and the ability to balance everything, while giving her the love and best care that we can.
Thanks!
Some Afeefa Quotes to Make You Smile
"I want to see some beautiful snow" (repeated to us at least 50 times in the last couple of days----bring on the snow, I say!)
Glen asks Afeefa what she thinks of Mama Kori's ravioli at dinner, and she says---in a very sweet voice, of course---"This is no good!"
The kids are having fun making Afeefa repeat after them. Our favorite word so far that she says perfectly well: "Discombobulate"
When a friend brought over fresh baked biscuits, Afeefa took a bite, smiled and said, "This is warm and nice."
When the boys got on the bus the first two mornings, Afeefa cried and said " I want on bus with the boys."
(Today, we went all the way to the bus stop, took a peak into the bus, and no more tears)
My favorite quote of all, which followed lots of crying for home, and came from out of the blue: "I love you, Mama Kori." Just what I needed to get through the day.
Needless to say, we were all very excited to see her again, as it had been over a year since we brought her home. I was surprised at the many mixed emotions I felt in anticipation of her arrival-----at moments I was simply excited, also a bit nervous, saddened at the thought of her family having to place her in the arms of someone they didn't know and not knowing for how long.... But, God is so faithful. He gave Afeefa's family the strength and courage to let her go once again, and daily, He is giving our family the love and strength we need to care for this precious little one.
Next week she has a number of doctor visits, and we are eager to hear what their assessment is of her vision and her healing.
Please, keep her in your prayers as she adjusts to the many changes of being here, and pray for her family who misses her so much. Also, please pray for good rest, and the ability to balance everything, while giving her the love and best care that we can.
Thanks!
Some Afeefa Quotes to Make You Smile
"I want to see some beautiful snow" (repeated to us at least 50 times in the last couple of days----bring on the snow, I say!)
Glen asks Afeefa what she thinks of Mama Kori's ravioli at dinner, and she says---in a very sweet voice, of course---"This is no good!"
The kids are having fun making Afeefa repeat after them. Our favorite word so far that she says perfectly well: "Discombobulate"
When a friend brought over fresh baked biscuits, Afeefa took a bite, smiled and said, "This is warm and nice."
When the boys got on the bus the first two mornings, Afeefa cried and said " I want on bus with the boys."
(Today, we went all the way to the bus stop, took a peak into the bus, and no more tears)
My favorite quote of all, which followed lots of crying for home, and came from out of the blue: "I love you, Mama Kori." Just what I needed to get through the day.
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