Children's Day

I’m declaring today ‘Children’s Day.’ We visited the Faith Alive Community School (Hwol Yarje – try pronouncing THAT!), Forbor Orphanage (government-run, pitiful conditions), and saw ‘the Peanut Butter Girls’ (Tina and Matta). At the school I shared photos I’d taken in March, and photographed the two children I’ve ‘followed.’ I took a photo (snap) of brothers Augustine and Junior (probably 5 and 2 years old) who 1 ½ years ago were pretty malnourished. They're doing well now. Unfortunately school isn’t in session now so we didn’t meet the teachers, but did see the colorful new signs and wallhangings courtesy of our own Sara Cawley and team. At the orphanage a few of us went around saying a blessing for each baby (about 12). They were all in cribs in a dark room, with one adult. Heart wrenching. We picked up the babies that hadn’t soiled their diapers (those we just touched instead). What a blessing to see Tina and Matta, sisters aged 5 and 3, who just 8 weeks ago were VERY near death. Today they ‘graduated’ from the vitamin-laden peanut butter and their mother was taught how to properly feed them . Truly a miracle thanks to God, Faith Alive, and the Peanut Butter Project (and our church members who helped finance some of this).

And let’s not forget Dr. Chris’s children: Emily, Prince, and JoJo. They are healthy, educated, and being taught Christian values (and bible verses!). The Isicheis are a healthy model of family, not only for Nigerians but for Americans and others as well. While no family is perfect, Drs. Chris and Mercy are very intentional about raising Godly children. They were delighted with the toys I brought them: Spiderman Punch bags (for the boys) and Hello Kitty pencil and paper set (for Emily). Emily is very proud to be turning 8 this month while I’m here, and has reminded me many times that her birthday is August 23.

Tomorrow we hope to go to the market to buy fabric so Blessing and the sewing school students can begin making our colorful Nigerian clothes. I’m excited to have new outfits that weren’t purchased at Kohl’s! Speaking of clothes, it’s time to get in my jammies.