Anastasia


The privilege of watching a baby take her first steps is one of God’s rich bonuses. Such was the gift for my first day back in Africa. Anastasia, a gorgeous little 20-month old, took her first steps at the Joy Home, in Ngarariga, Kenya at 3:53 Eastern Africa Time.  And when she did the heavens opened up… her entire family rejoiced, women smiled, children clapped and this white man, as usual, cried.

You see, Anastasia has a special story, one in which her first steps are an immense leap forward.

The fourth born girl to a single mom dying with AIDS, Anastasia was orphaned just weeks after her birth. Her grandmother tried her level best to take care of four grandchildren, all under the age of six. Each day she would find a neighbor to tend the older ones and then strap little Anastasia on her back, as she headed to a local rock quarry, where for ten hours a day she would chip larger rocks into smaller and smaller ones, when, at the end of the day, she would pocket about $1.50.  Then she would make the long trek back home, where Anastasia was untied from her back bundle and placed in a cardboard box while grand mom cooked and tended the older children.

Strapped on her grandmother’s back, or laid in a box nearly all of her hours for well more than a year, Anastasia’s body never thrived and her little legs never matured.  Then the $1.50 quarried a day went away when grand mom, herself with AIDS, became ill. Things got worse and worse…until it appeared that death perhaps would visit this home once again.

But today, Anastasia, 20 months old, her once tiny body enriched by good food, unformed legs strengthened by physical therapy, spirit built by the love of an adoptive new mom and aunties and sisters and brothers at the Joy Home, took her first step…and then another…and another…and…

…and when she did, this crying white man saw the heavens opened and witnessed, first-hand, the smile of Christ.

Only He knows where her next steps will lead her but, based on the heavenly smile witnessed today, I have the feeling they are leading her into an awesome future.

In Him,

Jim

PS: In case you couldn’t tell, it was a great first day in Kenya.

by Jim Wood, Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, Virginia.

Friday – School’s Out!

Whether in the US or Kenya, Friday marks a special day for children. The start of their weekend!

This past Friday afternoon, Kate and I visited the Joy Home as the children returned from school. I suspect they were surprised to see visitors but they were quick to greet us with many handshakes. The boys were boys, showing us their newest Karate moves, followed by their ladder climbing skills. We recognized several familiar faces…..Moses from Holy Family Center and Michael from the Allamano School. Over one half of the children at the Joy Home are  HIV+ and most are full orphans.

The boys wanted to show off their bedrooms and specifically they wanted us to see their personal shelf of clothing…..several   shirts and socks.  They were all smiles! It later occurred to us that this might be the first t time these children have had their own space and clothing. Sometimes what we take for granted is a treasure at the Joy Home.

The girls were giggly and especially proud of their bunk beds. The beds were neatly made and their names where written prominently   on their storage cabinets. Many children in Kenya, especially orphans, sleep on the floor or several to a bed… these bunk beds are truly a treasure.

Three Moms were busy in the kitchen preparing mokimoke (mashed potatoes, beans and corn) and mandazi (a donut like treat) for Friday night dinner. Each of the Moms have completed 12 weeks of training including nutritional instruction.  In order to combat the side effects of a weakened immune system in many of the children proper nutrition is essential.

We wanted to stay for dinner but needed to leave. We promised to return this week and spend the night with them…our first sleepover. 

by Rudy Miller, a member of First Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, Virginia.

“Happiness is in doing”

A poster on the wall of the pediatric ward of Nazareth Hospital reads “Happiness is in doing”. I’m not certain those words are meant to encourage the Nazareth staff, patients or visitors. Perhaps all.

Kate and I were visiting the pediatric ward to see a child from the Joy Home. Michael B. was admitted to the hospital on Monday. He is struggling with TB, pneumonia, shingles and a low CD4 (white blood cell) count. Michael is HIV+. Although he is only 11 years old he and his younger brother are full orphans who were living alone before being admitted to the Joy Home. We also learned Michael has a friend at Nazareth, Brian.  Brian is 8 years old and is struggling with AIDS. Michael has become Brian’s encourager! When we visited Brian it was clear his disease had progressed….he is extremely weak, malnourished and dehydrated. But, there was Michael at Brian’s side.  I’m not certain what Michael said…..but he was there.

As we looked around this ward of beautiful children, all HIV+ thru no fault of their own, there was a pretty little girl hiding under the covers of her bed. As she peeked out, we thought we recognized her, yes, it was Habiba. We last saw Habiba in 2010. At that time we learned she was being abused and in the midst of a terrible living environment. Last week her uncle brought her to Nazareth Hospital. Because she no longer takes her Anti Retro Viral medications her health is failing. Will her mother or uncle return for her? It is unclear. Yet, the Tree of Lives Love Account will at least make certain Habiba’s medical needs are provided.

Our visit ended with a reminder of the tremendous needs of Kenyan children yet a promise of hope. Perhaps our experience was best described by Paul when he described our God as the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our afflictions so that we may be able to comfort others.

by Rudy Miller, a member of First Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, Virginia.

Sons and Daughters

 

This morning we visited the Joy Children’s Home, the orphanage our congregation has envisioned for over a year.  Walking through the halls of this beautiful, expansive home, I could imagine children running, playing and laughing within its walls.  There was a dream-like quality to our visit, as though at any moment, we might wake and discover ourselves overrun with children, mothers, families.

While the home won’t open until August, much work has already been done.  Initial renovations are complete, three “mothers” have completed their three-month training, and the first 15 children have been selected.

One of those is baby Emmanuel, whose name means “God with us.”  I was able to hold Emmanuel this afternoon, and I was present when he and his new mother, Joyce, met for the first time.  Emmanuel was abandoned at birth on the grounds of Nazareth hospital, and he has spent his first five weeks of life orphaned in the pediatric ward.  Today, he left the hospital, not as an orphan, but as a son.

In Matthew 18, Jesus says,

“Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name, welcomes me.”

Emmanuel is well named.

There are so many children in horrific situations here, and it is so easy to be overwhelmed by a sense of hopelessness amidst the poverty, disease and abuse.  But these children are not orphans or strangers to us.  They are our sons and our daughters – they are our sisters and brothers – they are children of the King.  Our King says, “Your Father in Heaven is Not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.”

Today, one that was lost is now found.  Today, angels rejoice.  Today, with us God has a home.

by Jim Gates, Associate Pastor for Evangelism at First Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, Virginia.

I have nothing to offer – no money, no resources – just myself.

“I have nothing to offer – no money, no resources – just myself.”

The humble words of Joyce Wanjiru, a soon to be mother of eight, brings me to my knees in gratitude this morning.  Joyce, along with Esther and Elizabeth just finished a two-month intensive residential training program in preparation to be our first moms at the Nazareth Joy Home.  When I ask, this morning, why she wants to take on this special role, this mother of two now-grown children says,

“It is a calling. My children are blessed to have their mother.  Now the children God has chosen for me at this time in my life will receive the same blessing.”

Her voice softening, she continues, “I see the many needs of the world and realize, I have nothing to offer – no money, no resources – just myself.” Her head bows and my heart senses the overwhelming presence of Christ’s Spirit in her humility.  Only myself…

One of my standard Bible lines is “the parents have eaten sour grapes and the children’s teeth are set on edge.”  Since the beginning of our history we have lived with the good and bad of prior generations – the saints that bless and the ghosts that haunt.  The truth though is that I usually cheat these passages in my application. Yes, both Jeremiah and Ezekiel have this powerful image of sour taste and tinged-teeth but neither in their hope leaves the despair I often allow. Instead, both proclaim, “In those days it shall no longer be said, the parents have eaten sour grapes and the children’s teeth are set on edge.”  No longer…

This morning, I live into the presence of “no longer,” as I sit with three humble women, who have agreed to take the monumental task of forming an immediate family of eight children each, ages birth to twelve, most of them HIV+, all of them victims of abandonment and abuse, each with the smell of sour grapes on her breath, the pain of loneliness that cuts into his teeth.  An echo reverberates throughout my soul.   No longer…

No longer will these children of God carry with them the taste of bitterness, for now they will nurse on the spiritual milk of a mom who loves them and calls them her own.

All because she has nothing to offer – no resources, no money – only herself.

……………………………………….

Eleven of our thirteen pilgrims are safe and sound. Kristine and Ruthie Rand are set to arrive tonight. Spirits are high. Shoes are off.  Tomorrow is a busy day for all. We covet your prayers.

by Jim Wood, Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, Virginia.

Dress Rehearsal: Nazareth Children’s Joy Home

Hope is always new and fresh. It always speaks in the future tense. It always calls us to imagine.  Imagine.

In a land where family is the definer of life, I never cease to be amazed at the strength of familial ties, the identity of a family name, the responsibility felt for others in an extended family, the focused face of a five year old little girl as she carries her sister on her back while their mom is heavy laden in the fields with 40 kilos of tea, a language where uncles are called father. I marvel at what the African family can absorb and what it reflects. It bends and flexes in the storms of life. It grounds and roots. It is first and foremost.  Imagine.

What then of the little girl who arrives on the doorsteps of the local police post – no note – no family – no name? What must her mother have felt, her father have hurt, to believe that what is first and foremost is not strong enough to protect or guard this child? What love must they feel causing them to relinquish even the family identity of their own flesh? Imagine.

Then imagine this little girl as she grows. No matter what she receives, no matter the accumulation of accolades, accomplishments or acquisitions, without a name it is as if she never filled even a small space of any real place.  Imagine.

Imagine, now, a place where she is welcomed to receive the identity of a chosen child. Where her future defines her past, not the other way around. Where dark pain is absorbed and bright joy is reflected. Imagine what those walls might look like, how they might talk.  This is right where I stand, at this very moment  – the entry room of the soon to open Nazareth Children’s Joy Home. Imagine.

So, as I stand, I pray that when she crosses this threshold, these walls will truly absorb all pain and reflect all joy. I pray that the mom of this home will welcome her with a hug as big as the sky and take her straight in to clean up for supper. I pray that as Jesus sits at table with her that he will tell her family stories and remind her that he knew her before she was formed in the womb and even then he loved her so very much. I pray she will smile and laugh and eat enough to almost bust and then go out and play. I pray that when night comes and she is tucked in, blanket right to her chin, kiss on her forehead, that she will dream of a life of dancing through tomorrows. Imagine.

Imagine… and dance…

by Jim Wood, Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, Virginia.

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