Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/Rebe_The_Mzungu
Hello Dear Friends,
Greetings from Lusaka and House of Moses where today there are 36 wonderful babies! House of Martha has 34 and the BBB home 27. We are more than full, but content that God is our supply.
However, this morning we had a visit by four prison wardens along with 15 and their children. The women were all sentenced to long prison terms. The law in Zambia does not allow a child to be with the mother, and the wardens were looking for homes for the children ranging in age from newborn to 4 years. Thankfully, we do have several children who should be released for fostering or adoption, or whose family situations have improved and can be allowed to return home.
The Department of Social Welfare officers were with the wardens and they have promised to release some of our children next week so we can accommodate at least some of these women’s. Let us pray for that promise will be kept. We will also investigate the possibility that some of the women have relatives to care for the children; and if needed we can enroll them in the Milk and Medicine program. I have never been involved in anything like this and the conditions of the children and the sadness of the mothers just broke my heart. No photos were allowed but you can conjure up the images I have impressed on my mind.
There is so much going on right now it is hard to share everything, but one wonderful update is on the renovations of the property for the new Bill and Bette Bryant home. Quite near to House of Moses, the new property is really wonderful. This is my first time seeing it, and I was very impressed with the grounds, the orchard and the new addition of three bedrooms and two baths. It was hard to get decent photos because I was almost ankle deep in mud (THE RAIN) but as soon as we are able, we will move the children and send you photos for you to see the joy and delight of the children when they will find a new swing set, teeter totter and trees to climb. At the old property, as many of you know; there was very little “running” room.
Although I desperately want to travel to the Helen DeVos Christian School and to visit the Faith Works Schools, it is still not safe to get into the water logged area. I hope that in the next week or so, the rains will abate and I can get into the area and send you a report on the children.
One of the young women with me for two months is Rebe; who is quite an avid photographer. She has posted several photos on her site and I thought you might like to see them in one place. Makes it easy! I have attached just one photo of my “little buddy”.