Our Neighbours Ministry inc. Isaiah's Umuzi Wothando (Isaiah's Homes of Love): Isaiah's Update July'07

Dear Friends

Finally I have found some time to sit down and sort through some of my photos to send with a few words... hoping to update you on the progress at Isaiah's Umuzi Wothando. I can't believe I have been here for 6 weeks already, had planned to have sent a few more emails since my joining but I guess all that was wishful thinking...

The first three weeks of June was hectic to say the least and it made me realise just how much Satan is desperate to destroy God's amazing work. Joining the Ministry was such a joy and I felt great excitement at now being with Isaiah's fulltime, then things began to happen which clearly was an attempt to destroy this joy !

Firstly the illness and passing of Baby Thandiwe. Shortly after this we received notification that a key member of staff had decided not to return to Zimbabwe after taking Annual Leave. Whilst I could understand reasoning for such a decision, the timing was hard as this now meant I had to fill the gap at the Home instead of being at the Office where there was also a desperate need to assist with the finance and donor relations for the project. We did not have much other choice but had to keep going and my realisation through such circumstances is to always acknowledge God's hand in each situation - even when things get really tough I know God will never leave us, it's a promise He has made. By God's grace I believe we have overcome the difficulty and are making progress again now.

I feel one of our greatest achievements has been the introduction of more vegetables and fruit into the babies/children's diet and thankfully without much resistance. Two weeks after starting the vegetables I read something which said "introduce one taste at a time in small quantites" - well I guess I was a bit wrong here as we introduced a whole puree of butternut, cauliflower, brocolli, carrots and potato altogether in one go - they loved it and have been enjoying it ever since... I guess the babies being a bit older did help - or something !! Maybe God handled this bit all for me as he probably knew I wouldn't have coped with more disappointment !! With winter here, so come the usual colds and flu to which we are not exempt. Last week from Thursday we visited the Doctor every day and even began to joke with our Pharmacist to just give us 16 courses of anti-biotics, one for each child, get it over and done with for once and for all ! We praise God for our babies Bhekubuhle, Sibusiso and Sithembilihle are being healed, Taponeswa has recovered well as has Mqondisi.

Our staff must be commended for their dedication, of late they have worked long shifts sometimes working for six days a week, others working a double shift when babies were in hospital. We extend our thanks to them for always being there for the children, putting their needs aside. Volunteers have been great too and we have had a number of them, sometimes all at once. It's encouraging also to see the number of young guys who come over to play with the children, keep it up guys, babies are not a girl thing only ! We try to encourage volunteer work as much as possible as this keeps our running costs to a minimum, however in difficult times such as these we face, it does take it's toll as many struggle with transport costs to and from the Home. We must not forget to thank all of those behind the scenes, Mel with the garden, Lindsay and Lauren for all your offers of help, and the Doctors who attend to our children when their health does not seem right ! Thank you to all those who have donated clothes, toys and foodstuffs - amazing how a sense of unity is amongst the people of Zimbabwe and even all those out of Zimbabwe who continue to assist us where ever possible, we thank you for your support. As I think of volunteers and how they assist the staff, we must not forget to thank God for his provision of "Foster-families" and I use the inverted commas here as we have a number of families who are caring for some of our children on a very regular basis. Of our 16 children we have 4 out with families. It is so encouraging to know these children are getting the love from a family they so deserve. We continue to pray for more of these foster families. We have before mentioned partnering with "Mind the Gap" in order to fully provide holistic orphan care and we thank them for all their support, we believe this partnership will benefit as many of God's children as possible. They have been an incredible support to us and such a blessing during our difficult times, filling in and helping out where necessary. Thanks Jenny, Angela, Yvonne and Maggie. We are excited because this partnership will soon see the second Home opening in Hillside. The Home in Ilanda is going well with all our "Isaiah's older" children having settled so well into their new family with Mommy {Dorcas} and Daddy {Mark}.

And now for some news of our babies & children in Suburbs ...

Firstly, I'd like to share a touching story of love on one of our recent additions to the Home... Pride. The Bulawayo Baptist Church runs a Clinic for the poor and one day a father came to the Clinic seeking medical treatment for his son who was suffering from malnutrition. The mother had been taken back to the Rural areas by her family and the child had been left with the father who was struggling to adequately feed the toddler. Pride is 18 months old, he could sit but was not crawling or doing anything else a child of his age should be doing, simply through lack of stimulation and nutrition. His frail body was the size of 8 month old. After a few days in Mpilo Peadatric Hospital he was discharged and brought into our care. The amazing part of this story is the love his father has for him and the greatest testimony is that this father has come to know the love of God. Weekly he visits our office and every Saturday he goes to spend the morning with Pride. With better nutrition and love Pride has made great progress, he is now beginning to crawl, and from a seated position can pull himself up on the sides of his cot where he now stands and watches the going-on. He is beginning to talk and points across the room, though no-one can actually understand a word, he knows what he wants ! Pride is the perfect meaning of love, his Father's love for Him just as our Father loves us and how with love, such progress can be made.

Sibhekithemba (6) is our eldest girl now, with her little sister Sithembilihle (2). They were placed in our care after their mother was admitted to a local hospital. They have settled well, although both girls are very quiet, they play well together.

Sarah (23 months) continues to amaze me with her caring spirit - she definately fits the role of an elder sister, always making sure Noma gets her share of things. We had a team visiting from USA early this month, they sat outside with the girls whilst they had their tea and as Tina tried to help Noma with her bread Sarah clearly made sure Tina's intention was to give it to Noma and not pass it to anyone else. There is often a tussle with Sarah and Davis as both children clash with their strong wills ! Sarah spends most weekend away with her Foster Family.

Nomalanga (22 months), who has a tendency of being selective to who she goes to, has settled a bit more since I've been around at the Home. She goes off to play with the others and amongst the children has become quite chatty - until of course spoken to ! We were given a children's musical CD with the Hokey Pokey Song on it, it is so funny to watch the girls dance to it. She loves to play Ring-a-ring-a-rosy with Tarryn and Sue and her school children. Noma's granny visits her every other week and it never ceases to amaze me how a child of that age understands both languages - I of course with my limited Ndebele speak to her in English which she seems to understand and then her granny speaks to her in Ndebele and I can see she totally understands everything being said - children are amazing !

Davis (14 months) is our "little thug" - he toddles about keeping all the kids in check ! He is beginning to copy most of what is being said and he shouts at the girls if they do not do as he wants. He has a very strong character and if he does not get his way he sure lets you know that he is not impressed. They say dynamite comes in small packages well stand back when this package explodes ! Davis is not a cuddly baby unless he wants to be and he does not like to be left out of anything.

Junior/Thembani (14 months) is starting to walk along the furniture now, anytime now he'll be off on his own. He used to crawl about with one leg tucked under his bottom in the most awkward looking position but despite this he got around from one place to the next at great speed. He spends a lot of time out with his Foster Family coming back to the Home for the odd day or two. Sorry no photo of him but will definately try get one next time.

Ruth (9 months) now has two bottom teeth after struggling a little with teething related illness. She is reluctant to crawl as yet but quite happy sitting with some toys in front of her, or lying on her back talking to anyone who will listen. Contact has been made with Ruth's biological mother and we shall soon be working with Social Welfare to re-intergrate her with the family. Whilst it's a difficult situation I believe God would have us all working together and if this family will come to know God's amazing love through the work we do with them, then I trust this is the way ! Ultimately we want what is best for baby Ruth and we will work together for that sole purpose. Her name was specially chosen for her and with special meaning - never rejecting those who have loved her !

Sibusiso (8 months) loves attention 24/7 and does not like to be left unattended for any reason. He will sit on the cushion/mat as long as someone is close by and will talk to him. He is recovering from his recent bout of flu which gave him a nagging cough.

Bridget (8 months) is making good progress, she is a very strong girl who for the last few weeks has been liftng her body up off the ground as if doing press-ups. She is ready to crawl any minute if only her hands would move forward one at a time. Bridget has always been a very serious baby but recently has begun sharing lots of smiles. She has a good appetite and is growing well.

Bhekubuhle (8 months) has just recovered from the flu. He is known as our Gentleman as he has a very mature look about him - he is often quite serious but will share a smile when faced one on one. He is very placid and seldom cries, unless he is hungry.

Amanda is a content 7 month old baby girl who only ever cries when she's hungry or needing a diaper change. She is definately popular with the visitors because of her friendly and ever smily face. She has been identified for fostering and her new family would like to call her Zuvarashe, a name with special meaning related to the day of the Lord, if I'm not mistaken.

Prince (6 months) with his deep eye brows and big brown eyes will capture the heart of any visitor. He prefers to be held and played with rather than being put down to entertain himself. He does not have a very big appetite although was quite impressed with his vegetables, much preferred to porridge !!

Mqondisi has spent a lot of time out with a special family and it's not surprising because with his big brown eyes they are enough to melt anyone's heart. He has recovered well from his recent week in hospital and is making good and steady progress now that his milk formula has been adjusted. It's something that has been on my mind a lot lately, especially in poorer countries, I wonder how many babies unnecessarily die because they are lactose-intolerant and it's not picked up in time, or at worse thought, there is no alternative for them. We praise God that this did not happen with Mxo ! Sorry no recent picture but will also try to get one soon.

Taponeswa (3 months) is doing well, making good steady progress gaining weight. We had to giggle on Friday as Jenny went to weigh our two tiny tots, and suddenly they went from 4.1kgs up to 9.3kg in only a couple of days - we could not understand it but was certain she had not mis-read the figures. She came in to re-weigh the next day only to find the scale was now reading in pounds and not kilgrams. Tapo's big "toothless" smile followed by an attempt to chuckle is enough to brighten any day. It's so good to see this progress and we thank God for such precious moments.

Caleb is our "baby" baby - at six weeks old. When Caleb was first brought to our home we worried over him because he was so tiny and his little feet and hands always seemed cold and almost purple, he has never liked being bathed or even having his diaper changed and at these times he gives his lungs a good work-out !! He feeds very slowly but is now gaining weight and his little body is growing into proportion ! He too has big eyes.