Finishing Touches

Early this year a new cottage was completed that would enable us to take more children. In April, a houseparent was hired and inspections were done. In June, our houseparent completed her sixty day trial period. In September, the new cottage was dedicated. Last week there were more inspections.

Today, we saw the finishing touches needed to make the cottage a home. We received two new children that desperately needed rescuing. All week we thought this was going to happen, but you never know in Honduras. We received the call this morning there would be two children waiting on us at 1:00 at Casitas Kennedy.

Casitas is the state orphanage where nearly all children must pass through. It is a horrible place. These two precious little souls have been there eight months, which is longer than any of our children have ever had to stay there.

This is the first time I have ever gone to get children. I was excited to be a part of this. Karen and I left here at 12:15 and met Marc at Casitas.

They brought the little boy to us first. He will be two in February. He is so little. It was a long time before we saw even a hint of a smile. He has bronchitis and has to be kept warm. That may be a challenge tonight. Marc took him and loved on him. Then I did. Our friend, Luis, was with Marc. Luis took the baby until he started crying. Luis gave him back to me and I rocked him to sleep. His name is Jose Manuel. We will call him Manuel as there are already two Joses here.

Then they brought his sister in to us. Her name is Ester Naomi. She let it be known she preferred Naomi. She is four or five. She has no birth certificate. She was, and is scared to death.

Marc took her first. He picked her up to hug her. She had on underwear that was so small they tore when Marc picked her up. I had the baby and Naomi soon found her way to Karen's side.

After we made sure what paperwork we had and did not have, we walked to the car with the children, the only belongings they had were the clothes they were wearing. We did not know if Naomi would cry or not. She did not. We put her in the back seat. I handed the sleeping baby to Karen to hold and I drove.

Karen thought it would be a good idea to stop at Wendy's and get her ice cream. Karen and I both love ice cream so it is never hard for one of us to talk the other into stopping for ice cream.
She enjoyed the ice cream and ate it fairly quickly. She ate and fell asleep. I enjoyed my ice cream too.

We got home and everyone rushed the baby. Little Naomi began to cry. She was so scared. Karen took her to the new cottage and showed her her room. Siomara and came in and gave her a much needed shower. Her shoes smelled so bad. We got clean clothes on her and new shoes and underwear that fit. Siomara did a quick comb through of the hair and the lice were every where. She will have to be deliced. We gathered up several sets of clothes and told her they were all for her.

She would not come out of her room to play with the other kids, until after 4:00.

Jocylyn definitely feels she has a new little brother and sister. Jocylyn walked around smiling the biggest smile. And she did manage to get Naomi on the trampoline.

They little ones have come from a live of extreme poverty. Their mother was unable to supply the most basic of needs. Please pray for them as they adjust to live at Casa de Esperanza. Prayers are needed for the other children and the staff as everyone gets used to more kids.

Praise God for these nice little finishing touches to the new cottage.

I will get pictures up as soon as we get our internet back or I get back to town.

Terri