Special Times

When our holiday started on 8 December, I had every intention of blogging daily - posting loads of photos, downloading new backgrounds in line with the season, etc. Then it just seemed as if there wasn't enough time in the day to get to everything. I just loved watching George and the girls interact with Samuel and the impact of their "full time" stimulation & attention.

Samuel loves the beach and the water no matter what the weather!!!! The girls are so good with him, building sandcastles, digging water trenches and just enjoying him enjoying the water.

The girls go for early morning runs with their nephew, who being in the British Armed Forces, is a hard taskmaster. Samuel just loves the wind and being on the beach.

This being Samuel's first Christmas at home, we really had to work hard at not spoiling him too much! It has been so long since we had a little one in our home for Christmas, that we spent hours in toy shops just "window shopping"! Just when the girls & I had our spending under control, the bug bit George who wanted to buy & buy! In the end I would like to think that we spent wisely, that his first Christmas home was about the Right Gift and that he would remember it as a time when he was loved to bits.

In this photo Samuel is with my brother and his son. Samuel loved his new t-shirt - an amazing gift from the two buddies at his side.

Late afternoon we went for a walk on the beach - yes, the wind was blowing more than normal and the water icy, but we loved being outside. The girls got cameras for Christmas so I will post some of their photos tomorrow. In the meantime, George took this photo at Gordons Bay - so awesome and amazing.......Only the Master can produce a picture this perfect.

Thinking back to last Christmas, we never in our wildest dreams could think that our lives this Christmas would be so different, so blessed - absolutely beyond what we deserve!

Thank you Lord for ......

- The greatest, most precious gift of all , Your Son;

- The gift of our son, Samuel;

- Our 3 daughters, who during this year had to adjust to a new country, school, new way of life and stood strong in You throughout a very difficult time at school;

- For our family, loved ones and friends.

How can you not.......

After last weekend's very "lavish" Father Daughter banquet and all that went with it, this weekend was quite the opposite.

On Saturday George's work had an outreach to pre-schools and orphanages in and around Harare. The outreach comprised of general cleaning up around the facilities and then handing out some donated items. George took these photos of the creche where they sanitized toilets, cleaned windows, etc. The photo above is of the children, that attend the creche, doing a "dance of joy" at the end of the morning to say thank you.

The toilets are a hole in the ground with a shelter around it for privacy.

How can this not stir our hearts?

The afternoon brought about a Christmas party at St Joseph's House for Boys, a house in Harare that have about 75 boys of various ages - some are orphans, others just "unwanted" in their society. The message of the service prior to the festivities was all about hope and being special. The Pastor from Zimbabwe for Jesus explained to the children that they were precious; fearfully & wonderfully made and that God has a future planned for each of them - God created them for a reason and they are an important part of God's plan for this country.

Then it was time for gifts and snacks! I was touched beyond words at the pride & joy of a little boy when he found his own tube of toothpaste as part of the gift package! So simple..... yet life changing for him. The package also included other toiletries, a new t-shirt, a new schoolbag & school items.


I was unable to take any photos, only because it was too emotional for me. Each child there reminded me of all the others out there that had no shelter, no food, no love. Each child there also reminded me of those waiting for forever families and those who had found their way home.


After a day like that, how can you not be touched by the plight of the children of this world - the estimated 147,000,000 that need love above all.........

I know adoption is not for everyone, for a long time we didn't think it was for us either. However it was a decision that has changed each of us in the family forever, for the better.
I don't think its ever to late to change a life or make a difference.


How can we make a difference:
- We can pray for God to open our eyes, to see the need;
- We can pray for paperwork / court dates / passports for those waiting to go home;
- We can pray for forever families for those still waiting;
- We can contribute to / support / sponsor an adoption;
- We can give our time to help at a place of need;
- We can love unconditionally..........

Father Daughter Banquet

Last week was hectic crazy, yet great!

First there was the fundraising Golf day with a Gala dinner - we raised U$ 9055!! Early morning saw only about 60 people for dinner, which made that we almost cancelled - a final head count during the evening: 130 people!! Due to the economic circumstances in Zimbabwe, fundraising is never easy - we know that we would never have achieved this on our own and thank the Lord for the success of the entire day.

Then there was the preparation for the Father Daughter banquet on Saturday. Monday morning saw me in "downtown"/"cow's guts", similar to Makola market in Ghana, buying fabric for the twins' dresses. Sheree worked wonders during the week and we had the final fitting on Friday - all still well on track for the next day. All the decorating issues were taken care of; despite rain and plenty of errands that needed to be run during the afternoon, Friday night promised to be spent doing nails, etc. prior to doing the airport run to collect George coming back from South Africa.

Then the phone rang .........

George's flight was cancelled due to the fact that Harare airport was not clear for the night landing, landing lights not sufficient as we had lots of rain. A mild panic attack and then waiting for news of possible flights the next morning. After further delays the next morning, they eventually landed at 9:40am. Rushing home to drop off; to venue to help decorate in need; back home to collect girls for hair appointments (had a great hour with other moms & girls as we shared many coffee variations!!); back home to drop off & do special flowers for dads to give the girls as they arrive at venue; back to venue to drop off and then back home to help dress. CRAZY!!

Then it happened..........

As we zipped Ellen up, the zip was no longer!!! Marina panicked, Ellen was to shocked to say anything and my brain went into overdrive!! There was only 10min to fix this wardrobe malfunction, thus out with needle & thread. I started sewing Ellen into her dress, whilst Marina finished up. I must say Ellen handled "the crises" in such a mature manner. In the end you couldn't even tell there was a problem. They both looked stunning and to me far to grown up. They eventually left at 6:45pm, arrived in time for 7pm and had a great time.

Thank you Lord for this opportunity for George, Ellen & Marina and the other fathers & daughters.

George, Ellen & Marina thoroughly enjoying this very special evening.

Ellen, Hannah, Marina

After George & the twins left, I admit to falling apart. And into this gap stepped Yvonne.

She had been absolutely amazing the entire day. As she is so close to the twins, she felt very left out on this occasion and there had been some tears (prior to the day and earlier on the day itself). Yet, she was the one who drove with me in the pouring rain to collect first the dresses and then George. As we got stuck in traffic, she prayed that God would take control of our chaotic morning and help us to get everything done on time. She helped me do the special arrangements that the girls received at the venue; played mother to Samuel most of the day and then picked up the pieces after they left. She made pancakes for us while I fed & bathed Samuel, delicious! When Samuel was in bed, we could cuddle up and watch a "chick flick". Sunday morning after church, George took her for her favourite: waffles!!

Thank you Lord for Yvonne and the place she has in our family.

21 Nov.... 2 special birthdays

Today was the birthday of 2 special ladies that have enriched our lives beyond belief and they're both on the above photo taken in May 2008.The first is George's sister, Lizzie (on the left) and the other is the sweet little on the right (purple headband).

Well, what can I say about Lizzie: she came to stay with George and the girls when I went to Ghana to bring Samuel home. This despite the fact that her own daughter from Johannesburg was visiting them in Mozambique, where they live! There is very little, maybe nothing(?), that Lizzie hasn't tried her hand at - give her a glue gun, staple gun, needle & thread and she can fix anything! She has a heart for other people; is always ready to help in need and has broad shoulders if you need one to cry on. When I arrived back from Ghana, she had left enough food in the freezer for a month, which gave me lots of bonding time without having to worry about the routine of everyday life.

Happy birthday Lizzie, may God bless you with many more. Thank you for the special person that you are. Love you lots!

And then there is "Girlfriend" as her Mommy called her when we first met them in Ghana. She is 2 years old today and is one of the many little ones that were a part of our adoption journey. Together with her parents and sister, this little girl will always be in our hearts and prayers. Her parents taught us what it is to love and wait at the same time. A painful journey at times, but so rewarding when the little ones come home.

Happy birthday "Girlfriend", 2 today!! Mommy & Daddy, we know how much she means to you and for this new year we pray for continued blessings. May her days be filled with love and laughter as she continues to blossom in her family.

Stressed???........

At the end of today I felt exactly like the napkin ring that Samuel chose to play with today - yes, the one on the right. I hope to bounce back to the left one by morning!

This morning brought about various stress related issues:

• All 3 the girls need temp passports & Samuel needs a visa before we can leave for holiday. To achieve this the entire family has to visit the South African Embassy for fingerprints, etc. Not as easy as it sounds with a Dad travelling.
• Ellen & Marina are attending a Father Daughter Banquet on 21 Nov and we are still "dressless". After 2 weeks of limited shopping options/inappropriate dresses/"arm & leg" prices, we have decided to go the dressmaker route. Now pattern and fabric hunting!
• Decor for this special event became my responsibility, those who know me know decor / creativity / art in any form is not my gift. Thus a coffee appointment with a friend who is! Thank you Lord for giving us different talents and gifts!
• Oh yes, did I mention the school's fundraising Golf Day with Gala Dinner on 17 Nov? I still need to "sell" 2 golf teams (U$200 per team) and 10 dinner tickets by Friday(U$25 pp)!!

So Samuel and I went started early on our wacky Wednesday errands...... and after my coffee / decor meeting I felt quite ridiculous about my stress issues. My very talented friend, who by the way offered to do all our decor for the special Father Daughter evening, is a close family member of the couple brutally attacked on their farm (blog entry 3 Nov).

This couple are still very much in need of prayer. The husband is still not fully conscious and the full extent of his injuries is still unknown. The wife's severe head injuries have left her partially paralysed and then there is the emotional trauma. Please continue to pray for physical and emotional healing.

As I left my friend's house I knew why she and the rest of the family have been able to stand strong and go on with their lives:

Isaiah 40:29-31 declares: "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

One of the best ways to counteract stress is to pray for others. -Anonymous

Times of crisis

Today my biggest crisis had been Marina coming off her mountain bike whilst training with Dad and her sisters.

However elsewhere in Zimbabwe things are very different....

Pastor G from our congregation had to bring a message of hope to a farming community today. This community is about 50km outside Harare and they have been standing strong in Christ in both a spiritual and physical battle for a long time. They were given about 2 months to get off their farms and are now in the last 2 weeks. Some have been there for generations and despite being brave, reality is now taking its toll.

How do you pick out a few things that represent your entire life?

How do you start over at the age of 76?

How do you do "life"?

The questions of "why"and "how" are many, the only answer on where to turn: GOD

Another family tonight are in prayer for a father/brother/dear family member who goes on trail tomorrow. Again a man who loves God, who loves the people of this country despite of what he and his family have been through. A man who knows that God can turn events even at the eleventh hour. We are praying for protection over him and his family and divine wisdom for all involved in the trail.

Both groups of people above have family members in our church and as we thought of them whilst worshipping this morning, our hearts cried out to God to strengthen them. At times like this, God calls upon us to be faithful in our prayers.

James 5:13 "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray."

Jeremiah 29:12 "Call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you."

Whilst in Ghana with Samuel's adoption, my friend Maria gave me Psalm 20:1-5 as an encouragement. Tonight I want to share this and ask you to pray with us:

"May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;

may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

May he send you help from the sanctuary

and grant you support from Zion.

May he remember all your sacrifices

and accept your burnt offerings.

May he give you the desire of your heart

and make all your plans succeed.

We will shout for joy when you are victorious

and lift up our banners in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your requests."

Prayers needed

From the first to the last............ each one watching for "the one that follows behind". Samuel has now discovered that he can "stand" on his head and look through his legs. He loves the way the girls copy him and laughs when we ask him what he is looking at...... Ellen laughed so much, she couldn't keep standing!

On a more serious note.

I'm sure most of you have seen the recent Zimbabwe headlines regarding the stalemate situation again in the government. There has also been some violent attacks on some of the government officials, not high ranking ones, but rather those who are a soft target - the latest being a woman on her way to work.

We have also received various prayer requests for safety and healing of farmers that had been attacked on their properties not to far outside Harare - the last couple attacked on their farm are still both in intensive care. Lots of prayer for wisdom is also needed in terms of land reform.

As we draw close to the end of the year, people are feeling despondent and apprehensive about what the new year will hold for them. Promised change is not taking place and people are turning to all kinds of practices in an effort to find an answer. Please pray that as the "Zimbabwe for Jesus" mission group go into the rural areas, their message of hope will take root in the hearts of the people. That the forces at work in turning the people away from Jesus, will have no power. That the Spirit of God will move in a mighty way.

"Lord, today I want to bring Zimbabwe and its people before You. You love the people, the country and the plans You have for them is to prosper in You. Thank you Lord that You never leave or forsake us."