Sweet and Peaceful

I am almost hesitant to say this in case it evokes the wrath of irony...... but things are going so well here. So much better than expected. For those of you who may be new to the Jess-orphan-babies-Saga, I am in the process of taking responsibility for 6 kids in the form of a small children's home. I fell in love with these pumpkins several years ago when i met them in an orphange. The orphanage has disgustingly corrupt leadership who are taking the donation money meant to provide for the children, and it got to the point where I could not bear to see them in those condtions anymore. I already moved two of the kids and gave their mother a job at the guest house, but there were 4 remaining that I didn't feel like it was safe to take them last time. So this time I came fully prepared to go trekking all over the bush with insufficient directions to find their grandfather (who proably doesnt speak English) in order to get him to sign the consent for relocation to my home. (I'm trying to avoid being accused of being a baby snatcher by the crazy-thief-orphanage lady).
On the morning I was planning on heading out on this grandfather hunt, there was a commotion at my door at 7 am. There was a woman waiting on my porch whom the children call their auntie (I think she is actually a neighbor). The oldest girl had called her to come meet me. I found out that she found the kids living in a hut they made of grass and leaves on the side of the grandfathers home, and asked if she could take me them to her home. She got a document from the village chief and the grandfather actually gave her custody. She also has children of her own and was really struggling to care for them, which is how they ended up in the a phoebe house. She also knew the conditions at the orphanage were horrendous, and had been praying and looking for somewhere else for the kids to go. She was a wonderful lady, and so thankful for a safe, happy place for the kids to go. She went to Phoebe House herself and told them she was taking the kids back to her home, so I didn't have to deal with them again, and now they don't even know the kids are here with me. Blessings! Within 12 hours of meeting her, the kids are now in my home, and in my care.

She told me when she first took the children, the oldest girl, Mideva, would only sleep during the day because she was used to sitting up all night. The shelter they were living in was apparently not very secure (one can only do so much with grass and sticks after all) and she was worried the wild dogs that roam at night would "carry off the littlest one", being Naomy. Heart strings......wrenched.

The first night they were all here they stayed up until almost midnight because they were just so excited. I am repainting the house, one room at a time, so they all hung out in the room I was working in and made up dances to the music on my phone I was listening to. Presh. They're staying at rotary house with me until the fundi (carpenter) finishes their new bunk beds. There are plenty of beds here, but they still wanted to sleep 3 to a bed. I had to show Naomy and Brian how to get under the sheet/blanket on the bed, since they had never had them before and they were trying to fold the blanket backwards and curl up under it. Awwwww.........

(Arnold literally face-planted in bed and did not stir the whole evening after his first day of school).

I have started to sneak into their room every night to make sure they are all asleep, and to just look at them, sweet and peaceful. This mzungu girl is feeling very happy and blessed right now. The children I love dearly are now finally safe, happy and loved. They will never go hungry, or sit up at night again. I can also rest easy at night once again. God is especially good today :)

Naomy: the kind of tired that only baby school can induce.....

Jacky and Mideva in the kitchen at Rotary House.

Jessie

Posted with Blogsybklbfgfkjyuwadhssgefsdgjlgmkjjkhjkn