A Forever Family for Arouna

God lovingly forms each child to be special and unique. He made Arouna to be a little boy with special needs, with a sweet little disposition, and a little heart made to praise his Maker.

Through adoption, God hand picks special and unique parents to care for His children who do not have parents.

What a wonderful God we serve and what a wonderful plan He has for adopting us into His family and calling us His sons and daughters.

This week we have had the privilege of introducing another little one to his new mommy and daddy. We have witnessed another miracle of life, one of rescuing a very special little boy from growing up in an institution and placing him in a loving family!

Kimini - A week at a glance--

Jackie, hard at work

Benjamin and Jackie Hodson left on a jet plane last night returning to their home and their children. What a great week we had together in Kimini! There was lots of time for renewing of relationships and building new ones, time for working in the field, time for gathering firewood, and even time for painting our living room, hall, and bathroom! Thanks so much for visiting, Ben and Jackie, and for all of the encouragement that you brought to us!

Benjamin, making our house beautiful!

Monday morning we took little Siaka to a clinic in

Siaka and his grandmother

a neighboring village. Siaka'a mouth was red and swollen with many sores and he has lost 4 of his front teeth. The diagnosis for his mouth is a severe fungal infection and in addition, he has a mild case of malaria.

We are treating 15 to 20 cases of malaria each week and treating 35+ wounds each week. The new medical clinic for Kimini is much needed and will be much appreciated by the community.

Wound care 

This past week we received an unexpected visit from the chief of Kimini and several of our village

Sand, gravel, and rock

fathers who came to tell us that the village was giving us an additional 2 acres of land specifically for the medical facility. 

This picture may not look like a lot, but the village made a commitment to provide the sand, gravel, and rock for the construction of the first building of our medical clinic.  This past week, the village hired a 10 ton truck and delivered 7 loads of sand, 3 loads of gravel, and 3 loads of rock to the construction site. 

Our kitchen

Our external kitchen and guesthouse were completed this week. Moving our gas refrigerator and stove out of our living room and into the kitchen will reduce the heat in our house and also reduce the risk of inviting little unwanted critters into our house.

Ibra -- 11 yrs old. . . .

Ibrahim

Waiting is such a huge part of life in Burkina Faso!  But, waiting in lines, waiting at the traffic light, or waiting for a strike to be over does not compare to the waiting for the heart-felt need of a child to have a family.

Ibrahim is an 11 year old boy who has been waiting for many years now for a family.  He is a boy who got lost in a broken social system that for many years did not even think that he was adoptable.  He has been passed from home to home and then from center to center by well-meaning people just trying to find something that would work for him.

But still, Ibra is waiting for his Forever Family!  Do you have room in your heart for a young boy?  As you can see in the picture, Ibra likes to dabble in art.  He loves to play the drums.  He is bright and engaging yet has struggled greatly in school because of the instability in his life.  He used to run away a lot but this past year he has settled down and is reported to be  cooperative and responsive to his care-takers.

Ibra is waiting for his family to come and take him home.

Going home--

Initial moments

These past two weeks have flown by as we met the Dorseys, introduced them to their sweet little son, Sylvain, finished up paperwork at the US Consulate and at Social Action, and saw a little bit of Burkina through their eyes.

Kellen meeting Sylvain

After paperwork was finished we made a trip to Yako where they met their child, Waogba, who they sponsor through Sheltering Wings. They brought a backpack and some clothes for Waogba, spent some time with him, and met some of the children from the Yako orphanage.

Wendinda, Cris, and Sylvain

Waogba and the Dorsey Family

We also made a trip to Koudougou to visit the orphanage where Sylvain spent the first 3 years of his life before being transferred to an orphanage in Ouagadougou. On the return of this trip, we stopped by a lake which contains sacred crocodiles where everyone had a chance to sit on a croc. . . if they so desired.

Sylvain and his family are doing wonderfully well. Sylvain is a very gentle and tender-hearted little boy who gets so excited sometimes that he can just hardly contain himself! He is already understanding many English phrases and is repeating many, many words.

The Dorsey family are a gift from God. They came to Burkina with open hearts and with deep love for this little son/brother whom they had not yet met. It was love at first sight for each one of them. Sylvain was ready for his family to come for him. And, after a long wait, the Dorseys were ready to meet their son. Sylvain has some special needs and his family is ready for the challenge.

Tomorrow will be a bitter-sweet day of saying goodby to new friends while knowing that another child has been rescued by his Forever Family!

Waiting. . . .

So many precious little children who have been waiting a long time now for their families!  Do you have room in your heart for one more child?   These children have no voice.  Would you please help me to find families for them by sharing this post within your circle of friends?

Issa

This little boy is 7 years old. He was found on the streets of a major city alone and afraid when he was about 4 years old. Already he has spent 3 years waiting for his FOREVER FAMILY to come for him.

When Issa was found he was malnourished and could not see. He has been diagnosed with congenital cataracts. Surgery was performed and his vision has improved but still he does not see well. He can see light and dark, colors, and large objects.

Issa is an adorable child who is very social. He plays well with the other children and is attending a pre-school for the blind.

Issa rez

Gelles

This little 17 month old was abandoned shortly after his birth. No trace of his family has been found. Gelles is a very sweet baby but suffers from cerebral palsy, possibly blindness, and possibly torticollis.

Gelles has been in an orphanage since his birth where his basic needs are met but where he is receiving very little stimulation or physical therapy. Gelles is waiting for his FOREVER FAMILY to come and rescue him.

Fanta could not run away--

In returning to Burkina, Linda and I took care of some business in Ouagadougou and then headed down to our new little village of Kimini. Just before leaving the paved road for the last leg of our trip, we stopped in Niangoloko to talk with the social worker that we have been working with there.

We had a list of the children from that region that we are trying to help and one by one we went through the list to see how they were doing in school, whether paperwork had moved forward, etc.

But when we reached little Fanta, the social worker stopped and quietly said 'Fanta died'. I thought that I had not understood what he has said and asked him to repeat it and then we learned this sad story.

Fanta was handicapped, probably from polio when she was very young. There were three handicapped children in the family and the mother took the children to school in the morning but because she had no means of transportation, she left them there during the lunch/recess time and then went back to pick them up at 5 PM in the evening.

One day last month some of Fanta's friends had carried her out under a tree where there was shade while they waited for class to resume at 3:00. While out under the tree some of the children started throwing rocks at a bee hive way up in the tree. The hive fell to the ground and the angry bees swarmed out of the hive and started attacking and stinging the children. To get away from the bees, the children all ran away. Fanta could not run away. Her legs do not work.

Things do not move very quickly here but within a few hours, Fanta's mother was found, someone with a car was found, and she was taken to a hospital about 2 hours away.

Fanta died that same evening having never recovered consciousness.

Sometimes the harshness of life here is overwhelming. So many times I find myself second guessing whether we have done all that we could to help a child. This was one of those times.

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.  Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:4-6

Each time that I am involved in an adoption I come away with a deeper understanding of our Heavenly Father's love for us and a deeper understanding of what it means for us to be adopted into the Family of God.


Once again God has united a family with a child desperately in need of a family. In Burkina and in the US we are rejoicing in the goodness of our God!

Is there room in your family for one more?


Introducing Raoul!

Raoul was born on July 7, 2009. Although he is under treatment he suffers from epileptic seizures and wears the helmet to protect his head in case he falls.


Raoul was found by the police outside of a bank in July, 2011. Investigations were held but there was no trace found of his parents or extended family.


Although he has not had the opportunity to attend pre-school, his care-takers say that he is very bright and that he plays well with the other children.

Raoul needs a family to provide the love and affection that every child needs and also consistent medical care for the epilepsy.    

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Christmas is a wonderful time when our hearts are turned towards the needs of others. I love this time of year when we are giving love to one another in one form or another.


If you are looking for a COMPLETELY fulfilling way to give to a child this year, would you please think and pray about sponsoring one of our children? Linda and I are almost daily finding new children with new needs to meet. For just $35 per month, you can send a child to school and help his or her family with food and medical supplies on an as needed basis.


We just met Laurence the other day. She is older for a sponsorship child but she has demonstrated a lot of determination in getting as far as she has in school.

Laurence hopes to become a nurse

Laurence is 20 years old. She is in the 10^th grade this year (2013-2014). Her father died in 2000 of an illness. Her mother left the courtyard shortly after her father died and she is now living in the Ivory Coast.

Laurence is under the watchful eye of her older sister. Laurence lives in the courtyard of her father's extended family. There are 8 children in the family. One is in Ouagadougou, four are students in Niangoloko and three are no longer in school. Laurence is the 5^th child in the family.

Laurence lives in a small mud brick house without access to electricity or running water. The family farms for a living and during the rainy season, Laurence works in her family's fields.

Laurence dreams of becoming a nurse. With a passing grade this year in school (2013-2014) it is possible that if Laurence has a sponsor, we could enroll her in nursing school next year.

Would you please consider sponsoring Laurence?

Is there room for one more in your family?

Hi! My name is David.

David -
Born: either Oct 20, 2011 or March 1, 2010, probably the March, 2010 date


November, 2013, David looks to be in good health and looks to be about 3 ½ yrs old. He was abandoned as an infant near the intersection of a rural road.


David has bright eyes and is very engaging.  Although it is sometimes very difficult to get an accurate diagnosis here, David appears to be struggling with a mild to medium form of Cerebral Palsy. His motor skills are delayed. He walks well without help but he does fall a lot. His speech is impaired, possibly due to hearing loss. He has a noticeable crossed eye.


David needs a home where he can grow and flourish. He will need specialized care including physical therapy. He responds affectionately to love and touch
.

A blessing named, Awa

The village chief has given Awa permission to be our language helper and also our care-taker here in Kimini.


Awa is a young woman with the responsibility of caring for 2 young children and she now also has the respondibility of caring for Linda and I in the village. And, we DO need a care-taker.


Each morning and each evening, Awa passes by to see if there is anything at all that we need. She checks to see if our two 20-liter water bottles are full. She takes us around the village introducing us to all of her family and friends. She takes us to the market and helps us to buy food and our daily needs. She takes us to visit the tailor to have a new skirt made. She brings us gifts of rice and beans and offers to do our laundry for us.


In addition, Awa has taken on the task of being our language helper as Linda and I study the local language of Jula.


Then, during the rest of her day, Awa cares for her two small children and watches over her fields of corn, rice, and peanuts.


How thankful I am for this precious young woman and the blessing that she is to us!

You know you are in the village. . . . when. . .

While laying on your bed, you feel critters scurrying around inside your mattress. Mice! Yikes!


Well, they died, smelled to high heaven. . . and I bought a new mattress.

Kimini News--

Week two in Kimini has brought us many opportunities to meet new people and to work on building relationships with our new friends. We are very thankful for the village chief, and Babou and Awa for their care in looking in on us everyday to see if there is anything that we need.


We met this week with the chief, a local committee from the village and a local mason to talk about our plans to build a little house. All were in agreement and we are leaning towards building a 3-room concrete block house rather than the traditional mud-brick construction. The costs are coming out very affordable for the concrete block and this will provide a much more stable building.


As this meeting was drawing to a close the chief announced that the village would provide the sand, gravel, and rock that will be required for our house. This was a very unexpected surprise and we are praising the Lord for this generous support from the village. The village men and boys will gather this from the bush and bring it in so that the work of making bricks can be started.


We also met with two men manning the Social Action office in Niangoloko, our nearest small town, and talked with them about the needs and problems of the orphans and vulnerable children in our region. They warmly welcomed us and have promised to visit us in Kiminia in the next week or so. As in all of Burkina, the needs of the children is overwhelming.

Babou and surveyors

Today two surveyors from Banfora came to Kimini to survey the land that the village has given to us.

We met first in the chief's courtyard and then together walked over to our property. The men walked the circumference of the land twice, measuring and putting down concrete markers. They then returned to Banfora where they will produce a blueprint of the land. This blueprint will be included among the many papers needed to register the land in the name of Sheltering Wings.

McDonald's

Lots of activity! Lots of fun! And, tomorrow Linda and I will be leaving our pleasant air-conditioning and wifi in Banfora to return to our peaceful little village of Kimini. But, before leaving we did enjoy a visit to McDonald's. . . . Burkina Style!

Official 'Ceremony de Passage'

This week Les Ailes de Refuge threw a big party.

We invited the local authorities in Yako, especially all of the services who we work with on a daily basis. We invited local pastors, all of our employees and children, as well as local friends.

Two tents, chars, and benches were set up.

Several of the children from the orphanage prepared a special song for the ceremony.

Speeches were made by all, including our own Achille!

Our ladies and several others from church prepared a lovely meal.












And the ceremony started with speeches and kind words and blessings to all. Mike was established as the new director of the Yako project and I am released to go and start a new work in Kimini.

Some things are so bitter-sweet. . . .
It was so good to see so many friends and to share this day of celebration with them. But, it was also very hard to be saying goodby to so many people that I have grown to love so much. Through the good times and the hard times, deep relationships are formed. Yako, and the children and people of Yako, will forever be in my heart.


And now. . . . my heart and attention can turn South and towards the small village of Kimini.

 Today, Linda and I started shopping through a list of basic things that we will need to set up housekeeping including a new water filter. We also each got a haircut before moving into the African bush!


Just a few things remain to take care of and soon we will be loading up the car and heading South. Much more to come. . . .

Going Home--

Home has been in my heart recently, that is for sure, but this 'going home' brings especially great joy to my heart.


After talking about airplanes for days and listening to the sound of airplanes flying over Ouagadougou, last night another little guy left here with his parents ready to start the long journey to his new home in the US.


His story is a beautiful story of redemption in that after a bleak start and spending the first 3 ½ years of his life in an orphanage, this little one has a new family and a new hope for a bright future.


So happy. . . . so thankful for adoptive families!

Back 'home' in Burkina!

Throughout the past three weeks here in Burkina my mind has repeatedly returned to the wonderful times of rest and refreshing that I recently enjoyed with family and friends at home. While passing through Nebraska, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts I saw Jesus living in his people and shining in your faces. Thank you for your sweet hospitality and for precious moments of chatting over a cup of coffee or tea.


I am very thankful for precious times with my family and for the memories that we made together. And, I am greatly encouraged by the time spent with each of you who are laboring with us to bring the Light of the World into our little corner of Burkina.


Although so happy to be back in my Burkina home I am already tentatively planning another trip home in the Spring. It is hard sometimes to deal with a heart that is 100% in Burkina and 100% in the US, but I am so thankful that the Lord helps me to work through these heart issues and that his grace and mercy are new every morning.  

Sweet moments--

This is 8 year old Emma.


I had briefly met Emma almost 2 years ago now but was able to really connect with her this past week when I visited her parents in Pennsylvania. I think that all 8 yr olds are really special but Emma falls at the top of my special list.


Recently on her own initiative, Emma and two of her friends sold cookies and lemonade at a family yard sale. Emma decided that she was giving her share of the money earned to Sheltering Wings! Her parents promised to match what she earned and they have sent a check to help with the cost of milk for the children in our orphanage.


How great it is when the American children reach out and care for the African children who are in need! Thank you Emma for helping us to take care of our children. May the Lord richly bless you and your family for the way that you are helping the children in Burkina.

Look What God is Doing!

We are growing and expanding. . . . AGAIN!

This is our new kitchen and dining hall being built on the orphanage property.  We have needed this for many years and now the Lord is providing. 

Estimated completion date?  Soon!  Just in time for our children to return for 'back to school' time. 

We are calling this building Lambert Hall and it will be a multi-functional building used as a dining hall for our children, meeting place for children and staff, and for study times in the evenings.

God is good!

Another Sweet Introduction--

After a long, long wait and then a long, long trip another family has found a child who waited for 11 years to find her family.

Nathan, Mama, and Noome

Introducing sweet 11 year old Noome!  Although thought to be terribly shy, especially when she is


uncomfortable or in a new situation, Noome is NOT shy.  Within hours of meeting her mother and younger brother, Noome was starting to run and play and even to tease her new brother. 

In just one week’s time, Noome experienced a hamburger and pizza. . . and she likes them.  She learned to use a Western-style toilet and experienced carpet on the floor.  She also learned that she cannot spit out food that she does not like on the floor and that she cannot rinse out her mouth with water and spit it on the floor!

We had great times together of visiting the sacred crocodiles and some sad times together of saying goodby to the orphanage which has been Noome’s home for all of her 11 years.

But, there is a new world waiting for Noome as she arrives home to meet her new father and other younger brother.

Blessings to Noome and the Warner family as you begin your new life together!

The Power of a Nine Year Old

Please meet Hailey, a little nine year old with a huge heart!

Hailey heard about Burkina Faso and the difficult conditions of the children here in Burkina and her heart melted.  So, for her 9^th birthday, Hailey told her family and friends that she did not want gifts but that she wanted money to send to help the children.

This is a little missionary in the making!  Thank you so much, Hailey.  May the Lord richly bless you for what you have done for our children.