Baby Juddah

Basket Time Again

2011-12-07T22:43:00.000-08:00

Just a quick heads up, I've added some more of the handmade in Korah baskets to the Korah Love facebook page. These always seem to sell out fast. The link to the Facebook page is at the bottom of this post. If you haven't seen our new Korah Love store yet, be sure to check it out, lots of great items for sale, with all proceeds going to help the people of Korah. The community where Juddah is from. We have some beautiful photographic prints for your home that are professionally printed on linen textured paper, handmade one of a kind Ethiopian Silver Earrings, and the paper and clay bead necklaces...

Korah Love store link where items can be purchased... Thank you!

Totally Amazed.... Again!

2011-12-05T19:16:00.000-08:00

Why am I always so surprised when God does something amazing? It's in His nature, it's a part of who He is to do the unthinkable, the unimaginable, the things that make you just shake your head in awe and say 'thank you'. The things that make your heart smile.....

Well I had one of those days today. I have so much to share with you all since my last post, but want to get this blogged first. First let share with you all Sammy is here! Yeah! He arrived two nights ago. We are so very excited to have him here in our home until the new year. For those of you who don't know Sammy, he is a young man from Korah Ethiopia who is one of the leaders of Great Hope Ministries in Korah, the community where Juddah was born, the community which is my second home and the place that Emily, my oldest daughter has moved to and has set up a medical clinic after passing her boards in June.

Today Sammy and I had lunch with a young man named Michael Turner who lives here in Salem. Michael has also served in Korah for three days over the summer with a group called the Mocha Club. Michael and I have been trying to meet up to talk 'Korah' since August. Life just has happened and we just never got together until now. Today over lunch Michael shared his story and how God has put Korah on his heart, that is turn led him to share his heart and Korah with his church family. Sammy and I were both amazed and so encouraged as we sat and listened to Michael share. As Michael shared with his church the story of Korah and what his experiences were in Korah, his church was moved, and they were moved to pray and to do more. Michael shared several stories of how the body of his church are now praying for Korah, and that in their hearts they knew they could do more. They had questions about what could they do for Korah? How can they help? What are the needs in the ministry? How can they be praying for Korah? And so the idea of a benefit concert has taken shape. This church body, is now hosting a Korah Christmas December 18th. It is a benefit concert for Korah.

As Sammy said walking out to the car, "we step out with a simple act of faith and God will use it to do great things for His Glory. God enables us to experience His power, how big He is, and who He is, when we let ourselves become small and Him to be BIG!. Sammy then shared the verse in John 3:30

He must increase, but I must decrease.

As Sammy and I walked out to the car we both were thinking the same thought... 'one man named Michael came to Korah for three days, came home and shared what he saw, shared his heart, and now an entire church body is praying for Korah and has been moved to do more.' I think we just sat in the car for a couple of moments saying 'wow'. Lord we are continually blessed and amazed by your awesome master plan and how you weave people and circumstances together. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your plan.

Another part of the story is that some of the founders and members of this church are friends of Emily's. Some of whom she went to middle school and High school... how cool is that? That friends who she shared school together with are now supporting the very ministry that she is a part of in Korah. Is there a like/love button anywhere on this blog, if there were I think I just may hit it 1000 times or until it wears out!

Sammy shared tonight how blessed he feels everyday to see His hand and His power and His presence and that this was just one more example of that.

So, we would like to invite you all to join us at Korah Christmas for a night of fellowship. Hope those of you who are within driving distance will be able to join us!
Blessing to all this Christ-mas season.

Prayer Warriors still needed,
C

Korah Christmas facebook link

complicated desperation

2011-11-01T07:02:00.000-07:00

I returned on Friday from my 9th trip to Korah Ethiopia. My good friend Kathleen and I were team leaders on a medical missions team where we set up a mobile clinic in Korah and at the boarding school in Shashamane. Our team consisted of 21 members. We saw and treated over 150 patients a day.

In my mind, mentally I thought this trip would be similar to the other times I have been in Korah. My eyes would be opened to a different way of life, and as I grew in relationships with my friends in Korah, and learned from them, God would guide and direct where we could work together to improve lives and share the love of Jesus. Together we would work to make changes for the good in Korah, in the 'here and now' and the Eternal. As with most who enter into Korah the blessings received, far outweigh the blessings we leave behind. There is much to be learned from Korah.

Generally, I'm not a crybaby while in Korah. I'm able to contain myself and not let my emotions overtake the moment. With God's help, I have been able to be in the moment, without being overcome by the moment. Until this trip I remember just one devastating moment in Korah where the floodgates opened and tears fell uncontrollably. It was the day a 14 year old girl hung herself just 3 doors down from the shelter. She had been sick for a week, and thought she would not recover. it's always been at night when I return to my bed, and I let my emotions go and give way to the gut wrenching thoughts and pain of all the 'what if's' and the 'why God?' questions that come from being submerged into Korah, and that's when the tears fall.

This trip was not like that. Numerous moments during this trip I found myself unable to contain my emotions. My body and my mind gave into the sadness and depths of despair, and a never-ending ache overtook my soul. It was like I was in a dream. And this was a trip that was like no other.

On one of the evenings in the beginning of our trip, as our team sat in the gathering room of the guesthouse, Kathleen and I asked each team member to summarize their feelings about their first day in Korah in one or two words, and then again at the end of the trip we asked them to share what their first word was at the beginning of the trip and what their word was now, after spending 10 days there. It was interesting to hear how team members words changed from words that expressed sadness to words that expressed joy and happiness. To my surprise my words went the opposite direction. My first words were something along the lines of reunion and joy. My last two words were

Complicated Desperation

Yes, those sum it up accurately. Complicated Desperation.

Complicated: made up of intricate parts or aspects that are difficult to understand or analyze

Desperation: recklessness arising from despair

Korah is difficult to understand and I wonder if there will ever be a way to fully understand or analyze it. Korah is made up of a million different moving intricate parts. Recklessness is obvious and arises out of the despair, which is most evident when you start to focus on scars that have formed on the skin of the residents and they begin to share their personal stories of how the scars came into being. Heart scars which affect relationships are tanagible, and surround you everywhere you go in Korah. Korah is a perplexing place, and the more times you visit, the pieces begin to fall together, and the more you think they are falling together you realize that only the surface has been scratched and there are a million more pieces that need to be investigated.

Complicated Desperation. I felt it pierce so deep into my soul this trip I wasn't sure if I'd be able to come out on the other side. I wasn't directly involved in the following situations, I was just a bystander present in the moment.

It was one day in clinic, toward the end of the day. A mother brought her young daughter into the clinic. The baby lay limp in her arms. She was brought to a team members station, a pediatrician and surgeon from Uganda. As Dr. Arlene examined her the diagnosis was not promising. The young mother began to share the history of this small baby, my heart quickly dropped, I could feel the weight of this mothers agony on my shoulders, and my spirit fell hard. The baby, now two years old, had reached all the normal milestones by the age of 1 1/2. She was walking, talking and crawling. Then just 6 months ago the baby had a fever, and quickly began to regress to the point she was now. Unable to sit, walk, crawl or do anything on her own. She lay in her mothers arms just as a newborn baby. As Dr. Arlene continued to examine her she felt the baby had contracted meningitis, and this was the reason for her decline. But as the examination and conversation continued something much closer to home was revealed. This baby also has hydrocephalus and fused sutures. Her 'sunset-eyes' were a tell-tale sign that her inter-cranial pressure has begun to increase and most likely she has started to have headaches similar to a migraine. Her head circumference was much to large for her age. As the doctor listened to her heart is was quite clear that she also had a heart condition. My thoughts immediately went to Juddah and the day that I first held him in my arms and realized that something was not quite right with his head. And then to his diagnosis day of hydrocephalus and fused sutures. And then to the day when the doctor at the Ethiopian hospital told me to 'let him go' they can't do anything for him. like in a movie where you see your life flash before you in fast forward. This baby was a lot like Juddah. And now here we as a team we are in the presence of a two year old with the same condition as Juddah, and we have nothing to offer her. NOTHING. Not even a hospital or doctor to refer her to that could offer the possibility of a future. Nothing that will help her baby get well. Nothing that will help her baby survive. Nothing that will help reverse this horrible condition that has overtaken her little body. Nothing to bring back the little girl she remembers just 6 months ago. Questions ravage my mind, not solutions.... Maybe if the baby were younger? maybe if the baby didn't have a heart condition. Maybe if the baby had been born in the USA. maybe... but maybes didn't and don't matter here.... we have to live in the facts of what is, not in the maybes of what could have happened. I felt as tho I couldn't breathe, I can't even begin to imagine how this mother of this fragile baby continues to courageously go on. The moaning and tears that came from this young mothers belly were indescribable.

Keena a team member who was sorting and distributing clothes to patients was busy picking out a new set of clothes to give to the mama for her baby. She had several new outfits picked out ready to give her. As Keena handed them to me, I couldn't help but think that we were giving the mama new clothes that her baby would be buried in. Oh, sweet Jesus, please don't let my mind go there. But it did. Most likely this baby will not survive to her 3rd birthday due to her heart condition, hydrocephelus, the povety and the infections she will acquire from her surroundings in Korah. Dr. Arlene wrote out an extensive report to a doctor we have a connection with at Brooke hospital in Addis. The doctor there may be able to prescibe some medication that would help slow down the production of CSF fluid. And help with some treatment that would minimally prolong her life. Due to this babies age and progression of her condition there is no hospital who would even begin to entertain the idea of lifesaving treatment for her. And the tears fell. Uncontrollably and unstoppable.

We had nothing. WE HAD NOTHING. But we serve the one who has everything. Our Jesus has everything. So we prayed over and with this mama and her baby. We gave her some Bir to purchase formula for the baby, and to cover the costs of going to Brooke hospital. I hugged her hard not wanting to let her go. It was apparent from the deep sorrow that fell from this mothers eyes she was well aware that the prognosis was not good.

We walked together out the door, hugged and said goodbye. I quickly went to the one place where in the past I felt comfort. Just around the corner was the little house where I first met Sarah and Juddah. I went and sat on the the big stone at the corner of the house. The place where in the past I had felt the presence of the Lord so firmly, so securely, so clearly. This time I went there questioning the Lord... and crying out from the deep dark part of my soul along with the crying came anger!....Why Lord? why would you choose a small baby to endure such pain? Why would you let so many conditions fall on her that could not be fixed? why couldn't she be younger to be a candidate for surgery? why must she regress in front of her mama? Why can't the sickness and poverty just go away?.... why, why, why..... and then in the way that He always does, his voice became so clear.... 'I watched my son endure the cross, I know the pain, fall into me.' I sat head hanging between my knees listening, and waiting.

As I returned to the clinic, sitting at Dr. John's station was another mama, holding a much older boy. This boy was obviously having seizures, every few minutes, and it was a desperate uncomfortable thing to witness. The suffocating heaviness of the moment fell on me, before I could even begin my questioning of the Lord, I heard his words from just seconds before.... 'fall into me,'... and so I did.... I fell into Him. This boy was quite a bit bigger, maybe eight or nine. Again it was an irreversible condition, and the questions for the Lord were the same.

A few days later, I visited a 15 year old at home while she was in the end stages of labor. She had been having contractions for the last 2 days. She had come into the clinic when her labor began and our doctors examined her. The next day she went to the hospital to be checked and they sent her home. She returned home to labor on her mattress on the dirt floor in her hut. Grandma by her side, with family members just on the other side of a curtain that served as a divider and giving her little privacy. No drugs to ease the pain, no preparation for the birth, no infant classes prior to help her thru the first weeks of being a young mama. She was 15 and about to become a mom. Later in the evening I returned, there lying in the bed on the floor beside her was a beautiful baby boy. The new mom had her back turned to the baby, and had no interest in cuddling or bonding with the baby. For now the baby lay sleeping unaware of of his situation. We talked and I admired the precious little boy. We hugged said our goodbyes. The next day my friend went to visit mom and the new baby. When she shared what she had witnessed, again my heart broke and questions arose. The young mom was still lying on her bed with her back to the baby. While my friend was there the baby began to cry and was obviously hungry, my friend suggested to mom that she feed the baby. While the new moms shirt was soaked with breast milk she had no interest in feeding the baby or even holding him. The grandma and the mom both encouraged my friend to take the baby, to bring the baby back to America. Why Lord? why? and the tears fell again..... and His words became clear.... "fall into me"

This was a different trip for me, I was a crybaby while in Korah. The desperation so apparent, the complicated nature of Korah was so 'IN MY FACE' there was no time to rest and regroup and center myself in-between the new situations that arose.

I am weak, He is strong, Humans have no answers,

Life is not fair, Blessings come where you least expect them,

Keep your eyes on the eternal,

Be the hands and feet in-spite of the circumstances,

Serve because you belong to Jesus,

complicated desperation is difficult to witness,

'FALL INTO HIM'

That is why, for Christ’s sake,

I delight in weaknesses,

in insults, in hardships, in persecutions,

in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong

2 Corinthians 12:10

the promise

2011-10-31T06:12:00.000-07:00

Just over a year ago was when I first laid eyes on a beautiful little family in Korah Ethiopia. It was a moment in time that would change our family forever. A moment that will forever be embedded deep in my heart and soul. A moment that was divinely appointed by the Lord. The first time I scooped up Sarah and Juddah in my arms and prayed with Chebree their birth mom, it was instant love. You know the kind, when you think your heart is about to explode and the rest of the world comes to a stop, and all you want to do is embrace and protect the moment. It was and is that kind of love with Juddah, Sarah, Chebree and Mahlet.

A lot can happen in a year.

About 2 weeks after helping Chebree care for the two tiny fragile babies, I was in the silver market in Addis, and came across two tiny silver crosses. They were just lone charms sitting on the glass shelf. I purchased them and had them put on black necklace cords to give to the babies. When I gave them to Chebree, I shared with her that these were a symbol, a symbol that with the Lords help and His divine intervention, together we would do everything humanly possible to help the babies survive until their 1st birthday, but in the end it was up to the creator of life, and that we must pray daily for these little souls. I asked her to save these and put them on the shelf until their first birthday, and when they were 1 we would give them to Sarah and Juddah. I was surprised at what happened next.... Chebree immediately put them on the babies. I don't know what was going thru her mind in that moment, but I saw something in her eyes, something that told me that she was believing in the promise of the cross for her babies. At that time, Chebree was not a believer, and only recently had been invited to church for the first time. Just a few short weeks later was when she first stepped foot in the church, and later accepted Jesus as her savior. She was believing in the promise and power of the cross before she even knew what it fully meant. Those thoughts and those seeds planted can only be explained by one thing.... the holy spirit....

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

A future! The promise of a future!
So here it is, just one year later, and Sarah and Juddah are now 1 year old! A living testament to the power of the cross. They have been on different paths on different continents this year, with the same goal in mind, to become strong, healthy and happy little 'babes of the king'. Sarah is a rolly-polly little one year old who is now walking solidly, and eating everything in site. She tends to cling close to her mama, but when coaxed will send a smile your way that will melt your heart. She is strong and healthy and happy. Juddah has had 3 surgeries, is in physical therapy and continues to make developmental strides. He is full of joy, laughs constantly and is a bright light for all those who come in contact with him.

Hills, valleys and bumps in the road will continue to dot their future, while we know not what the future holds there is one thing that is constant.... the power of the cross.

Korah Necklaces

2011-09-21T03:29:00.000-07:00

More beautiful items made in Korah.... SOLD OUT These are handmade by my friends in Korah Ethiopia. The necklaces are 15 inches long and are made with a whole 'lotta love'.The colors on the paper beads vary slightly. The proceeds from your donations will go directly to help purchase supplies for our October medical missions team going into Korah. We will be serving the people who live right in the area where Juddah was born. Some of our team members are the nurses who cared for and loved on Juddah while he was in the hospital in Virgina. I am so excited to share Juddah's neighborhood with them as we help to care for the medical needs of the community.

Supplies that will be purchased are: baby formula, prescription medicine, non-prescription medicine, soap, first-aid supplies, and help to pay hospital/clinic bills for those patients we are not able to treat. Please use the donation button below, and be sure to put in the purpose section of paypal that your donation is for the necklaces....

Thank you so much for helping our medical mission team serve the least of these....

These have SOLD OUT for now, I'll have more when I return home from Ethiopia at the end of October. I'll also have more baskets available also. Thank you so much for supporting Korah.

New Picture

2011-09-19T17:47:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest of Juddah, showing off his new front teeth!

So much to catch up on

2011-09-18T00:36:00.000-07:00

Gosh, I have so much blogging to catch up on, it has been weeks ago since I last wrote, and now it's gotten to the point that I wonder where to start. So tonight as I stressed over where to begin, I have decided to just start with today and go from there.

But first a quick update on Juddah. He has has been doing extremely great these past 3 months while recovering from his surgeries. His personality continues to blossom and his light just seems to shine brighter and brighter. Lately he is discovering the sounds he can make with his voice. He has always been a babbler, but now he is experimenting with the highs/lows, softness/loudness, and different sounds he can make when he laughs. In addition to being a professional clapper, he is now an expert in the art of rolling from one side of the room to the other. His laughter and smile are just as contagious as ever. While he is still not crawling, or able to pull himself up to a sitting position on his own, he sits strong by himself once he is helped getting into the position. His pediatrician and physical therapists are very hopeful that with help he will be able to crawl and eventually walk. Every day that goes by Rick and I see Juddah getting stronger, and are amazed at the joy that comes from within his little soul.

At his last neurosurgeon appointment, he was released from monthly appointments, and now will only go back if there is a problem. Wahoo! One less doctor appointment to schedule. We are working on getting caught up on his immunizations, and next week he will go to Casey Eye Institute in Portland to get his eyes checked. One of his eyes has always turned in, but it was never clear if that was a result of the pressure inside his brain, or if it was a muscular problem. Next week hopefully we will have the answer so it can start to be corrected.

Juddah now sports 4 beautiful white teeth. Two on the bottom and two on the top, and just in the last week figured out how to chew some serious food. Tonight he had roast pork which brought a big ole smile to his face.... wonder if he is going to be a meat lover like his uncles in Ethiopia?

We have much to be thankful for, God's mercy, grace and peace are abundant.

On to today. Do you ever have a day where you just sit in awe and say 'Really Lord, Really? How in the world did you work that one out?' followed by a dumbfounded moment where your jaw just hangs open because of what just happened and next you are just giddy inside realizing that God is the God of impossible and has such big plans that you can't even think things up in your brain like what just happened? Well, that was me today!

As I mentioned in an earlier post I am leading a medical mission team to Korah Ethiopia in 3 weeks to work in Juddah's backyard and set up a temporary medical clinic. Our team is now up to 20. 20 people who the Lord has chosen in advance to be a part a part of our team. As I've been working on the preparations for the trip and having conference calls with our team, I was feeling as tho our team was not complete, and that there was one more person that the Lord was calling, but I put it on the back shelf and continued on in the preparations, and today is when it all made sense... I had a bunch of errands that I had to do today, and was planning on doing them while Juddah took his nap... LOL! all parents know that when you plan for a nap, it 'just ain't happenin', so off Juddah and I headed on our errands, One stop I had to make was to pick up prescriptions at Walgrens, I was certain that Juddah would be asleep in the car by then and that I would just go thru the drive-thru to pick them up. The pharmacist there is quite grumpy, and never in his 'happy place' so I usually don't like to go inside. But Juddah was still bright eyed and bushy tailed in the backseat when we rolled in the parking lot, I decided to go in and look around to see if there were any clearance items that might be useful on our trip, and pick up the prescriptions at the counter.... When it came our turn at the counter, I noticed a new pharmacist, my eyebrows raised as I thought to myself...'he looks like he could be from Ethiopia' not sure if I should start a conversation with him, I decided to wait and see if he started it first. The first thing out of his mouth when he came to the counter as he was looking straight at Juddah was, 'where is he from?' when I said Ethiopia, the pharmacist got the biggest smile on his face and looked me straight in the eye and said I'm from Ethiopia.... the door was opened and delightful conversation ensued... we first talked about what part of the country he was from, then what part Juddah was from, again he looked me straight in the eye and with a smile on his face he said, I'm leaving next week to go back for a visit! Then I busted out with, ME TOO! in 3 weeks, he told me he would still be there when I'm there, and of course I had to tell him about the medical team, and then as casually as I would ask him directions, asked him if he wanted to be part of our team and come to the clinic in Korah.... you know what he said..... can you guess? Yep, we are going to connect while he is in Addis and if it works into his schedule he is coming to be a part of our clinic. OK, so seriously Lord, Really.... how in the world did you work this one out? A pharmacist who is from Ethiopia, speaks the language, is going to be in country at the same time as our clinic, and you had our schedules collide today! REALLY!

Once gain the Lord has shown me that is the Master Planner and that His ways are so much bigger than my ways... Lord thank you for letting me be a part of your master plan! God is the God of unexpected surprises isn't he......

Prayer Warriors still needed!

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us

Ephesians 3:20

Finally Basket Time Again!

2011-09-17T00:57:00.000-07:00

These baskets made with a 'whole lotta' Ethiopian love, are specially hand-made by Juddah's mama and 4 other women in Korah Ethiopia! We are working together to get a micro business set up for them, with the hope of getting them moved into better living conditions, and if we dream big, I mean really big, (moving forward with the faith of a mustard seed) praying that enough ongoing income would be generated so they each can move into a home that has running water, a flushing toilet and away from the disease that runs rampant in Korah.

The baskets range in size from 8-11 inches in diameter, and all are about 2 inches high. Some are solid tan colored grass, and some are variegated with green and tan colored grass. These are very tightly woven, and made from all natural materials. A hammered metal tag adorns each one with the words, 'made in Korah' quite a conversation starter when friends see it, and ask you "what is Korah" and there the conversation can begin!

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mstard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move.

Nothing will be impossible for you."

Matthew 17:20

We are asking for a $20 donation for each basket. That includes shipping and can be paid thru the paypal button below the pictures, If you would rather pay by check please let me know, and we can arrange for that.

These sold out overnight the last time.

Thank you for caring and supporting these women of Korah.

Prayer Warriors needed!

1.14.2011

2011-08-03T02:35:00.000-07:00

Just thinking back to this day in Ethiopia when Chebree entrusted her precious gift to me, her son Juddah. It was the day that Juddah left his home and a new chapter in his life would begin. The blessings have been to numerous to count and the lessons learned priceless. Oh the sweet tender mercies of the Savior.

Urgent Prayer Request

2011-08-01T11:20:00.000-07:00

Because I have witnessed in Juddah's life the power of prayer and watched what happens when the saints pray, I'm asking you all to fervently pray for another little baby in Addis. A tiny baby boy 2 weeks old who also has hydrocephalus. He is in an orphanage, and this sweet little baby by the worlds and doctors standards has only been given a short time to live. I know that the Lord has plans for this little one. To give him and hope and a future. Because God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, and we have already seen His tender mercies extended to Juddah, in ways that can only be explained as the supernatural power of God, I am asking all of you to join in prayer for this little one. And together we will wait patiently on the Lord. If any of you has connections to a neurosurgeon or hospital in Kentucky please message me. It is possible that this little one could get a medical visa to come to the states for surgery.

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

James 5:15-17

Prayer Warriors Needed!

Update on Mr. Sweetie Pants!

2011-07-22T14:25:00.000-07:00

Wow seriously have 8 months almost gone by since Juddah has been in the USA? Boarding the plane in Addis with a tiny baby inside the baby bjorn sleeping so soundly against my chest seems like it was just last week, but the calendar and the size of my biceps from carring a growing baby around would indicate something quite different. Juddah has grown from a small, fragile, non-expressive baby to a baby whose legs you can't help but squeeze because of the little fat rolls around them, and his eyes tell a hundred different stories with all the expressions he has. In his short little life he has been thru much, and has a promise from the Lord of a hope and a future here on this earth.

Monday, Juddah will have a follow up appointment here in Oregon with a neurosurgeon in Bend, about a 4 hour drive from our house. The doctor there has agreed to see him under charity care for his follow-ups post surgery. Juddah seems to have adjusted quite nicely to the shunt and so far seems to be working the way it should. His stitches in his head have just about dissolved and his tummy incision is all healed up and he can now swim with out a big bandage on it!

Last week Juddah had an appointment/assessment with Early Intervention to determine if he qualified for physical therapy with them. The minute he came thru the door Juddah immediately had made a room full of new friends. The assessment lasted about 2 1/2 hours and Juddah was the perfect patient.. so happy and patient with all the things they wanted him to do. He also had his hearing tested. The great news is that his results came back great. He may only have a slight/possible problem with hearing directly ahead of him.. not sure what that means long term, but I'm sure we will learn more as we go along.

Juddah still lacks upper body strength, and is non-mobile for now. He is itching to be on the go tho and his frustration is evident when he wants something that is at his eye level but just out of reach. He is rolling from front to back now, and boy oh boy can his little legs run in circles when he is laying on the floor. Looking forward to his first physical therapy appointment next week, and learning about the goals that will be set for him, and how quickly his strength can be built up before he starts to crawl.. oh what a celebration that day will be! Better start child-proofing the house now.

Here are some pictures of what his incision site looks like now...
this one is just behind his ear and is where the shunt is anchored to his skull

this one is a half moon shape and is on the top of his head

This my latest big print I've had made for our home of him... I love all his expressions.

Ephesians 3:19-21

prayer warriors still needed!

Are you being called?

2011-07-18T23:53:00.000-07:00

Has the Lord been tugging on your heart for you to step outside your comfort zone? Have you been wanting to serve 'the least of these'? Been thinking about a mission trip and didn't know were to start? Wondering how you could put your faith into action? Been wanting to serve alongside of others who share your passion for the least of these? Then you need to continue reading.....

I've mentioned this randomly in previous posts, and some of you have emailed me asking me about it, and finally here is the official announcement!

I will be leading a medical mission team into Ethiopia in October with my good friend Kathleen Carney! This trip is close to our hearts, as we will be serving right in Juddah's neighborhood. I am so excited about this opportunity. The need in Korah is great and we will be serving those who need medical care the most.

Both medical and non-medical team members (only 2 spaces left for non-medical) are needed. All branches of the medical care profession are needed on this trip. We are trying to go into Korah with a one stop shopping approach for the people in Korah. Eye care, dermatology, dental, internal medicine, wound care, psychological, OB, physical therapy, chiropractic, if you are in ANY branch of the medical profession at ANY level, we need you.

We will work hard, laugh at times until our stomach hurts, cry until there are no tears left, make lasting bonds with our team and the people of Korah, visually it will be a smorgasbord of new sites! Together as a team we will be serving those who have no hope. Our hearts will be full when we leave. The blessings of serving in Korah are unexplainable. You have to go to experience it. Please consider joining us in October.
Really.... IT IS LIFE CHANGING!

Let me know if you have any questions....

If you are part of the Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, you can also contact Sandy Sayre or Melissa Witten 6th floor VICU

here is a link where you can sign up for the trip. click here for link scroll down the page to the 2011 fall trips, October 13-22, led by Kathleen Carney and Cherrie Cornish

prayer warriors needed

Baskets are in the mail!

2011-07-15T13:30:00.000-07:00

For those of you who ordered baskets a while back and paid for them via paypal, they have been shipped to you and should arrive shortly in your mailbox! Yeah.... for those of you who are waiting to order baskets, we have another shipment that is in the USA and will be ready soon to order... I will post here on the blog with a paypal button when they are here and ready to be ordered.

We got some cute new styles, and now have four women in the program. I head to Addis in a few weeks and will be working on the basket project with the women and soon we hope to have a smooth running basket project..... with LOTS of product.

Thank you for your patience as we get the ball rolling, but most of all thank you for supporting Chebree (Juddah's mom) and the 3 other mothers in Korah who thru this project will be able to stop foraging at the trash dump and move from where they are living now into actual homes...

Roanoke, we miss you!

2011-07-09T02:11:00.000-07:00

Juddah was mumbling something in his sleep last night, and when i put my ear down close to him and listened I'm pretty sure I heard him say something about Roanoke, and Avenel Avenue. He rolled over and then whispered...'Hunter, Katie, where are you?' I realized then just how much we both miss our Roanoke family the Wittens. Tim, Melissa, Hunter and Katie welcomed Juddah and I into their home for what was to be a five week stay which then turned into a 5 month stay. They welcomed us having never met us before. The first time we met face to face was when Juddah and I showed up at their front door.

Melissa is a nurse on the 6th floor of the hospital where Juddah had all his surgeries. She is part of the group at Carilion who adopted Juddah and loved him before he ever arrived in Virginia. When she and her family found out we needed a place to stay close to the hospital, they opened their hearts and home wide to us. Such a blessing it was! Hunter and Katie quickly became like a brother and sister to Juddah, always wondering how he was doing and surrounded him with big hugs and silly faces. Hunter has a special way of saying 'Ju-ddah' which instantly brings out a giggle and a smile on Juddah's face. Katie and Juddah became experts on several episodes of the Backyardigans, and she is always ready to share her special rock collection with Juddah.

Tim and Melissa welcomed the 'baby explosion' that invaded their house... carseat, bouncy seat, diapers, excersaucer, crib, bottles and all the equipment that comes along with a baby. What an encouragement they were for us. Some days were just plain hard, emotionally and physically and they both were always available with a hug and encouraging word. They are both good listeners and just really cared about what was going on in the 'Juddah world'. It was so nice just to have a place to stay that really felt like a home-away-from-home. Oh and the fact that Melissa is a nurse, an added bonus for all those questions I had!

Tim and Melissa quickly took an interest in Korah and wanted to know everything about it. We spent many nights just talking about Korah and what life was like there. I am so blessed that Melissa will be a part of the October medical mission trip I am leading in October and I know in the not to distant future Tim will also visit. Yeah!

Witten Family.... we miss you terribly....

you have an open invite to come and stay with us in Oregon!

Thank you for sharing your home, hearts,

and life with us while we were in Roanoke.....

You blessed our socks off!

Special Guest from Ethiopia!

2011-07-01T00:32:00.000-07:00

We are so very excited for Sammy Liben to arrive in the USA. This is his first trip outside of Ethiopia, and he is landing in PDX very soon. Sammy is a young man (24) from Korah Ethiopia who for the past several years has been a leader in Great Hope Ministries in Korah. His ministry partners with Project 61 and together are making a difference in the lives of many who live in the trash dump. Sammy is a man with a big heart and a big story to share.

We will be having a get together at our home in Salem, Oregon to welcome Sammy to the USA. It will be potluck style and the pool opens at 4:30, Sammy will start sharing his story at 6:30. If you know Sammy, have a heart for missions, Africa, adoption, Ethiopia or just learning about another part of the world, please join us. Families are welcome! It will be an amazing night.

Potluck with Sammy

Sunday, July 10th

Pool opens at 4:30

Sammy shares at 6:30

please bring something yummy to share

plates/silverware/drinks provided

4160 Chambers Avenue S.

Salem, OR 97302

call with any questions

Cherrie 503-949-6496

PS. of course Juddah will be here too!

Crazy Month is an understatement!

2011-06-29T01:29:00.000-07:00

I know this post is overdue. Every night since Juddah's surgery when the house was quite and I had time to actually put some thoughts together, I'd end up falling asleep where ever it was that I spoke my last word. Usually lying beside Juddah as he went down for the night. It's been a week now since we have been back in Oregon at home and things are settling down into somewhat of a routine. Well maybe not so much a routine but a comfortable place of knowing that each day we will wake up in our own beds, and for that I am thankful. Juddah and I were in Virginia for just about 6 months. So much has transpired this last month I'm having a hard time organizing my thoughts. Forgive the randomness of this post!
We left Seattle Childrens after we we told the surgery could not take place there, and headed to Emily's college graduation. Juddah and my whole family... Rick, Emily, Jack, Ben, Worldu (another friend from Ethiopia) and myself. We were able to attend her ivy cutting ceremony, and the formal graduation...
next, Rick, Juddah, Worldu and I headed to the airport and went straight back to Roanoke. The neurosurgeon was waiting for us and as soon as we arrived was ready to see Juddah and schedule the surgery. Juddah did have a shunt put in, it was the very last choice for treatment and the one that we were trying to avoid, but in the end it was the only option that would relieve the spinal fluid pressure and build up in his head. The surgery went well, and the shunt is functioning the way it should. The two fluid filled spots on the top of his head that used to be the size of ping pong balls, are now flat and have stayed flat. He now will sport three battle scars, two on his head, which for now are quite noticeable which will be covered by his hair once it grows in, and one on his abdomen. The one is on top of his head almost a full circle and the surgeon was able to use that same site for two of the surgeries, another just behind his ear where the shunt is anchored, you also notice the actual shunt device which protrudes about a quarter inch from his skull and is about 2 1/2 inches long, and the other on his tummy about 2 1/2 inches long. I'll try and post pictures in the next couple of days. There is tubing that runs the from his head into his torso... all internal, which deposits the spinal fluid into his abdomen and is then absorbed. There is enough tubing inside his little body to allow for growth and as he grows the tubing will extend, with the expectation that it will not have to be replaced. Shunts when they work, work well, but it is inevitable that at some point maybe in the next 6 months, maybe the next year, or 2 years or not till 10 years it will malfunction, disconnect, get infected or blocked and another surgery will be needed, but for now, for today, it is working correctly and there was no post surgery infection. For this we are so very thankful.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,

for tomorrow will worry about itself.

Matthew 6:34

Just after surgery, Juddah recovered beautifully, and we were released from the hospital on Saturday, and had a flight booked to head back to Oregon on Sunday. So much I could write about the eventful trip home but in a nutshell, our flight was delayed and we were not going to make our connection in Atlanta, and had to spend the night in Atlanta. Worldu and I were held up with TSA because they were complaining about a picture on a passport and not sure if they should let us thru or not. The blessing out of all of this was the fact that the airline put all four of us in first class from Atlanta to Oregon... a nice little perk and so thankful for the extra room for Juddah.
So here we are, all in Oregon, settling in, and enjoying the little things... Oh how I have missed sleeping in my own bed!
The Lord sure has taught me a lot during this season.... some lessons I understood right away, and some I'm sure I won't figure out until till much later. Some so very simple and others complex. He showed me both the compassion and kindness and unwavering love of the body of christ, and other times he made it clear how very cold, uncaring and lonely the world can be, and without Him it would be unbearable and that I have been on both sides of that equation. I learned that I need to love harder, obey faster, judge not, to truly be in the world, but not of the world, and so much more. I have felt what it is like to be judged for going against the grain and living a life the world would view as 'normal' instead following the path He has set before me. I have learned that I can have a plan but it is the Lord who has the 'Ultimate Final Master Daytimer'. This has been a complete blessing to be in sweet communion with Him thru all the trials and ups and downs that this journey has had, I'm sure there are more to come and for right now, in this moment, I'm so thankful for that day in October I had an unexpected divine appointment in a little dark hut in Korah.

So much more to share with you... I will post in the next couple of days... A mission trip I'm leading to Korah where we will be working right in Juddah's backyard, loving on and caring for his neighbors and the people of Korah... It will be an amazing time and I'd love to serve right along side of Y-O-U.. has the Lord been tapping on your heart to serve in Korah? The trip will be in October, I'll post details soon. Our family has the honor of picking up another one of our Ethiopian family at the airport on the 3rd. Sammy Liben from Korah who a lot of you know, and have worked along side, will be in the USA this month. We will be hosting a get-together at our home to welcome him, and you all are invited to come.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart,

but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails

Proverbs 19:21

Life is full, and not without unexpected adventure....
Prayer Warriors always needed

surgery again... number 3

2011-06-15T18:17:00.000-07:00

After receiving the news that Juddah could not have surgery in Seattle we left and headed straight to VA so Juddah could receive his 3rd surgery at Carilion to try and relieve the spinal fluid that is collecting between his skull and skin... His surgery is scheduled to start at 7:30 tomorrow morning. This is the surgery that we were trying to avoid, but the other options just have not worked for Juddah and now he must have a shunt placed to drain the fluid. He has remained happy the past few days, but developed a reaction to the seizure medication he has been on.. he developed an itchy rash all over his body and that has caused him to have a couple of bouts of fussiness... you can tell that's what is bothering him because he starts scratching at his tummy and wiggling around like he is trying to scratch his back. He is covered with topical benedryl from tummy to toes to try and relieve the symptoms and when his surgeon saw him, she decided to discontinue his current meds, and will start him on a new one post surgery. Thank you so much for you continued prayers, will post again after surgery tomorrow with another update. Love to you all.
prayer warriors needed

Todays Update

2011-06-14T01:58:00.000-07:00

It has been a roller-coaster of emotion the past 5 days. While in Virginia at Carilion for Juddah's second surgery it was unclear and less than hopeful that Juddah would be released from the hospital to travel to Seattle on Thursday for Emily's (my daughter) graduation from college. There were two choices, to travel with out Juddah and leave him in the care of the hospital, or to not attend the graduation. How to decide between the two? Since Juddah's second surgery he became leery of being held by others and would cry hard and loud.... which is not good for the pressure inside his brain, it causes more spinal fluid to be pushed up where it is not supposed to be and the doctors were working so hard to keep the fluid down. Leaving him in the hospital alone and crying when others would want to comfort him was not a choice that left my stomach calm. Not attending Emily's graduation left my stomach in knots... there just was not a good solution to this situation. So we prayed for a miracle.. and guess what? We got it, Juddah's fluid and his head stayed flat for two days, enough time for the doctors to feel comfortable to release Juddah to come to Seattle for the graduation... YEAH! We arrived in Seattle late Thursday night and attended Emily's nursing pinning ceremony on Friday. On Saturday morning we woke to the sight of Juddah's head with a pocket of fluid showing it self strong... as the day went on, it was clear that more and more fluid was collecting and we needed to make a trip to the ER at Seattle's childrens hospital.... while there in the ER it was decided that Juddah would be admitted and that surgery was in order. The doctors in the ER talked it over and felt as tho there would be funding for Juddah to receive the surgery under charity care. We were taken upstairs to a room, checked in and waited for morning, and once again I wondered if I would get to Emily's graduation, the all school graduation ceremony was on Sunday afternoon. Sunday morning, the morning Juddah was to receive surgery in Seattle, and the afternoon of graduation, we were informed that there were not funds available for Juddah and that the charge for the surgery would be $50,000 or more plus the doctors fees and that the ER cost the night before was $5900..... we were released from the hospital and told to call the office of financial counseling in the morning.... They tapped Juddah's head and took off 20cc's of fluid (didn't hardly make a dent in it tho) and two hours later headed to graduation. The next morning we headed into the meeting at Seattle Childrens to talk about possibilities for Juddah... bottom line was that there just are not funds for children from out of the country. Next a call was made back to Carilion in Virginia where Juddah has been treated for the last 6 months, they were gracious and kind and put Juddah on the surgery schedule for Thursday.... The third surgery in 3 weeks. All this to say that tomorrow morning we get back on a plane and head to VA for surgery on Thursday... Very difficult to watch the fluid collect in Juddah's head, especially when the suture line is still so very visible and one pocket of fluid is popping up just under it. It's getting stretched and just plain looks tight... right now the pockets look bigger than a ping-pong ball, but smaller than a tennis ball... I know not why the Lord is working the plan this way, I'm sure He has a reason, and for now prayer is much needed for a safe journey tomorrow in regard to Juddah's head, patience, peace and strength.... so very thankful that team Juddah continues to lift him up in prayer, and cares so deeply about him.

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;

turn your ear to me and hear my prayer

Psalm 17:6

Prayer Warriors needed!

prayer requests

2011-06-13T12:32:00.000-07:00

anyone reading this now, please pray for favor at Seattle Children's Hospital for Juddah. We have a meeting at 1:30 regarding his care. Will post more details later... we just need God's hand and provision with us as we head into the meeting... Thank you prayer warriors....

surgery update

2011-06-05T09:20:00.000-07:00

Juddah just went down for his 'power nap' so I'll try and get a blog post up. He had his first surgery two weeks ago, and it all went well. Shortly after surgery spinal fluid started accumulating on the out side of his brain between his skull and skin, the two pockets of fluid were the size of a tennis ball cut in half... quite large and looked horrible but didn't seem to be painful, they were on the top of his head right where the incision and sutures were and the other one just below it and above his ear. Sweet little man continued tho to be in good spirits, with just a few fussy times. Rick my hubby was here during the week of surgery which helped a lot and we divided the shifts between day and night, so we both had a time to sleep at the hotel. Juddah ended up being in the hospital for a week as he started running a fever and as a result decided not to eat. He lost about a pound, but gained most of it back during the end of the week. We checked out of the hospital with the pockets of fluid, the surgeon thought that his body would start resorbing the fluid and the pressure would equalize inside his brain. On Monday the fluid pockets were bigger, so we made a trip to the doctors office, there an intern tapped the pockets of fluid from the outside with a syringe and IV needle... not fun, and lots of tears, but he was able to remove all the fluid and he then wrapped his head with a pressure bandage to try and help the pressure equalize, by the evening the bandage came off on it's own, and the fluid was accumulating again. Another trip to the doctor's office and this time we were sent directly to hospital to check in. Another surgery was needed, so they could insert a plastic bubble under his skin where the fluid could collect and they would tap the fluid from there. That surgery all went fine too. The surgeon said his brain was once again compressed down from the fluid that had built up. Later that evening, the fluid made a new path in Juddahs head, and instead of going into the bubble, it collected in the side of his head, which meant that his head would have to be tapped with a needle twice a day... lots of tears, but it needed to be done. We are on the fourth day of having external taps 2x a day, and this morning he finally did not need it tapped. A small amount of fluid has collected and it's now noon, but I'm hoping that it is stabilizing itself and he will not need a tap tonight. Little man is waking up... we cannot let him cry as that increased the pressure in head.. I'll post this for now and hope to update later...

prayer warriors still needed...

Juddah is on the front page again!

2011-05-27T20:28:00.000-07:00

This is the article that came out about Juddah's surgery. Has been such a blessing to have the support of the community of Roanoke. This is where God planted Juddah for specific reasons, some of which are apparent now, some of which will be answered when we get to heaven, and some of which will always remain a mystery. Thanking God for bringing Juddah and his medical team together in the perfect place, at the perfect time with the pre-appointed doctors and nurses and caregivers in Roanoke....

click here to read complete article

to read the full article you can

click here for complete article

free indeed!

2011-05-25T13:21:00.000-07:00

Juddah is free from all his wires, drains and IV's and has moved from ICU to the pediatrics floor. He had a good morning this morning and seemed as tho he had turned a corner in his recovery, this afternoon however he has been fussy and not interested in eating.... He is still quick to flash his heart popping smile once in a while, but is certainly not himself these last two days... here are some pictures of him after being all disconnected from his wires, and the bandage is off.... wish there was time to write more, but for now this will be the update.. little Mr. Sweetie pants calls...

Prayer Warriors needed

post surgery

2011-05-22T21:41:00.000-07:00

Getting ready

2011-05-19T12:25:00.000-07:00

Today Juddah was busy getting ready for his big surgery day tomorrow. He had his blood drawn, and got registered. I think all Korah kids must be born tough, because when they put the needle in to draw the blood he didn't even flinch. What made him mad tho, was the fact that we were holding him down and not letting him squirm as they took it. Later in the day he just relaxed 'Juddah style' in the yard.

He is to check in tomorrow at 5:15am and is scheduled for surgery later in the morning. His surgeon thinks it will be a 2-3 hour procedure if all goes smoothly. I will try and post updates via twitter and FB as the day goes on.

Please continue to lift the surgeon and Juddah up in prayer.
Prayer Warriors needed...

Surgery Day is here!

2011-05-16T18:29:00.000-07:00

Today Juddah had his follow up appointment with his neurosurgeon to discuss his treatment plan as a result of the MRI done last week. Friday morning at 5:30am Juddah will be admitted to the hospital for his Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy. There is a link a couple of posts down that will take you to a page that briefly describes the surgery if you missed it. This surgery is the first step to try and drain the fluid, if successful Juddah will not need a shunt. There is no way for the surgeon to tell if it is going to work or not, until a couple of days post surgery if this is doing the job properly. We also talked about his left brain. Their is significantly less brain tissue on the left as compared to the right, so the sooner the fluid is drained the sooner that tissue has a chance to regenerate. This surgery does not come with out known risk factors, but the surgeon believes that Juddahs anatomy makes him a prime candidate for this procedure.

(Deep Breath) While is seems as tho this day has taken forever to get here, in the same breath is seems to have arrived all to quickly, and while Juddah has grown so big in the last two months and has steadily gained weight, when I think of him on the operating table he seems way to small to undergo this procedure. I'm resting in the fact that God brought him to this moment in time, and that He holds Juddah in the palm of His hand.

Today as we left his appointment, in the elevator my mind filled with all the what ifs, asking God if this is the right decision, when we got off the elevator on the first floor, there were two ladies I didn't know. But they knew Juddah. One of them said to me, "is that baby Juddah? Let me see how big hes grown," and she started walking toward us, before she reached us, the other woman was laying hands on Juddah and pleading the blood of Jesus over him, praying for him in a powerful, yet tender southern voice... Juddah laid in his stroller, calmly and quietly, smiling at the woman as she prayed with her hand on his head leaning close into his face as she prayed.... when she was done, she looked at me and said "He's got the light of Jesus in his eyes...." I replied to her.."You see it too?, I know, it's Jesus isn't it!" The presence of the Lord was surrounding us, and the air was filled with complete holy spirit peace... it was clear that the Lord had sent those two women to be in that place at that exact moment so they could be used by our all consuming God for his purposes. So thankful they acted on what God had asked of them, for me it was confirmation directly from God that this indeed was the right decision for Juddah.

One specific prayer request for the surgeon on Friday, help her to see the landmarks in Juddahs brain clearly, as they guide the scope in the exact place it needs to be. It is a tricky area she will be working in and right next to a main artery which needs to remain untouched.
Prayer Warriors, you know what to do!

The LORD your God is with Juddah,

the Mighty Warrior who saves.

He will take great delight in Juddah;

in his love he will no longer rebuke you,

but will rejoice over Juddah with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

One little boy.... so much joy

2011-05-13T19:22:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I just stare at him and wonder how the Lord packed so much joy into one little soul.... One little soul that some thought we should not try and save. One little soul that some felt not worthy of our time and energy and resources. One little soul that some thought would never amount to anything because of the brain atrophy shown on an early MRI. Oh how they were so very wrong! What the world would be missing out on without this one little bright light.... this one little boy who lets his light shine for the one who knit him together. This one little soul who is a beacon of hope! Praising God tonight for the way he worked all things together for the good of those who love him and are called according to His purposes.

Juddah's MRI on Thursday went very smooth. No complications from the anesthetic, which makes the thought of surgery a little less daunting, knowing that he has been put under twice now with no adverse effects. His follow up appointment with the neurosurgeon is on Monday at 9:30... please be in prayer that a course of treatment would be clear. Thank you so much for continuing to pray for and support Juddah, it makes this whole process a little easier knowing that you are all out there and together the saints are lifting him up!

Prayer Warriors still needed

praying for peace

2011-05-11T17:25:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow Juddah will have another MRI which hopefully will show why his head circumference has shot up so quickly. His surgeon suspects that it is because of the fluid build up associated with his hydrocephalus. Then on Monday we have a follow up appoint to determine what Juddahs treatment plan will be. Please pray peace and contentment over Juddah tomorrow. After 7am he cannot have anything to eat and only small sips of clear liquid. His appointment is not until 3pm. Praying that time will pass quickly tomorrow.

On another note, had our first meeting today to discuss the October medical mission trip that Kathleen Carney and I will be leading. Carilion has been anxious to come and serve in Juddah's hometown, and it is exciting to see the plans begin to take shape. The trip will be open to anyone who is able to serve in any medical capacity.... Eye Doctors, Lab Techs, Nurses, Doctors, Vets, Dermatologists, Dentists...... this is the 'unofficial announcement' and more information will be coming. It will be a trip of a lifetime and you will come away with abundant blessings.

The LORD gives strength to his people;

the LORD blesses his people with peace.

Psalm 29:11

Pure and Faultless.... it's Simple... and you can do it!

2011-05-10T17:13:00.000-07:00

Religion that God our Father

accepts as pure and faultless is this:

to look after orphans and widows in their distress

and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world

James 1:27

It's simple......

Right now you can help restore life to 20 starving orphans in Ethiopia. Twenty starving babies just like the picture of this little one. They are in distress and need our help.

It's simple.....

Can you give up your cup of coffee today and tomorrow and instead give that money to purchase formula?

It's simple...

right now you can walk the walk and talk the talk to look after orphans in their distress. You can make James 1:27 come alive by this one simple action!

It's simple...

Ten dollars will buy a can of formula for these babies. The money is sent in a moneygram to Ashli directly and she purchases formula the day she receives the funds!

It's simple...

click the paypal donate button to the right on this page and specify in the notes that it's for formula

this one simple action that only requires a click of a button from us could make the difference between life and death for these wee brothers and sisters..... Please say YES to helping these orphans in distress..... <3

Want to know more? Scroll down this page and the original post is there....

Religion that God our Father

accepts as pure and faultless is this:

to look after orphans and widows in their distress

and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world

James 1:27

Not what was expected!

2011-05-09T21:33:00.000-07:00

Today Juddah had an appointment with his neurosurgeon. As we entered her office, the thoughts rolling round my head were that of returning to Korah. Juddah has been doing so well, and just this last week had what I thought were breakthroughs with his development. He started to reach for toys, and even passed a spoon between his two hands! Yeah Juddah!!
As she measured his little head circumference and then planted the dot on the growth chart, it was shocking to see how quickly his head has grown. It has always been at the 95th percentile, but now in just a month it has leapt off the the chart at a very steep incline. A sign that fluid may be building quickly inside his head due to the hydrocephalus. Wow... just the opposite of what I was expecting her to say. So here we are, at a crossroad for Juddah. Another MRI will be scheduled, and then the first procedure that the surgeon would like to do is called Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy, click the link and it will take you to a quick read about the surgery. It is a first step to try and relieve the pressure inside the brain, with out the use of a shunt. We will find out tomorrow when the MRI will be and go from there. Right now I'm just concentrating on one day at a time and not letting myself entertain thoughts of the 'what ifs'.... God has held Juddah in the palm of his hand from the beginning of this journey and He will continue to do so. The timeline of this journey has been not at all what I expected it to be, I'm just glad that He's in charge and I am not. His plan is perfect.
Prayers Warriors needed

Urgent Need... you can help save a baby right now!

2011-05-06T19:53:00.000-07:00

My friend Ashli is working in Ethiopia right now, she posted this on her facebook a couple of days ago. I have been in the process of starting a formula bank for Korah. When she posted this I knew the bank had to start right now as babies right now are struggling and every hour counts with these wee ones. As I read the story, I was reminded of when I first walked in as saw Sarah and Juddah.... this was the same scene only they were different babies and not just two, but 15 babies! I was witness to how quickly nourishment to the body can help these babies survive, with Sarah and Juddah it was within the first couple of days we saw improvement. The need is urgent, the difference you can make right now for these little ones who belong to the King of Kings, these little ones who are the least of these.... please read and see if you can help. These wee ones are our brothers and sisters in christ!
From Ashli's Note
As I held an orphaned little girl tonight who is 10lbs underweight, I began to sing Jesus Loves Me. She stared in my eyes as I sang and I started thinking about her life. Her last name is X because she has no father, she is malnourished, found in the street, and has a horrible bacterial infection that if went untreated would kill her. As the song was ending her eyes slowly closed as she drifted off to sleep. A peace that passes all understanding was shown through the sweetest smile as she slept. I whispered, "Lord, you are her Father. She does have a name, and you know her by name. You know her life and her destiny. Protect her heart and give her peace." There are 15 other babies with a similar story in this orphanage, and 10 more on the way, and only 3 nannies to care for them. I pray that all who read this would prayerfully consider helping this orphanage financially care for these helpless lives. The nannies LOVE these babies but the funding just isn't there for proper care. You can turn tears of hunger into peaceful nights of sleep, and the longing for someone to just hold you into security and happiness. Will you help an orphan fall asleep in peace tonight?

Can you donate just $10 to purchase a can of formula for these babies... IT COULD MAKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH FOR THESE BABIES....
Thank you.....

use the donate button to the left of this post and specify in the comments that it is for formula....

Thank you!

2011-04-28T10:33:00.000-07:00

It has been such a blessing to hear from those of you who have received your baskets. I wish there were a way that I could express to Chebree--- Juddah's mom how much her baskets are loved and treasured. Someone wrote to me and said her basket was sitting on top of her piano filled with Easter candy, another woman wrote to me to say she has it on her kitchen counter and every time she looks at it, it reminds her to pray for Korah and Juddah. They even made this bloggers list of favorite things! favorite things list be sure to check it out.

More baskets are in the works, I should be getting a small shipment of baskets by first of next week, and will post as soon as I receive them. I have spoken with Berhanu who is working with Chebree and her micro-business and we have added 2 more ladies to the program who are also making baskets! What a blessing! So very soon we should be receiving enough baskets for all of you who have requested them. The Lord is certainly in charge of this, thats for sure, it has quickly exceeded my hopes for Juddah's family in a very tangible way.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us

Ephesians 3:20

I will post an update soon on Juddah. But for now be sure to check out the update on the Hope for Korah blog about Sarah, Juddah's twin sister.. Eve my friend from Canada just returned from Korah and was able to make a visit to Juddah's family.

Sarah Update here

Juddah's Mustard Seed Baskets

2011-04-02T21:40:00.000-07:00

These baskets made with a whole 'lotta' Ethiopian love, are specially hand-made by Juddah's mama right in her home in Korah! We are working together to get a micro business set up for her, with the hope of getting her moved out of Korah, and if we dream big, I mean really big, (moving forward with the faith of a mustard seed) praying that enough ongoing income would be generated so she and her family can move into a home that has running water, a flushing toilet and away from the disease that runs rampant in Korah. Just this week Berhanu took Mama, Grandma, Sarah and Mahalet into the clinic. Each one diagnosed with an infection, parasites, and fungus. If Juddah was there, he would be in the mix too, and without a doubt would have some sort of infection. {{Insert broken heart here}}
The baskets range in size from 8-11 inches in diameter, and all are about 2 inches high. These are very tightly woven, and made from all natural materials. A hammered metal tag adorns each one with the words, 'made in Korah' quite a conversation starter when friends see it, and ask you "what is Korah" and there the conversation can begin!

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mstard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move.

Nothing will be impossible for you."

Matthew 17:20

~~use this button to donate 20.00 and receive a basket!~~

Thank you

1 Peter 3:4

2011-03-17T20:48:00.000-07:00

Juddah continues to share the gospel with those he comes in contact with, and allows his sweet and gentle spirit to capture and captivate those who come to know him. Today was no exception. He had his appointment this morning at 8:30 for his EEG. We arrived at the hospital to check in and Juddah immediately had the attention of those around him. He lets them in his personal space, allows them to hold, hug and love on him, and always returns their affection with smiles and sweet baby talk, and lets his unconditional love flow. When he does this, those around him want to know more, want to know his story, and of course Juddah's story all begins with the Lord, and so the conversations start. It all happens so easy and natural, as he fixes his soft brown 6 month old eyes on those who are talking to him, hearts and minds are open and want to hear more about this little miracle baby, and about the place he comes from, how he got here, is he going back? and what about his mama? and the conversation begins and the Lord is right there in the middle of it all.... just amazing how HE beautifully weaves a colorful tapestry thru the conversations that surrounds Juddah. Just one of the many reasons I feel the Lord has a divine purpose for this little man from Korah.

The EEG... Juddah was calm while they marked up his head with a blue pencil and compass, and attached the electrodes to his head with a white sticky substance and then taped over the top of them. His eyes began to get heavy right away, and as soon as they turned out the lights and he started his bottle, it wasn't to long until he was fast asleep... in such a deep sleep he had to be jostled a bit to wake up...

He has an appointment with the neurosurgeon on Monday, so we will get the results of the EEG and hopefully will be able to move forward in his treatment plan. Here are a few pictures from today...

Prayer Warriors needed

Rather it should be your inner self,

the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,

which is of great worth in God's sight.

1 Peter 3:4

Trying not to hug that balance beam to tight!

2011-03-10T21:12:00.000-08:00

Juddah's doctor appointment on Monday went well. He is always full of smiles and charm when he sees the doctors and nurses who are caring for him. The results from his appointment showed that his head has grown 1 cm, and went from the 90th percentile to the 95th percentile, while his little body, weighing in at 14 pounds is in the 6th percentile. The head growth is signifiant. His neurosurgeon is out of the office until our next appointment on the 22nd, so for now we are still in the observation mode. His soft spot has had no increase in size, so the pressure test is still not doable. She did recommend that Juddah be evaluated by a physical therapist. It seems his upper body strength and the way he pulls his right leg up and to the side should be looked at, so that is in the works now too. Juddah will have his EEG on the 17th.So for now, still waiting, still watching, still praying for a miracle healing. I have found myself questioning God, why we have had so many appointments re-scheduled, and times when his doctors are out of the office. It seems like we are doing a lot of waiting.... a lot of praying... and more waiting... I do believe it is so our Lord can and will show Himself strong when He chooses to, reguarding Juddah's condition.. I don't know how or when or why the wait.. but He does, and everyday I must submit myself to His story and not get anxious and try to write my own story.

This week someone asked me how I've been doing these past couple of months being away from everything I know to be comforting in my life... My family, my house, my dog, my routine, all the things that I take refuge in and where I feel the safest. I really had to stop and think about it, and if I'm honest, these past two weeks have been challenging. I think the mix of Juddah not sleeping well paired with more of the waiting game, took a toll on me, and for a moment had me questioning what I am doing. But as the Lord does so gently, He reminded me of what He has called me to do, and that is to give up self, my wants, my desires, my comforts, my plans! Oh I didn't like writing that. It all looks and sounds so selfish... my my my my...... And all of a sudden He brings to my remembrance Korah, and of those oh so tiny babies laying lifeless and cold on that pile of wet rags one day in September, and lets my mind and heart go to the place when I thought they were dead, the place my heart thought it would stop, and then the feeling of joy when Juddah first jerked his arm in the air and Berhanu zipped him inside of his hoodie, and I am ashamed of myself for even thinking of my wants. And the Lord has once again because of His great love for me shows Himself strong thru a pair of big brown hope filled eyes that everyday for the past two months have pierced my very soul, and He reminds me thru those eyes, that it is not about me, and in that moment when Juddah's eyes meet mine, and he reaches for my face, it is easy to forget self.... Thank you Lord for this gift you have given, for this lesson in giving up self and submitting to you.

In my few moments of my personal pity party this week, I came across this video.... It hit a nerve in me, and I realized that up until just recently I have been holding on tight to that same balance beam.....

Prayer Warriors needed

Prayers for Monday

2011-03-06T18:28:00.000-08:00

Please be in prayer for Juddah tomorrow. He will see his neurosurgeon tomorrow at 2pm. The past few days Juddah has been quite unsettled, not sleeping much and when he does sleep, he likes to power-nap, sleeping from 15 minutes to 1 hour. Not sure if it is something physically changing in his head that is making him uncomfortable, or if he is going thru a phase... either way Juddah could use your prayers for some long restful nights. I'll let you know how his appointment goes.

Here is the latest picture of him. I love how thoughtful he looks here, and the intensity at which he is looking at the camera. Still a heartbreaker!

Prayer Warriors needed.

My ways are not His ways!

2011-03-04T23:06:00.000-08:00

Lately this question has been asked a lot..... Juddah's head looks so normal now, what did Juddah's head look like to make you think something was wrong with it when he was born? This is such a great question, because his head does look so normal now. And now you have to look close to realize that something is not quite right with his head and eyes. I did take pictures of his skull just days after meeting Juddah, but the pictures just don't do it justice, here are two of them

I don't think from the pictures you can really tell how bad it looked in person. You can see the ridges across the top of his skull and on the back of his head, and what you can't see in the pictures is the two bulges that appeared in two places under his skin on the side of his head. The other issue that concerned us was the fact that he had no soft spot on the top of his head.

Something else was different about Juddah than Sarah, his twin. Developmentally, he was different, less responsive, and didn't eat as well, and his eyes seemed to bulge more with each passing day. So that is why we first began to seek a doctors care for Juddah.

Here is a picture I never posted of Sarah and Juddah, they were about a month old here, and on clean water and formula for about 3 weeks.

Now on to the update for present tense. Juddah and I just returned from a week on the West Coast. We had a week in between his doctor appointments, and his surgeon cleared him for travel, so off we headed for Seattle to visit my husband Rick, Ben our youngest son who attends Seattle Pacific University and had not met Juddah, and Cuddles our little dog! Rick drove up to Seattle and we all spent a wonderful week together. While we were there, a good friends from north of the border, Canada, drove down to meet our little miracle baby. Eve Pohl and her husband Dave have a heart for Korah and are headed there very soon and blessed us by coming for a visit. Juddah met some new friends, rode on the trolley, walked the dog, and got to see a little bit of snow! The week went by too quick, and we took the red-eye back to VA on Wednesday. Juddah is quite the traveler, he boards the plane, drinks his bottle, and when we are able to put down our tray table, Juddah stretches out across it and sleeps wrapped snuggy in his blanket for the entire trip, waking only if he needs another bottle, or someone stops to look at him and say hi! He always seems to know when someone is talking about him as he will squint his eyes open as if to say hello, and sometimes even give a little smile, before falling back asleep. This trip he fit perfectly the width of the tray table... I'm guessing that the next trip he may be a bit long to fit across the tray table!

We meet with the neurosurgeon again on Monday, for another head measurement and eye check. They will also check his soft spot to see if it has grown at all making it possible to do the pressure test inside his head. The day before we left, Juddah went to a pediatrician to receive his first round of immunizations and have a general check-up... aside from a rash, and other small issues, he did great.

The schedule of events for Juddah during his time here in the USA has not been what I imagined it to be. In the orginal plan Juddah would have been in the hospital, had surgery by now, and be in the recovery phase of his treatment.

But those were not HIS plans....

Patience and obedience are again two of the themes that seem to run thru my time together with Juddah.

Today I read this about patience....

Patience loosens the choking grip of anxiety and worry.

My prayers have since the beginning been that of a miracle healing for Juddah, and that 'His will be done' I cannot let myself stress in the fact that Juddah's treatment is not following my time frame, or worry about the future... all I can do is rest in His perfect plan and timing for Juddah, and be obedient to that still small voice.

'For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord.

As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways.

Isaiah 55:8

Prayer Warriors still needed!
here is a quick shot from tonight, Juddah is quite animated these days, and he was telling me a very lengthly story here, which included a few loud shouts and a lot of drool! He is a heartbreaker!

Doctors Update

2011-02-18T19:38:00.000-08:00

Juddah had another appointment with his neurosurgeon on Tuesday. She again physically examined his head and we talked about the results of his MRI and CT scan. The MRI confirmed hydrocephalus, but also showed something else... something unexpected... the recent MRI showed that Juddahs back suture on his skull was the only one fused! The only one! The diagnoses Juddah was given in Ethiopia based on the MRI done in country was that all his sutures were fused. Wow! That is great news! That is GOD NEWS! Another interesting piece of the puzzle is in the form of the tiniest soft spot on top of his head. Where there once was no soft spot, there is now the smallest one forming. The surgeon would like to do a test where a needle is inserted thru Juddah's soft spot to test for pressure inside his head, but his spot is still to small to safely do this procedure. So the test will be delayed until it is safe to do. Juddah will have an EEG sometime next week. He needs to be sleep deprived for this test, so if any of you have advice on how to sleep deprive a 4 month old please let me know :).

So where are we at now in the treatment plan for Juddah? We are in observation mode. The neurosurgeon is monitoring Juddah for the next 10 days, and will make another assessment then and look into doing the pressure test, and look at the results from the EEG. She is moving forward very cautiously. He has an appointment with a pediatrician here in Roanoke on Saturday for a complete work up and to check out some minor issues.

Well there are the facts, facts written in his medical chart. That which can be seen with the human eye and monitored thru tests on big expensive machines. But what is going on in the spiritual world for our little miracle baby Juddah? What is happening in the heavenliness when the prayer warriors pray?

He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,

miracles that cannot be counted.

Job 9:10

Jesus looked at them and said,

"With man this is impossible,

but with God all things are possible"

Matthew 19:26

I know all things happen for a reason and nothing is by coincidence. God has a plan and a purpose for all things. He has a plan for Juddah. There is something very special about this little boy, the way he spreads joy and the gospel wherever he goes!

Prayer Warriors lets continue to link up our armor and lift up Juddah to the Lord and watch His plan unfold! .. His will be done!

Shout out to Carilion!

2011-02-16T23:32:00.000-08:00

There are many reasons we LOVE Carilion Hospital... here are just two of the many....

I'm not sure what Mr. Martin's job description is exactly, but he sure makes you feel welcome when you walk thru the main door of Carilion, and when he sings in the main entry way. the walls just come alive. If you live in VA and have reason to come visit the main Carilion Hospital, please stop by and say hi to Mr. Martin... tell him Baby Juddah sent you!

The nurses on 6th Vascular ICU, who have championed for Juddah since the first day they learned about him... and before they even met him, have made a shadow box for him which contains his newspaper article and information where patients and employees can get more information about Juddah and learn about his journey. THANK YOU 6th floor, for your unconditional love toward Juddah, and always having open arms and kind words for him... Juddah has defiantly become a part of the 6th floor family!

Health Update coming tomorrw, thought I'd get it done tonight, but we got a skype call from Juddah's Uncles in Ethiopia, and were up until 2:30am talking with them...

FIRST TIME VISITORS

2011-02-15T00:29:00.000-08:00

If you are a first time visitor to Juddahs blog, and would like to read his story from the beginning, please click here beginning of blog and scroll to the bottom. Glad you are here.

Our little man is in the news

2011-02-11T04:11:00.000-08:00

Juddah and his story have made headlines in the Roanoke Times newspaper. It's quite exciting! Here is a link to the online story. link to newspaper story

Around Ethiopia

2011-02-09T11:14:00.000-08:00

A few pictures from around Ethiopia. Enjoy

Dream Big Dreams

2011-02-08T21:38:00.000-08:00

I wanna see something I've not seen

Something so big

I wanna be a part of something great

Greater than me

It's time to dream big dreams

To see Your vision

Become reality

'Cause it's for You, by You, those who

Love You wanna do

Something so big

It's destined to fail without You, Lord

It's gonna fail without You, Lord

Something so great

It takes a miracle to do

We, Your children

Wanna do something big for You

We, yes, we are gonna sing a brand new song

Something so strong

We will be the sound that wakes the dawn

Something so loud

It's time for breaking through

'Cause there are no limits

For he who holds the truth

When it's for You, and by You, and those who

Love You wanna do

Something bigger, something greater

For the glory of Your splendor

Something bigger, something greater

Tell the story of Your wondrous love

Your wondrous love

Those who love You wanna do

As long as we live, let us do something so big for You

These are the words to a John Waller song. It is a song I heard for the first time about two years ago. It made an impression on me then and has been pressing on my heart ever since. When in Korah for the first time, the words came to sink deeper in my soul and resonate with a stronger tone. As I walked the streets of Korah and hiked to the top of the seemingly never ending trash dump, every breath I took, the putrid smell increasing and getting stronger as I got closer to the top, wishing I could just vomit and take the smell away. Arriving at the top, I looked down on the hills and valleys of rotting food, rubbish, dead animals and swampy water. And as I looked into the faces of the people, metal hooks in hand scavenging thru the refuse for food and recyclable material, it hit me like a bolt of lightening... this is big .... insurmountable, unbelievable, and tragic. Something with no beginning and no end. It has no quick fix. There is no 'easy' button. It's something most of the world will never witness and cannot be fully understood until the stench sickens your stomach, and are witness with your own eyes to the devastation the human soul is undeservedly sentenced to... a life of disease and poverty and condemned to the trash dump. It is a picture that haunts me. It has stuck in my brain like a bad horror movie. Images that I can't and don't want to ever let go of.

But since my first visit to the trash dump, God has repeatdly reminded me that He is bigger than this.

In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

So, now it's time to dream big dreams. Since April I have spent about 24 weeks in Korah. During this time I have seen the insides many clinics and hospitals and labs. Have taken patients for treatment of fungus, typhoid, Hepatitis B, Leprosy, HIV and Aids, tuberculosis, upper respiratory infections, broken bones, dehydration, severe depression, open wounds, obstructed bowels, parasites, herpes zoster, fistulas, abscessed teeth, and so much more, have packed around x-ray films in my backpack too numerous to count and have gotten hundreds of prescriptions filled.

On any given day, depending on how many patients need to be seen, I may need go to 6 different clinics/hospitals located at opposite ends of the city. Transportation is what usually keeps us from getting all those who we are treating that day into a clinic. Traffic is a mess in Addis, and adds to time lost, all medical facilities close for lunch anywhere from 1-2 hours. Nothing is done by appointment.. it is all by drop in on a first come first serve basis. I may set out in the morning with a van full of kids who need to medical treatment, and at the end of day only half of them actually got in to see a doctor or nurse. So we head back to Korah, only to set out again the next day with the 3 who didn't get seen the day before, and add 4-6 more kids to the mix and so the cycle continues, as does the sickness, and the feelings of hopelessness in those patients who over and over do not get the help they need.

So I do have a big dream. A big dream for Korah and Project61. It is a dream that will fail without the Lords help. It is going to take a miracle to make it happen. But with the Lord their are no limits to what He can accomplish, of that I'm sure. I've been blessed to see our limitless God in action over the past few months in the way that he is bringing his plan to fruition with baby Juddah.

Korah needs a clinic that can serve His people. I am asking you to stand in the gap with me and Project61 as we pray for a clinic for Korah. Can you join us in prayer for a clinic for Korah? It is a big dream, but God is Bigger!

Cause there are no limits

For he who holds the truth
When it's for You, and by You, and those who
Love You wanna do
Something bigger, something greater
For the glory of Your splendor
Something bigger, something greater
Tell the story of Your wondrous love

Prayer Warriors Needed

Here is a link to the song so you can listen if you'd like!
Blessings

Welcome to Virginia, an outpouring of support

2011-02-06T19:29:00.000-08:00

Backtracking just a bit. It seems time quickly escapes when you have a little one. There never seems to be enough time to get the things done that you would like to. I've been wanting to post this since we arrived in Virginia but am just now getting around to it. When Juddah and I arrived in VA, Jody Hilt of Talk is Sheep, a great friend to me and to Korah, picked us up at the airport. Jody, her husband and 4 daughters live in Blacksburg, about an hours drive from the airport and the hospital. When we arrived at the Hilt Family Inn, waiting for Juddah was some beautiful artwork that had been done by some of the children at Dayspring Christian Academy, where her daughters, Emma, Mimi, Callie and Zoey attend. Their classes have been praying for Juddah, and decided one day during free time to create Juddah some artwork! They are beautiful. Thank you girls and friends at Dayspring! While we were at the Hilt's some friends from their church, the Mock Family, left a car for Juddah and I to use, quite a blessing. So we were able to return the rental car. Thank you Mock family! We love you and we haven't even met you yet. Also one day an envelope arrived from family at Thompson Station Church in Tennessee, when I opened it up, gift cards came pouring out, not just one or two, but a whole slew of them! Gift cards to places to eat, grocery stores, Starbucks, Target, and so much more.... I have been able to use them to purchase diapers and forumla, and Juddah and I have been out to eat a couple of times! What a blessing.

Juddah and I were blessed to stay with the Hilt Family during our first 10 days in Virginia, and will return to their home periodically during our stay here. Love you guys!

When it came time for Juddah to begin testing, MRI, CT and doctor appointments, we moved to the Ronald McDonald House in Roanoake, so we could be closer to the hospital. It was such a blessing to us and to other families who find themselves needing somewhere to stay when their children are in the hospital. The rooms are lovely, two queen beds, private bathroom, full laundry facilities, full guest kitchen, evening home-cooked meals provided my church groups, and all the supplies needed to make your own breakfast and lunches. All at no charge. It's an amazing place staffed with kind and caring people who are there to meet your every need. Juddah and I were guests there for a week during his tests and will return when he is admitted to the hospital. It is just 2 blocks from the hospital.

When it came time for us to leave the Ronald McDonald house, (you can only stay there while your child is having appointments or is in the hospital) A nurse from Carilion, who works on the Vascular floor opened her home up to us. Melissa and Tim Witten and their two children, Hunter and Katie, have blessed us with a guest room in their home. We had never met, but got introduced thru Sandy Sayre... another Team Juddah Champion, who has advocated for Juddah from the beginning, when it was first known that Juddah needed to come to the USA, also works in the vascular unit at the hospital.

The nurses who work in the Vascular unit of the hospital have also taken up a offering for Juddah, and have added to his bank account to use for his needs as they come up.

It seems He has opened the floodgates for Juddah, and providing at every turn. We are thankful.

We have also had the pleasure of meeting Heidi and Jonathan Grooms, missionaries to India and Haiti, we shared stories, and talked about Ethiopia. They are also in the process of adopting from Ethiopia, so we had a lot to talk about. We are planning to meet up later in the week, they have a vision for partnering with Korah, so we will pray about that and see where the Lord leads. Heidi has a blog here if you'd like to catch up with them and see what they are up to. Heidi's Blog

God really has supplied all of our needs as they have come up, and in ways I never expected. I am so thankful to the body of Christ for opening their hearts and homes to Juddah. I thank God for each one of you. Thank you for diligently praying for Juddah and the path that the Lord is taking him on right now. Juddah has been a light to all those who have come into contact with him.

Juddah's next appointment will be on the 15th with the neurosurgeon, to go over the MRI and the CT scan and discuss weather or not it will be safe and beneficial to do a pressure check on Juddah's brain. Dr. Apfel didn't go into detail about it at the last appointment, but said she would have to wait until she got the results of the MRI, to determine if the vein was large enough in Juddah's head to safely do the procedure. I'm not sure what this week will hold, but I'm sure the Lord has something planned for us. We continue to take it one day at a time and go where He leads us.

The eternal God is your refuge,

and underneath are the everlasting arms.

Deuteronomy 33:27

Prayer Warriors needed

Seriously Lord?

2011-02-01T07:41:00.000-08:00

Seriously Lord? Are you kidding me? Well at this point you just have to smile and remind yourself that He is in control and we are not. His ways are not our ways of that I am sure.

The Lord is righteous in all His ways

and faithful in all He does.

Psalm 145:17

As most of you know Juddah went in for his MRI last week but it had to be rescheduled due to his feeding schedule. This morning was the day he was scheduled for the second attempt at an MRI. Juddah was not to eat from midnight. I posted on facebook asking for prayers for him, as he is still waking every 3-4 hours in the night to eat. I was quite anxious for him and what the night would bring. So hard to hear a little one in distress, especially when you can't explain to them why they can't eat. Well the prayers of the righteous are certainly powerful and effective. Thank you everyone that prayed for Juddah yesterday and well into the wee hours of the morning. The little guy didn't wake once during the night, and then this morning at 5:30 I scooped him off the bed, buckled him in his carseat, and headed out in the cold morning air, all without a peep. As we pulled into the parking garage, it was eerily empty. Not even a parking garage attendant. After a quick call to Jody, it was confirmed that Juddah's appointment wasn't until 6:30. So Juddah had another 45 minutes to wait. I prayed he wouldn't wake up, and just stay sleeping until it was time for the building to open. Soon after my prayer ended, Juddah started stirring in his car seat. I prayed again, Lord, just let him stay asleep until it's time for his appointment. Well the stirring quickly ramped up and soon he was sitting in the front seat with me. I'm not sure I can give justice thru words to describe Juddah's demeanor. But as he woke, he wasn't irritated at the fact he hadn't eaten, or even grumpy that it was so early in the morning or even complaining that it was so cold out. Instead he looked up at me with those big brown eyes, and smiled immediately. He then began to make those sweet little baby sounds, it was just the sweetest moment. At that moment, it was obvious that these eyes were the eyes of a precious gift. A precious soul that was created in the image of our Lord, a precious soul created for such a time as this.

We headed into his appointment, and even once we got into the office, and under the bright lights, and having the nurses talking to him Juddah still wasn't discontent, he was peaceful and calm and loving, and busy winning the hearts of his caregivers.

As we went thru the pre-procedure questioning, the nurse said, "is that a stuffy nose I hear?"

Obvious from the tone in her voice, it was clear that a stuffy nose was not a good thing to have, when you are getting ready for an MRI. After some discussion, the doctor was called, and it was decided that the MRI should be rescheduled to avoid complications with his breathing.

Seriously Lord.... reschedule..... OK, it's your plan, not mine in this I will rest.

On the drive home, I got to thinking about the fruits of the spirit, and the way that Juddah had just exhibited most of them in the midst of uncomfortable circumstances for him. Still trying to figure out how faithfulness fits into this morning. But all the others were most apparent.

But the fruit of the Spririt is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Galatians 5:21

So much to learn from such a tiny guy. One so small and fresh and untouched by the things the world has to offer. A little one that the Lord is using to change the world, and share the gospel.

Here is a short video clip I took with my iphone while Juddah was waiting the nurse to call the Doctor to see if we should proceed with the MRI....

and a picture of him with my iphone too... what does it look like he is doing here?

Juddah's first speaking engagement!

2011-01-29T09:43:00.000-08:00

Juddah was asked to share his story at the Carilion Leaderhip Team Forum Yesterday. It was held at the new medical school in Roanoke and was attended personally by about 100 and then was broadcast out to satellite campuses. I was told to about 1500. When I posted on my Facebook status that he was going to appear and share his story, my friend Tamara asked me "how is his english?" to which I replied, "Juddah plans to wow them over with his cuteness, and use the philosophy of Saint Francis of Assisi... Speak the gospel at all times, and if necessary use words!" Well Juddah did just that, as soon as people look into his big brown wise eyes, they are instantly drawn in and want to know his story. There is just something 'extraordinary' about this little one. Something in his spirit that the Lord is growing. Growing for things bigger than we could think or imagine.

I had prepared a video specifically for the day. One that spoke of the medical needs in Korah. One that showed some of the neighborhood where Juddah lives. It was downloaded on to an external hard drive which I took to the forum. When I approached the podium and went to click on the video to start it, it was nowhere to be found. The computer was restarted, and again the hard drive was opened to find the file and it just wasn't there. For a moment I was perplexed. Hmm, what to do... 100 people looking on waiting for a video about a place they had only just heard of seconds ago, a place that can in no way be described with words, let alone pictures. We needed that video. I asked the woman at the podium if they were connected to internet, thankfully they were, and my only choice was to go to youtube and show the video I had made about 5 months ago upon returning from one of my trips to Korah. These were my personal thoughts and not intended for a presentation in any way. I let Vern know upfront that this was from a Christian perspective and was it ok to show.. he said 'go for it' so we did. It was not the video that I had wanted to show, but it was the video that the Lord wanted to show, and He made it very clear, and he got His Way! The video was well received, and later that day some of the nurses in attendance said "I do believe that a little evangelizing was going on in the crowd during the video!" Well isn't that just the Lord! Changing our plans to his plans. Oh how I love the way He works. I must say that I took a very deep breath as it started, as it is a very personal video and from a very personal point of view. And not one that I ever intended to be looking at alongside 100 other people on the big screen... But it was Gods moment and His alone. Exhale! Here is a link to the actual video that was shown, it's also at the end of this blog if you'd like to take a look. video shown
After the crowd had dispersed, I plugged back in the hard drive just to double check that it wasn't there... and you know what? There is was plain as day, right where I had put it.. sitting on that hard drive loud and clear... Funky computer error earlier? I think not! Hand of God! Most defiantly!

At the end of the presentation, an envelope was presented with Juddah's name. It had cash donations in it collected by hospital staff to use toward gas money while in VA. Vern also had a special gift for Juddah. It was a bath towel that had a lion embroidered on it alongside of his name. :) The team at Carilion loved Juddah before they even met him in person. It is even more evident now as they look and interact with him in person. They are going above and beyond in caring for both his medical needs and his needs outside of the hospital. I'm looking forward to spending the next few months getting to know each of the staff at Carilion who has a part in caring for our little miracle baby. It is not by chance that Juddah is at Carilion. It is by divine intervention.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart,

but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21

Here is the video I intended to show.

Please be in prayer for a couple of specific things. On Monday he will see the neurosurgeon for the first time and on Tuesday he will have his MRI. For the MRI he cannot eat past midnight. As of today he is still waking up every 4 hours to eat. He will not be a happy camper that morning. Also He will be IV sedated for the MRI, please pray for no complications.

Above are some very special friends of Team Juddah. These are the ladies, who listened to that still small voice and heeded the calling of the Lord ... to be obedient in what He was asking of them! Without these ladies, Juddah would not be where he is today. Praising God for these women.

Prayer Warriors needed

CT Scan today!

2011-01-26T00:09:00.000-08:00

Juddah was scheduled for his MRI and CT scan today at Carilion. It is the first of many appointments at the hospital. I was just starting to give him a bottle when the radiologist came out and said "oops". Well that can never be good, I thought to myself. Somehow the instructions never got to me about the feeding schedule before the MRI. Juddah was to have no bottle 5 hours prior to his appointment. So, the MRI was rescheduled for next week, but they were able to do the CT scan. They were so sweet to Juddah, they went and got some warm blankets to wrap him in, to help him lay still. I didn't get any reading or results from the CT today. The neurosurgeon will go over them with me at Juddah's appointment.

Imagine just for a moment

2011-01-23T20:48:00.000-08:00

Imagine just for a moment that you are a young twenty five year old woman, living in a place that the world would consider 'unlivable'. A place ridden with raw sewage and infectious disease around every corner. A place where hearing the word positive, is dreaded, because in Korah it is usually preceded by the word tested and followed by the word Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Leprosy or HIV/Aids. As in tested positive for Tuberculosis. A place where the absence of a mourning tent in your community is surprising, and attending funerals for loved ones is a regular occurrence. Just as we in America go to the grocery store like clockwork, Korah residents can count on attending funerals the same way. Imagine just for a moment, no running water, no refrigerator, no flushing toilet, or even a toilet for that matter. No pantry stocked full of basic cooking staples. No heat, no shingles on your roof to keep the rain out, no access to a washer or dryer, not a band-aid, tylenol, cold medicine or antacid in sight.

Imagine just for a moment you are the mother to a beautiful 5 year old daughter and find yourself pregnant as a result of what we call 'date rape' in America. You daily take your 5 year old to the trash dump, to scavenge for food, and items that you can recycle. Your mother lives with you, and this is who taught you how to sustain yourself off the local trash dump. Your home consists of an 8x12 foot room, with two straw beds, which houses 2 adults and 3 small children, which by Korah standards is spacious.

Imagine just for a moment that you give birth unexpectedly to twins during a traumatic pre-mature birth. One girl, one boy. They are very small. Very, very small. Your milk never comes in and your only choice is to give them raw cows milk. The babies are unable to maintain their body temperature. You have nothing to clothe them in, and no diapers. You lay them on your bed, and eventually the bed is soaked in urine, and the babies loose more body heat. They look sick, you are unsure what to do. You have no access to medical care. You are scared. You wait and watch, wondering what will become of your babies.

Imagine just for a moment, that after meeting an American, and spending 2 weeks with her going to countless hospitals and seeing doctors and nurses, and having several tests done on your boy baby, without really knowing why, one day you are told why all the tests have been done. While sitting in your home with your mother, the american, an ethiopian friend and a translator....you listen intently and hear the news no mother ever wants to hear..... Your little boy is very sick, the doctors here have said that there is nothing they can do for him. His chances for survival are not good. He needs an operation. He needs to go to America for the operation. There are two choices, and as his mom, it is up to you to decide. Choice one is to have no operation, and his life expectancy will be short. Choice two is to allow your 3 month old baby to travel with the American to America for a surgery. This surgery offers no guarantees, and includes risks, but if successful will give your baby boy a hope and a future. Hard, heartbreaking news. News that opens a floodgate of tears by everyone in the room. Prayers are said, and the room cries out to God on behalf of the tiny boy. Hugs are shared, a decision in the making. A decision that only this young 25 year old women could make. It is hers alone.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith;
be courageous; be strong

1 Corinthians 16:13

courage.... the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, without fear; bravery.

Meet Shebre Abebaw Mangsta... this is her story.... she is the most courageous, selfless, strongest young woman I know. She is a good mom. She deeply loves her children. I am blessed to have her in my life. She reminds me daily to take up my cross and follow Him. I am honored that Shebre would entrust to me a priceless irreplaceable treasure. Her precious son, Juddah.

These pictures were taken on the day that Juddah and Shebre said goodbye to each other. The day that Juddah would embark on a journey that would not include his mom. A day that Shebre was full of courage and hopeful that her son would be returned to her with a new hope, and a bright future.

Hello America!

2011-01-23T06:27:00.000-08:00

New post coming soon. Here are a couple of pictures to fill the gap until then. These are Juddah's first bath after arriving in Oregon. Oh how this little face just makes my heart sing.

In the USA!

2011-01-17T17:33:00.000-08:00

Juddah is finally in the USA! We arrived safely into PDX on Friday afternoon after a non-eventful 20 hour plane flight. The second leg of the trip Juddah was able to sleep for part of the trip in the on-board bassinet. He was a little charmer, and stole the hearts of the flight attendants who all wanted to know his story. God sure is using this little guy for His glory.

Getting thru customs in ET was a breeze, and no one even asked about his traveling papers. In Amsterdam, I was questioned for about 20 minutes concerning Juddah... was this an adoption? why is he going to the USA? when did I purchase my ticket? How much did I purchase the ticket for? Who is funding the surgery? Then finally they asked if I had papers for Juddah. When I pulled them out, and they saw they were in Amharic, they just said "OK" and sent us on our way. When we came thru immigration in the US, I thought for sure we would be there for a while. As we approached the desk, the man looked at Juddah's passport, and then told us to wait here. I thought for sure as he walked away, he would be coming back to tell me we had to go to the little room where they questioned people. But when he returned, he smiled and said, "we've been expecting you, glad you finally made it!" And with that, Juddah received his official USA passport stamp and a homeland security card. As we walked to the carousel to claim our totes, a sweet young employee asked if I needed help, and as we waited for the blue totes to show up, she asked about Juddah, and I shared his blog address. She was a great help to me as I had Juddah in the baby Bjorn, a backpack on my back and was pulling the carry-on. I had no idea how I was going to get those totes from the international carousel the domestic pick up area. She was a huge help.

On flight home I had an overwhelming sense of gratitude for what the Lord has done for this little guy, and waves of anticipation and uncertainty for what He is going to do in the coming months. I have no idea what the future holds, but what I do know is that God is faithful, and that He holds Juddah's life in the palm of His hand. No one could love him more than his his Heavenly Father, and in that I must rest.

We will be leaving for Virginia on Thursday headed for Carilion Childrens Hospital, and on Friday, Juddah will begin his pre-surgery tests.

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations

Psalm 100:5

Prayer Warriors needed

Ephesians 3:20

2011-01-11T20:43:00.000-08:00

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!

Eight weeks ago, I boarded a plane in Ethiopia holding in my hand complete medical records that contained nothing more than a CT scan, and an ultrasound picture of our little miracle baby Juddah. When the plane touched down in Portland Oregon, I had a simple conversation with the Lord that went something like this.... Lord, I don't know how, I don't know why, I don't know what steps to take next... I am at your feet... Juddah is yours, you are his Father, you know best. I know not what to do, but I trust you and know you have a plan.

Today we all rejoice together, God has a plan. God is faithful. God is good.

Juddah will be boarding a plane bound for the USA in two days and begin his journey of surgeries and recovery.

Prayer Warriors needed

Visa Day

2011-01-05T09:21:00.000-08:00

Today was Juddah's appointment at the American Embassy for his Visa. Berhanu, Yiesmachew, Habtamu and I left early this to pick up mom and Juddah to head to the appointment. I am so very thankful to report that his Visa was granted, and tomorrow morning I will go back to the Embassy to pick it up. That was the easy part. We still have one more unexpected hurdle to cross. We need the final Ethiopian Stamp of Approval on his traveling documents. The stamp is much like getting a document notarized in the US, it's an official stamp, but much harder to actually obtain. In Ethiopia everything is done by committee, so to get this final stamp, we must go before a committee at the office of Authentication and Registration of Documents office and they will review all of the medical and legal papers and then decide if they will give them the seal of approval "stamp". After we receive the stamp, Juddah will legally be able to travel to the US for his surgery. The past 3 days have been spent traveling all over Addis, talking to countless people in many different offices trying to put the puzzle together for Juddah's final documents. There is no manual for obtaining a medical visa and the paperwork that must accompany it, no one place where you are given instructions on what needs to be done, you learn bits and pieces as you go along. God continues shine his grace on this entire process, and reminds us as we go along that He is in charge and we are not. Today when at the office of documentation registration we were told that we also needed a referral from Black Lion Hospital. We had a referral from Korean Hospital, thinking all along that was all we needed, but due to some rule, somewhere we also needed a referral from Black Lion. So off we headed. I have been in a lot of clinics and hospital while in Addis, but today topped the cake. As we walked thru the crowded wards of patients, and passed thru the pediatric unit, it was almost more than I could bear. Each room filled wall to wall with cribs, sick children all ages, some too big for the cribs laying curled up so their feet would not hand out thru the bars, smells that instantly had me breathing thru my mouth. I remember thanking God that Juddah would not be staying in a place like that and praying for the patients that had no other alternative but to receive care there. After talking to 3 different office personal in 3 different offices, we finally found the Doctor we needed. While standing at his assistants desk, she was letting us know of the procedure we must follow to get the referral.... Go back to the check-in desk, get Juddah a card, and then wait for appointment. The attending doctor would then take Juddah's case to a committee and they would decide if his case would go to the final committee of 5 who would then decide if they would give us a referral. It would probably take about 3 days she said... and tomorrow is a holiday so 3 days from Monday. I think I just stood there with my jaw hanging open, and could feel my heart pounding out of control, I took a deep breath and asked God to help me hold my tongue and temper. When I turned around a man was standing there in a long white coat, and asked me what I needed, he must have sensed my impending explosion. Explaining to him what we need, he asked us to take a seat. I wasn't quite sure what we were taking a seat for. Then I looked to Berhanu and Yiesmachew, who both had smiles on their faces.... Yiesmachw came to where I was sitting, and whispered in my ear... that is the head of the committee... the final committee for the referral.... really! Still unsure of what was about to transpire, we patiently waited as 3 medical student candidates went in and out of the office for interviews. After the last one was done, the Doctor asked me to come into his office. As I unloaded all of Juddah's medical and legal papers on his desk, he first read the report on the the CT scan, and the letter from the hospital in VA who will be caring for Juddah. After he was done, he looked up, and said.... I am going to write you the referral right now! That referral needed the signatures of 4 other doctors, 3 of which were present in the office because of the medical student interviews. Coincidence? I think not... hand of God? for sure. So over the next 30 minutes he wrote us the referral we needed and got the final signatures and we quickly skipped over the 3 day committee process. Tomorrow, we will head to the office of documentation where we once again will have to face a committee who will then decide if they are going to put the governmental seal on Juddah's traveling papers. Confident that the Lord has this in control, and that His will be done, I anxiously await tomorrows committee meeting and finally seeing that big blue stamp, put to Juddah's paperwork. Never before have I walked as many flights of stairs or seen the inside of so many offices, or been told it was someone else in some other part of town we needed to see in one day as today. Defiantly a character building day for me, one that will not quickly be forgotten.

Trying to think of what scripture to end this post on, remembering that Juddah's number at his embassy appointment was 166 today. I decided to look up Psalms 16:6

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places, surely I have a delightful inheritance! Psalms 16:6

Coincidence? I think not.... Gods perfect plan? most definitely yes!

Prayer Warriors still needed!

With Love from Ethiopia

2011-01-05T09:15:00.000-08:00

Today a team came thru Korah, and as I talked with Caleb, one of the team members he told me that he read Juddah's blog that morning? I was surprised as I have never gotten a blogger blog to load, or been able to post to a blog while here. He explained that he just goes to blogger.com and opens the blog from there... Sure enough when I got home that night I was able to open this blog... Thanks Caleb!

So just a quick update on Juddah. Today on that same team, their were two doctors. One from America and one from the UK who runs a clinic in the Congo. Both of them took the time to read Juddah's CT scan before they left so they had an idea of his condition before they got here. Both of them examined Juddah and came to the same conclusions. Juddah is physically much stronger that the CT would lead a doctor to believe, They both commented that from the CT they were expecting to see a physically much different baby. That he was alert and his reflexes good. They both said they have no problem with him traveling on the plane for his surgery. When they examined his head, it was clear that his sutures were still fused, and he had a fluid filled bump on the side of his head, probably due to the hydrocephalus. His heart and lungs sounded good, and there were no traces of the pneumonia left.

Prayer Warriors needed

on my way

2010-12-24T07:21:00.000-08:00

Just time for a quick post. I am headed to the airport! YEAH! Headed to Ethiopia. Just purchased the ticket yesterday. Wanted to let you know that blogger blogs are blocked in Ethiopia, so I won't be able to update this blog from there. I have a link to my facebook on the lower right side of this page. If we are not friends on facebook, and you would like to read updates about Juddah, please request me as a friend. I'll be posting all the updates on facebook.

Please be in prayer for the embassy date. I'll post more on facebook when I get to Addis.
Many Blessings,
It's Christ-mas eve........ Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

Guest Blogger: Emily

2010-12-21T21:16:00.000-08:00

so this posts needs a little preface..... while in Korah this last trip and spending time with Juddah's family, I got to know mama quite well and we became good friends. I called her Weysheniet, that's the name I know her by. So can you imagine my surprise when on Juddah's birth certificate her name is listed as Shebere. Oh my goodness could it be I had been calling her by the wrong name for the last 2 months. Well, the next time I was skyping with Emily and Berhanu, it was the first question I asked them... and yes... it's true, I had been calling her by the wrong name and no one corrected me... so there you have it.. Juddahs mama will always be know to me as Weysheniet, and yes the cards you all wrote to her were addressed to Weysheniet. Emily and Berhanu explained my mistake to her, and she was very gracious about it.... so with that said here is a the guest post for today.

Emily my daughter, who has been in Ethiopia working in Korah with Project 61 and taking care of Juddah.

Oh when I look into the eyes of baby Juddah, I can only see my Jesus staring right back at me. I have had the honor and privilege of caring for the twins during my time in Korah. The best part of my day is going to their house to deliver formula, food, and lots of love! Today when I visited, Juddah was like a different baby - he was wide awake, his breathing sounded clear, no coughing, and he drank a whole bottle for me. Oh and he looks so handsome in his new camo onsie! Prayer warriors, thank you - we can feel it. Continue to pray that he can remain comfortable - he is rather fussy, probably due to extreme discomfort in his head related to the hydrocephalus. Shebere (mama) was overwhelmed with joy as I handed her stack of 30+ letters from people who love her and are praying for her around the world. And yes, my mother told ya'll the wrong name for her...that was a little humorous for Berhanu and I to explain to her. If only she knew how many lives Juddah's story is touching. She is such an inspiration to me - what a strong woman of God who knows what it means to trust Him in everything.

Specific prayer requests - that we can get mama's birth date correctly converted from ET calendar to American calendar (silly I know), for Juddah to remain free of any sickness and be comfortable, for Shebere to have energy to care for her children, wisdom in deciding if Juddah's mother will travel with him, and that a police report related to Juddah's father can be found so that we can finally submit his visa.

As we hit a few bumps in the road along the way and the process seems to take longer than expected, I am reminded that God is on Juddah's side. When I think that Juddah cannot survive one more day without this surgery, I remember that God has made it so evident that He is working on his behalf and He is in control. We have absolutely nothing to worry about because He holds this precious baby in His arms. Baby Juddah, we love you so much. Hold on tight. You are so worth it.

the last picture is Berhanu helping big sister put on her new shoes!

Update

2010-12-21T05:32:00.000-08:00

Talked to Emily today and and well into our 5 AM hour. She and Berhanu and Yiesmachew went first thing yesterday morning to check on the Sarah, Juddah and Mom. They all went to the clinic to be checked and doctor reported that Juddah is doing much better and his breathing is hardly labored. Sarah if doing fine, no need for antibiotics at this point, and I didn't get a report from Em about mom. They were all excited as today they delivered the big package of handwritten notes of encouragement you all had sent to mom. They were not translated into Amharic, and tho they didn't have time to read them all to her, mom was very teary when she received the package. Em said that they will try and read some of them to her over the next few days. Can you even imagine never getting a letter in your life, and then suddenly friends show up at your doorstop with an armful of letters... letters from friends around the globe who you have never met. Oh how I wish I could have been there to share in her joy, just to see her face as the letters were handed to her. Team Juddah (Emily, Berhanu & Yiesmachew) were in and out of goverment offices today trying to secure the last few documents we need before applying for Juddah's visa. At one point they headed back to Lafto to print off some papers I had emailed Em, she brought the computer in the van with her and we were skyping back and fourth from the van... This is a time when technology is a great friend and a time saver.

Continue to pray that we would get all the necessary documents and information needed to submit Juddahs application for a visa. That all the information on those would be correct and satisfy the Embassy. That the appointment would be scheduled as quickly as possible. It feels as tho time is ticking away quickly, I can't imagine how his head actually feels, but Em says he is fussy, and seems uncomfortable. Pray that Juddah could rest comfortably not be in pain and be immune to any more sickness. His little body needs to be strong to make the 24 hour flight, and strong for surgery. Pray for peace and patience for mama as she continues to care for 3 young children. Pray that team Juddah would be directed to all the right places to get the information needed and that they would be met with kindness and gentleness.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path... Proverbs 3:6

Prayer Warriors Needed

Friends Donna and Sterling were just in Ethiopia picking up their new daughter, and took some time to go to Korah and visit Juddah and Sarah. Here is a new picture of them. That is Sarah on the left, and Juddah on the right. My how they have grown. They are on a diet now of formula made with clean water, thanks to all of you! The change in them is amazing to see. I'm anxious to see how much they both weigh. On a side note, and a quite amusing one, big sister... all of 5.. got a hold of an eyebrow pencil somewhere and drew in eyebrows on little Sarah... kids are kids no matter what country they are from!

Beautiful email

2010-12-17T19:09:00.000-08:00

Today has been a hard day. My friend Christy who lives in Korah, sent me a message letting me know she went to see Juddah. She shared with me that his breathing is defiantly labored. He is on antibiotics,mom is doing the best she can and the rest is up to God. Juddah is one of His children, God is holding him in the palm of His hand, and I'm trusting that His will be done.

The next email in my inbox was from someone I don't know.... here is what it said.

I literally stumbled upon your blog and was moved to tears of joy and sadness. My husband and I have three little ones - 2 bio babes and one beautiful Ethiopian princess. We are in the process of adopting twins from Ethiopia and will hopefully be getting our referral call any day now with fingers crossed. This evening after dinner I sat down with my two oldest children and we discussed Korah and Juddah along with his sister and mum. They want to help - we want to help.

Alissa and Frankie (not their real names) have been earning an 'allowance' throughout the month of December by helping out around the house with the specific purpose for them to use their earnings to help someone in need... they want to help Juddah... Can we send you their allowance money to use as you best need it for baby Juddah and his family?

Someone please send kleenex. The way that the Lord is using Juddah to touch others, and to watch as the Holy Spirit is stirring the souls of the saints to reach out to Juddah is beyond what I can comprehend. Children as well as adults... Thank you Father that you put no age limits on who you want to use, and that you use all of us for your perfect plan. Thank you to these childrens parents for sharing Korah with their children and then listened to their little ones when they expressed their hearts to help! Awesome.....

Prayer Warriors Needed... all ages...all sizes

Prayer Needed

2010-12-15T08:28:00.000-08:00

Our sweet little Juddah, has just been diagnosed with pneumonia. Yiesmachew was able to get him into the doctor this morning. He has started a course of antibiotics. Please pray that his small little body would be able to fight this, and his lungs would start to heal. As soon as his visa is approved, he is headed to VA where Carilion hospital is waiting to do his surgery. Oh, Lord, you alone are able to heal Juddah! Blessed be your name.

Crazy Things

2010-12-14T09:35:00.000-08:00

Build yourself a ship from teakwood. Make rooms in it. Coat it with pitch inside and out. Make it 450 feet long, seventy-five feet wide and forty five feet high. Build a roof for it and put in a window eighteen inches from the top; put in a door on the side of the ship; and make three decks, lower, middle and upper.

Genesis 6:14-16

After all this, God tested Abraham. God said, "Abraham!" "Yes?" answered Abraham. "I'm listening." He said, "Take your dear son Isaac whom you love and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains

that I'll point out to you.

Genesis 22:1-2

".... Joseph, son of David, don't hesitate to get married.

Mary's pregnancy is Spirit-conceived.

God's Holy Spirit has made her pregnant.

Matthew 1:20

Build a giant boat, sacrifice a beloved son, marry a pregnant woman whose child is Spirit-Conceived.... Crazy! How in the world did the Lord come up with these crazy ideas? They were crazy ideas according to the world. But not crazy in the eyes of the Lord, for they were all part of his perfect plan... His Perfectly Wonderful Eternal Plan! I've been pondering crazy things that the Lord asked of people in the past. What if Noah, Abraham and Joseph would have disobeyed? What if they would have said no? I'm thankful they said yes. Yes to the craziness that the Lord required of them.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

Since His word says He is the same yesterday, today and forever, it seems that He just might ask us do crazy things.... He may just require of us to do something for Him that the world would view as crazy...... What is He asking of me? What is He asking of you?

Prayer Warriors Needed

He's holding out His Hand

2010-12-12T21:30:00.000-08:00

Here is where it stands now with little Juddah. Copies of Juddah's records in Ethiopia have sent, copies of his passport, birth certificate, HIV test, and TB test. We are now waiting to receive the paper work from Carilion Childrens hospital, once we have that in hand, we are able to file for a medical visa for Juddah, and get an embassy date. If the court date we get is out longer than a week, then we can apply for an emergency medical visa. Our prayer is that an embassy appointment would be assigned within the week and we would not have to file for an emergency medical visa. It is getting so close. After the Embassy appointment and the visa approval, a bank agent must be seen on the Embassy grounds and they hand over the actual visa. Once that is in hand, I'll be heading to Ethiopia to pick up Juddah and we will head to Virginia!

To step out of my comfort zone

Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is

And He's holding out His hand

These words were playing in my mind and on my heart when I woke up this morning. This journey that the Lord has put us on with Juddah is completely out of my comfort zone, and is in the realm of the unknown, an has felt completely like Jesus is holding our hand every step of the way. He has been faithful to provide for Juddah at every twist and turn of the road.

Today was no different. As we get closer to the actual date of flying to Addis to pick up Juddah and bring him to the US, and purchasing that plane ticket, we realize that we will be buying the ticket last minute, and possibly during the holidays.... Rick and I have been looking at ticket costs, $2000. Wow! This last week I was talking to the Lord about this, and wrestling in my mind about putting it to the body of Christ and asking for donations to be put toward travel expenses. I wasn't sure if this was something that was for our family to take care of, or if it was something that the Lord wanted us to all work on together. Praying about it this week, I kept hearing that still small voice whisper "I got it covered, don't doubt me, I got this one"! Ok Lord, and went about the week, still wondering how this would pan out.

Today after church, at lunch, I checked Juddah's email, sitting in the in box was a new email from someone who's name I didn't recognize. Here is what the first few lines said..

I shared Juddah's story with our church and we had an outpouring of prayers and cards for him and his mother, which was just amazing. Today at church one of my friends who was touched by his story stopped me. She shared that a colleague of hers, who did much work for Rescue Now in Ethiopia, has a free ticket there and back that she has offered for you to use on your trip to go and get Juddah.

Wow! Yes Lord you had it covered!
And as if that wasn't enough, her note continued.......

I also had another church friend offer her rental house for you to stay in when you come, it is furnished and available. She offered to donate the rental fee but would need to have utilities paid for. I know you were planning on staying with Jody, but I thought since the house was offered I should at least throw that out there! Again, let me know if you are interested

I am astounded once again how the Lord is weaving His body of believers together for His purpose! Shouts of praise again for those who are obedient to the call of our savior! Thank you Lord for allowing us to be a part of your plan for baby Juddah. Thank you for challenging us To step out of our comfort zone, Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is, And He's holding out His hand!

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,

your faithfulness to the skies.

Psalm 36:5

Prayers needed now

2010-12-09T13:09:00.000-08:00

Just talked with Berhanu, he took Juddah's mom into the clinic to get her TB test done. Glad she had to go to the doctor for it, she was also diagnosed with pneumonia. Prayer warriors, prayer needed for her health as well as Sarah and Juddah. Both of them need to stay strong. Pneumonia is bad for any of us, but for two tiny premature babies... well I don't even want to think about it. You know what to do. Lets link our spiritual armor up on this one!

Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19

Blessings in an envelope!

2010-12-08T10:10:00.000-08:00

Thirty five! 35! That is the number of envelopes filled with blessings, prayers, scripture and words of encouragement that are sitting on the kitchen table waiting to be delivered to Weyshniet, baby Juddah's mama. Can you just imagine the look on her face when she sees these. The way her heart will feel when she feels the love and realizes many people from around the US and Canada are praying for her and her sweet little family in Korah? This is the body of Christ, working and moving to do His good work. Just amazing. When Jody and I got to the meeting at the hospital, one of the nurses had a stack of of cards that were written by members of a local church, and some of the staff at Carilion Children's hospital, and many have been sent via mail to my house. Thank you so much! Blessings abound.

I got to thinking, if you would still like to send a love letter to Weyshinet, you could do it thru email, it will be printed, put in an envelope and then added to the stack and delivered to her next week. They can me emailed to this addy:

babyjuddah@gmail.com in the subject line please put letter to Juddah

Thanks so much.... more of an update on the hospital meeting coming soon! Promise... today I'm getting Emily's totes packed as she leaves on Friday!
Love you all,
Blessings
C

PS. Prayer Warriors needed

sigh

2010-12-07T15:47:00.000-08:00

I am home now from Virginia and the meeting with Carrilion Children's Hospital. As most of you know we now have the final go ahead on Baby Juddah's surgery. The details are still being worked out and now we wait and pray on his medical visa approval. I will write more about the meeting and what are our next steps are in an upcoming post.

As I was going thru the emails from all of you, and getting the coffee bean christmas ornaments ready to ship out, I got a note from a family who made a donation to the general Juddah fund. It's one of those notes that as you read it, that just melts your heart.

Here is what the note said:

Hi Cherrie-we are glad to help in any way we can. Our kids have been saving change and, rather than spending money on ice cream, toys, etc, diverting that money to a charity jar. They were extremely excited to be able to help a least a little bit as well. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Juddah!

Prayer warriors can come in all sizes! I love the way that God will use anyone, when hearts are open to his guidance, without regard to age. I don't have a clue who these children are, but I'm sending out a great big shout out to them. Thank you for choosing others over self... may the Lord bless you mightily.

Prayer warriors needed

Rejoice in the Lord always!

2010-12-06T13:51:00.000-08:00

The happy dance is busting out all over Korah and Roanoke right now.... will post more later.
God is worthy to be praised...... WAHOO!

Meeting tomorrow with the hospital

2010-12-05T20:48:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is a big day. I am excited and nervous at the same time. Jody will pick me up in the morning and we will head to the hospital for a meeting with doctors and hospital officials that will determine if Carilion Clinic Children's Hospital, will commit to care for Juddah.

As I sit in my hotel in Roanoke Virginia, going over the sea of paperwork my husband sent with me all pertaining to Juddahs medical visa, making a list of questions needed to be answered by the hospital, and preparing myself to answer questions that the hospital will have for us. Excited by thoughts that tomorrow in the early afternoon Jody and I could be doing the happy dance, paperwork in hand that would satisfy Juddah's final step in his emergency medical form, and celebrating with a peppermint mocha at Starbucks praising Our Lord and sitting in awe of how He put this all together in such a short period of time.

Knowing this all sits in the hands of our Heavenly Father, I am asking for prayer that His will would be done in Juddah's life and what ever the outcome is tomorrow, that Our Lord will always be praised! With that in mind I am reminded that He tells us to present our specific requests to Him.

And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep praying for for all the Lords people Ephesians 6:38

So, specific prayer requests for tomorrows meeting... That the hospital would commit to treating Juddah. That we are able to answer all questions that they have for us. That Jody and I leave the hospital with paperwork in hand to satisfy Juddah's emergency medical visa. That we could get an appointment with the US Embassy quickly, and that plane tickets for Juddahs travel could be secured in sync with his surgery date. Oh my.. big requests, but we serve a big God.

Here is a link to the hospital if any of you would like to learn more about what they do. I was excited to see that they are part of the Children's Miracle Network, have a pediatric neurosurgery unit, and a Ronald McDonald house..... hospital link

Prayer Warriors Needed

From the skies

2010-12-04T13:32:00.001-08:00

Well I'm somewhere over the blue mountains flyiing along at 603 mph listening to Natalie Grants song human. Thinking about the words.......

Every life has a choice to rise up and fill the void. Every heart has a mission and we are called to be human. We gotta do better than this cause we've only got one chance to make a difference gotta do better than this cause we've only got one life that we've been given. A little love a little kindness a little light in this time of darkness. It'll be what makes us different. It'll be what makes us human. We are marked with his image but we are scarred with indifference maybe now we should listen hear the cry of Gods children....

Encouraging words challenging us to rise above and be a light in a dark place.

No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. Luke 8:16

Let's continue to be a bright light in a dark place. A place called Korah.

Prayer warriors needed

OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD

2010-12-04T04:15:00.000-08:00

Ok, so as I was facebook chatting with Berhanu and Sammy tonight, they casually said 'guess what?'

I, expecting them to tell me something like they had a really good dinner, or that they got a goat for really cheap and were roasting it later that night, or that they went to seminary earlier in the day and had chai... or that the pesky scary cat disappeared, but no! Casually they slipped in the conversation that Juddah is Negative! Negative for HIV! Negative for TB! They had finally gotten in to a hospital that would test baby Juddah! They are picking up the paperwork for his test later in the day.... Oh MY GOODNESS! How we celebrated on FB Chat... neither of us could type fast enough. I can just imagine those two guys sitting there at the computer with big grins on their faces, just waiting to share the news! One more bump in the road that we have gone over. One more thing we can check off Juddah's 'to do list', One more thing we can praise our perfect and wonderful maker for!

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him. Psalm 28:7

It's 4:03 AM Saturday morning, I still haven't been to bed. Getting some loose ends wrapped up before I head to the airport in the morning to fly to Virginia, meet with Jody and then head to the hospital to meet with the team of doctors as they make their final decision whether they will do the surgery on Juddah. I'm in awe of how quickly the Lord pulled this all together. Less than two weeks ago I was getting on the plane in Addis, Juddah's CT and ultrasound in hand, wondering if the Lord could really work this out. Scared of what his answer might not be. Really asking him, why Juddah? why aren't we able to get help in Addis? Now, just 12 days later I'm amazed at what he has done, How he directed the body of believers like a choreographed dance. How the body, a body of strangers who love the Lord came Together. Together in prayer. Together in encouragement. Together in finances. All to support a tiny little baby boy, who was born prematurely during a traumatic birth. Who for 10 days laid in a pile of soaking wet rags next to his twin sister Sarah, drinking raw cows milk for nourishment. Who lives thousands of miles away from where most of us live. Who up until recently, most of us didn't even know who Juddah was. These perfectly perfect babies, who are fearfully and wonderfully made, made in the image of God.... who when I first met them, were cold to the touch and unresponsive, and had a future that was grim.... Because the body of Christ came together, God is now glorified! Glorified in and thru these little babies. Whatever the outcome at the meeting on Monday, I will choose to praise our God. I cannot wait to see what the next chapter bring!

Prayer Warriors Needed!

BIG NEWS

2010-12-03T15:08:00.000-08:00

NO, Really, Bigger than Big!

OK, so only God could have ever had worked this one out. It's totally amazing what he will do, if we just open our hearts and minds and let him take the reins! So long story short, because now I have a million things to get done before 10AM tomorrow morning.

We have an appointment at Carrilion Clinic Childrens Hospital in VA, on Monday morning to discuss Juddah's surgery! Seriously Lord! You are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.... I just booked my plane ticket, and will be leaving at 10 tomorrow morning! TOMORROW!

Jody Hilt and I will be meeting with a team of people who are considering doing his surgery and treating him. Jody is a friend who most of you know from facebook, who has a heart for Korah, and who was with me in Korah in October.

Most pressing prayer requests: For Juddah to be able to get a TB test somewhere, he has been turned down so far because his body is too small. He needs to have a negative read on his test for him to be able to travel. We can now apply for an appointment with the US Embassy for an emergency medical visa, because we are so close to getting the paperwork from the hospital. Pray we can get an appointment as soon as we have that paper in hand. Pray for Juddah's continued health, that over the next few days he would remain strong. Pray for his mama and her peace of mind, that she would rest in Him through all of this. We are still not sure what will happen with her visa.

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise: he is to be feared above all gods. Psalm 96:4

Prayer Warriors still needed!

Ethiopian Handmade Coffee Bean Ornament

2010-12-03T13:21:00.001-08:00

Unique and perfect gift for that coffee lover. These ornaments were handmade in Ethiopia, from roasted Ethiopian coffee beans. They even smell like coffee! All proceeds from your purchase of this ornament will go directly to help support baby Juddah and his sweet family.

$10 plus shipping

these are

sold out

Just had a thought (Korah, Ethiopia)

2010-12-02T19:04:00.000-08:00

So I've been thinking a lot about Juddah's mama today. How she has no idea how the body of Christ is coming together to pray for and support their little family. I thought how am I ever going to convey this message to her to let her know how much she and her children are loved? Loved by complete strangers, Loved by those that love the Lord and want to serve him, and be obedient to His word and what he speaks of in James 1:27.... Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress. How could this be made known to her that she is being surrounded by prayer?

Then this popped into my brain... what if we had a Christmas card drive, where we send her a little note, or a card!

How great would that be? She is a sweet lady who has probably never received a card in her life. She has no mailbox, no mailing address, no reason to really get mail. Can you imagine the smile on her face, as she opens little notes of love... love letters to her and her family?

Of course we would have to have a translator there to read them to her... but I know just where we can find one (wink*wink*) Mastee, are you reading this? :)

Emily my daughter leaves for Korah in just 8 short days. She could be our mail delivery girl and hand deliver them! I realize that this is short notice, but it would only take 5 minutes of your time, and a postage stamp! How easy is that....

If you would like to send a little envelope of love to Weysheniet (Juddah's mom), Juddah, Sarah and Mahalet (5year old sister)

Here is my address:

Cherrie Cornish
4160 Chambers Avenue South
Salem, OR 97302

Blessings,
C

Thursday Update (Korah, Ethiopia)

2010-12-02T18:10:00.000-08:00

Today I got an email from Berhanu. There is good news, and news that needs prayer. The good news is that tomorrow little Juddah goes in for his HIV testing. The bad news is that one hospital and one clinic turned him down for TB testing. Both said he was too young for the saliva 3 day test, which is the standard in Ethiopia, and that he is too small for the radiation that goes along with the chest x-ray. Now I know we have some readers who have adopted infants from Ethiopia, and they had to be tested before they could leave the country. To those of you who have adopted infants, could you check with your adoption agency and find out who did the TB testing on them, and then let me know. I know there is a way to get this done, we just need to figure it out.

Please pray that the results for his HIV test will reveal a negative result, and that we can find the right clinic or hospital who will do the TB test on him. Juddah has an appointment on Tuesday to pick up his passport, we are excited to see that! The first of many steps that need to be completed to bring Juddah to the US for surgery.

This is just a little bump in the road, and I know that the Lord will work it out.

Prayer Warriors needed

Video Repost

2010-12-02T10:30:00.000-08:00

We have had so many new visitors to the blog in the last 24 hours, I wanted to repost the videos that show a tiny glimpse into life in Korah. This is where Juddah lives. What you see in the video is how Juddah's mama collects her food to feed herself and her mother and her 5 year old daughter. Living in Korah is tough. Korah life robs children of having a childhood. The dump, where most of them work, carries disease and it's where the precious people of Korah loose themselves.

A few questions answered

2010-12-02T08:20:00.000-08:00

Just received a few questions from a reader, and thought I should answer them here. If one person has the question, I'm sure there are others who have the same questions.

1. Who will the children go to after they are in the states? As of today only Juddah will be traveling for His surgery. Sarah will stay home with her grandmother. We are also looking into the possibility of his mama getting a visa and being able to travel with him. Time is of the essence for little Juddah, and each day that goes by his condition worsens. We are working on getting both of them visas, but if mamma's doesn't arrive when Juddah's does.... well we will cross that bridge when we get to it.

2. Who will be their legal guardian? The questions on the visa form ask for a name of who will be traveling the patient. I plan on going to Korah to pick up Juddah when the time comes.

3. Is the mama ok with them coming here? The last week I was in Korah, before I left to come back to the states, I sat down with mama, and shared with her all of the information I had gotten from the doctors in ET. We talked of how it was her decision as to whether or not Juddah comes to the US for his surgery. I told her she didn't need to make that decision right then, that I would come to the US and start the paperwork, so if she decided it was right for him to have the surgery, his paperwork would be ready. Three days later I spoke with Berhanu, and he said she has decided it would be best for Juddah to have the surgery. I cannot wait to share with her, how many people are praying for Juddah and her whole family and reaching out to them thru prayer and financial support. And how God has orchestrated Juddahs plan by bringing together the perfect team to care for him while he is here. My daughter, Emily leaves for ET to work in Korah in just 8 days. She will be taking a computer into Korah and to Juddah's house so we can skype.... I will share with her thru a translator all the good news! I cannot wait to see the babies and mama again!

4. Are they being adopted? Right now mama has no plans to give them up for adoption.

5. Will they go back to Africa at some point? Yes, Juddah will go back home to Korah as soon as the doctors feel he is ready to travel. He will then be seen by doctors in ET for follow-up care.

Hope this information helps... please let me know if any of you have more questions.... I may not have the answer, we are all just learning as we go along, but I will do my best

For I know the plans I have for you (JUDDAH), 'declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Prayer Warriors Needed!

Stirring in the heavenlies

2010-12-01T17:26:00.001-08:00

God is sure making a rumbling in the heavenlies On Juddah's behalf I'll be able to share details later. Prayer warriors be praying for his visa to come together quickly and that his TB tests would be negative.

Love Overflowing

2010-12-01T10:43:00.000-08:00

Wow! God is big! I know that in my heart and mind, but when he shows me in a tangible way, a way that I can actually see him working through His people for His purposes, it just blows me away and brings me to my knees in tears... tears of joy! The outpour of love and compassion for little Juddah, our miracle Korah baby, has been beyond what I could have imagined.

The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior! Psalm 18:46

The way the Lord is bringing people together from all over the world, just astounds me. People I don't even know have reached out. This is the true body of Christ working together for His purpose. I am convinced of that, because in no humanly way could any one of us here on earth work this out. It's going to take all of us working together.

Here are just a few of the many options and solutions that are being explored for Juddah's surgery and visa. Two senators in two different states have been contacted and may be able to help expedite his visa. We have 3 different hospitals who are exploring the possibilities of treating Juddah. Many requests from doctors and surgeons have been received wanting more information and requesting his CT scan. One hospital in Uganda which specializes in hydrocephalus and run by an american doctor has showed interest.

We have received donations for Juddah and Sarah to cover formula, clean water, and diapers from Colorado, Texas, Tennessee, and the United Kingdom. What we have received so far will keep them covered for the next two months. Donations are still greatly appreciated, if we can keep them in diapers and on formula/clean water thru the rainy season, it would be amazing. Any donations received beyond what is needed for that will be used for future needs. Travel/visa fees/hospital fees and whatever else comes up.

Two people have reposted about Juddah and his story on their blogs, from that we have gotten more people come to Juddahs' blog to learn more. If any of you would like to share his story or post a link to this blog please do so, you never know who or where the Lord might touch someone.

Thanks to everyone who has heeded the whisper of a still small voice they have heard in reply to a prayer sent out by the saints for our sweet baby Juddah.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen... Ephesians3:20

Prayer Warriors still needed

Juddah's CT scan

2010-11-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

If any of you has a connection to a hospital, or a neurosurgeon that might be willing to help Juddah, I have his CT scan you can download from mediafire and forward thru email available here Juddah CT scan. Just click on the link let the page load, and then you should be able to download the files. Thanks so much

Prayer Requests

2010-11-29T21:25:00.000-08:00

We serve a big God, and baby Juddah has some big prayer requests... Just found out today that before he gets his visa he needs to be tested for HIV and TB. The results of the HIV test won't affect his visa status, but the TB test will. He won't be allowed to travel if he is positive, and the treatment for TB is a long one.

We are just in the beginning stages of finding a hospital and surgeon to commit to helping Juddah. I believe that the Lord is raising up a team of people to help Juddah, and we need to do all we can to get the word out so that we all can connect. Pray that this would come together quickly and hearts would be softened toward Juddah's situation.

We need to do all we can to keep Juddah as healthy as possible until he is able to get the surgery. Pray that funds would become available to continue to provide him and his sister with formula, clean water and diapers. Those are the bare basics they need right now, later we will be raising funds for travel expenses.

Prayer warriors needed.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

Berhanu and Juddah

2010-11-29T20:04:00.000-08:00

Berhanu is a young man in Korah who goes with me on all the hospital and clinic runs. I wouldn't be able to accomplish what we are able to get done in one day if he wasn't part of the team. He is an awesome man of God, and was with me the day we found the twins. Here is a picture of him holding Juddah for the first time. In Korah men just don't hold newborns. It's part of their culture. But when I handed off Juddah to Berhanu, it was if he had been a father for a long time. It just came natural to him. It wasn't until a few minutes later that he let me know that he had never held a baby before. By the smile on his face and the way he was gently talking to and comforting Juddah, I would have never have guessed it was the first time he was holding a baby.

whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, "this is the way; walk in it" Isaiah 30:21

Meet Sarah

2010-11-29T18:17:00.000-08:00

This is Sarah. Juddah's twin sister. She was born second and appears to be thriving. Oh how they are both little loves. There is nothing like holding each of them, having them hold on to your finger and stare into your eyes.... they truly are gifts from the Lord!

The next few days

2010-11-29T18:08:00.000-08:00

Over the next few days, Berhanu and I took the babies to different clinics and hospitals trying to get a handle on what was wrong with Juddah. He wasn't growing like his sister, and his head was misshaped. The first 3 doctors did all the usual tests... measured their heads, weighed them and checked their reflexes. They all were in agreement that the babies were fine, except for their small size. All agreed that if we could keep up their body temperature up, keep them on formula to help them gain weight and get them thru the rainy season, they would have a fighting chance. In my mothers heart, I knew something was just not right with Juddah. His head shape was not right. He had two bumps on each side of his head, across the top of his skull there was a bump front to back on his skull, and he had no soft spot. Finally at Korean hospital, the doctor shared his fears with us. He sent Juddah for an ultrasound of his head. The results came back... hydrocephalus. I took a deep breath and asked the doctor, 'so now what?' his reply was 'we do nothing'... what? my heart sank. What about a CT scan, I asked... he said yes we can send you for that, but there is not much we can do even with the results... I wanted the CT scan done, so he wrote us up a referral, and we headed to window #4 to pay, and then headed down to room #23, only to find out that their CT scanner was broken... hmmm. Went home and checked around as to where we could get a CT scan done. Mastee, my good friend and translator in Addis, was ready to help. His mother is a nurse, he called her and she gave us directions to a place to have it done. When we arrived, the waiting room was full and were told that it would be an all day wait. So we waited, only to get the results we didn't want to hear... confirmed hydrocephalus, brain atrophy, and fused sutures. With results in hand we headed back to the Korean hospital to meet again with the doctor. He gave us the grim news, that in Ethiopia they do nothing for this condition... they just don't treat it here. He continued, If we were in America, well that's another story, he would be admitted to a hospital, and receive the care he needed, but here in Ethiopia, we just sit back, there is nothing we can do! My mind began to spin! What? so you just let him... what? Die? Watch his brain slowly disappear? Watch his face become deformed as the days go by? Sit back and wonder if he is in pain?

But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish Psalm 9:18

Prayer Warriors needed

Juddah and his mom

2010-11-29T16:40:00.000-08:00

This is Juddah and his mamma. It was taken on the day that I was first introduced to the family. She is a wonderful mama to Juddah and Sarah, and is doing everything possible she knows how to do to care for her precious little ones. Please pray that God would continue to give her the energy and strength it takes to survive in Korah, that she would not become weary in caring for her children, that her health would be sustained.
Prayer Warriors Needed!