A few thoughts and a little about my day..

Patience

Met with MOH again today and social worker there- the process of taking in a child into foster care is extensive. It was interesting to watch and be a part. Liberia wants to move forward not backward in their care and placements of children. That is why the new laws are being put in place.

We went to a feeding center. (sad sad place). They have 5 children between the ages of 3-5 there that they wanted help with- we took their pictures and told them we will see what we can do. This is where Patience was from. She is a doll by the way!!! She has down syndrome.

I had my share of frustrations today. Once again- time is NOT of the essence here. Something we Americans have down pretty good. :0)

Efficiencies are lacking here as well. And communications will always be tough.

Yes that is what I need at the end of a tough day-:0)

Varney's house

We picked up Varney today to see Dr. Sherman. He took photos and measurements and will consult someone in the U.S. as well, but it still does not look like anything can be done. Varney's hydrocephalus has halted already, it will not get any bigger. (He also doesn't think he is in the constant pain we thought he would be) Having a shunt put in will not do hardly anything...it will not decrease the size of his head. His head will always be this way (he says), but he will still consult the other dr.'s to check. Plus, there is no shunt in the country!!!! How frustrating! He says there is a 3 month old waiting for the next one!! I guess they are very expensive. Word has already been put out for them through Global Orphan Outreach. If anyone reading this has a way for us to access them-please contact us.

Children playing in the village.

Today was Celebrate the Rights of the Disabled Day. How cool was that to be here when this was going on. This is a picture from that parade.

Tomorrow I will be dealing with the Global’s caustic education and prevention project so more on that later….

that need is great if the hearts are willing...

First thing this morning, we headed to the Ministry of Health for our scheduled appointment. The meeting went very well with the discussing of some important issues.

Had a quick visit with Andrew Tyler from Orphan Relief and Rescue, to pick up some mosquito nets, then headed back to see one of our FMN kids, Favour. She has gained weight quite nicely, holding her head up, always watching where her caregiver is going. Sweet little thing!







Took some pictures of Karin, the little girl we are hoping to bring into our care soon. We are still waiting to speak to the director on her case. Oh she is still tiny, really malnourished, but such a sweetie. She has a beautiful smile!! Also recognized a little boy that we visited in one of the hospitals four months ago. He is an older boy and his name is Kenny. He had a smile the whole time I was there. The last time I saw him in the hospital, he tried stealing my purse!! He's a cutie!

Food has been good! Would eat pineapple everyday if I could! Weather HOT and STICKY!!!!

I fall deeper in love with Liberia every time I come. What I really have grown to love more though is our Forget-Me-Not kids and this program. It seems that everywhere we go, the need seems to increase. We are small right now, we can only help as many as funds allow...and that's not many considering the size of the situation. My heart and soul wants this program to grow bigger...we need it to be ...these children need us!And they need you! If you cannot comprehend the need, then you need to come see for yourself...you will be blown away how desperately- Liberia needs a program like Forget-Me-Not. Please consider being a sponsor for one of these kids...we can't take kids unless we have sponsors. These kids are doing amazing! Our caretakers really have a heart for these kids...I just love that!

Another busy day...

Today was another busy day!!

We first visited the home of Varney. He was the child that Global O.O. started working to get a medical visa, and the dr. told the family he was too far-gone, just take him home to die. Well, it's been 6 months, and he is still living, fighting everyday to live. He is in agony because his head is soooooo big from hydrocephalus. This poor boys head is bigger than the size of a basketball, and he is one year old. His parents love him and feel so hopeless, they did not know what to do except take him home and care for him. He has sores on the back of his head from lying down all the time. He is a fighter! So I contacted Dr. Sherman and set up an appointment for him to re-examine him, and see if there is anything we could do. Hopefully we'll find out Thursday at his appointment.

We then received a call about some triplets needing help so we went to visit them next.. One of the triplets is very sick; the other two are still small and staying at the same placewith their mom. They just need some assistance to be able to afford these three blessings. We came across another set of triplets there too where it's the same scenario...only needing assistance to help continue caring for three babies. We thought it would be worth a try to plead their cases, if it can keep these families together. FMN found a sponsor for triplets 7 months ago, and now the triplets are doing very well! Contact us if you are interested in sponsoring one of the two families and we will send you more pictures and information.

We also came across two beautiful children who are suffering from the effects of caustic ingestion. The medical care they need is too much for here in Liberia. The hospital has been trying to see is they can get care out of country, in Germany, but the process has been very long. So they asked us if we could try and do something also. They are 5 and 3 yrs old. We will keep you posted to what someone or we will be able to do for them as well.













Visited with Barry, Maddie, Martina, and Kenneth again. I truly love these kids! I only wish that adoptions would open up so we could advocate to have them adopted. They really are special kids. I wish everyone could see how each one is a blessing. Yes they do require a little more care, but the reward is eternal! Barry has a smile on his face all the time! Martina has a strong will, and lets you know when she wants to be heard. Maddie, sweet petite Maddie is just precious, waiting to come out of her shell. She is only content if someone is holding her, and will start crying (in her little petite voice). Kenneth, still my favorite!! He still just melts me when I hold him, and he always has wrinkled eyebrows like he is really thinking hard!







We also visited Nye, who Global Orphan Outreach was instrumental in getting a medical visa and into a sponsor family in the states for surgery for a shunt. He is doing really very well back in his foster home in Liberia. He is healthy and is now walking! It was great to finally meet this beautiful little boy who I had only known through pictures.



This is our nurse-Garmai who is doing a fabulous job overseeing the children in the program. I had the privilege of buying a lot of enriched milk (formula), that some generous donors donated for our Forget-Me-Not children. Also bought some cereal, a few clothes for Barry, and some rubber pants. Busy, but another very productive day! Pray for us as we go into our meetings tomorrow and work towards helping more children and their families.

Back to Liberia....

Here I am -Christina-back in Liberia again. So much to tell you.

After spending the morning and afternoon in meetings with two of our key people that work for FMN, we went to one of the foster homes to see one of our FMN kids. Favour is doing very well in her care, and her caregiver is so good with her! The last I saw of Favour, she was at a feeding center, abandoned and malnourished, little muscle tone. Now she is eating well, and gaining muscle strength. I also get to hand out certificates for the last workshop we had. I will post pics of all the kids later.



We then went to see Surprise. What an amazing little boy! The last I saw of him, he was lying in a crib, doing nothing...not moving, no eye contact, nothing, just lying. Now that he is in the Forget-Me-Not program, he has a very loving foster mom, who does therapy with him, plays with him. He is smiling, laughing, moving all his extremities, and has a home! Tears filled my eyes when I saw how beautiful God knit this foster mom's heart into the life of this little boy that just existed in a hospital bed. THIS IS EXACTLY THE REASON WHY WE NEED TO BE HERE! We are taking children that NO ONE seems to want, just abandoned, they see no potential. I am thankful I get to witness and be a part of this program and how it is changing lives!!



We then went to see two more foster homes and four of our kids. Wow! Pictures cannot describe how wonderful these kids are doing. Kenneth, who has possible CP and was severely malnourished, is eating well, loves to be held, and really enjoys all his foster siblings! (If I could pic a favorite from today, he is it). He just melts into you when you hold him! Maddie came to her foster home very stiff, all over. When I saw her, she was sitting in the stroller, and nicely relaxed. She is a petite little thing and does not want to be put down. I had no problem holding her for awhile. Barry, well he is Mr. Smiley and smart! He had been in the hospital for a very long time. Even though he is five, he is the size of a three year old, probably CP. He is a very interactive little guy, who loves everyone, easygoing, SWEEEEET, his smile just is beautiful. He will really benefit from therapy, and hopefully be moving around very soon!



Martina is a child that we don't know anything about, only that she was abandoned and probably has hydrocephalus. She really wanted to be held and soothed a lot...her foster home is doing a great job taking care of her needs.

I am just blown away at the hearts our caregivers have for our little ones. They really love these kids, and are doing such a wonderful job of going the extra mile of taking these 'special' kids into their care. Our kids in the FMN program are not easy kids. They require a lot of care and energy. Our nurse does an excellent job of checking weekly, getting kids to the hospital, teaching therapy and care tips to our FMN homes.

I am just filled with joy that I can be a part of this in action. I am truly seeing the hands and feet of Jesus in our foster homes. What a beautiful thing...God created these children...this is His program...these children are precious! I am sooooo overwhelmed to be able to be a part of this!

More tomorrow….

This is Surprise!

**Global's mission is to not only advocate and support the outreach of orphan children and families in need but to also allow you who are being called to serve- to serve with the talents, resoures, and abilities God gave you in a way that reaches out to others. Whether it be sponsoring a child, raising funds for a much needed water well, helping to build a school, reaching out to medically fragile children, getting involved in agriculture in Liberia, sponsoring a needy family, feeding the poor, or any number of ways; Global is available to you to do your calling through. We encourage you to contact us today to become actively involved in working together to be the answer to some of these needs.

update on Jeremiah

We met Jeremiah bk in July at JFK and were asked to take him into our foster homes. Jeremiah had surgery for his hydrocephalus and other issues and was abandoned by his mother shortly after. His doctor felt he would improve and only time would tell. Well after much stalling of paperwork and documents and some mis-communications.... he was placed into an orphanage instead.

We are happy for Jeremiah as he is getting the much needed help he deserves. We are glad we were able to inspire other organizations to become involved in this important issue of caring for special needs children.(Jeremiah's sponsor was happy to sponsor another child instead and we are thankful for their decision to continue to help as there are so many in need) We wish him well.

we have been busy...

The triplets are doing well. Thanks to a donor they are eating well and growing.

This little guy's name is Kenneth. He was abandoned at a feeding center. Please consider being his sponsor.

And this is Mardea. She too was abandoned at a feeding center. She is very malnourished and needs you to consider being her sponsor.

And this sweetie is Patience. She loves attention. Wont you consider becoming her sponsor? For more information on doing this go to- forget-me-not childrens homes.

We will be posting really soon an update on our caustic education/prevention program that is under way.

During this upcoming thanksgiving season- be thankful for your blessings as you reach out to bless others with what God has given you in abundance. Perhaps contributing towards the rice bowl project. Thus helping another to eat today.

As always we are thankful for your much needed prayers as we continue to step out in faith and go where God leads.

Benefit update..

Our Global benefit went very well. The silent auction was a success. We really enjoyed what Mark Green from Malaria No More had to share. The night was filled with laughter, sharing, fun, and all for a good cause. Next year we will be looking forward to the Orphan Run 2010. More information coming soon...

Donna Barber

Jeff Garrett

Mark Green

Global Board Members with Mark Green- Jeff Garrett, Peg Halvorsen, (Rachel Green-daughter of Mark), Mark Green, Julie Redman, and Donna Barber