Thank you, Katie Benner!

Katie Benner graduated from college in 2010 and came to live and work at FHLIR from September until March, 2011. Before she came, I barely remembered her from a visit to the orphanage a couple of years earlier. I wondered what it would be like to have her, a virtual stranger, living in the bedroom next to mine. We were going from strangers to housemates in a foreign country.

Wasn't a problem! Katie belonged with us from the day she got off the plane! The kids adore her as she adores them. She added so much joy to our home. Art projects and games and movies and popcorn and crafts and so much attention. Our kids, as all orphanage kids everywhere, are starved for all of these things. Katie brought them in abundance and wrapped everything in love.

She brought her mom, then her dad, her friends and her pastor and his wife to visit us, too, and enlarged our circle of friends.

It was time for Katie to leave in March. We all were sad to see her leave. We will never forget her. But, Katie, we wish you the best in the rest of your life. We sure hope it includes lots of living in Haiti and visits to FHLIR! We love you!

[I haven't written about Katie leaving before because I wasn't ready to face it yet, she is missed so much. Other young ladies have come before and each one has a special place in our hearts forever: Natasha Rae Taylor Jovin and Casey Nichols were fulltime assistants like Katie. Keziah Furth and Dannae Pasculli lived with us and were part of the household. We hope to have other young people come stay from time to time to further enrich the kids' lives.]

"Another Miracle!" -or- "He Can Walk!!!!!"

LOOK! Youvendgy is walking, all by himself! He was 3 years old in February, and now he can walk. Thank you, Father God!

Youvendgy came to us in August and went straight into the hospital. [see August post] He was treated for anemia, sickle cell crisis, tuberculosis and malnutrition. When he was younger both legs were broken, at different times I think. His legs and buttocks were SO weak! He scooted on his bottom, couldn't walk or even stand alone.

What a difference a few months of love and good nutrition can make. So maybe it's not an instant miracle of the "Get up and walk" type, but it's miraculous just the same. Where would this little guy be if Laura Lynn "Lala" Nichols hadn't found him and tried to help. She didn't even give up when his mother threatened to kill him. Lala found an official who had the authority and the heart to give Lala temporary custody so she could find help for Youvendgy.

And what brought Lala to Haiti and to the village of Jubilee in Gonaives? God. And who started, funds and runs Faith Hope Love Infant Rescue? God. HE took time from running the universe to intervene in Youvendgy's life. Just because HE loves him. Just like HE loves you, and me, and everyone else.

Praise God and glory hallelujah!