Babies here, babies there, there are babies everywhere!

The internet is slooooowwww and spotty so sorry for not getting in touch sooner! This has been a full and busy trip! Our hearts have been encouraged at the faithfulness of God in caring for orphans. The children we have been with get daily baths (I don’t even do that every day!), lots of attention, love, and interaction. However, this is my first time at a babies’ home since completing my masters in education and becoming a mother. So it is much more obvious to me now when I see the developmental delays and lack of attachment these kids get to any one adult. 70 children under 2 years old is quite overwhelming!

As I was playing with a chubby little 14 month old on Monday, the head of the children’s home tells me this child was found strapped underneath a bed and arrived to them at 2 pounds. I would never have guessed it! God is faithful, and I am thankful that He is rescuing His children through faithful followers here in Uganda.

I have always felt that children with special needs in the developing world are some of the most neglected. Sometimes this is on purpose, but many times it is a simple lack of education and resources. I spent time with Moses who was abandoned at the hospital when he was 3 years old with untreated hydrocephalous (a commonly untreated problem in developing countries where water fills the brain. Children’s heads become huge. In the US, it is treated right away and easily fixed). He was brought to the home by the hospital and is full of personality. He is 5 and still isn’t walking YET, but LOVED playing on my iphone and easily completed the preschool apps I had downloaded for Amelie. However, here, he is still in the “babies” home (2 years and under) with no school or regular therapy. Another 5 year old with cerebral palsy also lives at the babies’ home. Her smile is like no other I have seen! There are so many more stories than that but little time to tell them now. And it would take about 30 minutes to download photos, so that will all have to wait until next week!

Joe has been building lots of cribs. I joked that he is living out his man dream while I have been living my normal life multiplied by 70! Lots of changing diapers, feeding, and playing! We have had some intense and amazing conversations with various people and have gotten to spend time with our friends who have lived here for 4 years. They are doing an amazing job training Ugandans in entrepreneurship skills. We will visit more with them tomorrow.

So much more to share! One room has about 4 premature babies (one found in a toilet, another in corn field). So thankful they are getting care! We are madly missing our children but so thankful to God for breathing new perspective in our hearts as parents.