Feeling useless. . .please pray for Gifty.

I just found out that Gifty was never discharged from the hospital. Her lungs were improving but she started having a lot of pain, not wanting to be touched or moved, so the doctors did some x-rays and found multiple broken bones. After more tests they have determined that she has Rickets (a vitamin D deficiency probably related to her liver failure) which explains the broken bones. She is currently in a full body cast, intubated and sedated in the ICU. I am feeling pretty useless here on the other side of the world, so thought the least I could do is put out a plea for prayer.

Gifty gets a helicopter ride.

Gifty continues the fight. Yesterday she was flown via helicopter to the hospital in Minneapolis, emergently because she was having a hard time breathing. She has been diagnosed with a respiratory infection (possibly pneumonia). They are giving her antibiotics and breathing treatments. She was admitted over night. The good news is she is responding already and is supposed to be discharged this morning. While in Minneapolis they are following up with the liver transplant specialist. Even though Gifty is continuing to improve physically, learning to crawl and laugh and seems to be getting stronger her liver function is getting worse. The blood tests they use to determine transplant necessity has jumped from 15 to 21 out of 30. Gifty's is the highest in the region, that puts her at the top of the transplant list.

Gifty and Heidi have been in my thoughts constantly these last few days. I know Heidi is having a hard time reconciling how well Gifty looks on the outside, yet her numbers are getting worse. Hopefully the time is getting close for a new liver, but it is hard to wait on the unknown. I know a lot of you have followed Gifty's story closely and she has become a part of your lives. Knowing her has definitely changed mine. If you have any encouraging words or thoughts you would like to share with Heidi please e-mail them to me (debbie@orphanreliefandrescue.org) and I will pass them on to her.

As always, please continue to keep Gifty and Heidi and their family in your prayers. Thank You.

Korpu Walks!

I am rejoicing! Korpu took 8 steps without help. For most 3 year olds that would not be impressive, but for Korpu it is momentous. When ORR first met Korpu she was severely malnourished and required hospitalization. Over a year later she was well fed and growing, but still not walking on her own. In March I brought her to be evaluated by a Physicians Assistant (PA) at Monrovia Rehab Center (MRC). He fitted her with insoles to help stabilize her feet and encouraged lots of practice walking. Over the last 5 weeks the caregivers and older children in the orphanage have taken turns helping her walk in the home, down the hill, around the well, through the football field. . .anywhere they could.

I was visiting the home last week, preparing to take Korpu back to MRC for a re-evaluation. I sat down near where she was standing and tried to get her to walk to me. She stood there by herself for at least 15 minutes before she finally psyched herself up for it. I looked over just as she took one shaky step, then another. Building confidence and speed, as all children do as they are learning to walk, she closed the distance between us. What a victory! She walked some more for me as we waited at MRC and then again for the PA. He was very happy with her progress and said as long as she continues to gain strength and walk, they do not need to see her again at MRC.

Soon we will be chasing her all over the place and not be able to slow her down. I can't wait!

Movie Night

This evening was movie night at Fatu's orphanage home. Cramer and Mariel have been meeting with the older kids there over the last few months. All the kids were given an opportunity to share the story of their life (how they came to the orphanage, what their life it like there, what their hopes and dreams are for the future etc.) on video. Cramer put them all together and tonight was the premier. We used a sheet for a screen, borrowed a projector from a friend, took the generator from our house and don't forget the cookies, popcorn and candy. During the showing of the kids video Ashley and I attempted to entertain the smaller children. After a few rounds of the Hokey Pokey and Father Abraham they were pretty antsy and curious about what the big kids were doing. I have to admit it was a bit exhausting, but overall they did pretty good. From what I heard, the kids in the video really enjoyed watching themselves on the big screen. After the kids video we brought in all the small ones and everyone watched a Veggie Tales video. Everyone loved it. When I walked in the room all I could see were wide eyes glued to the screen. Ma Mary was sitting next to me and watching and giggling along with all the kids. At one point I heard her exclaim "Ah-ha" and realized she had just recognized the Veggie Tales storyline from the Bible. The kids had seen a Veggie Tales before, but it was still a treat for them. But for the Liberian kids it is not a Cucumber and a Tomato, it is a Pumpkin and a Bitterball (common Liberian veggies). All in all it was a great evening and fun was had by all.

Too Cute!

Here are the latest pictures of Gifty.

Too cute!

For more super-cuteness check out the link to the video below-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY2o9hcv6OU

water

I realized the other day, while I was drinking my "cool wata" from the bag as we headed between orphanage homes, how so many things that are normal here would be so weird to do at home. Thirsty? Forget about bottled water. Get me a 5LD (about 8.5 cents) 500ml bag of cool mineral water out of the cooler on that old Ma's head. It does take some practice, be careful not to squeeze too hard. But, it sure is nice and refreshing on a hot Liberian afternoon.

In other water related news. . . the well at our house went dry. There is no municipal water in the entire country. Everyone exists on wells. Most people have to start their day before dawn by hauling water from a community well. At the ORR house we have a well inside the fence that we use for showers (outside under the stars) and bucket flushing the toilet. We buy drinking water for around 1-2 dollars per week. Last Friday the water in the well was low so we started rationing water. By Monday it was completely dry. You don't realize how much you take something for granted until you don't have it. With no water to flush the toilet or shower, well, you can imagine the consequences. We all started praying for rain. Thankfully some water found it's way to our well and by Wednesday we were back in the water business. Phew!

Spring Fever

I woke up today feeling alive. I have spent the last 2 days in bed fighting some mysterious African fever. Not fun. But today I woke up and felt human again, felt alive and then remembered it was Easter. Not only am I alive, I am alive because Christ is alive. That is why I celebrate today. Like we sang in (the 4 hour long Liberian) church service this morning- Jesus Christ is Risen today. Allelujah!