Did you know?

I've started another blog. It will be used for the purpose of raising awareness for children in need. I needed to have two separate blogs - one to share fun, random day to day stuff (this blog here) and another one to share about the very tragic things being done to children, the very incredible things God is doing around the world in the lives of children and what He expects from us, His followers and representatives.

My first two posts on this new blog lay the foundation for what's to come.

So check it out http://speakupforthechildren.blogspot.com/

And come back here from time to time for random posts about my life and those in it.

All the previous posts from Nigeria and beyond will remain on this blog.

Catching up a bit...

My mom's birthday was on June 22nd. Back in April, my dad called and suggested that I fly to Texas and surprise my mom for her birthday. I was super excited about it, but wondering how on earth my dad would be able to keep the secret for so long. Every week or so I would remind him with things like "Don't change the sheets on the guest bed", "Don't buy my favorite coffee creamer", "Don't drop any hints." He did great!!

I flew into Austin late Thursday night, June 17th. My brother, Shane, picked me up and we drove to my parents house. Their house has an exterior room. I sneaked in there around midnight. Around 5:30am my dad came in, all giddy with excitement to see me (so cute). My mom had just left for her walk, so I stayed put, waiting for her to do her routine. Mama is so predictable, I just love it. She finished her walk, made her coffee, and settled into her recliner with her crossword puzzle and paper. My dad came out to get me and we walked into the house (out of sight from my mom). I stayed behind and my dad went into the living room.

"Candy, put your coffee down. I have an early birthday present for you." (while saying this, he had his hand in a fist like he had something in it).

"Keith?"

"Ok, now close your eyes".

"Keith, what is in your hand?" - I think all women get uneasy when a guy asks them to close their eyes when holding something in his hand - flashback to middle school....

"Just close your eyes."

Then I stepped into the living room.

"Ok, now open your eyes."

"Good Morning, Mama!"

Her reaction was priceless! First she just stared, then she squeezed her eyes shut, then she jumped out of the chair (good call on putting the coffee down, Dad) to give me a huge hug.

" Wait, how did you get here?!" (she was not computing that I am still in my pajamas.)

Then she turned to Dad, and in all seriousness scolded him. "KEITH! The sheets aren't clean and that room is dirty!"

Oh, that was so awesome and so my mom! She just loves to be sure her family/guests feel welcomed.

I just grabbed her for another hug and we laughed and laughed.

(and while I was in the shower, she changed the sheets).

That same weekend I was home was also Father's Day. One of my favorite things to do with my Dad when I was a kid was to go fishing together. I've always had such good memories of his patience and kindness - he never got frustrated when I caught a tree limb or lost a lure. During my trip home, I wanted to be sure to go fishing with him again. We got up really early and drove down to the lake. It was such a peaceful time and I sat in the boat, reliving all of those memories with my dad and so thankful that we could spend time together fishing again. "Fishing" didn't quite happen, as I only caught one that got away before I reeled it in all the way. But we had a great time.

Before I left, we went fishing again, along the creek of the small town of Salado my parents live in. We had a lot more luck catching fish there. It was so Texan, really, fishing at the creek with my dad. I savored every minute.

I must share many photos of my precious nephew, Parker. I mean, seriously. He is even cuter in person.

Ali, Shane, Parker, Auntie Erin

We had taken him to a water park and he loved it! But he got so wiped out.

I love this picture I took of him on the way home.

He loves his Poppie!

I also got a wonderful surprise - Parker is going to be a big brother! Ali and Shane took him from me to change him. When they came back, he was wearing this onesie that Shane designed.

So fun!

He's gotta be a Cubs fan!

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I met Susan in Nigeria. She is also a nurse and she worked with an AIDS outreach ministry and clinic. Susan lived across the street from me. My first memory of Susan is when we went to a worship service together and she was dancing right along with every one else. I knew then that we would be good friends. Life in Nigeria with the stressors of ministry, different schedules, and exhaustion that comes with living overseas didn't allow us to bond as much as we both had hoped. However, as God would have it, Susan returned from Nigeria to her home town of Wheaton, IL - a suburb of Chicago. As I went through my journey of grief about not returning to Nigeria, Susan was one person who completely understood my sorrow, as she too said good-bye to a land and people we both love so dearly. The past couple years cemented our relationship into a special one of kindred spirits - two women who really 'get' each other and who can burst out in Hausa from time to time, much to the amusement of those around us.

Last year, I dropped Susan off for a blind date with a guy she met through Facebook. I prayed with her and told her I would text in a couple hours, to give her a chance to leave him if she wanted to. When I texted, she responded that they were one their way to dinner. When I texted even later that night, she replied that they were having coffee again. :-) Needless to say, they fell quickly in love.

I love surprises, so after it was pretty clear that they were to be engaged, I contacted Matt and told him I would love to help in the proposal if necessary. We planned it that he would drive in from Ohio to meet Susan at the Starbucks where they had their blind date. I asked Susan to go out with me that night and to meet me at that Starbucks after work. All was a go, until that afternoon when Susan emailed me to say she was really tired from work and just wanted to take a rain check. Oh no! I then sent her a long email, guilting her into meeting me - that I really needed her. So, being the awesome friend that she is, she agreed to meet me. But when she walked into Starbucks, there was Matt! He proposed soon after.

All that earned me the right to be a bridesmaid. It was a beautiful wedding and celebration of a couple who love Jesus and love each other so much!

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Corinne is my Swiss friend, who was also my neighbor in Nigeria. I love how dedicated Corinne is to children in need. While in Nigeria, she started a play therapy for our kids and was used greatly to help children process their trauma. Corinne is a young woman who trusts God completely, loves His people passionately, and is a loyal friend to all who know her.

She came to visit me in Chicago recently. I had a blast showing her around this city I love so much. Corinne had never seen a baseball game before (!!) so of course we had to go watch a Cubs game. (of course they lost, but whatever). In this picture is also my new roommate Beth and her mom.

My generous friend Mark let us join him and his friends on his sailboat. It was Memorial Day weekend, which is not quite considered summer weather yet in Chicago. However, it was a gorgeous day and we were able to enjoy the fireworks over the lake that night, too.



Ok, there's a little catch up on my life for you. Until next time.....

If this doesn't increase your faith in the Lord, I don't know what will...

Written by Kelly Malloy, missionary in Nigeria:

The story that I am about to tell you is absolutely the most AMAZING and unbelieveable narrative that I have ever written to you. I can imagine that many of you might have a hard time swallowing the details of the story of Emmanuel. Even our Nigerian co-workers have been taken aback by the history of this precious child. One of the pastors on the staff of City Ministries Nigeria is a manager of a Care Center with 10 boys. Pastor Bulus was on an outreach in a remote village. Ambling through a field on the outskirts of the village, he stumbled upon what he believed to be a log. How shocked he was to find that the tiny article at his feet was the wrecked body of a small boy. Lifting the boy into his arms, he raced into the town in search of help.

The villagers disdain was instantaneous as they recounted the story of the emaciated child. Calling the village leaders together, the story was unanumous; the boy had been born to a mad man and a weak woman. He did not thrive after birth, possibly a result of being "tongue tied" and malnourished. At the age of two, he was unable to speak or walk, which was unacceptable to his parents. Blinded by ignorance and fear, they concluded that their son was either a ghost or possessed by a demon. Their only solution was to leave him in the bush to die alone.

And there the boy remained for THIRTEEN YEARS. Alone. The mothers in the village came to the consensus that he was born the same year as their fifteen-year old sons. This area of the country is devoid of streamsand trees. Somehow he survived in the open fileds, subjected to six months of blistering sun, followed by six months of torrential rain. Agreeing that he must be a wicked spirit, the local people never took the child into their village. Never was he fed or clothed. He was never bathed, held, taught to speak, potty-trained, or loved. He experienced neither human contact nor kindness - ever.

Until, that is, the moment that the Lord placed him in the path of Pastor Bulus, a gentle and humble man. Almost immediately, Bulus bathed and clothed the child and placed food before him. The village women scoffed, "He doesn't know how to eat proper food from a plate Throw it in the dirt and let him eat like a dog!" Bulus refused, realizing then that the boy had possibly been filling his stomach with sand and dead leaves his entire life. Bulus pleaded with the village chief, "I will give you half of my salary if you will promise to care for this child in your own home." (His monthly salary is less than one meal at a nice American restaurant.) The chief refused the offer, giving Bulus full permission to take the boy back to the orphan home. Pastor Bulus aptly named him "Emmanuel" which means "God with us".

SIM missionary, Missy Camiola, holding Emmanuel

After spending several days in our Jos hospital, he began to exhibit signs of attachment to several people, and even crawled into my lap and fell asleep. His behaviors most closely resemble the jerky expressions of birds, and he appears to be very at peace in the presence of pastor Bulus, who is an excellent caretaker. Emmanuel weighs 22 pounds.

After three weeks in the City Ministries Nigeria Care Center, he has already learned to walk on shaky legs. He has discovered pounded yam and beans, which he eats from a bowl (that must be placed on the floor. He will not eat if anyone is looking at him. ) Emmanuel does not speak. He has very few human mannerisms, gestures, or noises.

As you can imagine, Emmanuel has a long road ahead of him, learning to live in civilization. Our most sincere prayer for him is that he will come to know the One who has daily protected him from starvation, dehydration, every kind of illness, snakes, countless other atrocities. As Bulus says, "He is a miracle. Only the Lord has been his Shepherd!" Please join us in prayer for Emmanuel and his full restoration. Pray for Pastor Bulus, his wife and the 10 other orphans as they care for and love Emmanuel.

Kelly is the nurse for the kids now (my old job). She's holding Emmanuel. Pastor Bulus found him. You can imagine how badly I wish I was holding him in this picture! Praise the Lord for these two incredible servants of God whom He has used to do miracles!

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,

for the rights of all who are destitute."

Proverbs 31:7-9

I walked out.

Yesterday I had a lustful thought.


Today I called a driver a certain something when he almost ran me off the road. (Not a great word to be saying as I would go to Jesus' arms, so I am glad that wasn't the last word of my life.)


Tonight I was angry, bitter, and jealous all at the same time. And that was right after I prayed to be free from the anger, bitterness and jealousy.


This is what goes on in my mind:

I'm pretty. I'm ugly. I'm popular. No one likes me. I'm successful. I'm a failure. I'm godly. I'm hopeless. I'm encouraging. People hate a suck-up. People look up to me. People are tired of me. I'm creative. I'm manipulative. I'm wise. Stupid! I'm full of faith. I'm full of something else. I'm a leader. I grovel for attention. I'm accepted. Rejected! I have so many great friends. I'm alone. I'm a hard worker. Can I be any more lazy? I'm an excellent nurse. Who would want to hire me? The kids in Nigeria miss me like crazy. Auntie Erin, who? I have a way with words. Shut my mouth and give them a break. They're blessed to know me. They are tired of me. I'm a great communicator. I have an ugly voice. I'm a great friend. Then why aren't I a better friend? I am strong. What a wimp. I hear God's voice. What a joke! I make a difference. I'm wasting my breath. I'm getting healthier. I'm afraid of sickness. I have a servant's heart. They don't want my help. I'm so forgiving. What a pushover! I have healthy boundaries. Don't be so rigid.

I am forgiven. Condemnation screams. I am accepted. Rejection mimics. I am free. Cell door locks.

And then....

In the prison I walked right into...

With the guilty sentence I accepted...

Slumped on the floor of the cell in defeat...

He speaks.

Yes, you lusted. But you quickly recognized it, asked for forgiveness, and redirected your thoughts.

Yes, you cussed. So, train your mouth to not cuss again by having My word on your tongue and in your heart.

Yes, you were angry, bitter and jealous. Yes, you harbored those thoughts for even a minute too long. But, you saw it for what it was. A cheap shot by a weak enemy. And you battled against those thoughts with Truth. And you were victorious.

I don't see sin when I look at you. I see purity. I see righteousness. I see love.

I see my Son.

He died for you so that you can stay out of prison. So that you won't accept the guilty sentence that the enemy of your soul taunts you with. When you accepted Him as your Savior from your sins, that is exactly what He became. Your Savior. He saved you. He took the guilt, the prison sentence, the slow death of sin.

My Son, Jesus, He died. But, He came back to life! He is now with Me and talks to Me about you and intercedes on your behalf. My Spirit is in you to share My heart with you. Listen to My voice. Listen to the Truth of who you are and Who you belong to.

Child, I rejoice over you. I am giddy at the thought of you. I desire your attention. You are My creation, the art of My hands, the beauty of My thoughts, the adoration of My affections.

Stand up. Look forward. Shoulders back. Head held high.

And walk right out of that prison.

Video of Amos' arrival home

Here is the video of Jamie and Aaron Ivey picking up their son from the airport after he arrived from Haiti (see story in my previous blog posts). Grab a tissue! And just imagine how our Heavenly Father welcomes us home and into His arms when we believe in His Son Jesus Christ.... so precious and powerful.

The song in this video was written by and is being sung by Aaron about waiting and fighting to get Amos home. (see the music video on previous post.)

http://dreamingbigdreams.net/

Amos, orphan from Haiti, arrives in Texas

My two previous posts introduced you to the Ivey family and their long journey in bringing Amos home from Haiti. Here's another chapter to the story.....

Adopted Haitian Boy Arrives in Austin

http://www.myfoxaustin.com/dpp/news/local/Adopted-Haitian-Boy-Arrives-in-Austin




Here's a blog written by the happy father, Aaron:

http://aaronivey.com/

Link to Aaron's video to his son in Haiti

For those of you who receive my posts via subscription, for some reason the video won't show up. So here is the link... it's very powerful - watch!! :-)

The girl in the video is Story - who has already been adopted and is living with the Ivey's in Austin, TX.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4eZybIXpm8&feature=youtu.be&a



Here is a short clip from when they visited Haiti in 2008 - so precious!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIiXQbXe8HQ&feature=related

Nigeria... Haiti... God is there

Nigeria:
If you haven't heard, there has been rioting, killing, and destruction in Jos, Nigeria (where I lived for 4 years) since last Sunday. I won't go into the details of why this is going on here - but you can check http://bbc.com/ for more specific information (though keep in mind it is still a media's report).

Thankfully, the military and police responded quickly. The city of Jos was put on a 24 hour curfew for two days straight, to try and quell the violence.

Early Tuesday morning at 3am Chicago time, I received a text from Nigeria to pray for the village of Gyero, where 100+ of City Ministries orphans live. I spent a lot of time in Gyero and was heartbroken to hear that the violence had spread to this little village off the beaten path. I prayed and prayed and was so grateful to receive a text an hour later that said the military had arrived and regained control. Ok, so *that* is a miracle. That the military would even care to go out to little Gyero. But GOD cares and He sent them!

Praise GOD none of our children or staff were hurt, but other village kids and adults were killed during this attack.

Yesterday, the 24 hour curfew was lifted and people are allowed to move around between 10am - 5pm Nigeria time (which is 7 hours ahead of CST).

I've received reports from friends there that it seems calm, but to not assume it is safe. Please continue to pray!!


Haiti:

We are all stunned and the media is a great way to keep informed. However, to get more intimate with it all...

Aaron and Jamie Ivey live in Austin, TX. They've already adopted a boy from America and a girl
from Haiti. The Ivey's have been working for 2 1/2 years to adopt Amos, who is still in Haiti. He is safe and they are working desperately to complete the adoption and bring him home. Here is a video that Aaron made for Amos.




See their interview on CNN here:

http://amfix.blogs.cnn.com/2010/01/15/familys-adopted-son-in-haiti/



Also, the Livesay family are missionaries in Haiti. Here is a very encouraging post on their blog about God's sovereignty and concern for the least of these...

http://livesayhaiti.blogspot.com/2010/01/day-eight.html