Casa dos Bebes (The Baby House)
Lena & Enocue
If you know me well, you'll know that I LOVE multiples. We have 3 sets of twins in the BH and they are all under 3 yrs old. Fun times. Here's set #1 about to make 5 months: Lena (L) and Enocue (R).
Enocue is the loud, pushy, attention-seeking, and the slighty more high-maintenance twin. Lena is mostly laid back, sweet, smiley, and quiet unless she REALLY wants something...then she'll speak up.
Francisco & Lourenco
Set #2 is just about to make 20 months in a few days: Francisco (L) and Lourenco (R).
This picture says it all about their personalities. Francisco is slightly blurry cause I couldn't get him to stand still long enough to take the picture. He has a sneaky grin on his face, cause he is quite the character. He runs circles (litterally) around the other toddlers (until he gets dizzy and falls down), thinks he's the boss, is loud, and pretty much thinks he's super funny and deserves your attention...he can be a bit mean at times when the other's don't follow his direction.
Lourenco is laid back almost to the point of laziness. He has been able to walk across the room for the last month, but rarely does cause he lacks alot of self-confidence and would rather crawl. He hardly speaks unless you pull him out of the group and then he's constantly pointing out things and wanting to see everything. He loves to cuddle and is absolutely a sweet boy! It takes a little effort to get him out of his shell and make him smile and laugh.
Lucy & Vasco
And....set #3 just turned two years old in the middle of June: Lucy (L) and Vasco (R).
Lucy is all girl, shy, quiet, and sweet (until she gets frustrated that is). Once you get her out of the group, she comes alive, her personality shines, she laughs, smiles, and talks up a storm. Vasco is the dominant twin, is loud, outgoing, and loves to start a little trouble. They definately have the twin thing going, special language and all....they look out for each other (esp. vasco for lucy) and love each other!
Alberto
pronounce: "Al-bur-two"
He's the newest addition and the youngest by just 2 weeks. He's 4.5 months old and weighing in at just 8 lbs....but otherwise really healthy. This is his first night on the center and he's actually in my bed laughing, talking, and smiling alot. He's super sweet. He has such a fire and light in his eyes. I think he's going to be a stronger fighter!
He's mom tried to abandon him at our gate last week, but we put her on our milk program hoping we could help her instead. But 6 days later...here we are....loving on a very precious addition to our family.
Lena
pronounce: "Leah-nah"
She's 4 months old and twins with Enocue. She's the more laid back half of the set and content to smile and coo at you most days. She's super sweet and loves to cuddle. Their mother died when they were 3 wks old, we got them at 6 weeks, and we're still trying to get them up to their goal weight. We just started wearing newborn clothes and they still weigh as much as a newborn. That being said, they are very appropriately 4 month olds developmentally and demand attention.
Enocue
pronounce: "Ee-knock-ee"
he's half of the 4 month set of twins. Sorry he's smiling so wierd here...we just made 9 pounds (YES-that IS progress)! YEAH! He's developed quite a personality and loves to be talked to and to smile at you!
Freddie
pronounce: "Frraid-dee"
Actually, his name is Alfredo, but....we already have one and his family had nicknamed him this already, so that's what we are calling him. He's turning 1 yr in about 34 days!! He can military crawl, and sit, but we are working on the rest. He's our newest admit and only the size of a 5 month old. We are trying to get him fatter and stronger. He has a beautiful spirit and a big smile (when you can get him to laugh and smile-he's still settling in)!
Antonio
pronounce: "Anne-toe-knee-oh"
He's the youngest of the toddlers @ 15 months and is extra super sweet MOST of the time, loving to cuddle. His mom died when he turned one and his grandmother quickly abandoned him to us. We're trying to work through some abandonment issues he's showing strongly at the moment.
Alirio
pronounce: "A-leer-eh-oh"
HAHAHA! Smiling is my favorite....
He loves to smile and giggle and he thinks he is hysterical. He kinda is. He taking steps..we're up to 5 in a row now, but he's really off balance and so he's proud of himself just for standing. Just about to turn 17 months and loves to explore. We often laugh and say he is a very typical fat african baby. He has such a dark complexion with huge eyes and round tummy.
Mindah
pronounce: "Mean-dah"
She is the only girl in the youngest toddler group, but that does not let it stop her. She is very competitive with the boys. She learned to blow kisses first and was walking pretty fast as well. She's very sweet, but has learned how to get her way as well. She just turned 17 months in the middle of August.
Also, she's just found her stomach this week and thinks it's fun to show it to me constantly...she's teaching the other tots too...thank you Mindah!
Francisco
pronounce: "Fran-sicsh-coh"
This is very typical of Francisco. He's twins with Lourenco and learned to walk first out of the toddlers...he's running now. He showed us that he knows how to feed himself last week and loves that he can. He's quite a little character and is starting to be very very vocal. He's the ring leader of the bunch. He had a slight hitting problem for a few months, though I think he's outgrowing it slightly since we moved him up to the next age up room...he's now smaller than all the other kids and starting to be a little more insecure.
Lourenco
pronounce: "Lore-rin-sow"
He's twins with Francisco and is the much more quieter, laid back half. He's too lazy to walk at the moment all though he can do it, just prefers to crawl...much safer and faster. He's very much less vocal than all the toddlers and prefers to just sit in laps or cuddle...although he can be sneaky when he wants to. He just turned 19 months at the beginning of August.
Dino
pronounce: "Dean-oh"
He's 22 month's now and HIV +. He just started on ARV's and boy have we seen a change in the last few weeks. He refused to crawl most of the time cause it wasted too much energy so he would just sit there quietly while the others played. Now he's crawling everywhere and can even pull himself up. He would LOVE to walk, and sometimes is frustrated by how behind he is, but he's getting there, just needs a little more beefing up. He's started talking alot now as well and has just blossomed. He's very sweet.
Sina
pronounce: "See-nah"
She's turning 2 soon, but rules the baby house. She's been with us since she was very little and came in very very tiny and malnourished. She has since flourished and has quite a mothering, bossy personality for such a petite little thing. Even the bigger kids listen to her. She's learning English as well.
Luis
pronounce: "Lou-eesh"
He just turned two and is VERY mischevious! He is all boy, has lots of energy, is very stubborn, and thankfully, a sweet smile. Did I mention Luis likes to eat? He's a champ and is quick to swipe food off his nieghbor's plates if they aren't quick enough.
Luisa
pronounce: "looh-eaze-ah"
She just turned 2 and here's she's eating cake at her party and wondering why everyone else is getting a piece of HER cake! Apparently she likes cake, ALOT! She's very sweet, a little mischievous, and has beautiful eyes.
Nemias
pronounce: "neyh-me-ash"
He turned two as well. He's one of our HIV + boys as well. His father is a pastor working for Iris and his mother died when he was around 1 from AIDS. His father was unable to care for such a sick little toddler already showing signs of HIV by himself. We are working with him to hopefully permanently reintegrate him. He has such a personality and was near death, in a coma with multi-system organ failure for over a week back in March. You would absolutely NEVER know! You might recognize from the picture of me and him on my prayer cards from when I was a visitor!
Vasco
pronounce: "Vascsh-coh"
He's two and twins with Lucy. He's the more dominant twin and wild and rambunxious at times, but very sweet. He has a great smile and laugh and loves his sister.
Lucy
pronounce: "Lew-see"
She is Vasco's twin. She is the quiet girl of the 2 year old bunch and seems to be slightly over dominated by their personalities, but when by herself, she has quite a personality herself.
Alfredo
pronounce: "Al-fray-due"
Alfredo is 2.5 years old and has cerebral palsy. He cannot speak, sit up, or feed himself. He can hear and see and listens very attentively whenever anyone talks to him. He doesn't respond to much, we know that he is listening and understands when loved on, talked to, and held.
Ryan
pronounce: "Rhee-ahn"
He has a head full of curls and follows suit-He is either really happy and giggly or REALLY mad and screaming like crazy. He'll be 3 at the beginning of November.
Martinha 3
pronounce: "mar-teen-yah trrracshe"
She's 3 and about the size of an 18 month old and looks like a live doll...no joking. She's spunky and we're just starting to see her personality as she settles into the BH.
Her mother ran off and her grandmother was locking her into her house all weekend without food on a frequent basis. The neighbors called the police, who called social services, who called us. And now we are blessed with this sweet child.
Julio
pronounce: "Jshuwl-lee-oh"
He's our newest kid. He's 3 years old and arrived with his brother. His dad is with his other wife and wants nothing to do with them. His mother is in end-stage AIDS and can no longer care for herself, so is being moved to a Catholic charity center where they cannot care for kids as well. His 6 year old brother had been cooking for them when there was actually food in their grass house. He only speaks his tribal language, but is adjusting here pretty quickly. He recently tested HIV NEGATIVE!!!! He is super ticklish and loves to play and just be a kid again!
Raquel
Pronounce: "Rah-kel"
She will be 4 almost on my birthday. She has such a pretty smile and loves hugs. She also likes to seek attention from the medical staff occasionally by claiming her stomach hurts...yeah we're on to it! She also has a precious laugh!
Neto
pronounce: "Ney-two"
He's almost 4 and loves to help with the smaller boys when he's able. He's mostly sweet and helpful.
Augustino
pronounce: "Auh-gosh-teen-oh"
Martinha dois (2)
pronounce: "Mar-teen-yhah doysh"
We have two Martinha's and she's number two. They know which one they are and introduce themselves that was as well. She'll turn 4 at the beginning of September and mother's all the littler tots. It's very sweet. She has a gorgeous face.
Daniel
pronounce: "Dan-yule"
He's cute and about to be 3. He's usually quiet and sweet. He has a 1.5 yr older brother in another camarata here and occasionally they have play dates.
Sam
pronounce: "Ssahm"
He's 4 and very much a boy-runs fast and loves this "motorcycle." Mostly he's a good-natured, sweet boy when ideas aren't put in his head by some of the others.
Yuran
pronounce: "ure-ahn"
He'll be 5 in 2 weeks. We took him from another children's center as well. He was well over 2 and couldn't walk or crawl...he just sat in the same place all day. We were told he was paralyzed on his left side. Well, most days he can be seen jumping and running around and although he does have left-sided weakness in his arms and lef from a stroke at birth, he's made up for it and get's by just find. He's great at focusing on one thing...and won't let you forget it!
Joao
pronounce: "Jshoe-ouw"
He turned 5 today! He's one of the oldest in the baby house as well as one of the ones that has been there the longest. He is HIV + and loves to be helpful whenever he can.
Nilton
pronounce: "Neel-ton"
He turned 5 in May and is ready to move up to the "Toddler House" in the spring. He can be a great leader when he wants to be, but also can negatively impact some of the younger ones when he gets a little over rambunctious.
Carmina
pronounce: "Car-mean-ah"
Carmina's 6 with a beautiful smile and heart even though she can't talk. She's happy 99% of the time and has a wonderfully pure soul. We're working with her to get her walking and feeding her self. I also have doubts that she's 6...thinking more like 8. Although, her mental age is right about 2 years.
Arsina
pronounce: "Are-scene-ah"
She's almost 8 and the oldest "baby" in the baby house. She has such a quiet spirit and generously loving heart. We acquired her from another center where she was found neglected and badly abused. She suffers many emotional and mental delays because of it.
Bercario (Nursery)
Lucilia
pronounce: "Lue-see-lee-ah"
She's exactly one month old and our newest addtion at the moment. She's quite cute and weighs in a little over 7 lbs. She super sweet and kinda small. She reminds me of my preemies...or maybe I've already been here too long, cause she seems small to me. Clearly she wasn't up for the photo opp today.
Her mom was 16 and died 2 weeks after giving birth to her. Her family was feeding her Cremora which is a powdered milk creamer you put in coffee until she was referred to us. Now we feed her MILK! She likes it.
Dionisio
Pronounce: "Die-o-kneeze-eh-oh"
Here with his favorite thing: the floor mat. If only I could make him believe playing on his tummy was just as cool! He was really sick and near death for his first 3 months of life. He just made 6 months at the end of July and is still playing a lot of catch up developmentally.
Reintegrated or Adopted Tots
Eliana
pronounce: "Ele-eee-aah-nah"
She turned 7 months at the very beginning of August and has NO problems in the eating department. She's very sweet, demands attention, has been sitting on her own for about a month now, and likes for you to hold her so she can stand up. She's often smiling. laughing, and cooing. She is always healthy. Her mother left her with a neighbor to "go to the store" when she was a newborn and never came back. We have yet to find any parents or relatives. She is currently up for adoption and will bless someone very much!
Mateus
pronounce: "Mah-tey-ush"
He's about to be three at the end of September and has had a hard time acting it lately with a little rebellious period. If he' smile wasn't so darn cute at times, he'd make you wanna pull out your hair! Other times...he's more than sweet and helps with the younger guys!
Martinha Um (1)
pronounce: "Mar-teen-yhah oohm"
She has a really pretty smile and loves to laugh. She's 4 already. She also likes this special pudding I made for her.
Telma
pronounce: "Tel-mah"
She's a little over 4 years old and has been in the baby house since she was very little. I'm actually just starting to get to know this bright little girl as she went home for a short family visit that turned into 6 weeks (the family dumped her when she was really little and sick, fearing she had HIV and was dying and then just resurfaced....apparently it was working out so well...there's a home visit in the near future for her family). She's always smiling and giggling and tugging on my shirt though!
Dezembro (December)
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Novembro (November)
Lucilia
Lucilia needed some play time. She's 7 wks and been hard at work at being our baby model for demoing to the new tias how to care for a baby properly. New nursery opens monday! hip hip horray! needlesstosay. she was great at being a baby.
Big kid playground
They never get to play out here...they have a small one just for them...but today they got to play on the big kid playground. ohhhh.....ahhhhh....
Tias
Here's some of the tias that work in the BH, hard at work....well, watching the babies play on the big kid playground. They do a wonderful job being mommas to all these tots!
Dino is....
WALKING! well, he's running too. he's cute. he finally looks like a 2 yr old now that he's caught up and the ARV's (med for HIV) have finally kicked in.
Estou pronto.
"I am ready!" Dionisio's ready for dinner!!! or tea (in British English) or jantar (in Portuguese) He likes to help me by using his own spoon and putting it into his mouth (occasionally with things on it). Clearly....he's a righty!
me and Dionisio
pre-dinner feast of yogurt. can you tell how excited he is.....no really, he is....he just doesn't express it properly.
ps...it's hot. really hot. like 105 with humidity. no airconditioning. i'm sweating. just so you know.
Dionisio is eating....again...for the moment
Well this week we are celebrating that he has been eating 2 square meals a day with me (opening his mouth and all) of apples or yogurt. It's progress. did i mention he didn't spit it back out at me or vomit it all up afterwards? well he didn't. He like chefe (chief) dionisio time and sitting on his throne (the bumpo chair). Really, i just think he's partial to me.....good or bad....
Depois.
"After" This is the after dinner picture.....good thing you couldn't see what I looked like....we both get a little messy. it's fun...he likes it....and i get to shower later. :) hey, whatever it takes, right?
Reintegration party!
Telma (left) and Martinha 1 (right) are being reintegrated. We're celebrating with bolo (cake)....what else right?
Telma
Telma's being reintegrated as well. She's 4 too and was abandoned here when a baby out of desperation. She's older now, can help, and it's easier to feed a 4 year old than a baby. The family is ready to have her live back with them.
martinha 1
Martinha 1 is being reintegrated and going to live with her father. She's 4! Her mother died and she's finally old enough to help and be slightly productive. It's time to be reunited with her real family.
Praying
At her reintegration party, praying over martinha before she leaves.
more prayers
praying over Telma
chow time
We try to teach the big kids to help the smaller ones when we can. This is Arsenia helping out Lorenco as he eats his cake. yum yum
Nao mais???
"No more??? What? That's all the bolo i get? I want more!"
-Dino pitching a beautiful i'm 2 years old fit
Vamos pasiar
sometimes this is the best part of the day....."vamos pasiar" sweet words to my ears.....it means let's go pasiar....we don't have a word for this in English, but it's kinda like going out and doing nothing....walking arnd the center, whatever....and it means a few moments of peaceful bliss with only the smallest on blankets playing
Walking
lack of push toys means freddie's learning to walk with a chair....and LOVING IT! he thinks he's such a big boy. He'll be walking on his own soon. he cannot wait!
The Bercario
The new nusery is open! yeah. Thank you PJA for the donation for all the beautiful mobiles. D and L love them.
dionisio sleeping
Dionisio sleeping in his new home the nursery. I know he's 9 months, but he's a special case resident. And he's eating up the attention.
Tia Rassue
One of the tias with Lucilia and Dionisio.
Lucilia's dreaming
Lucilia sleeping in her bassinette. We are using these for all the tiniest babes until they get a little big. It makes them feel all warm, safe, and nested. They love it!
Sewing
One of our missionaries, Betty, teaches the girls how to sew. These two girls helped make all the curtains, quilts, blankets, and linens in the nursery.
Carpentry
Another missionary, Bob (husband to Betty) helps some of the boys learn carpentry. They made all the cribs, cabinets, and shelving in the nursery.
feeding time
A few of our tias at feeding time with Lucilia.
Presenting Bibles
Hilda (one of the Bercario directors) presenting Bibles to each of the tias and cleaners.
Tia Madelina
One of the tias feeding Dionisio. She's muslim. We are praying for her and hope that she can see the Truth as she works alongside of us.
Biblia Sagrada
The Sacred Bible.
Dionisio is trying to showing Madelena that this is the WAY to the one true Lord. From the moment we gave it to her, he started hitting at it...it was pretty cute since he doesn't respond to too much and being that she's muslim.
me and D
me and Dionisio hanging out waiting for the festa to happen. He's thrilled. no really, he is. believe me. I'm fluent in Dionisio faces...this one has excitement written all over it.
Beautiful EMPTY beds
We are WAITING.....for all the tiny orphans. We are praying for the smallest, most destitue, and true orphaned babies that are in desperate need for a home, love, the Truth, and hopefully a forever home later!
Outubro (October)
Fiona's bday bbq bash
at the bbq really hungry.
L to R: Sharon (trying to hide); Becky-mother of Graciana, host of the bbq, sister-in-law to the bday girl, and homeowner; Graciana-almost 2 yrs old; Fiona-the BDAY GIRL; Rachel; Laura; Brooke; Sarah
yes, as missionaries, we must coordinate our outfit, so the kids know who we are...today was black and pink today (i hope you know i'm totally kidding....this was very very coincidental)
BBQ-the girls
Fiona's bday party-BBQ time!
L to R: Ellie-mother-to-be; me; Becky; Graciana laughing-Becky's daughter; Fiona-BDAY GIRL; Sharon; Rachel; Sarah; Brooke
I know, i mentioned it was pink and black day...I did get the memo....not seen in this picture is the other guests arriving late wearing purple like me (kid you not)....it was really black, pink, and purple day.
The boys-playing with their toys
The boys trying to manly and grill for us.
L to R: Valdemar-Brooke's Fiance; Jonny-Fiona's brother and husband to Becky/father to Graciana; Alex-father-to-be and Ellie's husband
a traditional bbq
a traditional mozamb....i mean American/English bbq....it was kinda a fight as to who does it better...we have a fare mix of Americans and English so we gotta spar a little.
and now I crown thee...princess fiona
You know I had to do it...the kids always ask her where Shrek is...she hates it. I think it's funny.
Jonny, presenting her none other than a woolworth's cake...if you were here...you'd understand. But Laura added the pretty green bow, and Rachel and I added the fun yummy strawberries. and yes, she's turning 1.
My chalet
Fiona, Rachel, and I went away to a brand new resort about 10 minutes from our base. It's called Lisi Resort and run by a South African Christian. She is super sweet and has immensely blessed us...especially with a place we can go away to so close.
This is my bedroom in my AIRCONDITIONED chalet.
just another bathtub ?
Since the only time I see a bathtub is when I pay to stay away at a place to relax....it makes me smile....this one even has jets! oh yeah. I definately took some down time.
my front porch
This is the view I had from my front porch looking out to the main house, the garden (with a spa in back for the massage chair, pedicures/manicures, and spa shower), and the pool with REAL lounge chairs!.
I had a little breakfast table that sat on my porch too. It was so quiet and relaxing. Ahhh!
The garden
A close up of the little side garden
The big front porch
There were places to dine, and cushy couches to lay on out of the sun....the one on the far left could seriously fit 3 people INSIDE of it....oh and there was a pool table...
Couches
Couches are few and far between here on the base....but these were so comfortable and could easily fit two on it. We were always fighting over them!
A view inside
Lindy did an amazing job with this. We all feel like we're back in the States or England. It's great. She had such fun lighting. It was a real treat to stay there.
Relaxation
The little living room area off the main dining room at Lisi.
me, Rachel, & Fiona
At lisi resort goofing off after dinner
Rachel and me
more goofing off...
Mindah hanging out with me
Mindah's the only girl her age and she's hysterical. She knows my name and often calls me over for very serious 20 month old chats in toddler babble portuguese....I often have absolutely no clue what she's saying. So I bought even more girly toys for my room and brought her over to play just the two of us. We had fun with all the dolls and kitchen toys.
Me and Mindah
She smiles I promise, but she was so interested in my camera-she just kept reaching for it. little stinker! needless to say, we had fun anyway!
Dollies are fun
Mindah playing with the boneca (doll) at my house. She's feeding it papino...well, kinda
Where IS it?
I know it was in here somewhere.....no where IS it?
-Mindah
Lena
Lena copping an attitude cause I wanna take a picture of her learning to sit!
Dionisio, very content to just play with his toes, on the left, and Alberto to her right
Lena, Alberto, & Enocue
It's playtime! Lena and Enocue have just learned to sit up and they love to do it! Here they are playing with Alberto who is 2 weeks younger but a tad smaller and still working on the sitting up thing.
It's hysterical cause they are almost 7 months but are only 13 lbs and the size of 2 month olds. It looks so funny.
WHY?
Dear erin, you know I hate to sit up. Why do you insist I do it. I am very content to just stare at my hand, play with my feet, and see the world from my back. I think it is a cruel punishment. What did I ever do to you? And ps...stop calling me Eyeore. I do smile, once in awhile. I've even laughed, once.
-Dionisio
Actually, this is the FIRST time he sat up for 2 minutes unsupported and DID NOT cry hysterically while he was doing it...as if it's THAT big of a deal. As you can tell, he's still not thrilled with the idea. He's about to be 9 months in days. :(
Septembro (September)
Labor Day!
No! They don't celebrate this holiday...and I don't NORMALLY! But i thought I could remember my country since I was missing home a little. The "blue" playdough...is in fact "blue" not green. I made edible play dough and bought cute cookie cutters and introduced them to the art of playing with your food....they were confused!
What do i do with this?
Some got the hang of it...others were just confused....is it food, toy, what?
me with the kids
L to R: Nilton, Arsenia (clearly more interested in the new car she's playing with), Sam on the fun yellow/red ball (wondering why I'm trying to get him into the picture) and Telma next to me (very bored with the photo shoot)
I bought a few toys to keep in my room, so the kids could come over and play occasionally: toy cars, balls, giant leggoes, a whinnie the pooh coloring book with crayons, and Mozambican dollies.
Edible playdough??
Let's first take into account that most of them have never seen playdough before...and even I had to recount what I actually did with it when I was smaller.....oh to be young again.
Rachel with the kids
Snack time is fun time....we've started at least playing after the snack time....I'm hoping it will grow into a Sunday School time as well...bit by bit...little by little.
Nilton loves the new cars...and I think Sam (far right) is jealous that he's holding two.
Jannie's hen party
at Macaneta Lodge celebrating the fact that Jannie's getting married!!!! yeah....boo for her being gone for 3 months! yeah hen party means-bachelorette party....too many Australian/New Zealandors, and British here!
starting with the bride to be and going to the Left: Jannie
(in veil and pink sash), Vella, Erin (1), Nancy, Sarah, Fiona, Linda, Becky, Betty, Tracey, Me, and Dionisio in the stroller.
more chicken coop
Jannie's holding Dionisio's hand....I kept trying to give her him as her engangement/wedding present...but she just wouldn't take him. I mean she saved his life and all, he's in love with her, and would love a family.....now, I'm trying to convince James, instead.
Eliana's last day!
She looks so cute in her red polka dot dress. It's her last day at the center. Eliana's being adopted by Ameila, a Mozambican that works in Human Resources for us. She went to go live with her on a 6 month trial basis before it becomes official! Yeah for new families!
Amelia and Eliana
This is Amelia her adoptive mother. Eliana was just woken up from her nap to go to her forever home...clearly....the impact hasn't hit her yet. They are both in love with each other!
Julio and Mana Tracey
These were the first laughs and smiles we saw from him after he arrived on the center. Immediately after this picture he started actually talking to us....in his tribal language, since he doesn't speak Portuguese. We couldn't understand him and he kept just saying something over and over....so we got a tia to interpret and we asked what he needed/wanted. He said, I don't need anything, I just wanna play! Oh how sweet he is!
Talent Show!
We had a talent show...this is the preliminaries. We are picking one group/team from each camarata this round that will go onto the finals where even the missionaries will perform....any suggestions??
These two boys were the directors for the evening...they dressed up....love the cowboy hat....reminiscent of home! They did an amazing job introducing the teams and keeping things moving and all the kids interested.
Laura's dorm
These are the youngest boys outside of the BH...they reside in the camarata de mana Laura...these are some of her youngest boys singing a song for the talent show.
more from Laura's dorm
These are the older boys in her dorm singing a song and dancing.
Mana Vella's dorm
Mana Vella has a small house for a few kids that need a little extra attention and aren't quite ready to go from the street to the camarata. Here they are singing a song and dancing.
Girl's dorm
There's only one camarata for the girls...there's about 40 girls that live here...this are some of the middle range girls singing a worship song and dancing. The video didn't work like it was supposed to, so one of the older girls just jumped in and sang the song for them!
more of the girls dorm
Here's some of the oldest girls from the girls dorm singing a song.
Good vs. Evil skit
This skit was about going to the witch doctor to get healed (white dress with the "cross" on it) and how he cannot really help or heal you....he isn't the way. They had the pastor in blue reading the word, leading people to Jesus and performing miracles...eventually he converted the witch doctor as well.
This was a really cool skit cause this is so prevalent in the society and probably all the kids have probably gone to or seen a witch doctor at one point in their life. Also, alot of the cultural beliefs are intertwined with beliefs from the witch doctor and satanism, without the kids even understanding it! They did an amazing job!
Praying
The "pastor" praying for the sick to be healed.
witnessing
Witnessing to the drunkard and getting him to convert to Christianity. The kids are so perceptive. They had 3 weeks to prepare and we told them they could do whatever they wanted. This was such a cute skit.
The school skit
This one was about staying in school and studying hard....the boys are so creative. It was cute! And I love their costumes.
slackard
what you could turn out to be if you were a slackard in school....
more from the school skit
it was really cute...too bad my Portuguese still isn't that good.
skit #3
My Portuguese really failed me here...or perhaps it was late, cause I couldn't understand this skit. But I love the blue hair! The boys love face paint.
dance time
Some of the boys showing off their dance moves....sorry...after the younger dorms, I can't distinguish since I never work with them!
Another dance group
This dance group was great too....I love the matching outfits. Some boy band director somewhere would love them.
Agosto (August)
It's birthday time!
Nemias and Luisa turn two years old. At the beginning of each month we celebrate all the birthdays with cake, singing, and candle blowing. They LOVE it!
What is this spongy substance?
Eating cake like the big kids
Can we puhlease just sing the song and eat my cake?
"Aren't ya'll ready YET?? Let's get this show started. I want cake!"
-Nemias
CAKE!
excuse me...
Ladylike way to eat the cake...
and then...yummy!
WAIT A MINUTE!
Snack time with room 1
it's pudding
snacks are good
Arsina loves to smile and to have her picture taken. She also loves my yummy pudding I made for them (pudim in Portuguese).
Milk mustache
Room 3 enjoying snacktime
Francisco trying to figure out the "big boy" sippy cup up front; Lourenco behind and to the left with his "baby" sippy cup; Luisa in the way back, completely engaged with her pudding; and Nemias on the right thinking he really liked the last bite he had...mmmm
Nemias and pudding
Snack time at my place with the older toddlers. Look we have brand new toddler bowls and silverware and sippy cups!
Luisa likes milk too
perhaps luisa just likes food....in fact she does! Especially pudding with chocolate chips in it and really good milk!
Francisco feeding himself
He just got mad oneday at the lunch table and refused to eat anymore food we offered him after a few bites....then when the visitor who was trying to feed him looked away, he snatched up the spoon and started shoveling food in his mouth like a big boy. He doesn't like to be left behind. Here he's eating pudding at snacktime at my house.
Francisco likes it too
Trampolines ARE fun...especially when Jannie is bouncing you up and down on it!
Jannie and Lourenco
Jannie is trying to get Lourenco to break out of his shell and smile since he really is enjoying the trampoline by holding him and jumping up and down...he just doesn't express himself very well!
Nemias on the trampoline
This was his first time on the trampoline and he LOVED it by the expression on his face!
"Vella's Room"
The room I stayed in at Blue Anchor Inn for this past weekend for a much needed little R & R. It is called Vella's room, cause one of the other missionary's here stays there quiet often and now it's named after her. I wonder why she would want to do that?
Really big tub
Yes...it's a picture of a BATHTUB. Cause I haven't seen one in 3 months except for the makeshift laundry tubs we bathe kids in...it was really big and the water was HOT and I took long baths! YEAH!
such a big room
And I had it ALL to myself for the whole weekend! I felt really blessed.
comfortable reading chair
I spent alot of time out here on the verandah reading during my time out of the center. The weather was beautiful and it was absolutely quiet
Trees
Giant trees...I had a pretty view from my verandah
Birthday time again!
Sina (L) and Luis (middle) turn 2 and Joao (R) turns 5 years old! Hooray for cake and candle blowing!
cutting cake
Luis, Sina, and Joao helping to cut their cake. It's tradition.
Joao blowing out his candles
He's turning 5 and blowing out ALL those candles! He was really excited about it!
Birthday Cake face
apparently, Sina does like birthday cake.
chow time
I'll say it again....Luis LOVES to eat....it could be his nickname....or his first name:food. It doesn't show on him, but he can pack away the food!
Freddie playing before bedtime
I think he's settling in quite nicely.
My dolly
Mindah loves to play with this dolly at bedtime...I don't know why. Good thing she remembers she's a girl with all those boys around!
Future REAL football player??
Alirio was grabbing the ball and walking quickly back and forth between the cribs (he's just been walking for a week so he can't really run yet). Clearly he has no problem gaining weight either...he is SOLID....I think he'd make a great football player.
Almost pulling up
Freddie put on almost 2 onces in 3 days after being with us...and he started pulling himself up to kneeling position last night....he was contemplating really hard how to get to the standing position cause he love it when you stand him up and let him hold onto the side of the crib rails.
I never smile
Ok, not true. Lorenso does smile it just takes a lot to get him out of his shell and he NEVER smiles for the camera little stinker. You'd think we tortured him or something.
peek-a-boo
The smallest tots have just been given the freedom of running around in the Big kid play area in the BH and boy do they love it. Mindah found the play structure with cut out shapes you can climb through and was excited to show me how she could climb through it too!
WHY?
I came in today to find THIS expression and THIS shirt on my friend Dionisio! Coincedence? I think not. He was slightly confused and concerned about why he was wearing a UGA bulldogs shirt....frankly, I was too...especially with football season kicking off in days....I mean doesn't hospitality censor the donations we get???
And then....
And then....I explained to him that God loved him no matter WHAT t-shirt someone had put him in for the day and so did I....and that I KNEW he was truly an Auburn fan at heart. War Eagle! We did a little chant, sang some songs, and this was his expression......
a baby in my bed
Alberto-His first night at the center...he's sleeping in his moses basket on my bed inbetween feeds. I love sleeping babies! He's 4.5 months old and only 8lbs.!!!
Julho (July)
outdoor worship concert
dancing
Face painting
Celia & Joao
follow the line
Dino and Erin 1
Playtime
Some of the older boys playing on the play set outside of the school.
me and Dionisio
Dancing fool
Are you ready for some football?
How beautiful is your singing
Dionisio
Playing bells
In Celia's garden
tall and short
BEACH!
Bliss
me and Celia
She's really happy to do be amongst peace and quiet and beauty
There is no one around...
notice that NOONE is on the beach? perfect!
the 3 of us
me on the left, celia relaxing in the middle, and fiona on the right....admiring the beautiful ocean
Tiny boats
These beautiful tiny boats were all over the beach. The Mozambicans use them early in the morning to go out fishing and then just leave them near the dunes.
more boats
I just really love these boats. and believe me...they may not look so small, but they are!
Sunset at the ferry
The ferry from Macaneta back to Maputo. It was really just a floating piece of concrete they stuck lots and lots of cars and people on...it really freaked me out actually.
Senator Frist visits the BH
former TN Senator, Bill Frist and his son, Harrison visited Iris Ministries with Samaritan's Purse, who supports some of our programs. Here he is with some of the kids in the baby house.
photo shoot?
No, this was NOT a staged photo shoot! This is pretty much all the 2yrs and older tots from the baby house.
The medical team with Sen. Frist
Game day!
mad hops
looks like someone's winning...and someone's a little behind...
Carmina "walking"
on the track
playtime
Oh how he loves the play mat...best invention ever! One day, I WILL make playing on his stomach way more fun! Until then, this occupies most of his day!
laura's birthday party
Laura (in the middle in black) turned 25 (again) and we all came over to her place for yummy food one of her chefes (older youth that help out with the dorm) had fixed since he had just finished a cooking class.
L to R: Hilary (helps with BH and teaches sewing to the girls), me, Jannie (nurse starting a community nursing program and occasionally helping me in the BH), LAURA (runs the dorm for 6-8 yrs old boys), Anna (director of girls dorm), and Rachel (helps with BH and with girls dorm)
All of us are from the US except Hilary (Great Britain) and Jannie (Denmark)
Junho (June)
Alirio is funny
He thinks he's funny...and he's feeling LOTS better today, so he wanted to show me how much he could smile and laugh.
I'm quiet
Lourenco is quiet and hard to get to come out of his shell...he is for sure the mellow half of the twin pair. He is very sweet and bright too! Just a little shy.
Blowing kisses
The kids learned to blow kisses pretty quickly cause I would always do it to them when I was leaving them at bedtime or naptime and they thought it was funny. Antonio is showing me he knows how to blow kisses too.
"Naptime"
I'm REALLY hungry!
Why did you not feed me more at lunch?
-Mindah
treatment time
but sometimes
Proof
no fair
Journey to As Casadas
short trees...oxymoron?
I love all the short trees....and all the pretty colors
God is wonderful
I am in awe of this place.
more pretty landscape
perfect colors
I'm just amazed by all the colors...and this is winter (the dry season).
As Casadas
Serenity
Me & Celia
my shadow has escaped!
CACTI!!
The dam
Minha Casa
Welcome
Welcome! I have a small work "room" in back for my computer desk & a shelf. My bathroom/shower is back there too
I love this chair
Beautiful sunsets
double the luck
more of my room