Happy 30th Birthday, Elizabeth!
Today is my sister, Elizabeth's, 30th Birthday!! Elizabeth, if there were any other place I would rather be right now, it would be with you celebrating your big day! Know that your birthday began here 7 hours before it did in West Palm....I started the celebrations in Tanzania!Click on the links below to see special messages from some of my new friends:
motiono.com/watch/CreNuMuO
(Note the Swahili and English versions!)
motiono.com/watch/OmeNuMiU
(I love this little one's falsetto Operatic voice!)
motiono.com/watch/CtRSSTMi
(Note the Swahili and English versions!)
motiono.com/watch/OmeNuMiU
(I love this little one's falsetto Operatic voice!)
motiono.com/watch/CtRSSTMi
I have never felt as purposeful and joyful as I did this morning. Grace and I were able to take Mwadenny behind the school and bathe him, cover him in lotion and get him dressed in his new clothes! Might I say that his whole demeanor changed when he put his new clothes on- the smile returned! It was a very happy day for my little angel. Here are some pictures him all dolled up! (I didn't supply him with extra large Jackie O-type glasses....those are actually mine! He loves to play with them, but has never put them on until today. He must have been feeling quite studly, as well he should.
We took him back to his neighbor who is watching him and explained that we will work with her to potty train him and bathe him, but that she must stop mistreating him if he wets his pants because he has never been taught to use the potty.
Grace is amazing and will continue to take good care of Mwadenny after I am gone. I am so thankful for her love for him.
Precious little Mwadenny getting all soaped up- soap, a bucket of water and a khanga to dry off with did the trick!
Grace and Mwadenny post-bath! How cute does he look?
Me and my little guy
Mwadenny looking good!
We took him back to his neighbor who is watching him and explained that we will work with her to potty train him and bathe him, but that she must stop mistreating him if he wets his pants because he has never been taught to use the potty.
Grace is amazing and will continue to take good care of Mwadenny after I am gone. I am so thankful for her love for him.
Precious little Mwadenny getting all soaped up- soap, a bucket of water and a khanga to dry off with did the trick!
Grace and Mwadenny post-bath! How cute does he look?
Me and my little guy
Mwadenny looking good!
11 comments:
What a great way to start our day! Please tell Grace how we are grateful for her dedication to all the children, and special thanks for her special attention to Mwadenny.
Loved the video clips of the singers! They are great! We'll miss you at the birthday party later, but you wouldn't like the (sausage) lasagna anyway! But, on the other hand, maybe you would!!
Take care......ss
SML -
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! What a terrific birthday present!! I just loved the singers!! Please tell them I said "Thank you and that I loved it." It was the best present! You will be missed today, but I know you're doing better things!! Have a great day!
Love,
Elizabeth
a wonderful way to start my day at work! I, too, am grateful for Grace and Mwadenny and how they have allowed you to see your purpose in going to Africa... Can't wait to talk soon. Have a great day! awb
Hey Lauren--
I needed to read your blog before I got started at work this morning.... How exciting to see the smile return to little Mwadenny's face--it put a smile on my face, too! (That picture of him all soaped up is precious, too.) May God continue to use you to extend His grace to "the least of these."
Jules McGill
Lauren,
Oh Happy Days! Keep the good news coming - you "guys" are making a huge difference in the lives of these kids and just as we remember our "best teachers" they to will remember you!
In my case it was Brother Peter Leonard my chemestry teacher. While I don't remember much about chemistry I do remember the life lessons he instilled in me. Some were tough, remember homework, Bill Todd and the keys but all had a positive impact on my life.
Love
Dad
denny sure does clean up good!!!he is a cutie and you are doing an amazing job not only with him but all the others.to put a smile back on a childs face is one of most wonderful blessings a mother can pass on. remember, mother theresa never had her own but she took wonderful care of His children and you, my precious neice, are doing the same.God bless, aunt elizabeth
Hi Lauren!
I love reading this blog... I love the pictures, the stories, and all of your reflections on the whole experience!
Mwadenny is precious. I got all misty-eyed when i saw him in his new clothes!
I can't wait to see you again. Take care, and keep having an amazing time. I'm thinking about you!
love, Whit
Speechless and happy right now for all the work you and your team are doing over there. Mwadenny looked like a handsome lil' man in those new clothes!
It reminds me of all the "clothing" references in the Bible. You're not only clothing him literally, but with righteousness as well. Isaiah 61:10 says, "I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness...."
Rock on!
Oh, and Happy 30th Birthday, Elizabeth! Come February, I'm be there with you... :o)
Lauren,
Your Dad pointed me to your blog tonight and I must say that I am very proud of you. Just spending a little time absorbing all that you and your friends are doing for these children is wonderful and life changing for them I am sure.
You are a special person.
Elizabeth....if you are out there, Happy Birthday!!!!!!
Hope to see both of you soon.
Bill
Lauren and group:
Lynn and I have been amazed at the experiences you are having and shareing with us.
We are sorry for the sad times that you are experiencing but were so pleased to read about what you were able to do for Mwadenny!
You are certainly blessing those children you are working with and making such a difference in their lives (loved the end of the video trip you shared to the school with the children mobbing your vehicle with nothing but excited smiles).
Thanks for sharing your adventure with us. God bless you all!
Much love... Gary and Lynn Evans
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