Here it is, the day that we have all been waiting for. We’ve thought about what it would be like, dreamed about it, planned for it, and now it’s here:
HOPE IS FULL!
Rejoice with us as we welcome Leah Isabelle Christian, the twentieth girl at HOPE.
Leah is from the Haitian town of Jacmel. Many from that area are familiar with her story as it was on the radio. For those of you a little out of range of the Haitian radio stations, I’ll share with you her story. Leah was found by a stranger, wrapped in a sheet, discarded under some trees and bushes. She was taken to the local police station. The police turned her over to a big hearted lady to care for her while they attempted to locate family. No family was found and this lady had more heart than resources. She had eight children of her own and could not care adequately for everyone. She went to the home of some missionary friends in Jacmel who also run an orphanage. They were full and they don’t really take in babies so they called us. We worked out the legal issues and last weekend, we travelled to Jacmel and brought home our little sweetie.
We knew the little one we were waiting on would be special but Leah is a SUPER special gal. She is about 6 months old (it’s difficult to judge age on size and developmental milestones when kids are severely malnourished, you have to watch them and gauge what they could potentially be doing if they had received adequate care and nutrition) and tips the scale at a little over 8 pounds. She has the typical symptoms of malnutrition; poor skin tone, muscle wasting, dry brittle hair, bloated belly, and stick-like arms and legs with swollen joints. She also has the typical skin infections and fungal rashes, scabies infestation, scars, and scabs. What does she have that is atypical? JOY!
I’m telling you, you have never seen a baby in such poor physical condition smile as much as she does. She coos, babbles, grins and laughs. She reaches for toys and she loves to look at faces. Right now she is on a bouncy seat on the table where I am working. She is babbling so much I can barely hear myself think. She is grabbing the toys I have suspended above her and soon she will be letting me know it’s time to eat (again!!).
We are truly blessed by a loving God and privileged to be a part of Leah’s life.