less than two weeks

I'm coming into the final stretch of my time here. Actually, I’ll be home in only 13 days. That seems so surreal to me. Time has really flown past, especially in the last few weeks. I'm looking forward to getting back and seeing my family, but I can’t imagine life without babies around all the time. I take it for granted that I can recognize the way each one cries and laughs, and that I know how to make each one happy, and why they are sad. Each child is so unique, and loved because of his/her uniqueness. I do have a ‘favorite,’ but I love every single one of them more than I ever thought was possible. It is weird to me how they’ll never remember me, but I’ll always hold memories of them in my heart. I’ll look at pictures of them for a long time to come, but within a few months (or less) of my leaving, they won’t even remember who I am, especially when they grow up

The good news is that so many of them are getting adopted. Only 3 kids that are currently in big babies will be left after September, one from small babies is leaving, and all but 3 from Starfish (special needs) are leaving. It makes it easier, to know that all of my (and God’s) precious little ones are going to a good family that will love them even more than I have been able to

I've started trying to process everything that’s happened to me over the summer, from the conflicts to the days where I didn’t think I could possibly be any happier, to the lessons God has taught me through the good and the bad. I've become so close with my roommates and those who don’t live with me, and I've gotten used to seeing them every day. The staff here is like family—everyone refers to each other as auntie or uncle, no matter how old or young the other person is. Last week the staff had to all come in at the same time for hepatitis injections, and it really was like a family reunion, with laughing and loud talking and a lot of loving. I've worked the most with Francinah, who is the house supervisor and lives here, and Brice, who is in charge of big babies, and who I always work with (by the way, Brice was reading over my shoulder as I wrote this, and he says hi). They are some of the most wonderful and giving people I've met in my entire life, and they’ve sacrificed so much (a better job, shorter hours, etc) to come here and love on the babies

Getting adjusted to ‘normal life’ is going to be hard for me. I don’t even know what to do with myself when I get back, so I’ll probably try and stay busy so I don’t have to think too much about it. I do know that I have to do something with babies, whether I get a job with them now or work in the nursery at a church or something like that. I'm crazy about that age group, which has proven to be so much more interesting, challenging, and dynamic than I ever could have imagined

I’ll write again sometime, but until then just be praying that my time here in the last couple of weeks is fruitful and memorable. Heather and I leave for Cape Town a week from tomorrow, get back on Sunday, and then leave for good on Monday. It’s definitely gonna be a whirlwind, but I'm excited! Thanks for all your prayers =)

technical stuff

So I thought I'd talk about the adoption process, since it is such an important part of life at Door of Hope. All adoptions are run through an organization called ABBA Adoptions, which currently (unfortunately) is not able to send kids to the US, Canada, or the UK. Most kids go to Scandinavian countries (Holland and Denmark mostly), although DOH always tries to send kids out locally. Usually, the only kids adopted locally are either very fair skinned or twins. When a family wants to adopt from DOH, they send an application in, along with a scrapbook of their family. All families that adopt a kid have to 'certify' that the child will be raised in a Christian home, which is awesome. Then, the kids who are eligible for adoption (more on that later) are matched to the families, who then receive a scrapbook of their future child. When the parents come to pick up their child, they have to stay in Joburg for 2 weeks, to ensure that both sides transition in smoothly. After 2 weeks are up, the family comes back--usually with the child--to tour DOH, ask questions, and affirm that everything is going well. I recently got to meet the families of two recently adopted children. That was so rewarding. It was amazing to see how quickly the children became attached to their new parents and siblings. It was such a blessing to know that those little ones are in good hands, and that the older one still recognized me! I absolutely cried a little. God is actively redeeming hopeless situations in the lives of these kids and their new families

In order to be eligible for adoption, a lot of things have to happen
1) the child has to be physically ready for changes, and must obtain written permission from a doctor that he/she is healthy enough
2) either the closest relative has signed away the kid for adoption, or
3) the South African court has deemed it necessary to become the legal guardian, starting the process
After the mother gives permission to put the child up for adoption, DOH gives her 2 months to change her mind before starting the process. If a relative visits the child, the process is delayed by up to 6 months. Although this is a fairly good system, there are parents who refuse to take their child back, but visit every six months so he/she can't be adopted. If this happens and the court doesn't (or can't, if the parents are not South African) take over, the child goes to foster care until his/her 18th birthday, which is so sad

In general, though, this system works quite well. Since coming here, 6 children have been adopted, with another leaving Monday and 6 more already matched, to be adopted soon! Hopefully this was helpful to you guys. I'll write again next week. Oh, and if there's anything specific you wanna know about, feel free to let me know =)

craziness

Oh, what a weird couple of days

Friday morning, Heather (and not anyone else in our room) woke up to the sound of a loud alarm, because robbers had broken into the office, which is around the corner from our room. They stole 2 computers, but God was in control, because they could've stolen so much more. Also, it would be fairly normal for them to come upstairs and find people in the house and injure or kill them, so I just thank God that that didn't happen. Everyone is safe, and none of the babies were harmed, but now we're working to make sure that doesn't happen again

Yesterday the power went out, but the generator kicked back in. Until the evening. Then, the lights went off and on about 5 times, and finally cut off for good. We had to rush one girl, who needs assistance with breathing, around to try and find some more oxygen. Fortunately, though, it went off early enough that we could call the handyman, who fixed everything within a short amount of time. Like I said, God is definitely in control over here

I can't believe that exactly 3 weeks from today I'll be home. To be honest, I'm getting pretty homesick. I love the babies, but 2 months is a realllllllly long time, and it has felt like a lifetime since I first came here. I love it here, but I'll definitely be ready to go back soon

Speaking of, I'm going to Cape Town with Heather at the end of the month! I'm so excited, because that means I will get to see penguins! It'll be a great break after working for 2 months straight, and I've heard it's a beautiful city. I'm so looking forward to it, and we are blessed enough that we get to stay with Melody's family or one of Heather's friends, which is much safer and cheaper than a hotel

Overall, it is just really obvious that God has His hand over me and everyone here, and this entire place. We have two sick babies right now, so continue to pray for them, and that God keeps us safe from any more robbers or attack

Thanks for all the prayers so far, it is crazy to see how God is answering them =)

life continues

Last weekend was really long. The babies all decided to start crying on Sunday afternoon, and didn't stop, for 2 solid hours. Needless to say, I was ok with not working the next day. I have until Thursday off, so I don't have much on my agenda besides reading, playing guitar, and catching up on some much needed sleep

Please be in prayer for Door of Hope. I can't be very specific, but there is a lot of stuff going on here that isn't so good, including some personnel changes. The situation just isn't very happy, but I can tell that we're getting hardcore attacked because of all of the awesome work going on here

In happy news, the second Baby House reopened! It has been closed for awhile due to renovations, and it opened this week. It will officially be running as soon as we get a new baby. We've had some problems with over crowding here recently, so this is definitely a good thing

I only have twelve days of work left, which is crazy. Of course, that's interspersed throughout the next month, but that's really not much at all. I feel like I'm completely settled here with the routine, and the days usually don't seem as long as they did when I first got here. I know the routine much better than when I first came here, and I feel pretty comfortable with all the kids. Another one got adopted Monday, which is awesome. A lot of them have prospects, and I think we'll see a lot of babies go out of here before I leave. I know of a few already, but every day I find out more. It's really exciting

Other than that, not too much is going on here. One of the small babies is pretty sick, so be praying for her. She really needs to pull through these next few weeks if she's gonna make it, so it's pretty crucial that she get better soon. For some reason it's not working for me to put up a photo of the baby house for you guys, but I put up a bunch of pictures on Facebook, if you wanna see them. Have an awesome day =)