Billy boy <3, he's my favorite. 

Kathleen smiling while Joyce blows some bubbles. We had a 'bubble party' in the nursery, and the babies had a blast.

Mary Rose talking to herself and playing with the puppy stuffed animal.

This is Courtney's group picture of the babies. Her goal in life for this year is to eventually get a group picture where they're all looking at the camera, but this really shows their personalities. Elizabeth (back, left) is technically a toddler, but she was okay to join the picture. Bumba (Jacob Kipchumba) is sitting in front of her on the far left, putting a bracelet in his mouth. That's accurate, because he's always putting something in his mouth: rocks, dirt, etc...we have to watch him so carefully! Billy is in the front, sitting beside Jacob, looking sheepish. He's a clown; just so crazy and funny. Enoch is hidden behind Billy, pouting about something, and probably looking for "Ai-Obi" (Naomi). Mary Rose is in the middle, the center of attention. She is Greg's favorite; he always says "Mary Rose Chesung, you are the reason I came to this country." She loves to clap her hands and make noise, and she was doing such a good job of keeping Kathleen propped up, but nevermind. Kathleen looks a bit concerned about tipping over. She is very sweet and quiet, though, and has a beautiful smile already. Next over is JoEllen, and as usual, she is crying about something. In the striped blue sleeper is Jeremiah, and he's very resilient. He's tiny, and he's always doing something adorable. Behind him is Johnny, who is pretty small and still coming out of his shell, but he's starting to show some interest in things and have his own personality. Lastly, Faith Ann is on the far right. She is so precious, and she was found in a latrine, badly burned by the acid. She is completely better now, though, and I love to think of the great plans God must have for her life. She is so graceful and soft. She has a beautiful face, and she has absolutely stolen my heart. <3  

Billy snuggling with the puppy dog :)

BUBBLES.

Dennis is so responsible, and he loved blowing bubbles for the younger kids. He and Duncan, Hannah, Judith, Mercy 1, and Mercy 2 had containers of bubbles, and everyone else ran around chasing them. The kids actually swat at them with their shirts and jackets, too, which I guess is practical –you can pop them faster. They’re so resourceful. 

Here’s Hannah blowing bubbles for the kids. She’s a little shy, but after I got to know her, she is such a sweetheart, and so smart and sensitive. Yesterday, we built a play dough town together, and it was fun listening to her imagination working. She has a lot of creative and thoughtful ideas. –and she gave me one of her hair ribbons the other day. I picked the yellow one to remind me of her blond hair and how joyful and bright she is. 

Another PACKAGE :)

Thank you Steve and Jackie Cooper for the lovely package of toys and things for the kids and babies. You thought of everything <3. 

Stickers, and bubbles and play dough, and crayons, and a glow-in-the-dark puzzle, and a coloring book, and lollipops, and stuffed animals, and a Bible with a bookmark, and silly bands, and mints and gum! 

Awhile ago, my mom emailed me saying that 'Team Cooper' had sent me a package. I wasn't sure if it would make it, but today, Greg came home from Kericho with a large cardboard box and said "here you go." It was so full of surprises and so many good things, and it was a giant blessing. I can't wait to blow bubbles with the kids and watch the babies snuggle with the stuffed animals. -And the toddlers will love the coloring book. -and EVERYONE loves lollipops! 

Me and the girls :)

Little Miss Mary Rose. She's getting spoiled from sleeping with us all week. 

set apart...for Me PHILIPPIANS 3:8
"The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God with surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." PHILIPPIANS 4:6

BATH TIME :)

The girls braided my hair yesterday afternoon. They loved doing it, and I loved talking and listening to them while they worked. Cheppers is in the lower left hand corner, Mercy <3 is on my lap, Maureen is sitting on the bench, Judith is in the red sweater, Mercy 7 is wearing the pink skirt, and Joseph just wanted to be in the picture.

Extra! Extra! Read All About It! :)

-Currently: Mary Rose (mom), Hannah, and Winifred and Rose Alice are staying at the Tea Hotel for a break :) 
-The kids have off school for a week, so the babysitting will be nonstop. 
-Despite everything that 'dad' is working on right now, he brought us donuts one morning (!), and gave us his old TV so that we don't have to use our laptops for movie nights. We watched "Cast Away" to celebrate :) 
-As the administrator/leader of the Home, Greg really keeps everything running. He told us his testimony over breakfast Monday morning, and emphasized that he knew all about God and that he 'lived in church' when he was growing up, but completely missed the message that there is actual power to live in Christ through the Holy Spirit, which is what empowers him to do everything he does now. Please pray for strength, perseverance, and God's presence with Greg. 
-We have to take care of the babies overnight this week, and so far, sleeping with babies has gone very well. We had just Mary Rose in our room for two nights, and tonight we'll probably have two or three babies. 
-Mallory and I pushed our beds together, and Mary Rose sleeps in the middle, so we can share the responsibility. Last night was pretty fun: we're almost like a family with our own baby to take care of. Courtney makes the bottles and puts her to sleep, and Mallory and I just have 'night shift.' It's good practice getting her ready for bed (pajamas/clean diaper/bath/bottle), and getting her dressed in the morning.
-This week God has been so close to me. He really carried me through and used circumstances to strengthen my reliance on Him. 
-Courtney and Mallory are both excellent team mates: I love them both. You can always pray for us, that our friendship would be strengthened, and we would continue to support and encourage each other.  
-After skyping with my family (which was glorious), I was pretty homesick for a few days. However, God has been faithful, and I keep reminding myself that I'm only here until May (it's not forever, -I will get to see my friends/pets/family again). I'm about halfway through my assignment, and I really want to focus in and persevere. 
-I had a wonderful quiet time this afternoon, I think it was 2 hours: journaling -writing out my thoughts/feelings-, praying, and reading through the Bible as well as The Purpose-Driven Life (which is excellent), and listening to worship music.  I really needed that.

"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does."
-WILLIAM JAMES <3 

Banana bread and blessings

MMM...banana bread. We had several overripe bananas, so we mashed them up and mixed in some flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, butter, eggs, and vanilla, -and chocolate chips :) That was our Wednesday night power outage activity. 

Yesterday, Mallory and I gave Billy and Faith Ann 'real baths'. Maybe every two weeks, the babies are dunked in cold water, but we had some nice warm water ready for them...and lots of bubbles. This is the same basin that we use for laundry, and even to wash each other's feet, which was a fun ceremony several days ago. Our feet get really dirty here, and foot washing is always better when it's really necessary. We read John 13, took turns cleaning each other's feet in soapy lavender water, and then gave each person a foot rub and a thick, clean, cottony pair of socks to wear. 

PACKAGE FROM DANITA :) :) :) She sent me Crystal Light drink mixes, individual Jif peanut butters, honey sticks, vanilla tea, Mrs. Beachy's homemade hot chocolate mix (yum), a lovely card, and a SIMBA PICTURE that she colored for me...I have the best best friend in the world. <3

The Simba picture in it's place of honor :) 

Prayer Garden pictures

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