Hope came to live with us from a small Akha village in the Golden Triangle region of Northern Thailand on 10 February, 2003. She is a delightful young girl, growing strong, and we are so blessed as we guide her and help her learn about important things in life. She loves making friends and learning about the world!
Garin’s mum was very sick when Garin was born, and she was more than overwhelmed. She eventually left him at a local hospital to be cared for there. When Garin came to us in August 2003, he was 2 years of age and very, very sick. In June 2004, around his 3rd birthday, Garin took his first steps. Now Garin has loads of energy. His smile lights up his face, and it is very clear that he loves life.
Garin continues to struggle developmentally, mostly due to his hearing impairment, but understanding is growing by the day. He flourished with homeschooling for some time, and now attends the local school where our other children are. It has been our overwhelming joy to have been a part of this little guy’s journey back to health. Now he is strong, attending school, and is such a delightful, active, young boy.
Foon joined our family on 4 May, 2004. Initially he was very timid, but as he felt more secure in our care his exuberant personality emerged. Foon’s smile and confidence has charmed many. He is a very gifted young man, easily understanding all that is taught at school. We are often seeking ways to extend Foon’s keen desire to learn.
Mae was two years of age when she came to live with us along with her eight year old sister, Belle. It was March 2004, and their lives had been turned up-side-down. I continue to marvel at how resilient and adaptable children can be. Mae is a delight to be around, very loving and caring, always watching out for those younger than her.
On 31 August 2004 we were contacted by local hospital workers. Bam, two years old, and her brother Bom, four years old, were no longer able to live with their grandmother. Bam has the most beautiful laugh, and a very sweet, gentle spirit. She loves going to school, and when she comes home she and Mae pretend that they are at school and make up homework for each other. We are so glad that she and her brother have a safe place to grow and play and live together.
Bom came to us with his sister Bam, on 31 August 2004. Nowadays, we marvel at God’s goodness in rescuing Bom and we are so grateful to God for the way He restores life. Bom continues to have the opportunity to go to school and we have seen a lot of growth in his life. Please pray for him as he grows and matures.
Jonathon came to live with us in July 2004 when he was six months old. He is an out-going ‘people person’, charming others as he chats with people he meets each day.
All the children in our family look to Belle as their ‘big sister’, and she is a huge help with the younger ones. Belle is growing fast, now in her teen years, she is beginning to look toward the future with hope & joy. She is a mature young girl, with loads of potential, and although she is small in stature, she more than makes up for it with her big heart.
Mai came to us on Aug 23, 2005. She was severely malnourished, had pneumonia and was very, very sick. At almost 2 years of age she weighed only 7.3kgs. It was a struggle to get her eat, even keeping fluids down was almost too much for her. She barely had the strength to sit, and most of her hair had fallen out. She had to be hospitalized, needing IV antibiotics as we struggled to get her pneumonia under control. After a few months, she ‘turned the corner’ and was able to hold food down, started to gained weight, and became much stronger and healthier. Slowly her body responded to the love and care and healthy foods she was given. She finally became strong enough to take her first steps at age 3. She has continued to progress well, and if you’re lucky you’ll get to see her vibrant, heartwarming smile.
Josiah was born on October 27th, 2005. Josiah is the first baby that we have had since birth. He was a very good baby, he rarely cried and grew in leaps and bounds. It was great to see him learn to crawl, and then walk. Life is one big adventure for Josiah. It’s hard to believe how quickly he has grown, he now attends kindergarten at the local school with the rest of our children.
Nui was born on March 2nd, 2002. When she was 14 months old, her mum had to make a most difficult decision. Due to her failing health, she needed to entrust her daughter to another family. We are so grateful to God for allowing our paths to cross with Nui’s mum, and in May 2003 little Nui came to live with us. Nui has grown into a beautiful girl. She has a very sweet spirit, she loves cuddles, soft toys, ballet and things that are pink! She is a good friend to many.
Non’s is third generation HIV, his mother a teenager; due to his mother’s young age, as well as her HIV+ status and that her family are very poor she was unable to care for Non. He came to be with us on January, 26th, 2011 when he was just 6 days old. He has been a very easy baby to care for and has gained weight well. Recently we have been blessed to receive the news that he is most likely HIV-, although we won’t know with 100% accuracy until he is a year and a half. He is indeed a joy and welcomed addition to our family!
