What the Lord is showing me…

I have learned new things and been re-taught old things since I have been here. Jesus shows me how much He loves me through these babies. He has rescued each and every child here and they are His children. In John 14:18 it says "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." That verse jumps off the page to me and comes to life everyday. He has not abandoned these sweet babies. He has bigger and better plans for them than they could ever imagine. I believe that with all of my heart. Psalm 18:19 says "he rescued me because he delighted in me." Oh how He delights in His children. 

I also think about the moms who are in such a state of confusion, fear, anguish, weariness that they only have one alternative. Some moms may not have the financial resources to take care of themselves. Some may be scared to be a mom. Some may have been raped and don't want to deal with it for the rest of their lives. I am not saying I agree with these women, I am just trying to have a heart to understand where  these situations may be coming from. I look at these children who are all so beautiful and know the Lord has had His hand on them since they were born. They have come out of such darkness and yet the Lord invaded and now there is Light. 

I ask you to pray not only for the babies but also their moms. My best friend gave me a few cards to read while I stay here. One of the cards she gave me spoke volumes into my heart. So I am going to share a piece of it with you.

"Jesus is always pursuing us. Whatever mess the babies or mommys have been in or are in He wants them too. He wants to restore, renew and redeem them. To make their story a story of grace, not a story of bondage, mistakes or regret. It's hard to remember the mommys as you hold these faces but you are also holding part of them. Speak freedom over them. They need it." -Krista Miller

What a reminder to me as I pray over each and everyone of these babies the Lord has rescued. I ask that you pray the same. 

The Kiwis…

I don't know what it will be like when the New Zealand crew leave. I guess I will be finding out soon. I am not one to open up to people quickly. Yes, I may tell you whatever you want to know and yes I will be your friend super fast but I have a way of separating my heart and mind. I can let someone in without them actually touching my heart. 

These Kiwis made their home right in my heart. I have never met three people who all have different personalities and yet I adore each one of them individually. They have brought so much life and joy here at the baby house. I've enjoyed my time getting to know them very much. If this is how all the New Zealand folks are, well I might just move there. 

I plan to make a trip there to visit them soon. They are three people I will never forget and know I will see again! 

Volunteers will come and go but I will always remember the time I spent with the Kiwis. 

Elephant Sanctuary + Lion and Rhino Park….

Since we don't get out of the baby house much unless it is to go to the Glen, it was super exciting to know that a trip was in the works for us to go some where special. The date was set for Saturday the 7th of September and  the plan was made for us to go to the elephant sanctuary and the lion and rhino park. I was super excited about the elephant sanctuary because I have never seen an elephant before. I went to the lion and rhino park last time I was here but I never saw rhinos. So the night before I packed my lunch and book bag for the next days adventure. 

We left the house at 6:30am and headed out towards Hartbeespoort Dam. The first tour is at 8:00 and it took us about an hour to get there. It was so beautiful driving there because I got to see the country and the sun rise. When we got to the elephant sanctuary the tour guide told us some rules and a little about the elephants. All I remembered about his talk was that the elephant is only your friend if you have food. No food, no friend. Ok, gotcha. So the first thing we got to do was brush the elephant. The trainer stood with me the whole time and fed the elephant. So I think…ok that wasn't a joke. This huge guy isn't anyones friend unless they are feeding him. I was told that brushing him helps him because if it's not done then parasites make their home in the elephants wrinkles. Weird. You're welcome elephant. 

Next we walked up on a dock type platform and came down one by one to walk with the elephant. I was told to lightly hold the inside of his trunk in a cupping formation while walking fast with him behind me. So in a way I would be leading the elephant. I seriously laughed while walking around the pin because I felt like I was in a parade. So of course I got stupid and started smiling like it and hamming it up for the cameras. 

We walked through the woods to see the oldest elephant there and feed him. He was huge! Seriously I have never seen a living creature that large before in my life. I wasn't the first to volunteer to feed him. After we fed him we walked back into the woods to be met by two other elephants where we were told about them. Their skin, feet, tail, emotions…everything. I got a sloppy wet kiss (not the one David Crowder sings about) from the elephant. So now I can say my last kiss was from an elephant. Yes, and I will tell everyone that. 

It was really neat learning about one of God's creations. He made them super unique and brilliant. He made them with personalities and defenses. He made them large and quite. It's such a beautiful thing to see God's creation and encounter it as well. I must say that He did an amazing job with the elephant. It is by far the most amazing animal I've ever encountered. 

YouCaring.com

I don't know if everyone knows about my fundraising website. Here is the link to it if you feel lead to give. Thanks for your prayers and support!
Amanda is going to Africa | Mission Trip - YouCaring.com

Small babies…

So I have to say, working in small babies is the most emotionally draining for me. Why, because in small babies is where we receive the babies right away who have been abandoned. They go straight from the hospital to small babies. The stories I hear and the things I see are enough to make a hard hearted person cry. It's so so sad to hear how these sweet little angels have been abandoned. It seems like every story I hear it only gets worse. I would share some stories with you but I am not allowed and its for a good reason. I see these babies come here that are so small their heads are the size of my fist. Some of them are 6 weeks old and still so tiny because of neglect. My heart aches for them. Then the Lord whispers to me "My Child, I have rescued them, I have saved them, I have rescued you and I have saved you." Wow, Jesus. Thank You for that reminder. 

It's also challenging working in small babies. I just want everyone to know working here is no walk in the park. (I am totally being funny and serious at the same time). In small babies you learn what a dummie is super fast. In English or American it means pacifier. (In my language it means a savior of the ears) And man I can never find one when a little infant is screaming there nappies off. It has been an eye opener for me because I've never taken care of an infant so small. The first infant I cared for back at home was probably 2 months old. Some of the babies we have are 6 days old. The first time I had to change a few day old baby I was scared I might break him. Geez it was hard just changing him because he was so tiny. They only allow long term volunteers to work with the small babies. I was so excited the first day I worked because my favorite Auntie works in small babies. Auntie Veronica. She is a fiery pistol. She means business when its about the babies but  she can crack a joke on you super fast. She is such an example of Christ to me. She shows those babies tough love. A love that they need to see and experience. 

Starfish…

Have you guys ever heard of the story about the starfish? Let me enlighten you. 

A young girl was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. People watched her with amusement.

She had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, “Little girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You can’t save all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference!”

The girl seemed crushed, suddenly deflated. But after a few moments, she bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied,

“Well, I made a difference to that one!”

The reason I tell you that story is because that's why these toddlers are called starfish. Here at the Door of Hope it is overwhelming when we hear the statistics of babies that are being abandoned. But because of the Door of Hope they are making a difference even if it is just 30 babies. And it brings tear to my eyes to know the Lord is using me to be apart of this wonderful organization that is making a difference in the world. 

So I had my first day in Starfish. It was interesting to say the least. I was very worn out by the end of the day. I absolutely love ALL of these children here so much. So the toddlers are around 1 to 2 years old. Most of them can walk (so they are into EVERYTHING) and the others crawl (they are also into EVERYTHING.) Only a few can talk (so they repeat what you say). I learned a few things here that are different from working with big babies. 

1. Their nappies (diapers) smell atrocious and I want to change them asap. 

2. Don't leave the outside door open. (they escape. hello, they can walk.)

3. I say the word "no" more than I breathe.

4. I can never hug to much. (these sweet kiddos like their hugs)

5. These kids (unlike big babies) like their food…so I shovel it in as fast as I can or they will cry!

6. I can have 6 kids sitting on top of me at once. I don't know how they manage it but they do.

7. Outside time they find the smallest item in the world and naturally it goes in their mouth. (glad I know child CPR).

8. Sharing isn't an option. (if sharing does happen, a miracle from Jesus was just observed)

9. They. Are. Heavier. (geez, these kids can eat…so they weigh more. Obviously)

10. They are the ones who get adopted more often. So, since I have been here I have seen 4 toddlers leave and one go to another house. Now that will make you happy and sad all at the same time.

The toddlers are so much fun to work with because their personalities are very much present. They are already becoming their own little person. Some of them like to cuddle and some of them you have to attack and say "You are going to hug me whether you like it or not." (Ok, maybe that's just me because I'm a weirdo.) (They do love me even when I force love onto them). It's harder working with the toddlers. Mainly because it is way more physical work. None of them are potty trained. So lifting a heavy child to a changing table 8 times can definitely work my arms and back out. It is also so rewarding. They are the ones who like to fight over who sits in my lap or who gets to hold my hand. So the fight for love and attention is rampant and believe me I've got lots to go around. I distribute it as evenly as I can. At the end of the day I am exhausted and fulfilled all at the same time. I fill physically drained but emotionally and spiritually filled to the measure. It's a weird feeling, but I like it.