Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Day 2 at the FMN homes

Today we brought bubbles for blowing, yesterday we brought supplies and gifts for all the kids, tomorrow is a surprise!
The kids are warming up to the camera, as well as us.   We had a lot of smiles!  Barry was funny...he started to cry everytime I walked away from him, he was even trying to 'noodle' his way out of the wheelchair to get down to try to get to me.  Barry has improved so much in his ability to move.  He loves air walking, but mostly loves to be held.  He's got a million dollar smile!  Korpu came right up to me for holding, Melvin did come to me with some coaxing, John was all smiles, William continues to amaze me with his desire to hold my hand and walk around with me.  Karen has been gaining some good weight, and her skin has cleared up so nicely.  She had terrible sores when she came into our program, was even chewing on her feet and lip.  She's looking great now!  Gborlee is just cute, period!  Grace loves to giggle and practice walking...she's adjusting quite well to her foster mom.  We did not have time to see Favour today, but will tomorrow...her foster home is farther out.  Angel, Eric, Surprise and Mohammed are the 'quadruplets!'  Their foster mom, Kou, is an amazing woman...she beams joy and love for each one of these boys.  It was such a treat to spend a long time sitting and chatting with her, and holding all the boys.  Today was a great day of 'chilling' with the moms and loving on all the kids! 
Barry all smiles!

***After several attempts to upload pics, it's just not working.  Most of the pics for the blog will have to wait until we get back to the states.

I forgot to mention this...yesterday the foster moms had bought fresh watermelon for Michelle and I.  We all sat around at Kou's and enjoyed it thoroughly!! 

Monday, March 14, 2011

Posting from Liberia!!! Our first full day!

Our first full day in Liberia was FANTASTIC!!  I may have a short window of internet time, so I won't waste it on writing, but more importantly, share pics!  Michelle did a great job with the pictures and I can't wait for her to fill up the week with more pictures and video! 
All the FMN kids look soooooo beautiful and healthy!!  WAHOO!!  I absolutely loved seeing the growth and improvement of each of our kids.  I am so proud of Josephus and our foster moms!  They are all so dear to my heart, and I am so appreciative and thankful for their commitment to the care of these special little ones! 
William (Christina's little butterfly), smiling and giggling!!!  This beautiful boy could not smile or laugh when he was first brought into our program 6 months ago.  Look at him now!!  That's my boy!!!! 

Handsome Mohammed!  I don't think he could be any cuter!!

Gorgeous Favour...she's so beautiful!

Foster mom, Esther, with our newest little girl, Grace.  She's loving sharing her sucker with Mom!

Eric pondering.  This is one of the few moments he wasn't
 doing silly faces!

We will be visiting the kids almost everyday while we are here.  So...if we have internet, I will be posting everyday with pics.
From Liberia, Christina

Monday, February 7, 2011

The FMN program has been rated EXCELLENT!

I just received this news from Josephus today...

..."The Ministry Of Health & Social Welfare unexpectedly came to our FMN Homes today.The team consisted of five members, including those from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. They really praised our program  for quality caretaking and graded us excellent!"

This just makes me beam with great pride for all our team members on the ground in Liberia!

Great job Josephus!  Great job FMN foster moms!!!

Friday, January 28, 2011

WE FINALLY HAVE OUR 4RUNNER!!!

After many many  months of delays at the port in Monrovia Liberia, Josephus finally has his much needed vehicle for the FMN program!  All glory to God! It is truly a  miracle that we got the truck out of port, and everything inside the truck was right where we left it when it was packed here in August. 
Other than the battery needing a jumpstart, everything is great!  This will be a HUGE blessing to our program, Josephus, all the kids and the caregivers!  Thank you to all who were instrumental in aquiring the 4Runner, through funds and contacts.  Thank you to the team in Liberia who persevered, stood their ground, and never gave up! Awesome!!  WE OFFICIALLY HAVE A FMN VEHICLE!!!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Meet handsome Mohammed...


Meet our newest member to the Forget-Me-Not Program!
This precious little guy has Cerebral Palsy.  These pics are taken from the hospital where he was abandoned.  He is now in a FMN home with his wonderful foster mom, and is adjusting nicely.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Please pray for our FMN kids...

Our Precious Patience...

It's with great sadness that I am writing this post.  To our shock, Patience passed away from Malaria on Tuesday morning.  The sweet and goofy personality that Patience brought into the family of FMN kids and caregivers, will be severely missed.  She had the most beautiful face and cutest giggle.  There is just a huge emptyness now.  She will be missed....I'm just at a loss for words...

Our FMN kids are so vunerable to every aspect of life in Liberia. Malaria is a huge killer for all kids in Liberia...especially 'special needs' kids.  Our program does what it can to prevent this killer, but we are so limited.  Please pray that the government will follow through with their word, and allow 'special needs' kids to be adopted.  Just being able to get these kids out of the country, away from Malaria infestations, have the access to sufficient medical care and be adopted and loved into their forever family will be a huge step.  I'm so tired of watching kids die from such a senseless killer!  The death of Patience has given us all the more reason to fight and advocate for the lives of these precious children.

We will miss our beautiful princess, Patience...

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Day 6

Josephus and Christina having a meeting with the FMN foster moms

Therapy "refresher" course using Favour as our 'model'


Stretching Barry

Barry

Barry 'happy feet!'

Barry and foster mom

Josephus and Christina having our meeting with the foster moms


Denise and Melvin

Korpu 'platting' her dolls head

Patience on the phone...again

Bubbles!

Gborlee clapping...


Treating the foster homes with donuts and juice for breakfast!

Josephus and Christina
Co-Directors for FMN!