A Day of Contrasts: Preparing for Dayspring Grand Opening & Visiting the Baby Hospital

Today was a day of contrasts for both Randy and I.  We started the day out with going to Dayspring to help clean it from top to bottom in preparation for the Grand Opening tomorrow afternoon.  Upstairs in the family living area, we cleaned the bedrooms, straightened up the living room, and dusted everything.  Downstairs in the dining room and training room we cleaned the walls, set up the chairs, oversaw the hanging of pictures, sweeping the patio, setting up the furniture in the family meeting room, anything that needed done.  It looks GREAT!!!!

Dabu hanging the Kyrgy seal at Dayspring in preparation for the Grand Opening!

Kids room at Dayspring - New bedding, curtains - all waiting for the first child to arrive.  God's perfect timing!

House mommy and sisters!

Pastor Ken & Jackie with the new furniture for the front room at Dayspring.  This is where the children will visit with their families if appropriate and possible.

Julie with one of the house sisters!  (house sister = her parents are the house parents for Dayspring)

Helping hands!  Fixing lunch for the cleaning crew at Dayspring.

Emma Wright painting the boarder in the training room.  There will be painting canvases hung here each painted by a child living in the home along with their picture.  When the child leaves they will take it with them.

Tomorrow will be an amazing day with the the Minister coming, along with other officials to share in this amazing event!  Please pray for FAVOR!  Something like this isn't without stumbling blocks along the way.

The afternoon, Randy and I took a trip to the baby hospital.  This is the hospital that has been blessed by LAMb, the Wrights, and others over the last few years.  When the doctor was eventually told who I was (mom & Lynn's daughter) she was so proud to show me the kitchen cupboards that LAMb helped put in.  John Wright talked about helping to get flooring put in, new washing machine, new beds (which were being delivered while we were there), new mattresses, etc.  Making a place that was dark and dreary to something with hope.  The area where they work the most is in the back where mothers with sick babies stay until the babies can go home, where the abandoned babies are left to live until 6 mos old when they head to the baby orphanage, etc.  When mothers come with their children they stay in the hospital with them until the children can go home.  They have to bring their own bedding, food, etc.  It's not provided by the hospital.  They stay in twin beds with up to six per room.  To tell you this was an easy visit I would be lying.  This was the hardest visit for Randy . . .  There are 28 children in the orphanage right now.  Two of which are abandoned.  Baby Hope (abandoned) has been there for a bit and was named by a previous team member that was here when she was born.  The other is Rosa - a two year old girl who was found Saturday night on the street.  Her mom is an alcoholic and from what I understand she want's nothing to do with her daughter.  This little girl stole our hearts but more so Randy's heart.  If we could bring her home we would ... When we first got there she was scared - shaking, crying - lost.  Our hearts broke - she was so precious.   We left briefly during our visit to run back to pick up a baby blanket & a few Webkinz (Thank you Chris & Emma!) to take share. We gave Rosa a little pink puppy and a purple blanket.  Our prayer is that these gifts go with her and bring her comfort.   When we returned with the gifts, the nurse wrapped Rosa in the blanket for us to get a picture.  Rosa wouldn't come to be but the nurse handed her over and I started to bounce her and talk to her and she realized it wasn't all that bad!  Oh my . . . she stole our hearts.  When I started to talk to her she just looked at me . . . I then realized I sounded funny!  What crazy words I was using!!!!  She just looked in awe and wonderment.  What does her life have in store for her?  If her mommy doesn't have a change in heart and not able to be adopted or put into a foster home she will live the rest of her life in an orphanage and the at the age of 15'ish age out and placed on the streets - to the drugs, prostitution, sex trade.  What kind of life is that?  What kind of life do the children here have before them here and other countries where the children have no hope?  My heart is breaking . . . this child (and all the others) need hope.

Mattresses used in the baby hospital.  LAMb with the help of sponsors (and others) are replacing them along with the beds.  Thank you sponsors!  I saw first hand how your loving support is making a difference!!!!!

New beds being put together!

Sick little one with a Webkinz - Thanks Emma!!!!

This little one got a frog from Randy and I!!!

This little one was so sad!  I have her a toy and it scared her.  I felt so bad.  She eventually took one from me.

Cabinets in the kitchen bought by LAMb.  The doctor was so happy to show me what LAMb has done for them.

This is Rosa - she stole our hearts.  She is abandoned at the age of two by an alcoholic mother who no longer wants her.  We have her a blanket that Chris sent along with us as well as a Webkinz.  Our prayer is that these gifts will bring her comfort.  Her future - for now - has no hope.  Our prayer is that hope is restored in her life . . . please join us in the same prayer.  Our hearts are broken . . . later this week we will go to the baby orphanage . . . I can't imagine . . . This is why we need places like Dayspring - to bring HOPE!

This is an abandoned baby named Hope by a lady from Canada who was here when she was born.

A room for sick babies and their mommies.  The mom's have to bring their own bedding, food, etc to use while their babies are being treated.  The mom's stay with them.  There were six beds in this room.  You can see both the new beds and the old beds.

I talked about contrasts . . . the morning we were preparing for hope; in the afternoon we witnessed little hope.  Tomorrow we participate in the Dayspring Grand Opening which can bring Hope.  Contrasts . . . maybe one day, Rosa can go to Dayspring.  For now she is too young (yes I tried to use my connections) but they truly need to have guidelines and stay within them.  I understand that.  Thursday (I think) we head to the baby orphanage . . . where is their hope?

Never the same . . .

Blessings,

Randy & Kim