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First Fruits

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Dinner Time

Papa Zakarias, the one at the head of the table, decided to put in a little garden area on the side of our house. He has a farm back home, so he is quite a natural at getting things to grow. He was able to buy some small starter plants and planted Couve a Mozambican green leafy plant much like spinach. They eat Couve multiple times a week, usually cut in thin strips or pieces and boiled with salt and onions, sometimes with potatoes and carrots. It is yummy!

Well, thanks to Papa Zakarias and his hard work, we were able to enjoy the first fruits celebrated with a family dinner! How awesome is that? It was joyous!

Also, this week you can keep Jon and our family in mind. Jon is gone for 3 nights to Durban, South Africa to take part in a training at a Hospice center there. He will return Wednesday evening. The original plan was for the two of us to go together and Karasi could stay with me, but her travel documents could not be ready in time. That means I am home with the 3 girls for 4 days! We will be fine, but I do suspect I will be extra tired. Pray for Jon to learn lots and make some good contacts and pray for patience and grace for this Mama.

We love you guys!

July 28, 2013
Casa Ahava, Personal
3 comments

Sunday Nights

A Layne Post

I wish you could spend a Sunday evening with us. I am just sure your hearts would be as full as ours after a short one hour with our patients. You see, a little over a month ago, our friends were inside eating dinner with us when we turned on a Baby Einstein video for our fussy little ones approaching their bedtime. Turns out all were fascinated and thoroughly enjoyed watching the animals from around the world on the big screen.

Jon then had the wonderful idea to watch an episode of the BBC series Planet Earth that his Dad so graciously gave to us (Thanks, Dan!) once a week. When we asked if they’d be interested, it was unanimously agreed. So Sunday nights have now turned into Planet Earth and popcorn nights! My girls are equally happy to be a part – Jovie toddling around eating everyone’s popcorn and Anaya pointing at whatever is on the screen and saying words and phrases that are well beyond her little 2.5 year old self, and now Karasi either sleeping on her pillow or kicking her legs in the middle of the floor.

From monkeys that get in water, which is unheard of to a Mozambican, to Pakistani men dancing in joy because of a snow leopard sighting (whom the patients would insist was under the influence), the patients are intrigued. Will the wild dog catch the impala? Can otters really scare off a crocodile? A fish with no eyes? Our living room is filled with shouts and laughter and always ends in a floor scattered with popcorn.

I wouldn’t trade it.

It is another one of those moments where we forget anyone is sick, where we find joy and make memories. I am so grateful for these small opportunities and for the Lord’s presence in fellowship.

July 14, 2013
Casa Ahava, Personal
4 comments

Karasi (Full of Life and Wisdom) Nitara (Having Deep Roots) Heller (Brighter)

A Jon Post

For one breathless moment we wait for a cry and a gasp.

Mother and Karasi Nitara

Mother and Karasi Nitara

For one breathless moment we trust that divine lungs are blowing into a helpless and tiny body.

For one breathless moment we wait.

And Karasi Nitara Heller sings… she sings her birthsong, melting into the unintelligible songs of angels, all covered in her mother’s blood and amniotic fluid… she sings.

Then quiet, a whimpering mother clinging to her daughter…

Then quiet, an IV drip hanging from the mother’s vein, an intrusive pest into this intimate greeting…

Then more songs, more joy, a mother’s laborsong mingled with her daughter’s birthsong.

More life, and all the wisdom of the mother poured into her daughter. All the deep roots planted over 9 months of bodily sacrifice bursting forth to the surface of pain mixed with trust all washed in sponges of alcohol based disinfectant and a joyous love.

Singing Together

Singing Together

And mother sits with Karasi Nitara and both sing softly in cries and hymns. Then the angels join in harmony with Karasi Nitara’s laughter and her mother’s weeping.

Then they fall silent to witness this holy moment of life bringing life, of blood poured out for the life of another, of tears wept in anticipation of the now.

Karasi Nitara come forth in Life and Wisdom. Plant your deep roots and shine brighter and brighter until noon day.

(with a 70s tennis player on the right there)

Family of Five

July 1, 2013
Around the house, Medical, Personal, The Kids
8 comments

The Month of June

A Layne Post

From celebrating Jovie’s 1st year of life to solemn talks of death approaching, June has been a full month.

My sweet Jovie was well celebrated with dear friends, and she seemed to enjoy all the festivities.

Cake!

Cake!

 

Presents!

Presents!

Big girl!

Big girl!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She has mastered her walking skills, which has brought much relief to this Mama, as she seems more content chasing her sister and not being left behind as often – just in time for a new baby to arrive! She has brought much joy to our home, especially as her personality emerges with each passing day.

Anaya is anxious to meet her new little sister, giving sweet kisses and encouraging her to “Come out!”

Karasi will be arriving early this week. Please pray with us for safe delivery, quick recovery, and smooth adjustments to our new immediate family of 5. Last week I hurt my back, and while I have been trying to rest it, it is still noticeable.

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Casa Ahavá is now full  with 2 men and 2 women – our other family members! Our dear Eliza seems to be getting worse, which is hard for all of us to watch and especially for her to endure. You can pray with us as we seek the best options for her. Her body continues to worsen despite more medication and treatment, and she desires more and more to be near family – the most ideal scenario in our minds. I am happy to hear her speak of life and death with more peace than I have heard before.

Tomás struggles to get his white blood cell count where it needs to be and as a result has gone two months without treatment. Pray with him and us as we seek to remedy this, so he can continue with his treatment plan and return to his wife and four children.

Zakarias seems to handle his treatments with ease. While still challenging, his body has such strength, and we praise the Lord for this! He spoke with the doctor about his treatment plan this week and will soon receive a scan to decide if he can return home soon, or if he needs to continue here a few more months. His cancer does not look to be treatable, just manageable, so his fighting will continue whether here or at home.

Filomena is near the beginning of her treatment, and it looks to be a long road ahead. This is her second time here with her breast cancer having returned. Pray for her small wounds to dry up and heal and for her emotions as it is difficult for her to be far from her two children at home.

We are always so grateful to you, our supporters. I hope you know that. Thanks for praying alongside of us.

June 23, 2013
Around the house, Casa Ahava, Hospital Ministry, The Kids
4 comments
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