Updates

When I got those pictures of Betty on Thursday morning, I was breathless.  Not only because it has been a long month of longing to stare into the face of my girl, but because of what Keren's sweet email said to me.  Betty is recovering from malaria.  Key word being:  "recovering."  Praise God that even with her status, she was able to battle back malaria!  Amen!  BUT, my heart stopped when I read it.  Malaria.  The disease that claims the lives of 2000 children DAILY.  Malaria.  The disease that orphanages are ill-equipped to battle.  Not malaria! 

The email made me slip into mama mode and wonder (again) what it's going to take to get my lawyer moving and get Betty HOME.  So, I started emailing strangers (again) to see if I could find help somewhere.  Anywhere.  And I called in as many favors as I could dream up.  No, I can't protect Betty from getting sick, even when she's home in the States.  Of course I can't.  But there are so many communicable diseases in Uganda that aren't here; and she can get shots to protect her here; and she can see her infectious disease doctor here; and I can care for her with my own arms here.....

Now, a day or so later, I have words for the pictures that I received.  First, Keren is an angel.  We were right!  :)  I love looking at them playing together.  And I love, love, love the picture of Keren smooching my girl on the cheek.  Complete sweetness!  I also noticed Betty's eyes.  Yep, she has pink eye.  Oh brother!  Keren said she is getting treatment.  Lord willing by the time of next week's pictures, we will be staring at her big brown eyes!  I think my favorite picture is the last one on the blog.  Yea, it looks like Betty is posing for some commercial about kids in Africa, but isn't it completely adorable?  I don't see her "sad" as much as peaceful or thoughtful.  I want to smooch her.  :)

Lord, thank you for the gift of Keren and her willingness to sacrifice for Betty and me -- strangers.  Thank you for the heart that you grew in her to serve and her willingness to have reckless faith.  I pray, heavenly Father, that You would work a miracle in the next week to get Betty's file moving.  I pray that the officers would sign their declarations and that Peter would be able to request a court date by the end of the month.  Lord, we know you are the author of all things and pray that Betty's story would speed along to her forever family.  Thank you, Lord Jesus, for ALL of the blessings in my life.  Amen.