Imoni Orphanage

Honestly today was the hardest day of being in Kenya. Not only was it hard, it was also the best day I have had since being in Kenya. Today, I was able to hold lots of babies…abandoned babies to be exact. Our team left early this morning to go and help a nurse and another couple in an orphanage here in Nairobi. We were told we would be helping with the children that were not old enough to go to school. I was pumped, because we all know I LOVE to hold and play with the babies and toddlers. Sadly, as we were on the road I realized I forgot my camera…sad day I know. But, once we arrived we learned you were not allowed to take pictures of the children…orphanage policy. As we filed out of the car everyone followed Lois to find out what the plan was. While they found out the plan, I quickly meandered over to the 1-2 year olds, sat down in the middle of them and began to cuddle, kiss, and play with these precious children. Who needs a plan, right!?! Since I am not medical, I was assigned to work with Grandma Grace in the 6-12 month class. Perfect! There I was given an apron, head scarf, and shoe covers…let the play and cuddle time begin. These children were so precious and I loved making faces and sounds at them. Every one of them that I picked up went straight for my glasses…they loved them. J After about 45 minutes with the 6-12 month olds, another worker or “aunt” came into the room and asked me and two other “aunts” to help her take the babies (newborn to 6 months) to the nursing station. I thought we were just going to drop them off...earlier when I had said I would love to hold the babies an American man, who volunteers there twice a month with his wife, told me they rarely let outsiders hold the baby babies. That was fine, but boy did my heart jump when the “aunt” put a tiny bundle of joy into my open arms. The four of us took the cute babies upstairs to the nurse and the “aunt” turn to me and said, “Katie, you stay in this back room with the 4 babies…okay?” “Yes”, I said, with a silent, “Thank you, Jesus” prayer! It was here that I fell in love.

The first baby was Destiny… one of her eyes is glossed over, she has a cleft lip, and heart problems. As the nurse examined her, she whisper, “ You will probably see Jesus before us all.” Gosh, that tears at my heart. I am so thankful for heaven where there will be no more suffering and injustice. Come Lord Jesus come is the cry of my heart tonight.

Next, was a sweet bundle of pink who I assumed was a girl, but later found out was a boy. After Destiny left, I picked up this precious bundle that was starting to whimper. I soon rocked “her” to sleep and picked up my next bundle. “He” was wrapped tightly in a blue blanket with a baby blue outfit on. I had been watching him since the moment I was put in charge of these sweet babies. “He” was very malnourished looking everything like the children you see on tv that are overly malnourished. "He" was sucking on his two middle fingers with his big brown eyes taking in everything. I quickly picked “him” up after I had rocked the pink bundle to sleep. This is when the tears began. “He” watched me as I rocked him singing “Sleep Sound In Jesus” by Michael Card. “His” eyes never left my face and I eventually chocked back sobs as I prayed for and looked at this precious orphan. I know you are not supposed to do this, but I didn’t know “his” name, so I named “him” George…why George I don’t know, “he” just looked like a George to me. J I held and cuddled with him for about 45 minutes before the nurse was ready for him. My heart couldn’t give him to somebody else, so I unwrapped my blue bundle to be weighed and examined only to discover George is really Georgina! J She is two months old and weighs 3 kg. Her skin hung off her little body and she screamed a hoarse scream as we weighed her. I learned from the Kenyan nurse that she has been at the orphanage for 2 weeks now and her name is Haboti. I held her as Robbin, the nurse, examined her, gave orders, and assigned medicine. Since I had not met Robbin earlier that day because I plopped myself right down with the babies, she did not realize I was with Lois’ team. As I sat there holding Haboti, Robbin asked me when I arrived and how long I was staying. I looked at her and said, “Oh, no, I’m here with Lois and we are only here for the day.” Robbin said since I was in my apron and head scarf and I knew the babies she just assumed I was volunteering at the orphanage…heart sigh. J After Haboti had her exam I took her back to the baby class to get her formula so I could put her medicine with it. She drank that formula up in no time. Since she has a spitting up problem I had to hold her up right for 30 minutes in the baby class. She still fell asleep in my arms even though she was sitting straight as a board. Those were the most precious moments of the day.

After Haboti’s 30 minutes were up, an “aunt” came in the baby nursery to ask me if I would help her take two of the 6-12 month babies to see Robbin... delighted yet again. She handed me Abigail while she took Emmanuel, which is her favorite baby at the orphanage…he was precious I must say and she really does love that kid. Right off I could tell something was wrong with sweet Abi. She was 1 ½ years old and something in her features and not being able to hold her head up well made me think something was up. Sweet Abi has cerebral palsy, but boy is she loved by all! She is one happy and content little girl. I loved making her laugh and getting to hug her close. In the end, I was able to give her a breathing treatment, which she sat contently through.

I am so thankful for my time at Imoni Orphanage. In the end, it gave me a bigger picture of who God is and how we are know longer orphans rather children of the living God. My time truly was precious there, but seeing God's overwhelming love for His people was even sweeter.