I'm here!!!

Well, I just do not know where to start!! Today is Saturday and Katherine and I arrived on Wednesday night. So much has happened that I just do not know where to begin…well, I will start with the plane ride. We were on the plane for about 16 hours but we had lots of fun. On international flights, you can watch free movies-as many as you want! Daddy, you would love that wouldn’t you? I watched “Bedtime Stories” –it was cute! Then Katherine and I watched “New in Town.” It was cute too. I got to read a lot…but even on the plane, God opened the door for me to share about his unfailing love. I will tell you a bit about this story. About half a hour into the flight, a lady came to me and said, “Can I sit here? My movie thinge is not working. I can not sleep on the plane and I usually watch 7 or 8 movies.” (I forgot to tell you that I had a open seat beside of me-I was in the middle of a row of three seats). Well, when she sat down, I started asking her questions. Her name was Hero and she was a very sweet lady. She is from Johnannesburg. A few hours later, she decided she was tired of watching movies and started talking to me. She asked me why I was going to South Africa….she is a follower of scientology. She listened to the gospel, but told me that she could not believe this. Only she can be her Savior…pray for her…pray that she will have on open heart to God’s love and offer of salvation.
When we arrived at the Baby House, we were so excited and put out suitcases in our room. For two weeks, we are living in the “flat” under the baby house. It is nice and cozy. Then we went upstairs and met “aunties” who are so sweet! These ladies are Africans who work for Door of Hope. They are so open and sweet to the volunteers and are always willing to teach us of give us a baby to feed. The first night, I was able to feed a precious baby named Moses. The infant room has 11 babies who are the ages from 5 days to 3 months. Katherine and I are working with the “big babies” which are aged from 3 months to 1 ½ years. They are precious! Downstairs, there is a starfish program which houses special needs babies and toddlers. All together, there are 30 precious children living here at Door of Hope. I wish I could put up pictures, but this is against policy of the orphanage. We are not allowed to post names or pictures of the children on the Internet, but when I get home, I will show you all pictures! I have a lot already. On Monday, two of the children in our big babies class are being adopted. Door of Hope began in 1999 and already about 700 children have come through Door of Hope and ¼ have been adopted. This is wonderful. I know that God has a plan and purpose for each precious child that he has created. I am thankful for the opportunity to love and take care of these children. They share as much love to me as I give to them!
Katherine and I have a car-it is very cute. We drove on the left side of the road yesterday! You bet we were scared…but we did it and it’s really not that difficult, we must be thinking each moment. It’s quite fun. Yesterday we also had orientation where we learned all day so much! We worked with the aunties who taught us the way to bathe the babies, where to find clothes, blankets, how to prepare bottles, what time to take naps, how to record feeding and “nappie” (diaper) changes, laundry, cleaning, which babies need what medicine… I worked very hard to memorize and say right each child’s name. Their names are beautiful and quite different from American names. The aunties have asked Katherine and I why we can only stay 2 months…they said they want us to stay longer. I wonder how Katherine and I will feel at the end of this two months?
I have also enjoyed staff devotions. I am trying to learn eveyone’s name and if I do not I can just say “auntie”. When we pray, we each pray aloud and I love to hear the mixture of several different languages and accents, all lifting praises and requests to our Heavenly Father. We have volunteers from Holland, England, America, and the Congo; most of the aunties are from different countries in Africa. I love to listen to what their life is like and see pictures of their children-most have between 5-8 children of their own.
Each child here has their own unique personality. I love to see their smiles, hear their giggles, and have them reach up for me to hold them. I wish I could describe to you the children by name, but I can’t. Whenever I feed a child a bottle, he/she always looks you in the eyes. I usually sing to them and sometimes they fall asleep while I am feeding them! I guess I don’t need to sing and rock and feed their bottles at the same time, huh?
Today is Saturday and Katherine and I have the weekend off to rest. We will start work Monday. We will work every other weekend…I do believe that we are going to be very busy. I am grateful and excited for the time to spend here in South Africa. I have already love the children and aunties very much. But at night, sometimes I feel a little sad because I miss home and miss my family and JJ. But when I feel that way, I just look the Scriptures for comfort and strength. I know that God has led me here this summer and I want Him to use me for His glory. I know that I should focus on Him and not on being away from home. It is amazing how God’s word is definitely living and active. I have read Scripture that I have read many times before and it has taken a whole new meaning this week. Isn’t God amazing?
Here are a few Scriptures to share with you:
2 Thessalonians 1:12 “We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of your Lord.”

Hebrews 6:19 “This hope we have as an anchor for the soul, both sure and steadfast…”

Psalm 139 “Where can I flee from your presence?....Even if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Today is Saturday. We are about 6 hours ahead of time than at home. Many of you are just waking up right now. Katherine and I are at a nearby mall maybe 5 minutes away from our home here at an Internet café. I am not sure how often we will be able to come back here, but I will try to update you all as much as I can. We are living up on a hill that overlooks the city and it is beautiful. I often look out the window and think of the song “God of this city.” There is a lot of evil that happens in this beautiful city; in Johannsburg alone, at least one baby is abandoned every day.

I love you all..thank you for your constant prayers and support. I miss you but will see you soon!
Much love,
Rachel