Do you know what its like to hold in your arms a baby who has been so malnourished that at 7 months old he only weighs 10 pounds and doesn't even know how to eat? To bathe him and see every bone in his body? Do you know what its like to have only known a child for a couple hours but already he's stolen your heart? Do you know what it feels like, after loving this little one with all your heart, he slips away, another one stolen away by HIV.

When you step into the doors of 7^th Heaven Children's Haven you're immediately greeted by smiling children. They jabber nonstop and jump into your arms. By their appearance you'd think they were normal happy children, but if you look a little deeper, if you take the time to hear their stories, you'll learn otherwise. With each child who arrives the stories become more haunting. A little girl is raped by her father and contracts HIV. A beautiful smiling toddler refuses to go to the bathroom, when examined we realize she's been horribly molested. A tiny baby boy left in a back room to die when his family finds out he's HIV positive.

As horrible as their pasts have been, these kids greet you with joy, because they have been given another chance. They have hope because a lady named Nelly listened to what God commanded His people and she acted upon it. Nelly is a single lady from South Africa who put her faith in the Lords provision and began taking in needy children. After working with Nelly for 5 months I realized God has aligned our hearts in so many ways and I needed to continue to work with her. In the months since I have been gone every day my heart longs to return, to be with my children again.

I am writing you all today to update you all on the journey God has put me on the past year and what He's laying ahead of me. Ever since I was young God has been laying it upon my heart to love His children and so far He's blessed me time and time again with opportunities to do so. He laid particularly on my heart, those children of Africa. My life long dream came true when I was able to spend 9 months in South Africa. I was able to plug into some existing ministries there, including an after school program for children in the poorest areas of South Africa, a youth group in that same area, and I was able to work at 7^th Heaven Children‘s Haven. When I left Jeffreys Bay I knew in my heart my time there was not over, I needed to return. My original plan when leaving was to return to Wisconsin for the year, save up money and go back to school and then return to South Africa the following fall. I have learned that God has quite different plans than we do sometimes, and instead of returning to school I found myself in Oaxaca, Mexico. Since October I have been working at an orphanage here and its been a huge blessing. God has taught me immensely since being here, lessons I don't think I would have ever learned anywhere else. I was also blessed to be able to spend this time with my sister Carmen and her husband. Although my time here has been wonderful, and the people have stolen my heart, I always know, deep down, I'm only here for a season. I must return to Africa.

After spending much time in prayer things began to fall into place and God opened up an opportunity for me to return! 7^th Heaven is planning to relocate and expand in February. This entails much work for Nelly, the lady who runs the place. Already being quite burned out from caring for 14 children on her own, I knew this move would only exhaust Nelly more. My hope is for my cousin James and I to arrive at the end of February to help them get settled, and relieve Nelly of some everyday tasks she needs to do, such as clinic runs(as many of the children are HIV positive), helping children with homework, taking care of everyday needs, encouraging Nelly, and of course, loving on the kids. Not only will we be working with the orphanage but James and I also hope to plug back into some of the ministries I worked at last year. This time will also be a trial time for me as I am considering returning next fall and committing more long term.