For less than a fast-food meal in the United States, you can provide multiple meals, transport, and materials for ministry leaders eager to learn and lead people well.
Don’t you see? We were created to be so much more than we can ever think or imagine. So much more than the world tells us. Can money help? Yes, if used with the right direction. Can fame help? Absolutely, if used with the right discretion. Money and fame are not evil; it is the motives of the heart once it is received. The Bible aptly warns us, “Pride goes before the fall.” You don’t have pride if you know the source of your money and fame. It is when the money and fame are attributed to the person not the source of the person.
T.S. Eliot
Your money helped to make my homegoing appropriate for this side of heaven even though I had long been received on the other side. Christ doesn’t care about pomp and circumstance. If He did, then He wouldn’t have died on a cross. He was and is the King yet He died a lowly death. This proves what He came for and why Harvest of Hope Africa and Deedra Shilliday Ministries do what they do. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He sought out the most vulnerable and He cared for them. That is what we are all called to do. You don’t have to come to Africa, but you are always welcome! Reach your neighbors, your coworkers, your friends. Jesus is Alive and He wants to change lives just like He changed mine. Even if it was for a short time, my life mattered. All lives matter!
Mama Irene took me to the hospital because I haven’t been breathing and eating quite right. While I have wanted to go to the capital city, this was not my plan to get there. Oh, but it was nice to spend quality time alone with just her. She is the best!
The doctors are puzzled by my case. It may be a reaction to the formula so they suggested I try camel, rice, or oat milk. I know this isn’t going to be easy to find. I hate that it will be an extra expense, but everyone says they will do whatever it takes to get me healthy.
Once Darius Philip came to the house they seemed to increase in their concern for me. I think it’s because I can’t stand or lift my head like him even though I am older. My legs look fine but I just am too weak. I think I am lacking the nutrients I need because I can’t keep the formula down.
My friends in the states are planning to bring me soy formula to see if that will work. They are coming in March and I can’t wait to see them! Until then I am doing my therapy exercises with the house moms. Everyone at Under His Wings Babies Home loves me so much!
Her name is mentioned all the time around here. “When is Deedra coming?” “I really miss Deedra.” “Has Deedra messaged lately?” All this talk about her, and you would have thought someone would have told me she was white! As you can see, I didn’t mind. I could tell she loved me even before we formally met. To be fair, she loves all the HOHA children and staff. As I said before, we are a family.
But, I like to think I am special. Can you keep a secret? She told me so herself!
I love my big family. From the house moms to the older girls, everyone takes such good care of me. Grace is one of my favorites! In 2017, she was abandoned along with her sisters, Faith and Nduko. She was a little over a year old and was very sick. Grace is a miracle like me and when she smiles it lights up the room. I haven’t learned to smile yet but I keep trying. I know how blessed I am to be a part of the Harvest of Hope Africa family.
Today I met Mama Irene. She will nurture and love me as she does all the children at Under His Wings Babies Home. She wanted to take me home, but the hospital said I needed to stay a few more days.
October 15, 2022
Today is the day! I am preparing to go home. Mama Irene and the social worker are packing all my supplies and getting me ready to meet my new family.
I can’t wait to see my 50 new playmates!
October 21, 2022
I am getting stronger every day! Look at my big brown eyes!
Pole! Pole! Pole! Those are the first words I ever heard. The rescuer was saying sorry because I had been discarded many hours ago. Yet, I had breath in my lungs and the capacity to cry out until I was found.
It was truly miraculous!
A miracle that I was found before being eaten by an animal.
A miracle that I didn’t die from an infection due to the dried grass and dirt around my umbilical cord.
A miracle that I didn’t freeze to death in the cool morning hours.
A miracle that my weak little voice was heard by a passerby.
