Berea, Katherine's boy, Kruger, and Homeward bound!

Sorry we didn't get to update our blog anymore...internet was in and out and very slow. We got home late on Sunday night and since have been trying to catch up on our rest and adjust back to this time zone. I (Katherine) want to update you on our last couple of weeks!


We went to Berea Baptist Church on our last Sunday off from work. Berea is where the second baby house is located with a "hole in the wall" where mothers can anonymously place their babies 24/7.

We can most definitely say that we had an African worship experience. The music was both in English and Afrikaans and we worshiped for over an hour to songs that made you want to clap and dance around!




Little did I know, after visiting the baby bin, that the very next day 2 sweet little boys would come through! The first, a boy at only 1 day old, came early in the afternoon. Later in the afternoon a boy at 3 days old came. Beth (one of the staff members) went to fetch the second little boy and brought him by the baby house we were staying at and as she walked through the door she announced, "Katherine! It's your baby boy!" Needless to say, I was completely shocked and overwhelmed as she passed him to me. I was given the honor of getting to name him. (I wish I could tell you his name on here and explain how I came to the decision, but because of privacy issues I can't.)

As we spent the next several hours with him, there was evidence of the love his mother had for him. He had on a new outfit with what looked like his mother's socks. He also had a huge woolly snowsuit on with a hat and was wrapped in a big thick blanket. She had obviously made sure that her little boy was warm and well cared for when she left him.















My sweet little guy has beautiful black curly hair and perfect skin. I soaked up every minute I could have with him. I will be receiving updated pictures of him throughout these next several months!

I ask that you pray for my little guy and for his mother. Pray that a forever family comes for him quickly!




We had the opportunity to go to Kruger National Park the Wednesday-Friday of the last week we were in South Africa! It is a huge game reserve that is 350 km (about 218 miles) long and 60 km wide (about 38 miles)! We went on a safari from 6 in the morning to 6 in the evening on Friday and saw so many animals! We saw 4 of the Big 5- which are the buffalo, elephant, lion, rhinoceros, and leopard. We saw all but the leopard. We saw hundreds of impala and tons of beautiful birds. It was amazing to see a new part of God's beautiful creation! It was the perfect ending to our trip!

After we got back from Kruger, we had one more full day until we had to leave to come home. We spent the day playing with babies and soaking up precious moments and memories. We had one last "family dinner" and then headed to the airport. As we left Annie, Susan, Emily, Sue, and Zoe all stood outside and waved. We have been so blessed to have a whole new "South African family"!!
Thanks for all your prayers!
Love in Christ,
Katherine, Mary, and Sandra