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Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Awesome

Well I took Felix to the Dr. and I was a little worried on what the good Ole Dr. might say, but he said "it looks great, its nice and pink and its healing quite good."  So, why the heck was I nervous? LOL  He gave us a prescription for oral antibiotics, so that will help.  Finally got a battery for Felix's remote control car, and he hasn't quit driving it, actually he drove it so much the batteries were hot.  LOL  It was so cute when he was getting ready to go up to bed, he got a towel and wrapped the hummer up in it, and put it away, saying "goodnight"  So then this morning, the first think out of his mouth was "I want to drive my car"  so Mr. Mark tells him how early it is, so that he would have to play with it away from the house.  A couple minutes later he comes in the house with a sad look on his face, hands it to Mr. Mark and said " I guess I didn't look at it good enough when I went to bed, cause the batteries are dead, so I must of left it on"  Now that is progress in the making!!!!!!  Because usually he would come in yelling that someone came in the house in the middle of the night and broke it. There is no way he would of omitted to anything, for fear of getting in trouble.  But he is learning that the truth is always the way to go.  That was a moment of knowing that we are making a difference in these kids life.  God is an Awesome God!
Blessings

Monday, December 27, 2010

Things are great around here

God is so good, he is working on the kids daily.  Anita is a beautiful young lady with a spirit to help others and to give to others.  For 12 years old she blows my mind.  She cooks so fantastic, cleans the same, and takes care of her things with such pride.  Felix is trying too.  His manors have a long way to go, but he is trying.  His and Anita's attitudes are better, which makes it a joy to be around them.  So all is well at our home.  I am feeling much better, and thank you for all your prayers.
We are going to take Felix into the Dr. tomorrow, he has a sore on his leg that is just not healing right.  I am afraid that staff might of set in.  It is so hard to keep this child clean, lolol, he can keep himself busy for hours just playing in the dirt.  Boy how I love that!!!! It is so refreshing to see a child use his imagination, instead of a video game, or a TV.
Oh Santa brought Felix a remote control hummer, and a sterling silver necklace and earrings to Anita.  They both were very happy.  Except for the fact that Santa forgot the stupid batteries, and with everything being closed, the poor kid still has not got the chance to play with it.
We are waiting to have our family Christmas when Jenni gets back, hopefully she will be bringing back some presents with her.  And then we will have our Christmas. Jenni's mom Beth will be here to celebrate with us too.  How fun is this going to be......
Blessings

Saturday, December 25, 2010

MERRY CHRISTMAS

HAVE AN AWESOME DAY WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
WE MISS YOU ALL!!!!!!
BLESSINGS

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Jenni is going away for Christmas

The last few days have actually gone very well.  God always fills us up when we need it.  Anita has really been working on her attitude and her actions.  Man she is just one awesome young girl when she wants to be.
 Felix got an email from Santa today, man, you should of seen his face when his name was said out loud, Felix started waving at him.  Then Santa opened up his book and there was Felix picture,  so Santa told Felix how old he was and what grade he was in. Then he told Felix that he needs to be working on his temper.  Felix is shaking his head at the computer screen.  And then DUN DUN DUN...... Santa tells Felix he is on the naughty list.  Felix looks at me and then shakes his head again.  But Santa told him he could change all that.  So Felix waved goodbye.  Felix then looked at Anita and said very loud "See Anita, I told you there was a Santa"  So I said, if you don't believe in Santa then you won't get a letter from Santa.  About a hour later, Anita came up to me, and said "was that Santa really?"  You see Anita has been running around the house saying we were all crazy, that there is no Santa.  Well I think, we may have changed her mind.  Is Santa coming to this house?  You are darn tootin......:-)
So Mark Anita and Felix took Miss Jenni to the airport today.  And low and behold, Anita hugged Jenni goodbye with squeezes and everything.  We are all really going to miss her. The bummer for Jenni though was her plane was delayed, which made her miss her flight to Seattle.  So now she has to sit in Miami airport for like 12 hours.  Poor thing.  But you know Jenni, she will sit there and text her fingers raw.  LOL.  So when the family got home, Felix runs in the house grabs me down so he can whisper i n my ear. "Mr, Mark brought you a Santa" "shh don't tell him I told you"  So Mark comes in the house and Felix heads up stairs, and blurts out, "I told Miss Kim Mr. Mark"  lol don't ever tell that kid a secret.  So Mark went out to the car and wrapped in a towel, he had a carved wooden Rasta Santa.  OMGOODNESS!!!!!!!!! It is so awesome,  so he said this is for me and him for our Christmas present.  How excited I am to have my Rasta Santa.
Tonight for dinner we had BLT's.....  that probably doesn't sound like a big deal to you, but to us it was amazing, I don't think we have had lettuce  yet in six months, except for when we were out of town at a burger king.  The lettuce here is to expensive and you get nothing.  But yesterday I found a HUGE head for 200.00 J  so I jumped on it. Tomorrow a SALAD!!!!!!!!  YES!
Blessings

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Dontae is Home

Oh my goodness, it took my mom to tell me that I hadn't wrote on here that Dontae was home.  I didn't even notice.  Sorry everyone.
I think I told you all , that Dontae was going to be in the hospital two more days, well they called and said he was being released.  We were not prepared so it took us a bit to go get him, but all is good and he is home.  He just has to keep taking the amoxicilian.  They gave us some cream for the blister type things that he was getting, and they ae finally clearing up.  The only thing that is still weird is the bumps he gets.  They say they are mosquito bites, but no one else it getting anything that even looks like his bumps.  Ok, so we were getting ready to bring him home so we cleaned him up and put lotion on him, so he would be clean and smelling good for his arival home.  By nights end he had bumps everywhere, his face was covered.  So now it made me think that maybe he is alergic to the baby lotion. (not Johnsons)  Well he was released on wednesday and today is sunday, and he still has the bumps, and we have put no more lotion on him. So we are waiting it out to see.  We bought some Johnsons, and when we start using lotion again, we will see what happens.  If it isn't lotion then it is something else, and no one seems to know what it is.  Other then all that, all his tests came back normal.  I don't get it.  On the day we picked him up I made apple cake and a card and took it to the nurses.  I told them, that if it wasn't for their good care, I would never of been able to leave him.  And then we donated all Dontae's clothes that he has grown out of already.
Night before last Felix and Anita stayed the night with Lizzy, they had a great time.  Felix was actully mad at us for coming to get him, thats how much fun he was having, and Anita came home with her hair braided really cool.  But this morning, life was back to normal with kids that don't really care about anyone other then themselves.  So they are both in their rooms.  Felix is writing a paper 25 times, saying he won't ever swear at anyone again.  For six years old this child certainly has a huge vocabulary.  (and not a good one)  Probably the hardest thing I have ever done in my life is to trying to retrain what these children have been taught.  And I almost don't want to do it anymore.  I didn't want to get out of bed this morning, to deal with their attitudes, their mouths, their body language, and their plain old difiance.  The three of us need all your prayers for God to give us strength, and wisdom to know how to deal with these problimatic children.  On top of it, its Christmas break and Jenni is leaving.  God please get Mark and I through the next couple of weeks.
Blessings

Thursday, December 16, 2010

So Proud!!!!!!

Last night was the kids Christmas program that was supposed to start at 6:00.  We got there at 5:30, and they didn't start it until 7:30,  they wanted time for more parents to come, so they waited.  I don't have to tell you how bad my tail bone was hurting now do I?
So when it started, it was well worth the wait.  Watching all the school kids sing and dance, and the MC rocked.  He is the minister of another church up in Petersville.  So now we want to go see his church.  This entire program was a fundraiser as well, so their school can get the library finished.  So after each group went, the MC (forgot his name) he would not let the kids go sit back down until each child was givin $300.00J to give to the school.  What a smart smart man.... LOLOL  He was funny, he sang, he was the perfect fit for this kind of fundraiser.  So during half time, they had some awards to give out, and one of the first ones went to Felix for most improved in his grade.  Yippeeee.....  then Anita got the same exact award for her grade.....That was the perfect time as Jenni said, to wish she had on a shirt the read "Yea thats my kid".... lolol  I can't tell you how proud we are of the kids.  Earlier in the evening, before it all started.  Felix was running around where he wasn't supposed too, and we told him many times to sit down and behave.  Finally a gentleman talked to Felix in a very low and firm voice, and Fellix sat his butt right down. well he did and then he flipped Mr. Mark off.  Holy toledo, I was not expecting that, and Mr. Mark was in total shock, for we have not ever witnessed that kind of behavior from him as of yet.  After about what seemed like an hour but in reality it was like 5 seconds, I got up to take him outside and swat his cute little behind.  But God told me loud and clear to do it right there.  I swear I have never heard him tell me something so loud and clear in my life.  LOL  So I swatted him.  Got down to his level and explained why I did what I did and that it was not OK to do what he did.  He immediately looked around to see who saw him get swat.  But after that and an apology to Mr. Mark, the kid was stinkin perfect.  The MC just loved Felix, cause Felix calls a spade a spade out loud, which worked great with the Mc's jokes.  So they would bump knuckles.  So even though the night started out kinda crummy, with attitude and the show not starting till 7:30 and ending at 10:30.  Felix was fantastic and Anita sang with her group and did an amazing job.  I think she likes to be on stage.  So all and all we were all so proud to represent these children. (minus the middle finger part)  Jamaicans do know how to put on a show.  We loved it!!!!!
Blessings

Monday, December 13, 2010

Dontae/ And other stuff

Well not much to update with.  We thought the culture results would be in today, but for some reason (Jamaica time) they were not.  They told us today that he needs to finish \his antibiotics which are for a couple more days. But they told us yesterday that he was done today.  Soooooooo, I am really not sure.  Those blister type bumps on his legs, they told me the Dr. called something in for them, but today they told me that the antibiotic will clear them up. So am I a little confused?  Oh, Yes! but just praying all the time that there is nothing serious going on here.  On a good note, Today was the best he has been, since he went in.  When we walked in, he gave us the biggest smile we have ever seen, and when I picked him up, he hugged and hugged me.  It was so great to see him almost back to himself.

Got a wonderful letter today from a husband and wife that we have never met.  But know's Kingdom Builders Ministry. They have been reading our blog for a few months now, and just said some wonderful things to us.  Its words like that, that keep a person going.  So Thank you friends!

Anita is doing the best we have ever seen her.  It is so amazing to see the young lady that we all knew was inside of her.  She also has a wonderful sense of humor, and can make us laugh at a drop of a hat.  That we didn't know about either.  Felix is just adorable as you all know from his pictures.  But something that happened to him while at MFH is being the youngest, we believe he just got over looked on many things. When we were there, we noticed, and corrected him, but we obviously didn't see it enough.  So we have been teaching him how to use a fork and a knife properly.  But the cute little show off that he is, makes a joke out of everything.  But when he doesn't realize we are watching, he is beginning to use his utensils quite good. Tonight we were working on lifting his fork to his mouth, and not his head to the plate.  Now this one is hard for him.  But we know he can do it.  We are working on having both of the kids ask to be excused from the table.  Now Felix rocks on this one,  Anita gets up puts her dishes in the sink and then sometimes asks.  So we have her come back to the table and start again.  We know she knows when to do it, but I just don't think she wants us to know that we ARE teaching her something.  LOL

Jenni is going home for a couple of weeks, lucky dog!  I will tell you though, we are going to MISS her terribly.  But when she gets back, we will meet up with all the kids and have our family Christmas.  Now that is going to be one fun day.  Maybe we can make it a slumber party, that way it would be two days...  Oh great idea I just had.....  :-)
Even though we have a Christmas tree, doesn't feel much like the holidays when its so beautiful here. Do you know, that I still to this day have not had on a pair of pants?  Jenni on the other hand has turned into a Jamaican, she wears pants when its like 70 degrees out.  LOL There isn't many Christmas lights on houses here, and I can't find wrapping paper to save my life.  All I can find is single sheets of it.  So I think we will use news paper, that is if someone will give us some.  LOL
If anyone is thinking about putting a mission trip together, we have a few ideas of things that could be done here, and some wonderful people so in need.  Or if you just want to sponsor a family or a child, we can help with that as well.  So many children here can't go to school because of the cost of uniforms books taxi lunches etc. So very little money to you and I, will go so far here.  We are working to become a non profit, so when your ready to sponsor someone, it will be a tax deductible.

Thank you to everyone who jumped in and donated to us.  We now have enough money to get us half way through February. Thank you for believing in us.
Blessings

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Great Day

What a great day.  We drove to Nigril and picked up Sherakie.  As he got into the car, he was very quiet.  But within minutes he was talking up a storm. I have never seen him so HAPPY!  He is always seeing family members, which is exactly what we witnessed him crying about at MFH.  So its kinda bittersweet.  We are so happy to see him and sad when we dropped him off.  But then we were off to Montego Bay to see the rest of the kids and have a picnic at the park.  Mark, Sabrinas dad and Travoy meet us at the park.  Duran showed up too. (Sabrina and Travoys brother)  We sat and ate lunch and talked and talked and talked, and hugged and I smothered them all with kisses.  Now only if Ritz and Dontae were here, life would be good.  So after our day was over, we all said our goodbyes and told the children that we would have our Christmas party in January.  Now off to Ritz's house.  Yippee!!! I was on cloud 9 when I saw his face walking down the driveway.  And he almost died when we handed him lunch.  So now back on the road back to Nigril.  Sherakie then drives us by his new school.  Kinda weird though, we are driving and driving into which seems like deep into know where, and all of a sudden there is this great school up on a mountain.  He loves his new school, which is wonderful.  So now off to his house.  His brother and him look so much a like.  So as we are driving back to our home, and talking about the wonderful day we had with all the kids, and really miss the fact that we are not all together.  But know every single one of them is where God intended them to be. Anita's adoption is in Phase Two, and Ritz adoption is just about in Phase two.  And Dontae is at the end of Phase two.  So everything is moving along so nice.  The sad part of the day was that we did not get home in time to go see our son.  Makes me feel sick to think that Dontae might think we abandoned him.  So this morning the kids and Jenni will do home church, and Mark and I will get our butts up to the hospital to see him.  Plus we supply the diapers and his clothes, and so he must be getting very low.  Oh did I tell you that after we left the park, Jenni and Duran texted until midnight......... We left at 4:00pm.   LOLOLOLOLOL   Oh man is she going to kill me when she reads this.  I love you Miss Jenni!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Still not home

Well Dontaes fever is much better, and the rash is soooo much better to.  Still can only get a couple smiles from him, so we know he is not feeling good.  The nurse could not tell me the results of the blood work, only the Dr. We didn't know that, so we still don't know anything.  Mark and I are going back in the morning and sitting there until he shows up.  But the culture tests won't be in until Saturday.  Which means Dontae will not be home until Monday, if the tests show nothing.  It feels strange around the house with out him here.  I can hardly wait until he is healthy enough to come home.
Blessings

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

UpDate

Dontae's fever is much better, and his rash is better as well.  But he is still lethargic.  His blood work should be back tonight, so we will hear about that in the morning. The other two tests will take a few more days.  So I am not sure what to tell you, not sure whats wrong with him, and when he would be coming home. So please keep the prayers coming.
Blessings

Monday, December 6, 2010

Our Baby

 Dontae has spent the first 7 months of his life in the hospital, because he needed some surgeries, and his mama abandoned him.  He has been with us for little over a month now and he is back in the hospital once again  :-( 
Dontae has been teething like crazy, drooling so much you can't keep his clothes or bibs dry.   So when his fever started, we figured that it was from teething.  So the morning of the 4th day of a temp, which was a Friday, I called the Dr. to see if he should be seen.  The nurse told me no and to add another medicine to his tylenol.  So Saturday night was the worst night ever, all the nights were bad, but Saturday was especially bad. He woke up every couple of hours like he was in pain.  Sunday the rash started, and I thought it was Roseola.  You see, if I were in the States, Dontae would have been at the Dr. already.  But here I was just not sure.  I was talking to my friend on Facebook and he told me to get the child to the hospital.  So, when Dontae woke up and the rash was so much worse, all I could hear was Kevin, my friend, letting me have it for not already having Dontae at the hospital. (he was doing it in a loving way)  So off we went to the hospital in Black River.  Dontae was pretty lethargic at this point so he was fairly cooperative in the waiting room for so long.
 O.K. This is Mark now. Kim wanted me to write this part because she just couldn't. When we finally got into the exam room (only had to wait four and a half hours!) the doctor said she would have to get a urine sample, blood sample, and spinal fluid. When Kim heard "spinal fluid" she said; "meningitis!??", and the doctor said she had to be able to rule that out. So, we take the little guy into another room and Kim needs to go out because she can't watch. Kim went through this years ago when Cody was 1 1/2. He had spinal meningitis and she thought she might lose him. He's now 24 (Thank you, God).
 At any rate, the doctor first sticks a big needle in his little tummy, trying to find his bladder for a urine sample, and comes up with nothing. She said he probably doesn't have enough urine to do that and she'll use a catheter later. Next is another big needle in his femoral vein for blood. Dontea is crying like crazy and looking SO panicked while all this is going on. Then comes the spinal tap. OMG! I had to help hold him in a fetal position while the doctor sticks yet another needle in his backbone. Poor little guy! However, the fluid looked to me to be clear as water, which is a good sign I believe. One more needle in his arm for an I.V. and we're done with the pointy stuff. He is WIPED OUT by this time and Kim comes back in the room and he falls fast asleep on her shoulder. Two minutes later we have to wake him up for the catheter! He didn't like that at all either, but now we have all the fluids we need, so he can finally relax. 
 Within an hour or so we walk him over to the pediatric wing and he get's a crib. We didn't want to see him have to stay in a hospital again, but we had no choice. They have to be able to observe him until they get the results back from Mandeville. Hopefully only a day or two.
 Let me take a second to paint a picture of the hospital at Black River for you.  Let me first say that all the staff , doctors, and nurses we encountered were very competent, professional, and helpful. The facilities, however, can make you cringe. It's a fairly good sized complex, probably pre-WWII construction, with some modern conveniences and some not-so-modern inconveniences. The waiting room was kinda' dirty, the seats used to be blue plastic, but were mostly different shades of dirt now. The windows are louvered with no screens, so the mosquitoes come in to visit around dusk. I guess that's why the lizards like hanging out on the walls! They maneuver around the graffiti and dirt and posters in search of the various critters flying around the old fluorescent lights. The T.V. on the wall has a picture as fuzzy as the legs of the lady sitting across from me. I wonder why they have a steel cage around it? Who's gonna steal a broken T.V.? I think the cribs in the pediatric wing came over on slave ships and the windows might as well have been painted gray, they were so dirty. They brought a young boy in from surgery on a stretcher from the civil war. But, they had a fairly new incubator, and clean sheets. I'm not worried, just amused. 
Kim Here.....So at this time Dontae is starving, its 9:00PM and his dinner was right when the poor guy was being tortured.  So we asked for some formula, because the bad mother that I am, brought his 4:00 bottle but not his 8:00 bottle.  Well guess what?????? they don't use bottles, they use a cup and a syringe.  OK!!! I don't think I have to tell you, that we got about 3 teaspoons down him.  So I held him till he fell asleep.  We laid him down in his crib right next to a two year old girl that screams three times in a row about ever 10 seconds.  And I can't spend the night???????????  never in my life have I left a child at a hospital without me being there.  But I did it... I walked out.  And Prayed and Prayed and Prayed.  And we are asking all of you to pray with us.  Thank you 
Blessings

Friday, December 3, 2010

Our Situation

We came to Jamaica to run a children’s home for a year.  Shortly after our arrival, the Child Development Agency of Jamaica came to us in regards to the situation at the home. They deemed it unsafe for the children, because of progressing 15 years of neglect by the owners, and moved to close the home and revoke its license.  The children have been placed mostly with family or in temporary homes while adoptions are being processed, leaving two in our care.  One is under our guardianship and the other awaiting her adoption to be processed.
 Because of the children’s home closing, we were forced to move and rent a house with our own money.  Rent to be paid, food, electricity, water etc. for 5 people and one baby with out any help from the Jamaican gov’t.  Jim and Penie are keeping our room and board from their facility totaling $2400.00.
We are now in critical need of financial support.  We have enough money to last us through December.  If we need to come home to stay, that leaves three children with nothing.  If you can spare anything during this Christmas season and recession it would be very much needed.  Every single penny helps.
Since we are no longer with KBM, we do not fall under a non profit organization status.  We are simply three missionaries trying to do what God wants us to do.  So what this means to you is, your donation will not be tax deductable.
If you have not been keeping up with our blog, the address is
www.markkimlau.blogspot.com . On there we have a donate button that goes through paypal.  If you do not have a paypal account, it is very simple to get one.  Otherwise please make your check payable to Mark, Kim Lau or Jenni Bushaw, and send it c/o
Matty and Calie Klopp
2407 Bluebonnet trail
Bellingham, Washington
98226
Please consider giving a monthly amount to our ministry, even if it’s a small amount.   Small amounts add up.
Three kids’ lives, well being, and futures hang in the balance of this.  Please help us help them, they only have us.

Mark 10:14-15
            “When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth; anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”



Thursday, December 2, 2010

Tis the Season

It is the season for giving, but being here in Jamaica there is always a need.  Daily we could (and sometimes do) give or help, and now during the holiday season it feels like there is more of a need.  I was at the grocery store a couple of days ago and ran into Bobbett.  Some of you will remember that name, since this is the woman that her house burned down last year and our youth group came and built her a brand new home.  Well she had told me a few weeks earlier that her roof was leaking and the water was damaging the floor.  But today, she asked us if we could purchase her the things to fix her roof and floor.  I did not hesitate one bit.  Yes,just  flew out of my mouth.     I know that this is what God would want us to do and our troubles just don't seem to be so big.  We know God will take care of us.  Mark and I have met this young woman Sheema a few times since being here in Jamaica.  She has two children, a daughter who is 9, and a son that is 10 months.  This woman was in an accident and now she has what she calls fits.  So she can't work.  Her daughter lives with her Aunt.  She has asked me two times now to  please adopt her son.  You see, she has to beg for money every single day with her son in toe, just to go buy diapers, formula and food.  She loves her boy, but she loves him so much she is willing to give him up to have a better life.  Her and I have become friends, so when I see her, I give her a little bit of money to help. She has asked me if she and her son could come and spend Christmas with us.  Of course we wanted to say yes, yes and yes again. But that would also mean feeding them and giving them presents.  So I told her I needed to talk to Mr. Mark, We went yesterday up to see Donnaree and Marlon and Marlana.  We were so happy to see them, and so sad that we missed them so much. They work so hard to make ends meat.  And they still gave us a bag of cucumbers. $2000.00 US is all they would need to add on a room.   Their house right now is about 15 x 15 with two bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen.  There is not one place to sit as a family.  Two thousand is so doable when your working making a living.  But it is really hard when you are volunteering.  There is just so much more good we could be doing for people here.  All the children that were at MFH are expecting Christmas presents from us. But without getting our money back there is only enough money to take us through January and that does not have Christmas shopping included.  But it is heavy on all of our hearts to give, even if we don't have enough for ourselves, and thats what we are doing.  My girls went out and bought Dontae some clothes in a bigger size to send back with Jenni, but Dontae is almost out of the clothes he is in, and Jenni won't be back till January.
The woman that is adopting Anita came to visit and stay a couple of nights.  We were in need of a baby monitor, and she answered our prayer.  Felix was in desperate need for a new uniform and Miss Denise bought him a new one.  So thank you to Miss Denise for her thoughtfulness and friendship and encouraging words, lets not forget her husband as well (Garfield)
 The kids from MFH and us want to get together and maybe go to the beach and spend the entire day together, maybe even spend the night.  But to make this happen  we need to rent a van, pack a lunch buy the gas etc.  It is tough to live here with not much to give.  Tis the Season right?
So everyday we pray for God to keep on leading us where he wants us to go.  Its amazing and awesome when you live your life to Christ and trust in him with your entire being.  Everything is ALWAYS takin care of.
Blessings