Getting Stronger

Well Masseh had a good nights sleep- no throwing up and only one little diarrhea diaper before bed. She is keeping her medicines down and also hydrating well and eating some easy to digest foods. Her appetite is slowly coming back and her spunk should follow. Shes giving me the stink eye quite a bit because I was the one forcing her to eat and drink in the hospital and holding her tight while they inserted IV needles and in general torturing her for her own good, she remembers Dad as a big bully. I did get one little half smile out of her so she is feeling a little better for sure. We have her first of two Dr. appointments with the embassy this afternoon-still no word on the written ruling so we can roll on passports. Will keep posted. Patty I gave Dennis all your contact info per your request-good luck with that:) Hugs and Kisses to Janet and Kaya!

Derrick, so good to finally hear from you. This has been a stressful few days. Luckily the Mckenzie's have been keeping me informed. I'm so glad that Masseh is feeling better. I can't believe how hard it has been for both her and you. Yesterday Kaya looked at the picture on the fridge of Jesus holding an African child and said, "look mom, Masseh, Jesus is holding Masseh". How true that it is. Thanks for all you are doing for our family. How I love you and can't wait to have the two of home.

Pearl of Africa

The Pearl of Africa is a Pearl of Great Price it seems. There have been much blood, sweat and tears shed and it aint over yet. Masseh had a horrible night Sat, threw up all over both of us and had 5-6 diarrhea diapers several of which leaked out onto the bed and required showers. She was back at Wentz Clinic Sun. and I stayed with her and she slept at JOyces that night where she also had diarrhea and vomiting. So they admitted her on Monday and she just got released a few minutes ago, its late Tues night! She has no more fever her diarrhea and vomiting seem to have subsided and she has tons of fluids in her and 3 different types of antibiotic seem to have wiped out the bacterial infection in her stomach. She is weak/anemic but a sweet lady from my guest-house staff has been helping me forcefeed her and get her up and walking otherwise she just wants to lay down. We will pump some iron into her as well as lots of oral rehydration salts and she should rally. The blood I mentioned before was for Masseh(imagine how many needles she has been poked with in the last week-its not easy to find a vein on those skinny little wrists), the sweat is for all of us fool enough to be living under the equatorial sun, and the tears are mine as I pled with the Lord to preserve my daughters life. She just doesnt have the reserves to be this sick for very long- kids in Africa die every day from the after effects of malaria. The treatment is essentially a poison that kills the parasite but leaves the bodys immune system weakened and if they get sick shortly after they dont have the ability to fight it. Plus it is about a months salary to have a child treated for malaria so most get a partial or no treatment at all- meaning the parasite stays in their body and just attacks over and over. God bless these little ones! We made a lot of friends in the clinic everyone is very supportive and offers prayers on your behalf. We thank all of you for your continued prayers to get and keep Masseh healthy and complete this process and get her safely home. Court was predictable in its unpredictability- we showed up at 9:00 and at 10:30 were told we had waited in the wrong area and had missed our queue -they told us to come back at 2:30 Hmmmm. We did and were told he had not reviewed our case yet but that Tues he would-he also said that David and I didnt need to come back the next day. Our lawyers interpreted this to mean that we basically had our ruling and they hoped he would sign the written on Tues.-not sure if this happened. If so we shall proceed with passports Wed am! Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. Much love to Kaya and Janet we cant wait to have our complete family together! Musula Burungi!

Great News!

Derrick went to court this morning and the judge granted us guardianship of Masseh! The written ruling should be ready tomorrow and then they will proceed with the passport and visa. Unfortunately, Masseh is still very sick. Her fever is doing better but she is still vomiting and having diarrhea and refusing to eat or drink. She will be in the hospital overnight tonight. Hopefully she will show some improvement tomorrow. I will keep everyone posted.

I haven't heard from Derrick but the McKenzie's emailed to let me know what is going on. Masseh is back in the hospital. She was up all last night with vomiting and diarrhea. She does have an infection and will be on an IV for hydration and antibiotics for the next two days. The hospital isn't much fun so hopefully Derrick is doing okay. We should get our court ruling in the morning so hopefully that goes well. Pray that Masseh will get better and Derrick will get some rest.

Hey Derrick, just wanted to let you know that Patty and I made it home safely. It was a long flight but not as long as it will be with a 1 year old :) Kaya was sure excited to have me home but is a little edgy. That's our girl. How is Masseh doing? Were you able to get her to the clinic? Is she on an antibiotic? How is your new hotel room? I'm really wanting to know so write back soon if you have a chance. I hope you are safe and doing well. Love you lots!!!
Janet

YIKES!

So Derrick and Masseh are on their own now- Janet and Patty left at 7:00 last night and are probably departing Amsterdam anytime now for the states. Thats where the YIKES comes in- Derrick can barely take care of himself on most days- but he will rise to the occasion. Masseh had a rough night, even though the malaria parasite is gone she is still running a pretty constant fever and Daddy spent the night lying cool wet cloths on her head and torso while the AC cooled them off. She was so tired it didnt even bother her- and she is pretty strong minded so if something bugs her she will let you know right away(alot like Kaya). The oral fever reducer didnt seem to help at all but the wet cloths brought her temp down to a safe place and she actually got a good amount of sleep- Dad not so much. This morning the fever is still there so even though its possible its just a malaria after-effect we'll probably go to the clinic and get some antibiotics in case the fever is due to infection, etc. I would LOVE to see my little girl healthy and happy and at her best again. The guest house we will be moving to later today is walking distance from the McKenzies and near the clinic as well. Not quite as classy as the Speke Resort but nowhere near as bad as places I lived when I was in Uganda the last time around. Anyway we are safe and trying to get healthy. Please continue to pray for us to get through the rest of the guardianship process with speed and positive results. Love to all!
DJ Fraz