August Winds and September Flowers

Hey Family! I hope you all are doing well.


All the babies are doing so well. They are all healthy and naughty. We have 2 toddlers, 1 crawler, 3 sitting up on their own, 4 who enjoy their tummy time and 1 very tiny little girl.  A total of 11 babies!

My days are filled with Feedings, Burpings, Exercises, Crying, laughing, nappy changes and smiles. Some days, like yesterday, can be hard when we have a handful of cranky babies and toddlers. But it is such a learning experience to try to figure out how to be creative in keep my kids happy. Pushing my patience a little bit further, so I can grow to look a little bit more like Jesus everyday. I am so thankful that my heavenly father is so patient with me. If God had my patience I would be in trouble a lot more, oh dear.

Nicole and I have been so blessed to have our home church be so supportive of the baby house and want to be part of what we are doing. They have organized a nappy drive, “baby showers” and most recently put on a benefit concert. On Aug 1 the winner of South African Idol, ( yes they even have Idol here too) Kayah Mthethwa, came to our church and did a concert. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wn8MJRriw0)
 R30,000 ($3,000) was raised for the baby house! God has been so kind in his provision. It came just in time since we were not sure how we were going to buy size 3 nappies.

Bongiwe and I

The BIG check for R30,000

Kayah

Baby T

We have had another Adoption!

Baby T is moving to Denmark with her Forever Family. The Transition has been a little rough but her parents are so in love with their little girl and can't wait to be back home.

*****Sometimes I talk about another project at Refilwe called Kids Club. Every Saturday we host the kids from the informal settlement, Joe Slovo. On my Days off I love getting to spend time with these kids and Its one of my favorite places to be. Instead of me trying to explain it, I can just show you. The beautiful Ari Byers created a video about Kids Club. Please take a couple minutes to watch these people that are very close to my heart!
   
http://vimeo.com/102714537

Precious Baby E and I

Toddler N

How can you be praying for us?

-The Roof at the baby house is really struggling.  Please pray for wisdom and swiftness as an Organization on how to fix it. Also that it keeps the rain out as we approach the rainy season here in SA.
- Prayer for water at the baby house is always needed and very much appreciated. We have gone the longest stretch in many months where we have consistent water. I think we are around 5 weeks of running and hot water. Yay!
-We have a spot open in our house! I believe that God brings specific babies to our house. I always get curious when we have a spot open for a long time because I have to wonder who God is waiting to be born. There is no shortage of babies who need a home so God has someone extra special in mind for us to Love on.

-A prayer for myself is that I keep my eyes on Jesus while a lot of changes are going to happen around me. In the House that I  live in there are many volunteers coming in and out in the next couple weeks. Sometimes I can get very anxious with inconsistency and change. I need reminding of Gods promises, that he is my constant.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7

Toddler P (Rockstar) stretching his legs

Baby M and I are Rocking the Stripes

Celebrating 4th of July with people from all over the World

Andy and I took Nana and Sanele to Monte Casino!

First time at an Arcade!

Little Princess A

Aunties Evelyn and Nici during Feeding time

Adoptions All Around!

Hey Family I hope you are doing well. I made it a whole year! God has been so good to me here in SA. It is so cool to see how practically he has protected and provided. So much has happened since the last time I wrote so ill try to fill you in best I can.

Giggle's cute adoption outfit

We had our first international adoption in March!

Our big boy Giggles (Baby S) was introduced to his forever family. With it being our second toddler placement, we are always a bit nervous about the handover, due to an older placement. It went great! God has been so evident with all of our placements preparing the babies in amazing ways. Three weeks later Giggles and his parents came to visit the baby house and see where their son has grown up. They are so sweet and even brought small gifts for the children and aunties. As their new little family drove away, all I could think about was how well the parents complimented their new little boy. God always knows exactly which type of family each baby needs.




At the end of March, my Aunt Jerri came and visited me for about 10 days. It was so great to have family in my environment. I got to show off my Africa and all my babies too.

Aunt Jerri and I

Four Babies at once, what a pro!

Aunt Jerri got to meet my girl

April 14th was the happiest and hardest day I have ever experienced. I have never quite had day that gives me such peace in my heart and at the same time leave a deep loss. My Sweet Baby Girl was placed with her forever family on this day. Since I cant seem to write any more sentences without being super emotional about it, I will say this. Despite my heart being so invested in My Sweet Girl, God protected my heart. He has been so faithful in this last year with my girl, answering all my prayers for her and her new parents. I am confident God hand picked this amazing family from Holland. I got to meet her forever parents and they are very sweet. I miss her terribly everyday but I know she is so loved and happy in her new home.

Happy 1st Birthday Baby Girl!

Party Dress!

Adoption outfit

 

Last Pictures

For the whole months of May I got to go back to California. It was so good to see family and friends again. The time went quickly and sometimes I felt like a crazy person driving from one end of the bay to the other. I am so thankful for all the encouragement and I rest I received. Definitely necessary after a busy year and with a busy year to come. 

So much to fit in 12 hours with April

My sister and I watched so many cheesy movies

Walking Dozer

 Such a busy time at the baby house the last couple weeks. We got two new babies and a toddler in a couple short weeks plus a Local Adoption! 

Baby L Adoption Outfit

One of our new little hands

Finances:
I still need $900 to be fully funded to serve for the next 9 months. If you would like to be apart supporting my time here in South Africa please send checks to:

Whitney Eitzen
6140 Kavala Court
Pleasanton, Ca 94566

Checks written out to VALLEY BIBLE CHURCH
Donations are tax deductible

Prayer Requests:

-That I continue to draw near to the Heavenly father
-The babies to be healthy and strong during this winter season
-God brings our little Rockstar the perfect family at the right time
-That I continue to let God work on my heart by letting Jesus fill this little girl shaped hole in my heart

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:19
 

Blessings,

Whitney

"Little" Brother Graduated 8th Grade

Now he gets to go to High School

My Girl <3

Still trying to develop a good attitude about flying

Our new cat Gatsby (aka Kitty)

A Welcome Home Line Up

Birthday Love from these kids

One of my Favorite Families: Khanyi and her Kids Nana and Sanele

March Update

Happy New Year in March! This year sure has started off with a bang.. Literally. I will now go down in Refilwe history for being the volunteer that burned the car.

On January 7, I drove to work at the baby house in Nicole’s car at around 6:30 am. There has been problems in the past with the car short circuiting as we drove on the dirt roads to and from Refilwe. As I went over a small bump, the car died and I thought it would restart like every other time but it didn’t. Instead, the car started to smoke and I couldn't get the key out or even put the car in park. After I made a couple phone calls and lots of smoke, my dear friend Kate yelled at me to get out of the car. I quickly grabbed my bags and got a safe distance away. I turned back and saw flames coming out from the bottom of the engine. Some people pulled over to help me and my friends (really family now) from Refilwe tried so desperately to put the fire out. The car was so hot nothing was helping so we just had to watch the car burn until the fire department arrived. Since nothing happens quickly here in South Africa the fire brigade didn’t show up till most 7:30am! To start my morning off right I had to throw a party so I invited the fire brigade, two fire trucks,and 4 police cars. I wasn’t injured but was pretty shaken up and cried many tears.

 God gives and He also takes away. The car was His beautiful gift and He took it back, I believe for His glory. With much prayer, God provided another car at the end of February. The Refilwe Holland team, who supports the baby house, raised enough money to buy the baby house a vehicle. Such a blessing.

So many things are happening here on a weekly basis it’s hard to capture it all. Our prayer in the baby house has been that we could have 12 babies in the house. So since January, we have grown slowly to a house of 11 and prayerfully waiting for that last spot to be filled soon. Our house now includes Rockstar, 18 months, Giggles, 17 months, My Sweet Girl, 11 months, Baby T and Baby J, 5 months, Baby S, Baby E, and Baby L, 3 months, Baby K, 4 weeks, and our two newest additions Baby H, 6 weeks, and Baby A, 3 week.

six of my nine children

Bongiwe and I

As I’m sure you can imagine, a house with so many babies can be a little crazy. I would like to give a shout-out to my partner in crime Bongiwe. She is the newest member of our Auntie Team and I have enjoyed getting to know her as we tackle the tasks of making sure every baby is fed, held, loved and that every nappy is changed.

Two toddlers makes everyday an adventure, then add 9 small brothers and sisters and you can imagine the non-stop activity that happens. I cannot tell you how many times I have had to play referee,or body guard. They’re so observant, and if in the mood, want to be awesome big brothers.

Their favorite song right now is Old MacDonald and they both walk around saying E-I-E-I-O E-O. It’s very cute! Rockstar is a master climber and as soon as he hears the Aunties leave to gather babies from nap-time, he springs into action. Within 10 seconds, this kid can climb up on the couch and balance on the arm to look at himself in the mirror. Trouble is what I call this...

My Sweet Girl is still so sweet. I fully acknowledge that she has me wrapped around her little finger. I love our night-night routine for her nap and bedtime, the sleepy cuddles are the best.

All of the small babies are developing their personalities and I will be posting some new Baby Profiles soon. The Joe Slovo community is still one of my favorite places to spend time with people. God is moving significantly in the way Refilwe is able to be involved within the community and it’s such a blessing. We have been neighbors for so many years and it is incredible to watch God tear down huge walls between us.

Some of my precious community Kids

 It’s crazy to think that I have been here for almost 9 months. In most ways it seems like the time has gone by very quickly then I look at the calendar and see that it’s March and I look back to June, when I arrived here, and it seems like forever ago. God is so evident here in South Africa. I can see Jesus which makes me all the more excited to be here. I still very much rely on your prayers for me. I have never experienced such a place that stretches my strengths and highlights my weaknesses.

Baby E

 I am coming home in May for a month to attend the wedding of my best friend and to spend time with my family and friends. It will be so good to see everyone and to catch-up on what everyone has been doing during my absence. It will be so nice to hug, laugh, and have long chats again.

 I will return in June to Refilwe to volunteer for another ten months.
 My monthly expenses are approximately $500.00 a month and I have raised half of the funds I will need to support me until April 2015. If you are able to donate to my support, I would sincerely appreciate your help. As always, your prayers mean so much to me.

 If you would like to support me in this journey please send checks to:
 Whitney Eitzen
6140 Kavala Court
Pleasanton, Ca 94566

Please Make Checks Written out to Valley Bible Church
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All Checks are Tax deductible

May the God of Hope fill you with all Joy and Peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with Hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Burger King Opened here!!!!

Preschool Times

Baby S

Big Boys (Rockstar and Giggles)

My Sweet Girl is Almost 1!!!!!

My Love

My Little Kiddos

Monkey's Like people food!

Baby L

First Rugby Game!

Nicole and I at the Rugby Game

My Sweet Girls First time with Baby Food

Handed out Black baby dolls to the community girls