March 16th, 2023
I know that sounds backwards but it is really what happened. For this little one it was an end to a pretty sad existence when Social Welfare brought her to Neema Village.
Baby Kelle was covered in bug bites, her skin was red and crusty and I remember she didn’t cry a lot then. I guess, like all abandoned babies, she had learned crying didn’t work, so why bother.
Kelle was about 3 months old when she came to Neema Village. Her mom had abandoned her in the house while she went out to work the streets. A neighbor took the baby to the hospital because she was dehydrated and so weak she could not open her eyes. It took weeks to clear the baby’s damaged skin and much longer to heal the scars of abandonment.
But Kelle grew and became a sweet little girl. Always a bit afraid of visitors and shy around most people, she would hide behind us and cry when visitors came to see her. We had prayed someone would overlook that and she would find a Forever Family soon.
God is Good and at two years old he sent just the right family for Kelle.
Jamila and her husband had had one child, a girl named Lightness, who on the day she was to be promoted to bank manager found she had an enlarged heart and soon passed away. The parents were devastated. Dad said it was like a light had gone out of their home.
But they had their daughter’s teenage girl to raise and, on the day all three came to Neema to see about adopting a child, Kelle was brought out to see them. Would she scream and cry like usual when she met strangers? Thank God, not this time, to our surprise she crawled up in a lap and made herself at home. It was love at first sight.
In just a few days the family came to take Kelle home. They changed her name from Kelle to Lightness and dad, with a bright smile, said because a light had come on in their home again. So it was the end of a tragic start and the beginning of a new life for LIghtness.
Yesterday we were invited to their home. We don’t often get to see the new life of our adopted babies so we were pretty excited. They wanted us to see how good she was doing and dad gave us the ok to post so you could see. Marquisette, Heavenlight, Kelle, Aly Lane and Ashley loved their beautiful home and sweet smiles.
Kelle O’ Pry Samsill, baby Kelle’s namesake, had brought a sweetheart cake, lollypops, and toys and stickers.
This time baby Kelle hid behind her new mom’s skirts and didn’t want to come out to see us. It was a really good sign.
She eventually came out for the cake and after her second piece she was letting Kelle show her the stickers.
After a prayer of blessing and protection for their home, we left with full, happy hearts. Once again what evil had meant for death, God had meant for Life.
May the light and love of Lightness and her new family bring you joy in your family, too..
Saving babies one at a time at Neema Village
Dorris and Michael Fortson