Dear Friend

Here we are almost at the end of 2010!

What a year it has been, one full of challenges, lots of tears but most of all so much proof of God’s love for us & His faithfullness.

We have been blessed over & over this year and I thank God for each and every person He set on our path to help us make the ‘burden’ lighter. From myself, Bobby & the children thank you so much to each and every person that contributed to our home, be it financially, with clothing, toys or food. Most of all thank you for your prayers & support. Especially during the months of Liam’s struggles & his death. Your prayers & encouraging word is what carried us through those times.

Our home is full of life and we thank God for each child He has sent to us. Each child we receive into our home & make part of our family, no matter how short the time here might be, we see as a blessing from God. Anopportunity to share His love, be His arms.

A very special thank you to Marina & the team from PPC who in preparation for the Festive Season, blessed us with fomula & nappies. Thank you for taking the time to visit our home & meet our little ones.

To those who contribute on a monthly basis, a very heartfelt thank you, your partnership with us has made it possible for us to help more children, than would have been possible otherwise.

Our wish for you this Fesitve Season is peace, love and laughter.

We are excited about the chance to treat the kiddies in our care this Holiday Season and we thank every single person that has made it possible.

We do not know how many children will be added to our home this Festive Season, but we are allready praying for them and we are ready to receive them into our home.

Again GOD Bless you & may 2011 hold many many blessings for you & your loved ones.

From all of us at Ray of Sunshine House.

As the Festive Season is almost upon us, we are preparing for a very busy time indeed.

The sad fact, as people become ‘jolly’, they seem to forget about their children. For the past 2 years we had babies brought to us by the SAPS on Christmas day. Babies whose parents are too drunk to care about them. We are so honored to be able to offer them a place of safety, pair of loving arms, while their parents are off doing who knows what….

This year we will at the very least have 13 children in our home for the Festive Season, this number might increase, we will have to wait and see.

We will be here ready and waiting to receive those little ones.

In the meantime we celebrated our precious Sarah’s 3rd birthday and Stanford’s 10th birthday on the weekend of the 13th & 14th of November 2010. What a privilage and pleasure to be involved in these children’s lives.

Our house is still a challenge and it almost seems never ending – while we are busy with the fencing project (a desperate need to replace our fencing), one half of our home’s electricity has stopped working – which is a HUGE challenge on it’s own. Unfortunately every cent we have goes into the feeding & dressing of the children that funds for fixing the house is simply not available. We so desperately want to not only give the children in our care a loving safe home, but also a nice looking home. Sometimes I wish that a programme like “Extreme Makeover – Home Edition” was in South Africa – because our home surely would be a great candidate.

We are so looking forward to this Festive Season, we really want to give these children an extra special Christmas Holiday. Take them to see the lights, trips to the beach etc…. Without your help this really would not be possible.

Thank you so much to those who on a monthly basis contribute to our home, we really appreciate it and you are helping us making a difference in the lives of these children

Liam was born 23 October 2009, 3 months premature and very sick.

For 3 months the medical staff at the Tygerberg Neonatal Unit fought everyday to keep him alive.

His mother just left him there, mere weeks after his birth.

On the 6th of January 2010, I went to fetch him. So small and frail.

We bonded instantly – to the point that the nursing staff present , commented on the chemistry between us.

Liam was very sick and he struggled daily. Was in constant pain.

In March 2010 he underwent brainsurgery to correct a problem with fluid retention around his brain.  He was so brave. It broke my heart to see my little darling Liam in so much pain, and know that there was absolutely nothing I could do to help him.

We had times where we really had to fight in the spiritual realm to keep him alive.

The suddenly just as I thought that he was getting better and that there was a hope and future for him.  Liam died in my arms.  I was beside myself, prayed for him, rebuked death, pleased with Father God, screamed at the devil, to no avail, my sweet darling Liam was gone.

The forensic pathologist phoned me later – said to me “It is amazing that this little boy lived as long as he did, he never should have lived. His brain was underdeveloped, his liver was ‘finished’, his kidneys were enlarged.”

I thank God for Liam, yes the 7 months that he was in my life, was the most difficult time of my life, but at the same time also so special. During this time I learned to put my trust in God. He carried me through. I learned the power of love. Liam lived for so long because he was saturated by love. Father God showed me that I could love so completely & when the time came, I could let go & survive.

Liam will NEVER be forgotten. His life will serve as my inspiration to keep LOVING the unloved, as long as needed.

His favorite place to be, on his Mommy's heart, it is also here where he breathed his last breath, while I was whispering in his ears my favourite scripture. Jeremiah 29:11

Till we meet again my boy, LOVE you ALWAYS – mom

I’d like to share the poem below, sent to us by the socialworker that worked on Liam’s case.

“I’ll lend you for a little time
A child of Mine.” He said.
“For you to love the while he lives
And mourn for when he’s dead.
It may be six or seven year
Or twenty-two or three
But will you, till I call him back
Take care of him for Me?
He’ll bring his charms to gladden you
And should his stay be brief,
You’ll have his lovely memories
As solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay
Since all from Earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there
I want the child to learn.
I’ve looked this wide world over
In my search for teacher’s true,
And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes,
I have selected you;
Now will you give him all your love,
Nor think the labour vain
Nor hate Me when I come to call
And take him back again?

I fancied that I heard them say,
“Dear Lord, They will be done,
For all the joy Thy child shall bring,
For the risk of grief we’ll run.
We’ll shelter him with tenderness,
We’ll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we’ve known,
Forever grateful stay.
But should the angels call for him
Much sooner than we planned,
We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand.”