Update on Ega

Tonight, I got to spend a few hours with Ega at his home. He is grieving appropriately, eyes filled with tears yet holding back trying to be strong. Life goes on around his village like normal. That’s hard when you know the world has come to a complete halt for one of your closest friends. It’s hard to have any words. We cried some, especially when I told Ega about all the emails people have been sending us with condolences. He knows many Americans, but it was especially difficult because the relationship he has with so many of our family members and friends is based on meals that Lokadi would serve us in his home. She was a hospitable woman and brought great joy to Ega. He misses her so very much.

I talked with Ega about when we would announce the name. He asked for a private occasion rather than one in front of the entire church. We’ll probably do that in the next week or so. Again, I know it’s hard for him to think about doing that without the baby’s mother by his side. Baby Lael is doing well, struggling with stuffy nose. There has been a surrogate for nursing the baby, but found out today that she is not able to continue. She lives here alone with her newborn daughter, but her husband lives in Togo (just west of Benin). She is one of multiple wives but she must go and see him for about a month or longer starting some time in August. So now Ega must choose someone else. Just this morning, another lady came forward offering to help. Though a good friend of his, she is not a Christian, and that bothers Ega because, as he told me, “it’s important for that baby to go to church.” We have offered formula and they are supplementing that throughout the day. Lael seems strong and healthy. Tori saw her this afternoon and came back and exclaimed, “Mom, that baby is gorgeous!”

Speaking of our little ToriBug, she finished her last day of Kindergarten today! She is reading well and is excited about vacation! She is ready for 1st grade….Timothy has had a growth spurt and decided with that to intensify his attempts at challenging our discipline!!! Jonathan is 7 months next week and defying all clothing labels (who says a 6-month-old can't wear a 2T like a glove!) All three are sleeping through the night and in the same room. Quite fun at bedtime!

Thank you for your emails and your comments on these postings. They do encourage us so much!

-R