Children of the Nest
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The youngest is Akiem who will be one year July
13th. He has a lot of teeth and a cute smile. He can be adopted
and has people looking into it from South Dakota.
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Rondean is only one week older but a lot bigger and
should be an American football player for sure. He is walking a
lot.
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OT will be one in June. He walks all over now and
loves to play peek-a-boo. He has a cute smile and is a bright boy.
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Martika (Joy) was a year April 1st but she is no
fool. Now that she walks she is getting even with all those boys
who took toys away from her. No one takes advantage of her anymore,
she knows what she wants.
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Deonno (DD) we call him. He says everything in whole
sentences. He calls the staff by name and yells Mrs. Townsend when
he wants to eat. He has a temper and loves to be held while you are
standing.
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Shantara is doing so well, getting stronger
everyday. Since we have the book to follow for OT / PT with
pictures from the therapist and written instructions she improves
every week. She is happier also.
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Avalea (Hou) short for Houdini... is cute, smart as a
whip and quick as lightning. She can escape from anywhere and
anything. High maintenance and a ball and chain are needed to keep
her by you.
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Sally is darling and has a great smile. She is
unpredictable as one day she loves people who come and the next day
she cries if strangers are here.
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Romaine is as good looking as ever. He is making
progress in all areas, thinks he is the 3rd Musketeer. He is bright
and sings and prays all the prayers with us.
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Wade and Swade continue to be a side show. Now they
put their hands on their hearts and one hand in the air and close
their eyes and sing into my heart... into my heart... come into my
heart Lord Jesus... it is a riot. They with Romaine will start
school in September.
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Aaron never ceases to surprise us. He gets all over
the house. His legs are getting stronger from the Johnny Jump Up.
I wish we could get more weight on him. He is almost gone with his
adoptive family and turned 7 years old April 19th.
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Shana-Kay has been approved to
move to “Dare to Care” near Spanish Town, 11 miles from her
parents. She has tested positive for HILV, a virus in the Leukemia
family. However, she does not have leukemia. Please pray for her
and us in this move. I have had positive reports about “Dare to
Care.”
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Ion is working hard and
improving lots. I saw him bearing weight on his knees yesterday.
He was up on his elbows. He is in need of a new wheelchair and
should have one soon, which will help. He loves to go to school,
ride in the car and go for neighborhood walks. He dislikes the
standing board but he tolerates it.
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Shaquille is very insecure
but joins in on all the fun. He is always reading everything he
can. He is a delightful boy who will go to foster care.
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TJ is doing well. His
father comes about twice a month and is excited to see and hear all
TJ has learned.
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Timar is still having some
obedience problems but has a cute laugh and can win your heart. He
reads well also.
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Peter is losing and
getting teeth so he now has front ones so he can start speech
therapy. He also will go to foster care soon I hope.
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Avian, the new girl from
Blossom Gardens, is reading well and catching up fine to the rest.
She loves all the things we do and places we go and is excited about
everything. She has a sister Avalea here also.
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Kaciann is reading also.
Her father takes her and Romaine about once a month. I have
pressured him to make a decision about them but he drags his feet.
Soon I will be making a date he must decide by.
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Sheila is reading away,
loves her dollies, gives them baths, and feeds them. She loves to
dress and undress them. All of the girls play but none are as
committed as she is. Her adoption is half done to a couple in Iowa
who also have a boy from West Haven.
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Dan the man is reading and
doing well. He is growing tall and thin. He never seems to ask
about Kowayne but he does see him at church and says hi and that is
about it. Mom comes every week and helps us.
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Christine is growing into
a nice young lady. She is at reading prep. She loves the idea of
being one of the older children until it requires more chores. She
flits around like Tinker Bell and is delightful.
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Matthew grew another 2
inches, makes him really look thin. He has recovered from his visit
over Christmas but it really took a toll on him. He needs prayer to
be nicer to young girls, as he has a real mean streak in him about
them.
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Dean needs an operation on
his eyes. People are working on adopting him. Then he will be able
to have the operation in the states.
|
Happy Birthday,
Shana Kay
(To all those
reading this: I could write a letter similar to this to many of
the children at the Nest. Your prayers, financial support,
donations, and trips to the Nest are worth it!! These children
have known the love of Jesus because you gave. May God bless
you all for blessing the “Shana Kay’s” of Jamaica.) |
 |
Dear Shana Kay, Happy
Birthday!
Wow, what a young lady you are
now. I’ll never forget the first time I met you. It was July of 2001.
My daughter and I had just been to Blossom Gardens Orphanage and she was
really struggling after seeing all those little ones with very few
workers to take care of them. Our driver mentioned Robin’s Nest and that
the director was from our home state of Minnesota. It wasn’t too far
away so we went and visited. We were welcomed with open arms. Michelle
was so thrilled to see some people from Minnesota and you and all the
children welcomed us as well. You were like the “little mother of the
nest.” Michelle let us take you 3 older ones outside and what fun we
had. I’ll never forget sitting in the sandbox listening to you sing all
sorts of songs about Jesus. When we went inside you helped Miss Michelle
by folding clothes. I was so impressed. It was so hard to say good-by. I
just knew I had to come and see you again.
After going home to Minnesota,
we soon found out that we were moving to South Dakota. One of my first
goals was to have Michelle come and speak at our church which she did in
April of 2002. After hearing her, our church decided to take a mission
trip to Jamaica. I could hardly wait to see you again. It was a year of
raising money and making plans but we finally came back to Jamaica in
June of 2003. I told you all about the first time we had been together.
You seemed to remember which made me feel very special. It was fun to
watch you still being “the little mother,” now a little older. We came
during your birthday so we had a big party for all the children.
Everyone got gifts but you got a crown and got to be queen of the party.
You had this huge smile on your face that I’ll never forget.
In 2004 I brought a group from
another church in South Dakota and what a thrill to see you growing up.
Then I was able to come again in January of this year and we studied
together and I helped you with your homework. You asked me to come for
your birthday again and now it’s June and I can’t be there.
I thank God that you have been
at Robin Nest for a few years and that you experienced the love of so
many people. I hope you’ll always remember that you are loved by many
people here on earth but none of us love you as much as Jesus does. He
loves you so much that He died on the cross for you, Shana Kay. I pray
that you had a happy birthday. Thank you for all you’ve taught me about
love. I love you, Shana Kay.
-Paula Merkouris |
Trip Report
left to right:
Rachel, Arielle, & Siri
We are two St. Olaf college
students (Rachel & Siri,), and this past January we had the amazing
opportunity to spend J-term, during the month of January, at Robin's
Nest.
Before we left for Montego
Bay, we received the advice to love the children, but to love them
lightly. We took this to heart, because we are both terrible at
goodbyes and could anticipate that this one would be awful. However,
upon meeting the children, we knew loving them lightly would be
impossible. We grew to know each of them individually through playing,
feeding, bathing, changing and holding them. We were in love with all
of them before the first 3 days were over. They are all so unique and
each one was special to us in different ways. The children were
continuously reminded of how much Jesus loved them and, although so
young, really seemed to understand what His love meant.
While there, a
two-year-old named Ricky, who had osteoporosis, was welcomed to Robin's
Nest and taken by the Lord six days later. Even in this sudden loss the
children were able to find peace because, as they told us, "Baby Ricky"
was in heaven with Jesus, running and playing. Never before had we been
witness to such incredible faith in such young children.
For much of our time
there, the children were very sick with colds and the flu. At first the
runny noses, coughs, and messy diapers were exhausting, but Michelle
reminded us that each time we cared for a child, we were caring for and
serving the Lord. Caring for these sick children was such a privilege
to us. It was so wonderful to see the way these kids loved life. They
were all cared for, loved, and happy.
Throughout our month
at the Nest, God showed us, through His children, that all you really
need to live a full, joyful life, is His love. We've always heard
people say that you come away from a mission trip feeling like you
gained much more than you were able to give. This never really rang
true for us until we were given the privilege to work with the kids and
staff at Robin's Nest. We feel blessed to have been given this
opportunity and can't wait to go back! -
Rachel & Siri
|
Vision statement:
To raise the standard and quality of childcare
across the island of Jamaica; to improve the ratio of adults to children
in childcare settings; to abolish the mindset that physically, mentally,
and otherwise challenged children are second-class citizens. |
Mission statement:
We pray that Robin's Nest will provide a nurturing,
loving, safe, Christ-centered atmosphere in which all children will grow
at their own speed --physically, mentally, and spiritually -- so they
may develop their own individual gifts, talents and abilities and become
the person who God intended. |
