Today was the day I was supposed to post a blog about my adventure-filled weekend in Zanzibar. I’ve got that post written too, and I’ll have time to upload it tomorrow or later this week. But I have something much more important to share with y’all. Today I get to praise God for His INCREDIBLE sovereignty.

During my first week in Arusha I shared the story of Richard, also known as “Little Richie”. At the time he was a very tiny preemie I had met in the NICU at the hospital and instantly fell in love with. I knew I shouldn’t get too attached – his size and state of health weren’t at the best place for a promising future – but it was hard not to. Despite his size he was so alert, aware and fighting for his life. I wrote about his life story in one of my first blog posts and begged y’all for lots of prayer because he so desperately needed it.

Two weeks later I got the chance to go back to the NICU and to my disappointment, I couldn’t find Richard anywhere. We tried to ask the nurses on staff about his whereabouts but they weren’t very helpful and we couldn’t get a clear idea of where they had taken him. In the back of my mind I assumed the worst; I was sure he had died and they didn’t want to tell us, or maybe the nurse on shift wasn’t there when it happened. I tried not to think about it too much after that and worked on slowly detaching myself from the little boy I had let capture my heart.

And then yesterday happened & there was so so SO much joy.

Yesterday, we found Richard.

Can you believe that this is the same baby?! Just a few weeks ago he was emaciated and tiny and hanging on by a thread. Today, I got to go see him at his new “home” and he is BEAUTIFUL in every sense of the word. He is bigger, he has more meat on his bones, he gets the nutrition he needs and he is getting the chance to grow and develop well. They moved him to a baby home in Arusha called Watoto Orphanage. Right now they have 10 kids that they have taken in, Richard included. The owner, Claire, is very focused on family-centered care. Not all of the children there are necessarily orphans; many come from broken homes or mothers that cannot adequately care for them. At Watoto, the parents have the ability to visit their children regularly. Claire is planning to build other houses near the orphanage so that families can stay close by and she can help to provide education and resources as they adjust to the challenge of raising a child. Despite her condition, Richard’s mom gets to visit him whenever she can. His future is still a little uncertain, but for now he is in very good hands.

I cannot explain to you the unparalleled joy that I felt when I first heard about Richard and got to see him today. Last week, I didn’t think I’d ever get to see him alive again. Today I got to look at his precious sleeping face and praise God for His incredible sovereignty. I do not doubt for a second that Richard’s new home is the result of powerful prayers that God has answered. Richard wasn’t dealt the best hand when he first came into this world, but God is faithful and He has provided a place for him to get a real chance at life. There is no greater feeling of wonder and joy than watching prayers get answered. Thank you so much for your own prayers of support over the past 2 weeks! They were heard and they did not return void. Every word surrendered to God made a difference.

& so His faithfulness continues.
God is SO good all the time. All the time, God is good.

– Allie