Carson's Story

You may remember reading previous blogs about my nephew Carson.  At six weeks old, on May 30, 2011, he went into cardiac arrest at home.  He's now a healthy boy. 

Here is a video we made to tell his story through photos

Here is his full story as told by his mom (my sister Tara):

I had just fed him. I put him down, and he started to cry - a different cry I will never forget hearing. I picked him up. He was clammy. His eyes were rolled back into his head. He was gasping / moaning. Something was horribly wrong.

God's timing was perfect, even when mine wasn't. I called my husband (firefighter / paramedic) at his station. In complete panic, I said "the baby is not right. I am calling 911" and I hung up. As I dialed 911, Carson went limp in my arms.

My toddler, Creighton, and I road in the front seat of the Rescue. Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice from the back of the Rescue saying "he is fine, Babe."  It was my husband Chris.  He had jumped in the back of the Rescue, and was resuscitating his own son. I couldn't bring myself to look in the back. The more my husband said "he is fine," the more I knew he wasn't. When we left our neighborhood, we met the AMR ambulance. We stopped in the middle of the street. A medic, Alex, got out of the AMR ambulance and into our Rescue. I kept thinking, this can't be normal. I have never seen this happen when I am behind an ambulance. This can't be good.
 

At another street crossing, we met Engine 47. I heard someone yell from the back of the Rescue, "we will take any help we can get". For a second time, we stopped in the middle of the street and a medic, Jayson, got in our Rescue.

Carson was diagnosed with a rare Congenital Heart Defect called ALCAPA (Anomalous Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery). He presented in a full code, was shocked 3 times, and was on a ventilator pending Open Heart Surgery.

We were transferred to Sunrise Children's Hospital.   Carson was scheduled for open heart surgery the following day. Our family started to arrive in Vegas, one by one.  When my sister Robin arrived, she immediately said "lets pray over him."  I will never forget her saying "God, I know you have a plan for little Carson. We are just asking that you don't take him, that you leave him here with us. I know he will do great things for you, God."

People all over the world were praying for Carson.  Dr. Ciccolo, who I thank God for every single day, was to perform the Open Heart.  I was so afraid. The risk of death from the surgery, Dr. Ciccolo told me, was 15%. They had thought at the time that Carson had also had a stroke. They had thought that he had a bleed in his brain.

God took care of every concern, one by one. He made it through the surgery. He survived having an open chest for two days. He was able to have his chest closed at the end of the week. Dozens of people contacted me to say Carson's story changed their lives.  

If you would like to help support children with Congenital Heart Defects, we invite you to join Team Carson (click here to learn more) in the Walk with the Heart of a Child, Saturday February 25, 2012.  If you can't make the walk in Las Vegas, you can still be a virtual team member.  Thank you for reading and watching Carson's story!

Knit-a-square in Texas

I've wrote several blogs about the partnerships between Knit-a-square, Ten Thousand Homes, and a group of women (the Knit Wits) from Rolling Hills Community Church in Lago Vista, Texas. Last year (click here to read more) my friend Mmapula (Megan) and I met the Knit Wits and later organized a way for Ten Thousand Homes to receive all the squares they send to Knit-a-square in South Africa.

Throughout the year, I enjoyed getting Africans and outreach teams together to sew the squares and distribute completed blankets to the children in Mbonisweni and Dwaleni. It has been incredible to see the amount of fruit resulting from the partnerships of the three organizations (click here to read more and here to see how much fun we've had with this project).

Yesterday Mmapula and I went to Lago Vista to see our friends again. They just completed 4,250 squares! A few of the members also recently celebrated their 80th birthdays!

I shared about the impact I saw them making in South Africa. This project has provided women in Texas an opportunity to use their skills to make a difference in the lives of many. My friend Kacy is now their point person in South Africa. However, they told me before I left that our friendship won't end just because I'm no longer in South Africa. They will also continue to keep in touch with Mmapula. This group of wonderful women make me smile. I'm reminded we all have something to give and gain something in return when we serve others.

In League City, Texas....

I've met a lot of great people the past few years who have come to South Africa on outreach teams. This past August, my friend Kacy's home church (now called Citymark Church) sent their second outreach team. I had the chance to get to know Mary, one of the team members. Recently, I told Mary I was in Austin and she sent me a note asking if she could fly me to Houston for the weekend (she had a free ticket she needed to use). Grateful for her generosity, I gladly accepted the offer.

Saturday the church hosted a Christmas in the City event at a local park. Their band played and there were many different activities for visitors of all ages. It was a great time.

Citymark Church currently meets in a school on Sundays. They are in the process of remodeling a new building to relocate to in January. After service on Sunday, Pastor Steven Yoes gave a tour of the new building. He cast the vision, and the church prayed over the property. Steven later told me he was really excited I was there during this time. Citymark Church partners with Ten Thousand Homes and gave money to build a few houses in South Africa. When Steven prayed a few months ago about whether or not to give money to Ten Thousand Homes, he felt like God said "if you build home in South Africa, I'll provide for your home (their new building) in Texas." They are excited to continue to be a part of a bridge between Texas and South Africa.

Pastor Steven Yoes and myself

Another friend Laura Chaffin, who I again met through Kacy in South Africa, also met up with us for lunch on Sunday. It was so fun to see her - and pick up where we left off a few months ago.

Laura, myself, & Mary

The weekend went too quickly! I enjoyed hearing about what was happening with my Texas friends as well as the opportunity to talk about and reflect on the time spent in South Africa. I remain thankful for the friendships made throughout the world the past few years.

In Austin....

I'm in Austin, Texas, this week visiting my friend Mmapula (Megan). Our friends Jaceson and Virginia (and their 14 month old baby Seth) stopped through on their way to Louisiana. We hadn't all been together since we finished our Peace Corps service in South Africa over two years ago. We also met up with our friend Chris. There was a lot of laughing, catching up, and reminiscing about our time together in South Africa.

from left to right: Jaceson, Chris, Virginia, me, & Mmapula

I love the fact we have a bond that can't be broken despite time, distance apart, and life circumstances.

Accomplishing Goals on the Las Vegas Strip

This past weekend my sisters Robin and Tara completed their first half marathon! They joined 44,000 participants in the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon & 1/2 Marathon in Las Vegas. It was the worlds largest night time race. I went along as their cheering section and had a blast.

pre-race photo: Robin and Tara

Robin & myself

There were participants of all ages and fitness levels. Elvis was represented by many runners. Many brides came dressed for their run through weddings. Other runners wore tutu costumes and electric lights. Perhaps the wildest (and possibly most uncomfortable?) outfit I saw was a man wearing nothing but a g-string, running shoes, and a smile.

Each participant came with his or her own story and reason for running or walking. That is what I love about these events. Whether you are the marathon winner from Kenya, an elite runner seeking to make the Olympic trials, or a hard working mom wanting to get in shape, each participant comes with a goal and takes a risk to achieve it.

The action shot photo from mile 12 (I joined them at this point for the last mile or so)

Race finishers!!! Good job!!

Tara "tebowing" after the race (as portrayed on http://tebowing.com/)

After finishing the race, my sister Robin said "I never thought I could do something like this." She did a great job! Life would be boring without risks and pushing your self to do something you didn't think you could do. So what is it for you? What is something you've always wanted to do? What's stopping you from taking the risk?

Endings and New Beginnings

Leaving Ten Thousand Homes and South Africa. Some things are harder than you anticipate. This time was no exception. I slept most of the 16 hour flight from Johannesburg to New York. I guess I was mentally and emotionally tired.

Endings. Comes with a bit of denial. Comes with a loss. Loss of community, loss of daily interactions with friends. Comes with a wrestling of identity, re-evaluating the fact I am not defined by the work I do. Changing thought patterns.

Letting go. Knowing your role in the kingdom. I had a dream I was visiting the Ten Thousand Homes base in South Africa. There were new families, staff members, and beautiful flowers everywhere. It looked like paradise! Then someone told me about all the great things happening there. The property was paid for and the ministry was growing. At first I frowned at the thought “it is happening without me.” Then I was immediately reminded my role within the organization was complete, I had the pleasure of being a part of the pioneering phase. This dream was a comfort to me and a confirmation that Ten Thousand Homes will grow and prosper in 2012.

Thankful. Thankful for the things I learned from each one of my friends in South Africa. Thankful for the memories and opportunities. Thankful for the people who faithfully supported me the past few years. Remembering the good things.

this video by Kacy Chaffin features Sihle (Pastor S), Witness, Tercia, and Mzwandile singing a song they wrote for me

New Beginnings. There is more to come. I’m currently being reminded who God is: creative, a wild risk taker, longing to share the adventure of life with us. I'm beginning to see with new eyes. Waiting expectantly. Hopeful.

An Evening of Pure Worship, Encouragement, & Celebration

As a part of my "going away" I hosted an evening of worship and celebration with the Mbonisweni youth I've come to know and love. With the help of my friends Stanley and Lennon, I hand delivered invitations to each of their homes. The invitation told them it would be a night of CELEBRATING all God has done within them and throughout their community the past few years.

After bringing the group to the Ten Thousand Homes base, they led us in worship and dancing. Please see photos and videos below, provided by Kacy Chaffin.

and now the little people, Lifa and Blessing join...



Lifa and Blessing keep on dancing....

Before the party, I prayed and wrote each person a note of encouragement. There is something powerful about speaking God's truth over someone in a group setting and then agreeing together in prayer. So one by one, each person to came forward and I read their note aloud. Once 5 notes were read, we stopped to pray for them.

Speaking truth with Zodwa, she IS beautiful....

Stanley did a fantastic job as the MC of the evening! The church had been fasting that day so I thought they'd want to eat early in the evening, but Stanley sensed we shouldn't stop to eat, that we should continue worshiping / praying until everyone was called to the front. Pastor Sthembiso and the youth also encouraged me with kind speeches, and surprised me with special music they prepared.

Youth members Witness and Sihle (he prefers being called Pastor S) wrote this song and Blessing did a great job joining them!

Two and a half hours later, we ate tacos together. It was an amazing evening and will remain one of my fondest memories of the time spent in South Africa. What an incredible experience to know this group of young people and watch them grow! I know they are and will continue to make a huge impact in South Africa and beyond. A big thank you to the youth, Kacy, Mimi, Eric, Lindsey, Stanley, Lennon, Lynn, and Koekie for all your help!