How sweet is that face?

Leaving for Africa

Tomorrow morning our friends with the Children's Hopechest team leave for Africa. Even though I don't get to go this time as I had originally planned, a part of my heart is going with them.

If you'd like to follow their journey, here is the link to the blog they will try to update while they are in Swaziland.

Please be in prayer for them, their safety, their families who are remaining here at home, and the people of Swaziland they are going to serve.

If I can't see him, then he isn't really here.

I love this picture. Gordon jumped up on the couch by Todd (who is very intently watching an episode of Lost), noticed Gabe and immediately turned so his back was toward him. He expends a great deal of effort trying to completely ignore the newest family member.



This photo illustrates what I think Gordon has been thinking for the last two weeks--"You brought a what into the house?"



He'll adjust, I'm sure....

And a Few More

More Photos

Thanks to everyone showing their support for Gabe, Sandi and the rest of the Cotton family. We appreciate every email, call and visit. Here are a few more photos for those who have requested them.

He's Here!

Gabe finally arrived via c-section around 9:40 p.m. and he's a heavy weight contender. Here are the vital stats:
Weight: 9 pounds 3.4 ounces
Height: 21.5 inches
Head: 15 inches! (To quote one of the nurses, being born by c-section was Gabe's mother's day present to Sandi.)

Sandi is recovering nicely under April Mitchell's watchful care. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for Gabe's safe arrival and Sandi's quick recovery.

Gabe still doesn't look interested in making his debut. Sandi has been at 5cm for the last three hours. Our doctor has mentioned the possibility of a c-section if he doesn't respond to the pitocin in the next three hours or so. Both Sandi and Gabe have been doing well throughout the process. We didn't think we'd still be waiting for Gabe's arrival at 7:00p.m., but Sandi is hanging in there like a trooper.

Still Waiting

We're still waiting on Baby Gabe. Like Grant, he seems like he's comfortable and in no hurry to make the move. Stay tuned for more information.

Baby Gabe Is On His Way

We started the induction process around 7:00 this morning. The doctor came in to break Sandi's water; Gabe wasn't cooperating, so she'll come back sometime this morning to try again. Sandi looks great and is managing very well. We'll keep you updated as things progress.

Cyclone

I just received this email from Samaritan's Purse and figured I'd pass on the information.

Samaritan's Purse relief workers who arrived in Myanmar two days after the deadly cyclone report a desperate situation in the aftermath of what appears to be the world’s deadliest storm of the 21st century.

Three water specialists from our Canada office, who had already planned the trip to visit a water filter project being conducted by a ministry partner, flew into the capital of Yangon on Monday.

“The city and country are in shock,” said one of our staff members. “Yangon has been heavily hit. Trees and power lines are down, and water availability is severely limited.”

Yangon is located in the Irrawaddy delta, which took a direct hit from Cyclone Nargis. A 12-foot storm surge swept away entire towns and villages.

“Our partner is receiving reports that more than 60 villages were completely wiped out in the delta region,” the Samaritan's Purse worker said. “They have heard forecast deaths of over 100,000, with bodies currently lying in the coastal waters. Many people attempted to escape the rising tides and flooding by climbing on to their roofs, but the cyclone’s strong winds carried people away. Most were unable to swim, and others became exhausted attempting to stay afloat during the 12-hour storm period.”

That figure is almost five times more than the 22,000 the Myanmar government has estimated. According to news reports, as many as 70,000 people are missing in the delta, which has a population of nearly six million people. The official Myanmar government figure for the missing is 41,000. The United Nations estimates that up to a million people could be homeless.

Samaritan's Purse has sent staff members from six countries to a staging area in Bangkok, capital of neighboring Thailand. They are ready to begin extensive relief efforts as soon as the military junta that runs Myanmar grants a United Nations request to grant visas to international relief workers.

“The largest needs include drinking water, food, and shelter,” said our staff already in the country. “The need for water becomes increasingly important in the coming days as disease and dehydration spread.”


What can we do?
Check out the link and see what you can do to make a difference.
Myanmar Relief