Nicol Family Blog

Berhanu's departure!!!

2010-04-13T06:13:00.000-07:00

Today is Tuesday 13th April. Brahanu left last Wednesday. Our God is an awesome God!!!!, He gave Bethany and I the peace to go the airport and Oh boy, was it sad, yes, but, we both had a peace knowing 2 things. One our Lord was in control, and two, Jim was over in Ethiopia, so it felt like he was not leaving us yet.

The house has been so quiet without him, and I have even been calling the dogs, Berhanu! Bethany just said last night that the night before she felt really lonely without him (her and Berhanu have shared a bed for the last number of months, due to Berhanu being scared at night.)

Berhanu went on the plane like a little man, a few times going up to the airport he said "he was scary", which meant, he was scared. When the time came to leave us he went away no problem!!

Berhanu was delayed in London for 24hrs due the the guy at the desk in LAX not reserving him a seat on the flight from London to Addis!!!

Well he arrived on Saturday morning in Addis and Jim and his uncle and his sister were all at the airport to welcome him.

I have had pictures of Berhanu in Addis with his sister, Maza and his uncle, but Jim has not manged to email me and let me know how Berhanu was. The reason for this was that not long after he came off the flight, the four of them jumped into a 4x4 and were going to Brahanu's village, 12hrs north of Addis!!

So far as of this morning, Tuesday 6am, I have not had any more word from Jim, so not too sure what is going on and where they are at this time.

I will post later in the week and let you know what has been happening to Jim while he has been in Ethiopia. By that time I just have heard how he got on at Berhanu's village and have some more news.

Jim is also now on facebook and also there are some pictures and updates on the church website.

Keep them all in your prayer, for safety and for God's will to be done and for all the right people to be in the right places.

Thanks.

Caroline

Leaving Day

2010-04-07T07:32:00.000-07:00

Well, the big day has arrived!!!!!!!! The one that we always knew was coming, but kept putting it to the back of our minds.

Berhanu leaves for Ethiopia today at 4.30pm with Karen (MKI social worker).

Please keep our whole family in your thoughts and prayers today as it is breaking each of our hearts to let him go. I had Kim on the phone this morning from Scotland, and she was upset, and Christopher last night tried to get through and could not reach us, so Berhanu still has Chris to say goodbye to. Poor Bethany is beside herself!!!!!! Please pray for her that she gets the strength and the peace today that she needs.

Pray for a safe travel for Karen and Berhanu, as they have a long journey ahead of them.

I thank the Lord for putting this little man into our lives. God knew what He was doing when MKI passed Berhanu on to the Nicol Clan!!!

Thank you to everyone who has followed Berhanu's journey in the US.

This is not the end, this is only the beginning.

Watch this space!!!!!!!!!!!

Love

Caroline

Jim will leave for Ethiopia today 4 pm

2010-04-04T04:49:00.000-07:00

Great Party for Bran......thanks so much....!

Goodbye to my Dog Winston Kobo hear I come link below

2010-04-02T20:43:00.000-07:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobo,_Ethiopia

Welcome to say good bye Bran at Doheny beach

2010-04-02T16:34:00.001-07:00

Brans back at Mar 2010

2010-04-01T21:03:00.000-07:00

Facts re Ethiopia as Jim prepares to go

2010-03-31T09:15:00.000-07:00

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1072164.stm

Letter to Ethiopian court

2010-03-16T09:10:00.000-07:00

Why Is Branahue Haptu a special case for adoption?

To The Court of Ethiopia

Addis Ababa

Ethiopia

Dear Sirs/Ms

We would petition the court to grant an adoption for Branahue Haptu along with his younger sister Masa on the basis that he is a special needs child. Both of the children are Orphans and live their elderly grandparents and 20-year-old uncle in Wolo Ethiopia.

No one knows when BranHue was exactly born, however we believe he may be around 9/10 years of age .He has been given a birth date of 1 1 00.

Both parents died of aids or Malaria and he has been raised with his sister mainly by his 20-year-old uncle Siseri.

As a child he developed Scoliosis of the spine, which resulted in a 116-degree bend in his back, it caused a large bulbous lump to form.

Branahue was diagnosed by Rick Hodes as being in urgent need of Spinal fusion surgery in America at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. He was flown there by mending Kids and has had spinal fusion surgery in order to help his back become much more straight. He is now returning home and will be out of the emending kids program

His right hand has also been modified in order to allow the three fingers to become two working fingers with pinch or pincer capability.

Branahue has been diagnosed with a birth defect on his right side, which has caused a number of problems. Please find a list of the known medical conditions from which he has been afflicted with.

1. Scoliosis of the spine

2. Right Fore arm missing

3. Three fingers missing on right arm

4. Partial hearing problem on Right ear

5. Heart Murmur

6. Right Leg shorter than left leg

7. Shadows of Tb in lungs

8. Teeth in poor condition 7 have been filled two removed

9. General behavioral issues with moods and withdrawing into himself

10. Dreadfully shy in front of new people refusing to speak

11. No education and a general fear of new places.

We have acted as Foster parents for Branahue for the last 6 months.

We have three children Kimberley 22 Christopher 20 and Bethany 12.We are people who simply love children and have always had little people around our feet for the last 22 years.

We would love to give Both he and his sister Masa a home where they will have two parents and a family of people that will love them firstly.

Our medical system in America will also be able to treat Branahue and adjust his spinal fusion as he grows. He and his sister will be educated in the states. They will be given the best that we can to help them with the special needs that Branahue has also.

Our two oldest children are at university and are working away from home .We have the room and have the God given desire to share our lives with these two children.

I would ask if you would consider our plea to adopt the children. It would be an honor to raise them and maybe one day see them return as Doctors to Ethiopia……….

In life many people talk about helping children in need…here is a chance for us to really switch on love, care, tenderness and give the children an environment where they will be treasured loved and formed into two fine young people.

Please consider our application for adoption.

Simply

Jim and Caroline Nicol.

Marschelle the Director of mending kids

2010-03-16T09:07:00.000-07:00

disney wolrd with Helen Vid at bottom

2010-02-17T23:28:00.000-08:00

Helen from Scotland comes to visit Bran

2010-02-17T23:27:00.000-08:00

Branos journey coming to an end link at base

2010-02-17T22:32:00.000-08:00

Brano on The back of Jim's Mike Ocean Point

2010-02-17T22:09:00.000-08:00

Bran meets Kim our oldest Girl

2010-01-31T21:23:00.000-08:00

One handed swing ..!

2010-01-31T21:21:00.000-08:00

Brano woods.!

2010-01-31T21:12:00.000-08:00

Brano Back in CHLA

2010-01-15T13:14:00.000-08:00

Brano is Back in CHLA

we are here today the 15th of Jan 2010

to have his hand operated on.

On His right hand he has three fingers.His hand is connected directly to his elbow with no fore arm.The surgeons are removing a small stub he has for a thumb and shortening his ring finger to be more like a thumb.They will then relocate his other finger to be able to give him pinch between thumb and remaining finger.

The film crew were here to film his progress for a documentary that is being made to be shown in June on ABC.

The hospital is quieter today.His operation will take some 5 hrs.Carrie will stay over night and I will travel back down by train.

At time of typing it is 1pm on a Friday afternoon.

It is so emotionally draining to visit this place once again.I can feel my senses being effected,Caroline had been backwards and forwards and has became part of the furniture over the last wee while.

For me when I see a downs syndrome child or one who has an affliction that shall last a life I am still cut to the heart.

We are so... so blessed to have our health and strength,to simply have complete Motor skill is a glorious gift from God ,yet so easily we murmur and complain.

Bran has changed our lives forever,no longer doe the small things of life really bug us......here we have a child with numerous serious difficulties that effect him for the rest of his life.........Life is full of such blessings for some yet sorrow for others. We live a stones throw away from a sea of sorrow.the situation in Haiti,the poverty in the world,the millions of other Branos,the unloved the unwanted.....what can we do...?

We shall attempt to change the world one Brano at a time......he is a big part of our mission in 2010.

I genuinely pray that God will bless mending kids.......if you pause and really think about whoever it is that has paid for his surgery his flights and his visa ect...........what a great heart ,and what an honor for us to be a small part of the great process that has mended a little boy who one day shall be a man repaired and ready for life.

Truly this is one of the best projects we have ever been involved in.

sing sing sing

2010-01-11T08:30:00.000-08:00

Brano sings with Christmas kids

2010-01-11T08:29:00.000-08:00

Brano goes to disney

2010-01-11T08:28:00.000-08:00

Brano- I love sea world

2009-12-07T10:31:00.000-08:00

Brano Aki and Angi fly Jim's Kite

2009-12-07T10:07:00.000-08:00

Sea world with Aki ANgi and Bran

2009-11-28T12:23:00.000-08:00

From Sadness to sneekers

2009-11-27T10:30:00.000-08:00

Just.so good to see Bran Happy

2009-11-27T10:27:00.000-08:00

Wee man at Work

2009-11-27T10:23:00.000-08:00

Aki and The Gang at Dana Point

2009-11-27T10:19:00.000-08:00

Jim and Brahanue at Dana Point

2009-11-27T10:17:00.000-08:00

Aki Operated on three weeks ago ..lookin cool

2009-11-27T10:16:00.000-08:00

Brano Photographs Winston in truck

2009-11-27T10:14:00.000-08:00

Aki and The Gang

2009-11-27T10:10:00.000-08:00

Brano Happy thanksgiving big smiles

2009-11-26T11:49:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving from Brano.He is sitting in the back of the truck wanting to ride in the back as opposed to be in the front.I think CHP may have a different view.

Aki much to give Thanks for

2009-11-26T07:09:00.000-08:00

Aki and His Dad from Ethiopia.Aki is 16 he is at CHLA for the same surgery as Brano.

His back was twisted more from the left to the right as opposed to protruding outwardly ..like a hump.Bran had a bad side on hump.Aki has more of an internal twist.

He and his Dad are with us over thanksgiving,they were guests at the church on Wed night thanksgiving dinner...the people were so so nice to them.They go back on Sunday night to CHLA.

They have been there for a month and have not seen anything .They have not been away from Rin Macdonald house and the hospital due to the surgery.

They told us they live on $100 per month.The mother has Alzheimer's and has had it since she was 45.The father lost his job as a legal assistant in 91 and has not worked since.

How blest are we to be able to have the joy of taking them to the beach .To San clemente pier,to sea world and just seeing their face light up.

These people are from another planet-when it comes to life luxury and basic everyday things we enjoy.

God -please give us the chance to bless them in any way we can.

Bran helps at Food Bank

2009-11-21T18:16:00.000-08:00

Bran with His scotland soccer gear

2009-11-12T23:01:00.000-08:00

Justi Brings a base ball Glove fro Bran

2009-11-12T22:56:00.000-08:00

Bran Fits a Hitch to the truck

2009-11-12T22:54:00.001-08:00

Brano fits a hitch to truck

2009-11-12T21:47:00.000-08:00

Bran simply before and after

2009-11-12T21:37:00.000-08:00

Ethiopian Street Kids

2009-11-09T08:29:00.000-08:00

I AM HOME

2009-11-05T16:34:00.000-08:00

Brano is home.......

He arrived back on the early hours of Thursday morning.

Caroline Got out with him around 8 pm .she then had to change sheets and clean the Ronald MacDonald house.

It will be so good to have us all home in the house tonight for the first time in three weeks.

Hospital food is good ..but Carries cooking is so so good...!

I will send more pics shortly this all happened around 1 am by the time they got back.

Bran is sore he is very tender and very weak,his wound is still tender.

He freaked out this morning when Caroline showed him some bottles of meds.

He is standing At a bit of an angle and his head is a little to one side........He needs to retrain his little body to his brand new posture.

Today is the first day of a brand new life for the wee man from Ethiopia.

Simply

Your pal

Jim

Just Hands

2009-11-04T00:41:00.000-08:00

Brano Food From other Ethiopians

2009-11-03T23:07:00.000-08:00

Bran In Truck in Basement CHLA

2009-11-03T21:14:00.000-08:00

How to make ice cream vanish

2009-11-03T20:53:00.000-08:00

Who owns this Red Bike

2009-11-03T20:33:00.000-08:00

Carrie home for Dental appointment its Tuesday night in CHLA I am on the backshift-Accidently I took the red bike into the hospital....I never seen it in my Bag ......oooops..!

Monday 2nd November

2009-11-02T19:52:00.000-08:00

Well, Monday has come and nearly gone and we are not home!!!!

Berhanu still has some unfinished business that he still has to do (if you know what I mean!!!) before he can get home.

Today was a good day with the physical Therapist, he walked well and was holding his head good,

Cannot remember if we have already said that Berhanu has one leg longer than the other, so that is throwing his balance off a little!! He will get an X-ray in the next day or so to determine exactly what is going on there.

I think we managed to get through to him that he will be going back to the house, as he was on a high later in the afternoon, so I am hoping that, that will motivate him to get around and also to do his unfinished business!!!!

Tomorrow I am leaving here at 5am as I have a dental appointment. Our friends Jill and Laura are leaving San Juan at 5am to come and sit with him till Jim comes up later in the day. Tomorrow night Jim will be have the night shift (yee ha).

I pray that within the next day or two we will be sending you photographs or Berhanu at home, but till then we will be blogging from CHLA!!!!!!!

Bran crazy face

2009-11-02T13:13:00.000-08:00

Ethiopian nurse /Jim have conversation Link at base

2009-11-02T00:29:00.000-08:00

Click on here Bran4

Wilburs owner goes to sleep link at bottom

2009-11-02T00:14:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjDOZbn46xQ&feature=youtube_gdata

Having our own Dress up Party!!!!!

2009-10-31T19:23:00.000-07:00

As you can see, we decided that if we cannot get to the Harvest Festival at the church, then we would have our own!!!

I could not believe my eyes when I came back to the hospital today!!!! Berhanu looked so much better and just about back to himself!!!! He was smiling and interacting with Jim and I, it was such a blessing.

At present he is still sitting in the little wagon waiting to go back into bed for the night. He is tired, as this has been the first day that he has been awake all day long!!!!

We are hoping that he will get to go home soon!!! Even as early as Mon/Tues, that would be so good to have him back in the house again and to get him back to full strength.

Bethany has been patiently waiting for him coming home, as she is not allowed in the hospital because of the "piggy flu", so I am sure that if he gets home at the beginning of the week, she will be pleased.

Everyday has been such a blessing with Berhanu, we are so thankful to God for being given this privilege to take care of such an angel. Just remember that God can put people into our lives that are actually angels, which means we can be entertaining angels, so we should always be kind, considerate and loving, the way that God would love!!!

Tomorrow is a new day, and I pray God's mighty hand on Berhanu.

Nightie Night!!!!

Walking the DOG CHLA

2009-10-31T14:18:00.000-07:00

Just out for a walk Sat Morn

2009-10-31T14:13:00.001-07:00

Go to you tube Type in Jamesnicol7 for recent Vids

2009-10-31T13:52:00.000-07:00

Bran Walks

2009-10-31T13:30:00.000-07:00

Bran in the toy shop

2009-10-31T07:24:00.000-07:00

Since the operation -he is leaning to the left when he sits when he stands and seems to be listing to the side where his hump was.

I have other videos that are too long for the uploader I will figure out how to get them on.

Sat Morn another rough night....Bran was good but Oscar who we are sharing a room with kept us up most of the night.........

jim

Fri Night-CH Cafe + Garden +Incredibles

2009-10-31T07:14:00.000-07:00

Brans Nurse From Ethiopia

2009-10-30T14:42:00.000-07:00

Bran has had his surgery he is out of ICU its now Friday Morning.

Caroline was with him until yesterday now I have the Thursday Night -Friday night Shift.

We have had a bad night .He is being weaned off Morphine.

He has been up every second hour crying .They have given him some Morphine Shots to keep him Going.

He has withdrawn into himself and is very shy..........This is the way he reacts when he is in pain or does not want to eat.......No temper tantrums or crying ......just the silent introverted man.

This Video Clip Lets you hear Amharic being spoken...Its just like Scottish ......nobody can understand a word you are saying.

CHLA employ 3000 people........what were the chances of getting a nurse from Ethiopia. Senja

came from Ethiopia when she was 16 -her family had a business ,it was taken from them and they became threatened in Ethiopia.

She is a lovely person who has really helped us big time.

Only God can control those odds 3000 -1 chance of getting a nurse who speaks Amharic.

The more I get to know Brano ..............The more I think that he has experienced things that have made him have a withdrawn -reclusive side to his character.

I think that time with us would bring him out of a life of Greys and dull colors into a vibrant normal loving family where Hughes and affection are every day life.

When your told your loved every day, your are a beautiful child, your doing well......when you swim in a sea of confidence ................you start to believe in yourself...

Simply............. Bran needs the basic commodity of love............God allow us the gift of giving him that Love.

I am now in Ronald MacDonald's house to get cleaned up and prepare for the night shift.

MacDonald's are so generous- really, really kind to allow many of the families to stay here for free............

God bless the big Mac !

I will post a couple of other vids later of the Bran walking his dog called Wilber........?

The kid is on the mend......!

biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

jim

Bran is Smiles better

2009-10-29T17:00:00.000-07:00

Today has been Berhanu best day.

He is out of ICU and is back on the ward. We have had some visitors from Ocean come and see him. He is still feeling rough but much better than last week.

He was only face down in the theatre for 4 hrs as opposed to 8 last week.

Caroline has been here since Tuesday night. I am now taking over at the CH Hilton in LA.

Carrie saw the X rays today and his spine is must better....We will post the X rays when we get them the difference is remarkable.

He is now off Morphine and is getting another type of medication for pain.

His little tummy is now switching on.

He is worn out and has very little energy.....he appears to be withdrawn, I think the two operations have made him very wary of people with a medical look.

The main thing is, he is on the mend..........Surly God answers prayers.

Branos Doc in Ethiopia Rick Hodes

2009-10-27T23:05:00.000-07:00

HOUSE CALL

The doctor multitasks while visiting ten-year-old Fetia, who had surgery last year—arranged by Hodes and performed by visiting American surgeons—for a cleft palate and other facial deformities. The girl, once largely confined to her home, is now comfortable in public. To honor Hodes as their guest, the family holds a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

The Israel Connetion

2009-10-27T22:45:00.000-07:00

We have no choice we must help this man

God Blesses those who bless the Jews!

DR Rick Hodes

A specialist in cancer, heart disease, and spinal conditions, Hodes first went to Ethiopia as a relief worker during the 1984 famine. He returned there on a Fulbright fellowship and in 1990 was hired by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), a humanitarian group, as medical director for the country, overseeing the health of Ethiopian Jews who planned to immigrate to Israel. He discovered Mother Teresa's Mission while searching for a teenager he'd been treating for heart disease. When the boy disappeared from the hospital because he couldn't pay, Hodes tracked him down at the mission. Hodes became a volunteer and was soon spending as much time there as at his salaried job.

The Doc who sent Brano

2009-10-27T22:13:00.000-07:00

Research Rick Hodes his story is amazing ........what can we do to help him............?

http://www.aish.com/ci/be/48880347.html

Video of Ric Hodes in Ethiopia

2009-10-27T22:00:00.000-07:00

http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/dr

-rick-hodes-helps-the-children-of-ethiopia/article104652.html

Dr. Rick Hodes Helps the Children of Ethiopia

Dr. Rick Hodes has devoted his life to helping Ethiopia's

most desperate kids-including the five he adopted.

His philosophy is simple: "Don't Say No

By Kenneth Miller

In Ethiopia, there is one doctor for every 40,000 people and never enough medicine. In a nation with a per capita income of $220, modern treatment is reserved largely for the rich. But at Mother Teresa's Mission, Rick Hodes, MD, devotes himself to healing the poor.

"I like helping people nobody else is interested in," says Hodes, 55, the senior attending physician at the mission, in Addis Ababa. A native of Long Island who trained at Johns Hopkins University, he sees 20 adults and children a day at no cost to them. Many travel hundreds of miles from remote villages, sometimes in the backs of trucks, to his one-room clinic, where he stops at nothing to get them what they need.Watch Dr. Rick Hodes in action

If his patients require sophisticated medication, he hunts it down. He arranges free surgeries abroad. He moves kids who need special care into his own modest home (three bedrooms inside, three in an outbuilding) or another that he rents nearby. "Whenever half a mattress is free," he says, "I take in someone new." Some are abandoned kids who live on the streets; others come from families who can't feed them. In addition to providing medical treatment, he oversees the children's education, lining up donors to pay for both.

Most striking of all, Hodes, who is single, has adopted five Ethiopian children, the maximum allowed. He started in 2001 to put two orphans—Semegn, now 19, and Dejene, 15—on his insurance plan so they could have surgery in Texas. "It was kind of a scary decision, so I thought about it for a few days," Hodes recalls. "The answer that came to me was, God is offering you an opportunity to help these boys. Don't say no."

A specialist in cancer, heart disease, and spinal conditions, Hodes first went to Ethiopia as a relief worker during the 1984 famine. He returned there on a Fulbright fellowship and in 1990 was hired by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), a humanitarian group, as medical director for the country, overseeing the health of Ethiopian Jews who planned to immigrate to Israel. He discovered Mother Teresa's Mission while searching for a teenager he'd been treating for heart disease. When the boy disappeared from the hospital because he couldn't pay, Hodes tracked him down at the mission. Hodes became a volunteer and was soon spending as much time there as at his salaried job.

Until two years ago, he financed his mission work out of his paycheck or by begging aid wherever he could find it. Now the JDC helps with fund-raising, but Hodes still digs into his own pocket when a patient needs bus fare or a meal. He buys shoe polish for boys who support themselves by shining shoes. He pays the rent for a widow whose daughter is undergoing multiple spine surgeries.

"Rick could have done very well for himself practicing in the United States, but he chose to do something so much harder," says Irving Fish, MD, director of pediatric neurology at New York University Medical School, who visited the mission recently. "He's totally selfless. I've really never met anyone like him."

Hodes does without comforts most Americans take for granted, like hot water and reliable electricity. He has all but given up on finding a partner with whom to share his life and work. But to him, these aren't sacrifices. To quote his favorite passage from the Talmud, an ancient book of Jewish law: "Saving one life is like saving an entire world."

Readers Digest on Doc Rick Hodes

2009-10-27T21:55:00.000-07:00

Watch this Video of Rick Hodes in operation and be humbled he ahs given his life to the Children of Ethiopia...

Thsi is the Doctor who sent Brano to us.........this is truly remarkable.

http://www.rd.com/video/dr-rick-hodes/video106963.html

Tuesday Night

2009-10-27T21:37:00.000-07:00

Time is 9.40pm and I am in the RMH and feeling really happy and settled tonight. Berhanu is sleeping as I left PICU.

He is aware of things going on around him tonight, which is so different from last weeks surgery!!!

He is also very settled and not in pain, which is excellent!!!

As Jim said in one of his last posts, being at CHLA in the last couple weeks, makes you realize how fortunate we are in our lives when we have our health and strength.

Thanks to you all for your prayers today, I believe that the surgery and the outcome was due to, two important factors.

1. The wonderful team of surgeons that we have had through out the two procedures and

2. Our God and master that gave these wonderful surgeons their gifts to heal broken children.

Keep all your comments coming, it has been a blessing knowing that there are so many wonderful, caring people in our lives.

Jim and I will never be the same after this!!!

Away to watch the end of dancing with stars (sad I know) prayerfully I will be watching it again in the house next week with my precious B.

From The Ground in Ethiopia.....

2009-10-27T17:13:00.000-07:00

This email comes from the Doctor on the ground in Ethiopia that sent Brano.

Read the last line especially- nobody has asked about him and he has now been gone from home for 5 weeks.

This is real stuff from the front line.

From Doc Rick Rodes in Ethiopia to jim

Hi Jim,

Please give me your mailing address, I will burn you a CD and mail it to you.

In short, I am based at a Catholic facility xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxx xxx
though the nuns don't like to have that name in print) and I work in 3
areas: heart disease (congenital and rheumatic), spine disease (TB of
the spine and severe scoliosis), and I treat kids for cancer. People
come from all over the country to be treated by me.

In the past few years, I have sent 50 spine patients overseas for
surgery, 24 heart patients, and treated over 20 cancer patients.
Besides my normal, very busy clinic which is completely free.

My mom lives in Laguna Niguel, and I have a brother in Laguna Beach.

Internet here is very slow.

Getting containers cleared from customs here is almost impossible.

I am employed by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, www.jdc.org
a 95 year old NGO based in NYC which passes 100% of donations on to
us. It is very well run and highly respected, no problem with the tax
part. And though I am a Jew (based in a Catholic mission), the
patients are all religions and ethnicities. My program was recently
examined very closely by a team from the Ministry of Health here, who
gave us a fantastic evaluation.

I see my role here as helping people that nobody else is interested
in. You can see some pics on the Reader's Digest website, just type
Hodes into the search engine.

Contributions can be made by check (AJJDC, 711 3rd Ave, 10th floor,
NY, NY 10017, att: Will Recant - checks should be marked "for
Ethiopian project"), or via the JDC website.

The website you cite is blocked here, i will be happy to see it next
time I'm in the USA.

My life is financially poor, otherwise rich, quite chaotic and
stressful, but ultimately very happy.

Berhanu has an uncle in the village but he has not called me. Nobody
has asked for any pics. Social worker? It' only me!

thanks.
rick

Operation Complete Bran In ICU

2009-10-27T16:12:00.000-07:00

Bran hues Operation has been a complete success.

Dr Skags came out to tell us that the operation went well and that his spine is remarkably straight. The lump on his back is now almost gone and even in intensive care he is on his back and is looking flat and really really good.

At time of typing we are in ICU and are surrounded by another three children who are in critical care .monitors ,and staff every where. All of need to have masks on because of swine flue ect.

The Level of care is incredible,Bran is under constant supervision and has two nurses helping back to recovery.

It has been a long night ........I stayed last night ,Caroline will stay tonight I will fight my way back home through the LA traffic around 10am.

I will miss the mens study tonight.........I really enjoy it and the small groups.

Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

jim

Angels at work- Op begins 7.30am

2009-10-27T08:40:00.000-07:00

..................And so the Angels begin their work......................

Its 5.30 am and it time for Branahue to have his last part of surgery.
The Hospital is a buzz with constant activity and action.Bran. is aware of whats happening -the nurse on our floor who speaks Ahmeric has explained all that is to be done.

He is aware he is heading for another bout of sever pain as the surgeons move the spine into its final location and secure the final titanium steelwork to straighten his spine.The process involves cutting some ribs out and removing some segments from the ribs to form a new rib cage.

At time of typing I am in the Cafe in the basement of the building awaiting a call from the doctors .

I am amazed at the quantity of children who are in surgery,The pre op area was like a space station preparing all of the children with tubes monitors and sensors......so many Doctors and nurses working on Children simultaneously.

Dr Skaggs came and asked me if I had any questions - I said yes can I have a bit of the temporary steelwork in Brans back after the final operation- he said it may be a bio Hazard but he would get it cleared and then would give me a titanium rod that has been in his back for the last week...

I believe these men are doing the work of God.For some they are God - but for me they simply are the hands of the master surgeon.
Why does God not just speak the healing words and repair the children the way Jesus is documented in Jewish and Roman History.

I just don;t know -but I do know we have a responsibility to do all we can for humanity ....The ways,the timing of God will one day be clear..........amidst all this pain and agony .it's hard.

Branhue Heptu ...........the meekest man I have ever met........so helpless yet receiving so much help.

Dear God , please heal this child may he stand Strong stand tall and enjoy the wealth of a healthy life. God I am your child so blessed .please share the blessing with Bran .make him whole.
Amen and amen.

Your pal

jim

Angel Surgeon - Major surgery in the morn

2009-10-26T22:11:00.000-07:00

Piano Player CHLA Sun 11pm

2009-10-26T21:41:00.000-07:00

The day has come and is almost gone,The reception of CHLA is colorful ,it is vibrant and so well laid out.There is a constant stream of sick children for outpatients and visitors all who must pass security and be vetted for Swine flue virus.

I stopped for a moment and just filmed a lovely poignant moment as a Young man played on the piano............amidst a sea of Human suffering his music was so peaceful and so refreshing.

It is so so hard to be in a place where the tears of the children bleed out through the walls.One night in CHLA is like being on the front line of human suffering and illness.Choppers land on the roof they deposit the critically ill children from LA.Car accidents and trauma cases.The hospital is so busy.

As one child leaves- a space another arrives-In the last week Brano has shared a room with 4 different children.

My sadness is overwhelming at times...........The question comes to mind how can God allow such suffering-how can there be justice in a 4 month old child born with tumour.How can a Father be comforted when his two children are both suffering severe spinal injury when a drunk driver hits them from behind and their lives are on the line.where is God.?

I believe just as I have tears -God cries also......Jesus wept at the loss of his Friend.
My how we have wandered away from the original design for man in the Garden.
How we have changed the lifestyle God had planned......how soon God will come back and wipe away the tears and end the suffering of the innocent and the pure in heart....

Where is God - He can be found in the hearts and the conscience of every man woman boy and girl......Where is he in the suffering child's situation......listening answering prayers and considering when all this Hell on earth for suffering children will end.

I don't have all the answers -I have many questions...............surly God will wipe all these tears away........

jim

Oh Boy is this Ice Cream Good!!!!!!,

2009-10-25T14:20:00.000-07:00

Bernie having an ice cream moment, and loving every bite!!!!

Sunday 25th at 2.35pm

Sunday Morning lie in

2009-10-25T09:55:00.000-07:00

Here is the photograph that I tried to attach with the Sunday Morning Lie in. This is Bernie as of Sunday 9.57am

Sunday Morning Lie in!!!!!!

2009-10-25T09:34:00.000-07:00

Sunday Morning an Bernie is having a much deserved Sunday lie in, (wish I could say the same).

The doctors seem to think that the nodule in his lung is possibly for old TB, so they are waiting to speak to Dr Skaggs before they give him the skin test, as they are not sure if it would effect Tuesday's surgery, so they are holding off till they speak to him.

Bernie was sitting on his bed yesterday and stood for a couple of minutes. Jim said he was none too chuffed!!!!!

Today the physical therapist will take him to the toilet, as he has been asking to go do his business in the toilet. (so that is good)

As yet he has only eaten 3 ice creams since Tuesday, and the docs have stopped them, so as I type I am waiting on instruction as what they want me to do, and what they want to eat, if anything!!

So far not a lot to report this morning, but I am sure as the day progresses that will change!!!

Saturday Morning

2009-10-24T08:56:00.000-07:00

It has been 4 days since since his operation, and wee Bernie is in pain!!! The doctors were going to give him another pain medication on top of the morpehin, but have decided against it as it thins the blood and they do not want that due to him going back into theatre on Tuesday and the risk of bleeding!!!!

Jim slept at the hospital last night again, he seems to get comfort when one of us is here at all times, so it has been quite tiring, but the Lord will give us the strength, both physically and emotionally.

This morning the doctors came in and said that his CT scan showed a nodule on his lung!!!! They want to do a skin test for TB today, so pray that, that will come back negative and that it will not be anything more sinister!!!!

Thanks for all your prayers, we really do feel them!!!! Keep them coming.

Caroline

The Prayers of the pure in heart

2009-10-23T15:59:00.000-07:00

......Hope said.....

.........Hi Jim,

I’m at work so I can’t view all the You Tube videos, but what I could see blows me away! What this precious little one has to endure! God love him and spare him from the pain! What a miraculous thing, I am in awe of the doctors and technology. Wasn’t Wed. nite amazing?? God brought so many people to the study, He knew you would have us pray as a community, and pricked the spirit of every one of us to be there that night, and the room was packed!

God is so good, and so amazing!!

We have been watching the blog since Wed. nite, please know the Nichol family and little Brano is in our constant prayers.

Love, The Tarrant Family

Dear Hope,

On Wednesday night we worshiped -we gave God his place with the word- the as we prayed for Nate and Janine Heitzig- Leny and Melinda Engle it was just so good and so pure.

To break into groups of 2 or more and then just ask God for his help was real and natural.

I pray Nate and Janine have another child time is on their side.

I pray Lenya will write many more devotionals and motivate many woman towards a Godly life.

I pray Melinda Engle will raise her son and daughters with much color and much Vibrancy in her life.

I seen -prayers answered as Branos little foot started to move-as the surgeons still there at 10 pm checked for signals at the tip of the toes.

Where else can we go but to the lord.

Simply your pal

jim

Psalm 121:1 A PSALM of Hope
. I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? 2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. 8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Surgery Video

2009-10-23T11:28:00.000-07:00

Warning Graphic surgery procedures

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVbiz3GwwCw

The operation in 3D- The technology is incredible

2009-10-23T10:32:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGCGrI8jXaY

I am in CHLA on Friday morning Bran has had a good night ....he is on the edge of pain but he is getting 5 star treatment..........

Bran Is out of ICU he is a little delirious but doing well

He is moving his toes and is past stage one.

Check out the video and you will be blown away at what they are actually doing

jim

You Tube operation

2009-10-22T21:24:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA9h4hrJBhE

Watch Branos LA Doc in action

2009-10-22T21:16:00.000-07:00

This is the Doctor and the exact procedure that Bran is going though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCAmnkHf-9U

CH LA ICU The day Poverty and Mercy Clashed

2009-10-22T11:25:00.001-07:00

CH LA ICU The day Poverty and Mercy Clashed

Rev 21:4

……God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain………..

My! How this child has affected us, as a family has been immense.

The petty little problems of life are so small compared to the plight of millions of children across the world, in deep need!

I was cut to the heart on Wednesday night as I arrived at ICU –CHLA around 10pm.I was taken into an area where Angels were in operation as Nurses and Doctors gave intense treatment to some really sick children.

The love, the devotion and the care I witnessed in CHLA was incredible. Surrounded by a sea of monitors, sensors screens and wires it was like being in a space station where every breath and every move made is checked rechecked and monitored by NASA.

Amidst the technology …there lays a little child grasping for life and panting for air, eyes swollen and whimpering on the edge of a fine balance of Morphine and pain.

Brano (we will settle on Brano- I wanted to call him Bono but somebody else has that name)

He lies on his side just able to open his eyes and clasp Caroline's finger, he whimpers as I speak and say a few words in Amharic.

He has not said much since he came- he has a lot to say now, to hear a child in Amharic in pain and be unable to understand is ……it’s just hard.

The love I feel for this child - is immense, he has only been in my life for around two weeks and yet he has changed my life forever.

Brano Heptu is poverty in high definition-no parents, a 7 year old sister 8 Km away form school being raised by an uncle, the average life span age in Addis is 40-45…. life is so hard. The child has nothing. The only possession he had when he came was a bag of mending kid's clothes, and a little black cross.

This is a divine moment where a people from CA can bless one who has so little with so much, In essence two cultures have met, and poverty and mercy have clashed at a junction brokered by mending kids.

This is the least we can do, to love a helpless child who really needs help.

Where is God in all this suffering?

My how we have wandered away from the original design for the Garden of Eden. I understand how people can Question the existence of God when they see such pain and suffering in innocent Children.

I also understand that this was not Gods design or his plan for mankind. I believe this suffering will end and one day God will wipe away every tear of every innocent child, a day comes when there will be no more suffering.

Understanding why it’s allowed to continue at all is hard; the limits of the human intellect blur at Gods timetable his plans his ways.

My friends this is not the time to debate it’s the time to do.

Our lives our church has been impacted we will never be the same, one of my life’s missions is now to get resource and foster families for Mending kids………mending kids is not words it the real deal its action…!

I type with a heavy heart. I have just dropped Beth off at school; our house is empty without Carrie she just fills up our lives with everything.

I went home last night and the dogs were loading up the Car to leave and move out. Chris and I are walking them but they miss the buzz around the house.

I need to finish and get back to work.

Two things I need to say.

The People of Ocean Hills Church are superb.

I have seen people write checks to mending kids-I have seen the Karen's and the Patti’s travel with Caroline-the toys and the presents, the clothes the kindness The Ethiopian interpreters that have came to the surface…………the Ocean of compassion has engulfed Brano……….he is drowning in stuffed animals and gifts

Ocean hills-what a community of people to be sick in quilts, food cards, not words real people, babysitters. …Real people who really care…

Our pals Gus and Kelly. As I entered ICU there were four beds, Brano with Caroline and in the corner to my left our friend Kelly holding a baby called Mia, Major facial issues, her mother from India exasperated very young and finding it hard to cope –she left went back to Ron Macdon,……Kelly left holding the baby.

Such love such friendship such dedication, just the automatic reaction to hold and to cleave those who are sick…

Gus and Kelly you are symbolic of the heart of Ocean.

We’ll get by with a little help form our friends.

Your pal

Jim

Long Day!!!

2009-10-22T05:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a long day!!!

Bernie and I woke about 4.30 and arrived at the hospital at 5.15am!!!!!

The wee man just does as he is told and there's never any question. He was examined to make sure that he was healthy and then up the stairs to wait for the surgery.

7.00am and Bernie got the sedation to make him sleepy, oh boy!!!!!, did it ever, he fell fast asleep!!!

Around 7.20am the staff noticed that our paperwork was not in order as they needed more signatures. Mending Kids managed to do their special magic and got it the paperwork in order.

9am and they wheeled him into surgery!!!! He was now in the hands of Dr Skaggs and God.

Not too sure if Dr Skaggs knows our God, if he does not, I am sure that he most have felt a presence in the room that was stong and mighty, and if he does, he would have known exactly who it was, and that our friends and family were fervently praying and on their knees.

The surgery was long, and there was a little hiccup at the end where Dr Skaggs had already came out and told me that the operation had went well and that plastics were now in place getting ready to put him together again.

The team noticed that they had lost signals from his lower limbs!!!! so Dr Skaggs went back in and released the tension from his spine by 1.5cm and it did the job.

By 6pm Bernie was in ICU and now recovering.

He is a poor wee soul, pray for God's peace in his wee spirit and that he would calm him and take away any pain that he may be in, may God through his holy spirit pour in all the love that is coming from many people.

There are so many hurting families in the hospital through sickness, I pray that if they do not know Christ as their personal Saviour they will find him, as I do not know how they manage to through these trials without the strength of God.

Take time today and look around you and see what you have, house, car, mother, father, children, bed, clothes, food, water, the list goes on and on!!!!!! thank God for all these wonderful things that he has given to us, as in a heartbeat they can also be taken away. Parents give your children a hug, kids tell your parents that you love them. I am more than positve that wee Bernie would love to get a hug from his mamma, and tell her that he loved her!!!!!!

This experience with wee Bernie so far has been many different feelings within my heart, but I know one thing, no matter what happens from here, I am a changed person.

Will try and post today once I have been to the hospital.

Thanks. X

The BIG day has arrived!!!!

2009-10-20T22:02:00.000-07:00

Well today Berhanu and I drove up to LA and met with Karen for his pre-op appointment. Everything went well.

We also met up with the film crew again and they got some good footage of Bernie riding his bike round the garden, it was so cute!!!! and also scary at the same time. Unknown to him by this time tomorrow he will be through the first stage of back surgery.

After we were finished with the crew we went to the zoo, where we spent the rest of the day.

Right now I am in Ronald McDonald House just beside the hospital as Bernie has to be at the hospital for 5.30am!!!!! He is fast asleep after speaking to Bethany for half an hour on the cell phone (don't ask me!!!! I do not know how someone who cannot speak a word of English can speak to someone who cannot speak a word of Amharic for half an hour!!!!!).

Please pray for wee Bernie that God keeps his wee body strong through this long operation, and that our GREAT physician leads Dr Skaggs hands. We thank the Lord for Dr Skaggs and his team. Pray for each person that enters that operating theatre tomorrow, that they will feel something different, and that something being the power of prayer.

Thanks once again, will keep you posted through out the day tomorrow.

I am hoping to attach a photograph of Bernie with his pumpkin that we carved tonight before he went to bed.

And so the story unfolds......?

2009-10-20T00:06:00.000-07:00

Hi Jim,

thanks for your kind words. At the moment, I'm in the amsterdam

airport, heading to Ethiopia.

Yeah, I really like Berhanu as well.

Here's what my volunteer, Chloe, wrote about Berhanu:

While most 8 year olds spend their day in a 2nd grade classroom,

Berhanu Haptu spends his day helping his elderly grandmother with her

daily chores and caring for his 7 year old sister. When asks what he

wants to e when he grows up, Berhanu ponders, , looking towards the

sky, before slowly answering "stoo-dint." The closest school is 6

kilometers, away, and with Berhanu's poor health, the daily roundtrip

commute of 12 kms makes school impossible for Berhanu.

Both of Berhanu's parents died before he was old enough to remember,

and his 24 year old uncle has assumed the multiple roles of mother,

father, and legal guardian. His uncle, Sisai, is a 10th grade high

school student as well as a farmer and primary caregiver for his

nephew, niece, and mother. The family earns their living by leasing

their small plot of land and reaping a quarter of the farmer's yearly

harvest. Sisay is not able to quantify their yearly income monetarily,

but can only tell me that a good harvest will yield them 6 quintile

(600 kgs) of dura, a type of wheat.

Berhanu is soft and gentle and sidles up to me as his uncle speaks,

eager to examine my fingers, separating them one by one. Berhanu's own

hand remains hidden under the worn cuff of his sweatshirt, a deformed

claw with 3 fingers. It is, as he believes, that by hiding it he has

convinced himself that it is not there. I roll up his sleeve to play

with his hand the same way he plays with mine, but he is quick to

catch me before I complete the first roll of fabric. He looks up with

a sheepish smile. It is interesting to me that Berhanu is so much more

self-conscious about his congenital deformities of his hand than the

exaggerated sickle curve of his spine, but perhaps, in his 8 year old

way, he is choosing his battles. I want to tell him that both battles

can be fought, But I am afraid the ruin the silence of our exchange.

Berhanu's dream is to 1 day be a student. Mine is that he may one day

let me play with his hand the same way he plays with mine.

I am about to send 10 patients to Ghana for spine surgery. If you know

anyone interested in help to fund this (about $12K a kid), let me

know.

My mom lives in Laguna Niguel, and I'm happy to meet you folks next

time I'm on the west coast, and talk about future projects.

Best wishes and thanks,

Rick

To The man who has mended many kids........In Ethiopia

2009-10-19T22:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Doctor Rodes,
How are you?
How are things in Addis in Ethiopia.
Can I simply say thanks....!

My wife Caroline and I have fostered Brahnau Haptu.
He is a delightful child who is about to undergo surgery for Scoliosis at CHLA...........via the mending Kids program.
His back ,His arm and his hearing problem along with a very slight Heart murmur make him the meekest wee man that ever lived.

We are so blessed to be able to support him at this point in time.
It is our intention to Love him and show him as much kindness and affection during these trying times in his life.

I feel I simply want to say a sincere Thanks - on behalf on mankind for what you are doing. Although we have never met, your reputations goes before you.......truly you are a genuinely kind and compassionate individual.
In CHLA you are simply a hero...!

Your life is a life of great significance...........
I stand in awe of your contribution to the fight against pain and suffering.

Is it true you have adopted children....?

If you can give us any more information on Branhues history that would be great.
(At time of typing it is 10pm in San Juan Capistarno-Branhue has just came into my office area had a little look around and went back to where my wife is in the kitchen- he has his cute little Pajamas on...!)

Please write back and tell us how we can assist you............I work at www.oceanhillschurch.com
We would like to send a container from our church in California....to you for free.
The question is what do you really need what could we put in the container..........I was involved a number of years ago sending a container to Sierra Leone.
We put a tractor and plowing implement inside..........we then packed the container with clothes and medical supplies, that could be used in Sierra Leone.
I have a Vision of a container being packed in CA loaded at long beach and sent to you..........

Brahanhue is two things.....he is a precious soul in need of help-he is also a walking commercial for mending kids..........we want the world to know and to help good people like you who are on the front line..........

Simply how can we help –can we do anything for you.........?

Jim Nicol

Brano Goes to San diego Wild life park........

2009-10-18T18:52:00.000-07:00

Day of much needed rest!!!!

2009-10-16T18:19:00.000-07:00

Today we had a much needed day of rest. We went to the mall and looked at the puppies and also went on a bike ride round the neighborhood twice!!!!

Bernie is talking up a storm!! He and Bethany are bonding so well, it makes my heart warm and mooshy.

Tomorrow we are hoping to go to San Diego Animal Park with Gus and Kelly, so photos tomorrow.

Hi Ho Hi Ho is off to Animal Park we Go!!!!

CH LA THE BARN HUE WAY

2009-10-16T10:04:00.000-07:00

Marathon Day!!!!!!

2009-10-15T21:58:00.000-07:00

Well, today started real early in the Nicol household this morning with a 5am wake up call for mum!!!!!!

We had to be at the hospital at 9.15am, and for anyone that knows the LA traffic at that time in the morning knows that it is horrendous!!!!

Well hi ho hi ho, it's off to the hospital we go!!!!

First appointment....... MRI and CT scan. Berhanu did not like getting his IV in and he cried for the first time, poor wee soul!!!!! Jim and I went down to the caffeteria and met up with the filming crew again!! (Ahhhh) and had a much needed something to eat. We were told that the two scans would take two hours, so what better way to pass time, than to talk to a camera crew and eat!!!

Second appointment........... cardiology, where they detected a heart murmur, but nothing too serious (thank the Lord), still camera crew in tow!!! Everything was good with his heart.

Third and most important appointment...............Dr Skaggs, orthopedic, the surgeon that will do his surgery. Dr Skaggs had a look at Berhanu's scans and decided that the operation would be too much to do in one surgery!!!!!!! so Berhanu will get his first back surgery on 21st October and his second 6 days later!!!!. Not what we expected, but it is for Berhanu's best interest as the surgery was lengthy and also he will get better results. Jim and I looked at a book with before and after pictures and they are amazing!!!! We pray that wee Bernie will get as good as, if not better results. The one thing that really impressed me about Dr Skaggs was, his young son came to visit with his dad, and to me that speaks volumes. Jim and I were told about the procedure and all the goes on during the operation and all the possibilites that could happen, but we are believing and trusting in God, that He will guide this surgeon's hands as God is the Great Physician, and that all things will be well.

Last but by no means least, Noreen (the lady who works at CHLA, but does all the appointments for Mending Kids International) managed to get us in to see the hand surgeon today insted of Monday, so that was a blessing. The doctor said that Bernie had only part of his arm and hand, and that his wee thumb was a floating thumb, and that means it is not attached to anything, so he said that the best thing for Bernie would be to take the little thumb off and move one of his two fingers to where his thumb would have been, so that he could pick things up and do lots of different tasks.

Still the camera crew were filming through all the different appointments, so all I can say now is "Where is my trailer, and that's a wrap, and does anyone have any lippy?"

After finishing at the hospital, we took Bernie to an Ethiopian Restaurant, he loved it and ate everything in sight, Jim and I.................. well, just between you and I, it was not our favourite food, but we would take Bernie back........................with a packed lunch for us!!!!!

Jim and I are just home with Bernie who is fast asleep, and the time is 10pm (long day)

Seriously, pray that God's will will be done and His mighty hand on this wee soul and to protect him from coughs and anything else, and also that he would continue putting on weight at the speed that he has been!!!!

Thanks to everyone for their love and support in lots of ways, Jim and I and the rest of the Nicol Clan really do appreciate it.

Keep the prayers coming

toys R us

2009-10-15T06:32:00.000-07:00

First visit to Toys r us

2009-10-15T05:31:00.000-07:00

Just smile

2009-10-14T22:12:00.000-07:00

Brahn Noo Rides his little red bike

2009-10-14T17:24:00.000-07:00

2lbs ON!!!!!!!! yipeee!!!!!

2009-10-14T16:59:00.000-07:00

On Monday Jim had a brilliant idea?????? get wee Bernie a bike!!!!!!

Hi Ho, Hi Ho to Toys are Us we go. Three hours later and about 10 bikes later.......................we came home with half of the store!!!!

Bernie loves his new bike, so much that I renamed him, Stunt Man.............he is a maniac!!!

He loves to go fast, so much so that Jim had to attach a long pole to the back of the bike so that he could keep control of him.

Bernie is coming out of his shell so much in the house, he giggles and laughs and is trying to say everything that we tell him!!!! He is still very shy outside the house and is not too sure with lots of people.

Today, he had his second appointment at the hospital, and yes, he put on 2lbs in 5 days!!!!! so good!!!! I wish I could loose 2lbs in 5 days!!!!!

The doctor was mostly happy with him, but did say that he still needed to put on some weight and get nutritional better. We will put him on a mult-vitimin for children and pray that this helps. I am also going to be getting carnantion instant breakfast as that seems to be full of goodness for him.

Bernie also got a small hearing test and his right ear did not seem to be hearing, so pray that when he sees the specialist that he does have hearing in his ear.

Tonight when I was folding up the laundry, he came and helped me to fold and then proceeded to have a throwing sock fight with me, boy, he has some shot on him for such a small creature!!!

Tomorrow is a big day for him, he has an early appointment at 9.30 for an MRI and CT scan so he has to have nothing to eat after midnight and only clear liquids after that. Pray that he does not wake up too hungry. He then goes on to a 1.30 appointment with cardiology and then on to a 3.30 with orthopedics, this appointment is with Dr Skaggs who is going to determine whether Bernie is up for the operation, so pray God's will on this decision. It will then take us a while to get back down to San Juan, so pray for a good safe journey.

We are so happy to be sharing this blessed time in our lives with so many different people from different walks of life.

God's richest blessing to you and yours!!

Sunday 11th October

2009-10-11T06:17:00.000-07:00

So far, so good!!!! Bernie is doing brilliant!!!

He has settled into the Nicol Clan fab.

Yesterday we went shoe shopping, and boy!!! he knows what he likes!!!! He tried on a pair of baseball boots and he loved them!!! only problem was, they were too small and trying to tell him that we would go to another store and get the right size was difficult!!! He was holding on to them with all his might. Thank goodness we found the right size!!! tears were stopped by an 11 1/2 pair of black and white pair of boots!!!

Bernie is still exhausted and fell asleep around 4pm and that really was him till 5am this morning!!!

his wee body clock is still all over the place, not to mention everything that he has been through in the past 3 to 4 weeks of his life!!!

Today we are taking him to church, Everyone has been hearing about him now for a few weeks, and they are so excited about finally meeting him!!!

We thank God for Jill Fawcett who introduced us to mending kids, without her and of course God's plan for our lives, we would never have had the sheer honor to look after this sweet young boy!!!!

Sorry there are no pictures this time round, as I am not as technical as Jim, but I promise to try harder the next time.

Thanks to everyone for all your gift's for Bernie, I am sure he is blown away, most of all, thanks for all your prayers and good wishes for him and The Nicol Clan.

Branahue starts to talk

2009-10-10T15:20:00.000-07:00

ABC CHAN 7 wantt to use Benahuoe

2009-10-10T11:16:00.000-07:00

Howdy http://jamesnicol7.blogspot.com/

James 1
27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
How are you?

I have started a blog to cover our www.mendingkids.org experience as we foster an 8 year old child called Berahnau from Ethiopia......he needs some serious back surgery. He also has a withered right arm. He is mal nourished and is a sorry we soul.

I simply cant keep up with all the mails the calls and the loving support we have had.....we are overwhelmed.

I had thought we could have done this Quitley,and picked up a big reward in heaven, The Nuns say that if you publicizes your good works on earth you have had your rewards.......the things done secretly God will rewards openly..........This is my position.

ABC CHANNEL 7 - It would appear that ..this is not Gods will for Bernahua.We have been asked by the LA children's Hospital if we can be involved in a documentary on Mending kids a section aired on channel 7-will be based around Bernahiue.
He is so Photogenic- his eyes tell a story of deep sorrow, yet when he smiles the world lights up.
He has the ability to melt people to tears....so small so broken and yet a gift from God.

The purpose of the Blog is simply this............
Bring attention to the plight of Children in third world countries who need life saving surgeries.
We also want to build up a network of families that can take the children and be host homes.
There is no profit or expenses paid for Gas ect-the travel up to LA is a pain but the rewards that will last into the life of a child and on into eternity are overwhelming.

It is my intention to tell as many people as I can of www.mendingkids.com ...........

Mending kids locate them – fly them to the US – surgeons do the surgery but they need Host families to provide homes care and transportation for the children.

This is my wife's project...............I am just a player on the sideline in a support role.....

This is real Jesus stuff..............no question about it this is front line hands on every dime being used to help some of the meekest people on the face of the earth........

So so good so refreshing ,so humbling to be involved.

No body is making any money-just broken kids being mended.

Superb .....

Tell as many people as you can............. Www.mendingkids.org ..............they are the real deal..!

Your pal

Jim

http://jamesnicol7.blogspot.com/

SAT MORNING Feeling -different

2009-10-10T09:07:00.000-07:00

Sat Morning ,

Bernie is now up and running around.

He has slept well and is now playing with Chris my 20 year old.

I need to decide should I go up the mountain to the mens retreat to lead a communion service or should I stay..Prep for Tommorrow and get back into the groove..........

His Sleeping pattern is good but he is Jet lagged.

He clearly has experince of Dogs........the car door opened and he gave our Dog an unusual ethiopian welcome with his foot ........!

He is learning our names..........

This was the first meeting between Bern and Chris,

Chris left the room in tears as we considered the plight of the meekest person on the planet...yet a Rich gift from God called Bernie.

Its a long time since I felt my eyes fill with teras......not open tears of sorrow but tears of.......compassion for a peson so so frail and so so weak.

PICS FROM OUR FIRST VISIT TO Childrens Hospital in LA

2009-10-09T20:07:00.000-07:00

wee bern hue arrives home

2009-10-09T20:00:00.000-07:00

His wee body is so thin his feet are so skinny

wee Bernie first night in LA

2009-10-09T07:48:00.000-07:00