#8 - The Birth of Joseph Michael

Peter and I have been so blessed with our fifth child, born on 15th December, at 5am Paraguayan time, as the sun was rising over the hills, and the birds announced the new day.  He weighed 7oz and 8lbs, is very long - 54 cm, and has reddish fair hair, blue eyes like Daddy, and looks a bit like his big brother Daniel did.  He is adorable, of course, and hungry, and keeps his mama very busy.  But our hearts are so thankful to The Lord for his safe arrival into the world and we are enjoying loving and kissing him!  He came right on his due date, so that's a first in our family, having an on-time arrival, after a short labour.  He was almost born on a beautiful garden path on our way up to the clinic (in the dark) from La Casita, but thankfully we made it just on time - 20 minutes later, Joseph entered into the world!...

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I was assisted by three lovely midwives here, Martha, Mary and Sharhonda, that helped us have another special birthing experience.  The children all came running up to the clinic to meet their new little brother shortly after the birth, and loved holding and kissing him, welcoming him into our family.  Daniel was especially overwhelmed in the gift from heaven of his long awaited brother!

Having left all my precious and memorable baby things, some given to my dear family in Ok, USA, I have struggled to believe God for all the necessary things for Joseph.  How are you going to bring them to me Lord?  Where am I going to find everything?  We went to several stores looking at baby things, but it all was over priced.  I wanted to see how The Lord would provide, not making it happen ourselves.  And The Lord has done exactly that!  Joseph lacks nothing; his manger is an adorable Moses basket, lent to us by the German Mission in Asuncion, (thank you Gaby!)just the night before we were leaving the city.  His swaddling clothes: the clinic sells little baby clothes, nappies and wipes, at very reasonable prices, as a service to the community here.  They have let us purchase these items too at the same price.  

"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen."(Philippians 4:19, 20 NKJV)

The other day as I was nursing Joseph, and having a mummy moment with my newborn, I was suddenly aware that God had perfectly planned for him to be born in Paraguay.  I wept as I looked at his hands and feet, and realized that he will serve this nation and give his all to his people.  As a mother, your instinct is to protect your baby from harm, but also my role as his mother is to train Joseph to love and lay down his life for his King!

As I mentioned in the last blog, the community at la Belleza have truly taken care of us as their own family, bringing us delicious and extravagant meals every lunch time for a whole week after the birth.  One Sunday, it was raining cats and dogs, but still the food came with a gentle knock at the door.  These families may have not had much food themselves, but the love and kindness they showed us was in their generous and abundant giving.  We pray, and please join with us, that as they have sown into our lives and met a need we have had these days, that The Lord would meet their needs, whatever they may be.  

Our time here at La Belleza has come to an end.  We leave precious friends but hope to be able to return and visit as The Lord allows.  Please pray for us as we adapt to being a family of seven, leave this dear Casita, find our own family home here in Paraguay, and settle into a peaceful and graced routine, serving our Lord together!  We hope you enjoy the pictures of Joseph!

Evi