When Gary picked me up at the airport, 6 weeks ago, he brought with him a new spiritual son, Nick.
  They both informed me in my jet-lagged state that Nick was adopting an abandon baby for his mother (who lives in the States) and would be staying with us until the adoption went through.
  Okay.
  Welcome to Africa.

Nokatula and me ...

I visited Nokatula in the hospital, she looked to be about 8 months old, she could barely sit, no crawling or standing for this little girl close to 11 months old.
  Nokatula was left in the forest to die as a newborn and brought to the hospital by the teenagers that found her.
  She never left, until the day she entered our home.
  I am ashamed to admit, all I could think was, (just care for her and keep your emotions out of it, you will never survive Africa if you fall apart over every little child).

  She showed no expression at all, even while being bathed by a stranger in a strange place.
  Everyone thought she was a "good baby' when she slept 14 hours her first night with us, I was very concerned.
 I wanted her to cry, I wanted some reaction from her no matter what it was.
  She ate, she slept, she never smiled, and she never laughed.
  She had been so neglected that while in a hospital, no one seemed to pick up on the fact that this baby's lungs where full of fluid.
  We took her to the clinic; sure enough…pneumonia.
  After just a few days of the proper nutrition, medicine and constant cuddling and LOVE, and a new creature began to emerge.
  Where it seemed there was no personality we heard shrieking screams and giggles.
  She would even grab our faces in kiss us!

We were given several different translations for the name Nokatula, first "shut up", then "hush," finally " peace or quiet"…it suited her at first, but the longer she was with us, the louder and more animated she became.
  Soon she was scooting around the floor and pushing herself up.
  Where she was all gums, suddenly teeth started coming in everywhere. 
   
 

Nokatula's adoptive mom is here now, pushing the adoption through.
  Tami walks in peace through the whole crazy process.
  She just knew this baby was hers to love and care for, forever.
  I am so happy for both of them...I will always be grateful for the opportunity to continue to watch this little girl grow and blossom into a mighty woman of God.

By the way, I have not been able to "keep my emotions out of it", every time I see Nokaktula, my heart melts. She reaches out for me, and can't help but squeeze her and kiss her all over. She  will always be our first miracle in Africa.

I have decided what the name  Nokatula really means is…"steal your heart",