RTS Cape Town

On Sunday we met up with Matt's younger RTS brother and sister. It is always so nourishing and inspiring to connect with these two families. Over a leisurely afternoon tea we swopped stories, shared advice, celebrated progresses, encouraged and supported each other.

The youngest is pretty Payton (on the left) with her mother Tamsyn. Then big boy Matt in the middle, and on the right is Sam (aka Smurf) and his mom Nicky. (If you haven't already checked out Sam's blog, follow this link.) The dads were also part of the gathering, but they were outside watching older siblings who were swimming in the pool.

It proved to be very tricky to get all three cutie-pies to remain seated, looking at the camera and smiling - despite a very energetic rendition of Wheels-Of-The-Bus by yours truly. So this pic was the best of the lot.

What precious little people.

And another RTSweetie in South Africa

To meet little Jodie click here. She too is in need of prayers at the moment!

A growing RTS family in South Africa

I have just come back from a lovely morning with two RTS sisters - Nicky and her little cutie Samuel (check out her blog if you haven't already) and the newest to our RTS family Tamsin - her daughter Payton is still in hospital and is not yet two weeks old. Payton has a problem with her heart and they are considering surgery.

We met at Tamsin's family home just before she was heading off to the hospital for the day. I love these ladies like they are my own sisters, even though we hardly know each other. Matt was a little subdued during our time with them, but I know he was able to show them that their future is not all doom and gloom, rather a hopeful place.

Please pray for God's strength for Tamsin and His protection and healing for Payton.

A Matt look-alike

Last week Matt and I met a tiny little baby called Samuel. He has a full head of hair – dark black. He has a big red birth mark on his forehead. He has the cutest face. He has thumbs that are elegantly angled outward. He looks like a new born Matt, only smaller. He looks like he could be Matt’s younger brother. In some ways he is.

Yes I finally met another child with Rubinstein Taybi Syndrome. This was a day I have been longing for and dreaming about for a long while.

Last week Thursday Samuel came to visit us with his mom and dad. I had been in telephonic contact with them for a few weeks and finally things worked out for us to meet. I know that Sam’s parents are still trying to find their way in "Holland" and so they were probably not so excited about meeting me as I was to meet them. But for me it was so precious – knowing that we are not alone anymore. Being in physical contact with someone on the same journey – words can’t describe that feeling of camaraderie. I know our friendship will grow from here.

Pray for little Sam, who was born prematurely, and is facing a number of health challenges. I was so overwhelmed and so overjoyed at meeting them that I forgot to take photos. Hopefully we will be able to visit them soon and I can get some pics – so watch this space.