May 05, 2009

Micah: Before & After

MICAH'S STORY
We met our sweet son, Micah Yoseph, on November 25, 2008 – a 4-month old boy from southern Ethiopia.  Micah appeared healthy, but was very small.  His big, brown eyes and story stole our hearts immediately, and we never looked back.


Micah in November 2008
Micah Yoseph referral pic

DONATE NOW TO SEND FORMULA TO ETHIOPIA
(put "Ethiopia Formula" in the note)

We have been extremely grateful for the love and care that Micah received at America World’s Transitional Home, but their nutritional resources for him were limited.  Over the next several months, as we waited for the Ethiopian courts to grant our adoption we prayed fervently for Micah’s health and strength to increase daily.  While at the transition home his pattern was to gain only ounces (instead of pounds) each month.  Though his situation was not as acute as many of the other baby’s, it was still very scary for us…always wondering of his little body was absorbing at least the minimal nutrients it required until we could bring him home.

AWAA sent us an update on Micah toward the end of December – in his photo he looked so thin, and had spit-up on his shirt…both indicators that his body was not responding well to the formula.  AWAA was constantly trying to acquire high-calorie, pre-digested formula for the children in their care, but it was expensive and scarce.  When we traveled to Ethiopia to bring Micah home, we saw first-hand the wonderful care that he and the other children at the transition home were receiving, in spite of their limited resources.  The AWAA staff never stops fighting for these children!


Micah in December 2008
 Yoseph Martin 12.08 update

DONATE NOW TO SEND FORMULA TO ETHIOPIA
(put "Ethiopia Formula" in the note)


When we met Micah in person, it was apparent that he had continued to gain some weight and was healthy, yet he suffered with diarrhea.  As soon as we returned home from Ethiopia, we transitioned him to a lactose-free formula and his diarrhea cleared up within days.  He also began to rapidly gain weight!  It was a miracle to watch as his personality and body blossomed in response to the increased absorption of the lacto-free formula!!! 

Micah has been home five weeks as has continued to grow, and is quickly gaining in percentage on US growth charts!!  We are so blessed by our son and our experience with AWAA, but we are continually burdened for the babies in Ethiopia who’s future is much more grim.  Without the proper nutrients, it will be impossible for their little, fighting bodies to gain weight and stave-off infection!!!  Not only those in the care of international agencies, but especially the children still in orphanages; the resources of orphanages are even more limited!

Micah in May 2009
Micah Yoseph 5.05.09  
 

DONATE NOW TO SEND FORMULA TO ETHIOPIA
(put "Ethiopia Formula" in the note)


We have no doubt that God is calling us to continue to grow our family through adoption, but we are especially committed to right-now fight (through financial donation) for the millions of orphans who may never be placed in a loving family!!!

For the least of these,
Vince, Alisa & Micah Martin

Micah Yoseph Meetcha Day

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
https://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451b7fa69e20115706f7ff5970b

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Micah: Before & After:

Comments

We love you Martins!!!
xoxo

Alisa and Vince,

Micah is just the best. Thanks for sharing your story with the rest of us. I'm still loving the pictures you took for me and waiting patiently for my court date....

I will never forget holding little Micah in my arms- he was so tiny, and I was frightened for him and for you both. But, I knew God would be faithful, and to look at him now- it is just amazing!!!

Those "Before" pics are hard to see. But Micah has turned into a gorgeous, thriving baby. Praise God.

I still can't get over the photo of him sitting in the blue Bumbo. He's so healthy now & loved from head to toe by his incredible parents!!
God is so faithful!!
xoxo

Thanks for sharing your story with the rest of us. I'm still loving these pictures.

James

The comments to this entry are closed.