I think everyone who follows us on Facebook is aware of this already, but Joshua Hunt Baraka (Swahili for blessing) Kelley has arrived. Exactly one week ago, we finally were able to welcome the fifth Kelley child to the family. Steph will post all of the details soon so I won’t spoil that. Instead I will just briefly describe that day and the days since then. One thing is certain, we have and continue to see God’s hand in all of this.
![21.48.37 hrs __[0000279]](https://wp18.storagely.io/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/21.48.37-hrs-__0000279.jpeg)
![17.37.01 hrs __[0000270]](https://wp18.storagely.io/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/17.37.01-hrs-__0000270.jpeg)
Last Saturday started like most but we quickly realized that Joshua would likely be making his arrival. As usual, Steph made labor look easy. Her morning activities (in addition to laboring) included making a pumpkin, peanut butter, chocolate fudge dessert and doing dishes.
As these tasks were being completed, our OB friend/neighbor who has been taking care of Steph began a 1 1/2 hour expedition to locate the magical keys to OB theatre. (Such is life in Kenya.) We opted for delivery in theatre as it would provide much more privacy that the three bay delivery room that is normally used.
Although I thought it would be awesome to have a donkey take Steph up to the hospital, it did not materialize and we instead caught a ride up with our OB and her husband. We had stashed a wheelchair by the lower gate to make the trip easier but Steph decided she would keep on walking instead.
After getting Steph into her stylish gown (some things are universal in medicine), she continued her “I make this look easy” routine. Less than two hours later, Joshua was born. Because he arrived so quickly, the fluid in his lungs wasn’t expelled so our pediatrician/neighbor (do you see a theme here) worked for a little while to help him achieve normal oxygen levels. Although the settings were far different, it was hard not to flash back 2 1/2 years to Hannah’s birth.
After spending another two hours or so in the hospital, we opted to return home. (The hospital stay here is far different than in the states so returning home would prove to be far more relaxing and would actually have Steph and Joshua closer to their respective neighbors/doctors.) Our exit from the hospital was interesting (it’s not everyday that a mzungu delivers here). There were lots of heads turning and as we passed the ICU waiting area there were many pongezis (congratulations) offered.
When we arrived home, the boys and other kids quickly found us. After some brief introductions, we went inside so the boys could meet their baby brother in private. Again, my mind wandered back to when they first met Hannah and when we brought her home.
The boys have loved getting to hold and love on Joshua. I have been amazed at how much older they are than the last time we did this. They are really growing up quickly!
Joshua has already been a blessing for our family, but as expected there has been sorrow intermixed with the joy. After we returned from the hospital, we found out that Noah had been nervous the entire time we were gone. A couple weeks ago he came home crying after going to the endoscopy unit as a part of school. Apparently the talk of tumors hit a little too close to home for him. A little while after we brought Joshua home he told us that when we left he was afraid that Joshua was going to die. Levi has made comments about Joshua not getting to meet and know Hannah on earth. He has also expressed frustration that he doesn’t remember Hannah like his brothers do. We continue to talk about her and show pictures/videos but it’s just not the same. The pain of losing Hannah still sits close to the surface for all of us.
At times it has been hard for Steph and me as well. A couple days after he was born, I took Joshua to the hospital for a bilirubin check. As I carried him up the hill for the test, without warning I felt as though I was carrying Hannah up the same hill just as I had on the night she stopped breathing. Thursday night I was on call and had to go to casualty at about 2:30 am for an intubation. The night was again very similar to that night when our world was turned upside down. I vividly remembered the details of those hours as I walked up and back from the hospital. While these episodes aren’t as frequent or intense as they once were, they still exist and serve as reminders of the scars that we will forever carry.
But even in the pain, we continue to see God’s provision. The evening of Joshua’s birth there was a brilliant streak of pink that fell in the same location as the double rainbow that we saw after Hannah’s Tenwek service. A small reminder of God’s faithfulness and presence with us. That same evening, when I walked out our back door I found another small surprise. We were given a plant by a fellow missionary after Hannah died. It had been doing poorly but over the past several weeks has been making a comeback. When I looked at the plant, I saw a small flower bloom (had never seen it do that before). A small purple flower extending out from the pink stalk. Another small reminder.
Overall things have been going well with the addition of Joshua to the Kelley boy line up (although Levi is disappointed that Joshua still doesn’t laugh at his antics). It’s hard knowing that we will never have a picture of all of our children together, but it is comforting to know that we will have an eternity to make new memories. Thank you for your prayers for Joshua’s safe arrival.
Prayer requests:
-Continue to pray for comfort and healing. Hannah’s birthday (in January) and the second anniversary of her death (March) will be here before we know it. Most days are good, but there are still difficult times. Pray for all of us as we celebrate and mourn simultaneously.
-Pray that Joshua (like his namesake) will be a mighty warrior for God and a strong man of faith.
-Pray for Steph and the boys as I will be leaving for the states soon. I fly out on Thursday to attend specialized Ebola training. Tenwek continues to push ahead with preparations hoping that we will never have to implement any of them. We recently met with county officials and representatives from the Ministry of Health. Please pray that if Ebola ever crosses our borders that we will all be more prepared than we are currently.
-Continue to pray for the thousands of lives that have been shattered from this horrible disease.
- Changing Seasons - September 4, 2016
- Well Done Good And Faithful Servants - May 2, 2016
- Looking Back….Looking Ahead - March 14, 2016
11 Comments
Naomi Stambaugh
Nov, 1, 2014It’s impossible for me to read your blog without tears – of joy & grief combined! Thanks for sharing so clearly what suffering looks and feels like and for clearly articulating that the God who is with you stays close in the pain.
Where will you be getting the preparedness training for Ebola? Be assured there will be many folks praying for you and your family as you are away from home.
Aaron Kelley
Nov, 1, 2014I will be attending the CDC course in Anniston AL. Hope to be back at Tenwek in about 1 1/2 weeks. Thank you for your prayers!
Delores Thomas
Nov, 1, 2014Congratulations! Our first child is also named Joshua. He is a fine man and we all were blessed by our “daughter in love”, Amber. Through them, God has given them/us four beautiful children–Miriam, Naomi & Noah (twins), and Tegan. We lost our second child late in the first trimester.
Blessings,
Dee
Deb Tamanini
Nov, 1, 2014I appreciate your openness in sharing your thoughts and feelings. As I rejoice & praise the Lord at the birth of Joshua my husband & I are aware of the bittersweet emotions of welcoming one after saying good bye to another. For us it’s been 25 yrs. (my, oh my, how’d we get so old!
Marianne D.
Nov, 1, 2014I can say the same exact words as others: Not once have I read your blog without tears and a tug at my heart for all of you!!! Your bravery is beyond comprehension. Your family is beautiful!!! “Signs” are always a comfort and they come when we need them most! I firmly believe that those moments when we are dreaming or taken away in deep thought and feel or see those “signs” …..those of us that experience that have been given a very special “connection”!! Some people never are so blessed …somehow I think you know exactly what I am trying to say!!!!
Stay safe, safe travels, Blessings and love to all!!!
Marianne
Miriam Wert
Nov, 2, 2014What a beautiful baby! What a beautiful family! Beauty on the inside as well as the outside. I love all of you even though we have never met. My heart aches for you and also rejoices with you, and the faith of you, Aaron and Steph, is precious as you share it with us. I pray for your safety, Aaron, and the safety of your family while you are away. May all of you sense the presence of Jesus with you.
Cindy from Bethlehem
Nov, 2, 2014Your love for the Lord is the salt and the light. I can honestly say I am amazed each and every time I read one of your blogs. The faith Holy Spirit has instilled in you is such a gift. We were never once promised a storm free life. God said He would never LEAVE us nor FORSAKE us. You are all a living example of the goodness of God. Your perserverence is astounding. Joshua surely was not met to replace Hannah He is an added arrow to your quiver. Thank you ever so much for revealing the depth of your pain and allowing us to walk with you through these blogs. Give the boys hugs from us here in good old Bethlehem, PA
Lyn Simms
Nov, 3, 2014A friend of mine has a saying, that “Signs” are God’s signature to His love notes addressed specifically to us just when we need them. I like that idea, and I believe that God definitely sent you all a “love note” in that precious bundle, Joshua. Super hero Dad and Wonder Woman Mom, as well as Boy Wonders, will help guide him straight on the path to the Lord. You are all in my daily prayers, and I look forward to the day when we meet, probably on the other side of this life.
Jan
Nov, 4, 2014such great news about Joshua’s birth!! I am not friends on Facebook with you so this was the first time I heard of the Blessed event! I can tell you that you will never stop thinking about Hannah, nor should you! She was a part of each of you so she will always be in your heart and on your mind! My brother died.40 years ago and I still see a sadness in my Dad’s eyes when he talks about David! Don’t ever forget about Hanah!! Blessings from Jan Berg
Mibei Jacob
Nov, 5, 2014Congratulations for the “Blessing” you received Aaron! at times I pity with the boys, and your entire family for the draumatic loss of an little loved sister. Sometimes such hurricanes in life might be used by the devil to cause unrests and confusions in the families, mostly on christians but I’m so glad yours undestood that eventhough satan tries every single mean to hurt and cause prolonged pain, God is so powerful that he promised us eternal life after death. I always pray for you and your family, and I will also pray for you as you prepare to go for your training-towards the end of this month, I will start basic training with the Kenya red cross where they partner with our campus to sponsor us. Your presence here in Kenya is much blessing and transforms lives of many, for in you I see the pictures of great men like Job, Abraham and Joseph.
Congratulations and may you and your family be blessed!
Jacob from Nakuru.
Lisa Brey
Nov, 11, 2014Congratulations for the blessing of the newest Kelley member. I look forward to meeting Joshua. I remember when I met Steph at MOPs just a month after Jacob and my Emma were born. Since then I have had the honor to have met, played with, and held both Levi and Hannah. Steph has made such an impact in my life which in turn has made an impact in my family’s life as well. As many others have mentioned, I too have had tears and joy after reading your blogs. I thank you for all your stories, lessons, and honesty. The openess of both your joy and pain through your time at Tenwek is truly a wonderul testimony to me. I wish you luck and safe travels back to the states and pray that God keeps you safe while away as well as Steph the boys until your return. I hope you can pick up some Tastefully Simple Black Bean and Corn Salsa to take back with you. Love and God Bless, Lisa