This is a bonus blog for this week… It is about something VERY close to my heart. Jodi and I went to my sister and her husband’s farm in South Africa to CELEBRATE the life of our godchild, my baby niece, Ilanza Nel. It was the first time since we arrived here that I saw all my family and it was such a blessing.
There are three photos on this blog – a sort of “before” and “after” photos of Ilanza. Many of you know that Ilanza was born 7 1/2 weeks premature. Her little life truly balanced on a knife edge at the start. I remember my mother phoning me while I was opening a new store for World Market in Florida, saying it didn’t look good and that we really needed to pray for her to make it. I remember my struggle with the contrast of two very different worlds -one where I worried about wine schematics and retail costs, and on the other side of the earth was a little girl trying to stay alive during her first days in this world. There was an out cry to God to have mercy, and to give life to this little baby. People from all over South Africa and the United States united in prayer.
God is still in the business of doing amazing miracles. I know that for sure- I held one in my arms. The coolest of all is the meaning of her name! Ilanza means “Fighter for the Faith.” Jodi’s mother always said she was such a little fighter. Little did we know just how much of a fighter. She has made her stand, endured the pain, and now her scars are a reminder of God’s hand on her life. I know that God has an amazing plan for that little life.
