Alex

The family we are staying, the Rineers, are quite extraordinary. They have six children, three of whom are adopted - three birth children: Hannah, Steven and Peter, two Kenyans: Adam & Grace and one Namibian: Christie.

Nearly six weeks ago they were asked if they could look after Alex, 15 months, whose father had died. There is a saying in Africa that there is always room for one more and the Rineers certainly made room for one more in their family. Alex arrived as a baby but made amazing progress in to a delightful toddler and stole his way in to the heart of everyone he met.

On Monday Alex was taken away from the family and placed in a childrens home here in Windhoek. Alex's Mum has lots of problems and the magistrate decided that Alex should stay in the home whilst they establish whether the Mum can get these problems sorted out.

It was a time of great pain as we prayed together with the Rineer family and as we remembered a similar experience in our lives with Joshua who had the same big brown eyes and curly hair.

Please pray that Alex would be able to live with the Rineers whilst the social services decide whether Alex's Mum is able to parent Alex adequately (which seems very unlikely). Please pray for the Rineers as their hearts are at breaking point as they try to love yet another child unconditionally.