His name is Christian James Kokenzie. He was born July 15th, 2010, at 22:56pm (10:56) in the O.R. of the Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo. He weighed 2.775 kilograms (6.1 lbs) was 49cm (19.3 inches) long. It was quite a scramble that evening. We raced down the road from the church (never being able to attend the service) back to the house as Julie was experiencing unexpected contractions--contractions which spoke of the labor the doctor warned we did not want to have because Julie was to have a c-section due to her being a high risk mother. We drove through São Paulo with all our children to the hospital, making record time--about 30 minutes. When we arrived I told the gentlemen who were to park our car that Julie was unable to walk. They showed me where the wheelchairs were located. We all exited the car and entered right into the hospital.

In no time, Julie was wheeled "deeper" into the hospital as I stood there with the children. Those attending us reassured us we would be rejoined shortly. This held true and we eventually made it to the pre-op room. The nurses were monitoring Julie and I was next the bed with our little ones. I had contacted both some missionaries (to babysit) and the doctor, neither of which had been able to arrive yet.

Julie was really hurting and a bit worried because of the warnings the doctors had made about going into labor before the c-section. God took care of her though, the baby, and, well, all of us! Praise His name!

They wheeled Julie on a bed to the O.R. right after the doctor arrived and I stayed with the kids. When the missionaries arrived they immediately began watching the kids. I had to hurry to get authorized so I could go to the delivery. I made it, but a bit late. I think I was only a few minutes behind Julie, but when I arrived little Christian was born. I heard him crying while I was still putting my mask on.

I entered the room and half of those in there spoke English, the other half Portuguese. I spoke a word to Julie and then they directed me to the baby across the room. Oh, another Kokenzie! There he was. What a sight. It is still hard to explain how I felt at that moment, but it was a joy to see him, healthy and crying after all the crazy racing to get there. My first thought was, "There is another Elijah!"

I was the one to take Christian out to complete his post-natal measurements while they brought Julie through to her recovery. I stayed with him alone for some time, before the doctor came to me and told me Julie was well. What a gracious God we serve.

Very kind missionaries watched our kids as I stayed with Julie for three nights. Almost all the nurses who visited hour by hour spoke only Portuguese. God miraculously gave us the ability to understand them very well.

Also, Julie handled the pain quite well not needing all the pain medicine made available to her (though she was more tired than she had been after the deliveries of our other children) . The baby slept and slept and this made things even easier for her (and me).

I finally was able to complete his birth certificate application. It would be a few days after his and Julie's discharge that I'd be able to pick it up.

Upon our discharge, they issued us colored cards--one for the baby and finally one for Julie. Then we were accompanied by security to our car. Interestingly, no nurses joined the escort, examined the car seat, or anything like that.

A few days later, when we returned for the baby's first visit with the pediatrician I was to pick up the birth certificate. There it was, all in Portuguese except for the names of our family, and in bold was that name Christian James Kokenzie. When the lady stamped the approved certificate, she said I now have my first Brazilian. What a joy to hear!

Now we have to get him registered with the US Consulate here. That requires more forms to be filled out, along with applying for his US Passport. He also will need a Brazilian Passport so that we can have him go with us in and out of the country. Once all this accomplished (please pray) he will be a dual national. His life will be a more flexible one, going freely to and from both countries, since he is a citizen of both.

As for us, we must continue down the road of the visa. Thank the Lord that everything has shown progress so far and God continues to prove Himself with us. Your prayers have been a great encouragement and certainly answered!

We ask you to continue to pray! God bless!

-- John