*********JOY**********************FAITH*************
Thandie has made a decision in the best interest of the girls that they will be now known by their middle names. In private, both their first and middle names will be used as they transition but in public and on this blog they will be known only by their middle middle names. Tamandani "JOY" and Sidala "Faith".
Joy and Faith arrived safely to Good Samaritan Children's Home yesterday. The separation from the village was difficult for them. Faith's grandmother broke down hysterically crying. Joy was terrified for the vehicle. It really is heart breaking that they have to loose what is left of their family in order to gain a chance to live. Although the two grandmother's loved the girls and we feel have done what they can. The Malawi culture as a whole does not value children. The children eat last, and if there is no food left, they don't eat. Often children who are born to starving and struggling families are given names that mean "one more problem", "I have been dealt with bitterly", "another burden", etc.
Joy and Faith were bathed and fed upon entering Good Samaritan. The girls were quiet only talking to each other but refusing to talk to their nannies or Thandie. Thandie could hear the two girls planning an escape back to their villages.
Their first night consisted of Joy crying all night long and Faith spiking a fever. Thank goodness that we had two nannies last night.
The girls were taken to the hospital this morning. Faith was diagnosed with the flu. She weighs 24 lbs 0oz with clothes on. Joy weighed 19 lbs 8oz with clothes on and was diagnosed with Marasmus (severe malnutrition). The hospital informed the staff that Joy's condition warrants a hospital admission for months of in-patient monitoring. But because Joy has not been vaccinated, it is too dangerous for her to be hospitalized. The doctor who cares for the Good Samaritan children recommended that Joy remain at Good Samaritan on a special diet and he will be closely monitoring her there.
The next two weeks are critical for Joy. There is high risk of cardiac arrest in the re-feeding and treatment of Marasmus. The balance of electrolytes and nutrients in the body are critical. Her case is even more serious as she has a worms, and battles intense grief. The stress of the grief can cause and a chemical imbalance in her body and if she becomes over come by her grief and refuses to eat or drink, her situation will become even more concerning.
Please lift these little girls up in prayer. Please pray for wisdom for the medical staff, the Good Samaritan Staff and especially the nannies who are providing the direct care to the girls. Please pray that Faith and Joy will feel the love of God through the staff and caregivers. Please pray that they will transition well to their new home at Good Samaritan. The children will be having visits with their birth family. Please pray for wisdom for the timing of these visits.
Thank you for your prayers for Faith and Joy
On September 1, 2007 I went to Chrissie's village and visited with her and her children. It is then that I held Savannah-Hope for the first time. The twins looked the same size as they did the year before. My heart was broken for all three girls. The family agreed to relinquish Savannah-Hope but not the twins. This is when I learned that the twins had been separated. Tamandani was living with her mother and maternal grandmother in the mother's village, while Sidala lived with the paternal grandmother in the father's village. Again I was able to deliver supplies for the girls....but it seemed so small and the needs so huge.
Today 21 boxes arrived to the Good Samaritan Children's Home containing gifts for the children, staff-children and staff. These boxes came from West Virginia from the Carrier family and their church. The boxes contained a wrapped gift for each child that contains candy and a second gift of 2 wash cloths and a bar of soap for each person. Thandie received the boxes after their mid-week church service today. She is excited about distributing the gifts to the children. I will let you know the reaction of the children and hope to one day post a picture!
Today January 5th is the 2 year anniversary of Ivy's home-going. She is greatly missed by the staff and children at Good Samaritan. This year was even harder because last month her sister Ida made the decision to leave the Children's Home and return to her village. It is Ida's birthday tomorrow. It was devastating to the staff and the children to see Ida leave. She is a very sick girl and was getting good care at the Chidlren's Home. Thandie has heard from her recently and she seems to be doing well considering she is back in the village during rainy season. Please continue to pray for Ida.
Not too long ago we were able to purchase corn for 750K ($5.14) and now the corn is 3500K ($25.74) a bag. We use 75 bags of corn a month. Brother Gentry just located enough Corn to get the feed the Children’s home through the month of March. The cost of this corn was $10,000. Please pray.
The remaining needs for this school term include 25 pairs of shoes. These shoes must be purchased in Malawi and cost $20 a pair. Please prayerfully consider helping with this need.
Although the cost of gas in the US has gone down, that is not the case in Malawi. The cost of fuel continues to rise. The children are transported by a Good Samaritan vehicle. The vehicle and the driver stay at the school for the entire day, because we can not afford for the vehicle to come back to the Children’s Home and then return to pick up the children.
“I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of our supporters. The children, staff and I pray for you all daily. We are thankful for your generosity and faithfulness. We pray that the Lord will bless you and your families this holiday season and throughout this upcoming New York. We could not meet the needs of these precious children without your faithful prayer and financial support. Thank you and God Bless You”
