Peace is ill

Thandie's adorable daughter Peace has a fever, bodyaches and a bad headache. Thandie became aware of the symptoms when she arrived back to Good Samaritan Monday evening(this was a day earlier than planned, Thandie didn't know Peace was going to get sick, but God did). It was too late to take Peace to the doctor so Thandie said she would take her in the morning. I just spoke to Thandie again a few minutes ago (7am Tuesday in Malawi). Peace continues to have a fever. Thandie is exausted. She is currently coordinating a trip to town to take Peace to the doctor. They will be checking for Malaria. Please pray for her. I plan to get another update at 7am Tuesday (San Diego time). This will be 4pm in Malawi.

Monkey Bay

Thandie, the Gentrys and the visitors from Alaska arrived in Monkey Bay today. Monkey
Bay is about a 4 hour drive. They will go to church there tomorrow and then they will go visit the new property. Thandie expects to be back at Good Samaritan sometime on Tuesday.

Spoke to the children today!

When I spoke to Thandie this morning she had some of the young ones sing me a song. They sang "I will follow", which is my favorite song the children sing. It was such a blessing and a great way to start the day. Children singing about how they are going to follow Jesus where ever He leads them. I spoke with 6 of the children on the phone. Our conversations consisted of "Hello, how are you" and "I am fine thank you and how are you". They are so precious.

Other news: All the children at Good Samaritan are healthy and doing well. The weather has warmed up and the heavy rains have stopped. A woman about 27 years old from Thandie's village died today. Brother Gentry had a meeting today will all of the Good Samaritan staff and the family visiting from Alaska. Thandie states that meeting went very well. Thandie has been loosing some of her "American weight". She promises that she is eating well and feels strong, although she sounds really tired.

Peace misses American food!

I spoke to Peace this morning. She told me that her stomach misses macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets and french fries. She has been waiting for the box of food I sent...it is taking a long time to get there. 6 weeks and counting.

The visitors from Alaska arrived safely in Malawi this morning. Seven children from the Children's Home went to the airport to greet them.

Other news: Josofina is feeling better. The mother of the kindergarten teacher at Good Samaritan died and her funeral was today. Target put there polo shirts on sale for $1.74! I was able to buy a bunch to take with me on my trip.

Update on Josofina

Josophina is feeling much better! She thanks everyone for the prayers. She was even able to go to school today!

Josofina has Malaria

Josofina is the little girl on the far right in the blue dress. This picture was taken last summer. Thandie told me this morning that Josofina was diagnosed today with Malaria. She was given medication and is now resting at the Children's Home. Please pray for her.

I purchased my plane ticket today for my next trip to Malawi. I will leave San Diego on August 13th and arrive in Malawi on the 15th. I will be there for four weeks. Please pray for the finances needed for this trip.

Happy Birthday Lemon!

Lemon turns 14 on April 23rd. He is in third grade and wants to be a driver when he grows up. Lemon loves playing soccer. Lemon's cousin Josephine age 9 also lives at the Good Samaritan Children's Home. Josephine is not feeling well. Thandie told me today that Josephine is very weak and having stomach pains. She will go to the hospital tomorrow for an exam. Please pray for Josofine.

Update

Today Brother Gentry was the guest speaker for a fundraiser at the Early Childhood Development Center in Malawi. Thandie's Aunt Mary is on the board of trustees for these preschools. Thandie said that Brother Gentry did a great job, the crowd was touched. Eleven children from Good Samaritan came to the preschool and helped clean and do landscaping. They worked very hard and Thandie was so proud of them. This fundraiser attracted media attention. Brother Gentry was interviewed on the radio and for the newspaper. The eleven children from Good Samaritan were interviewed on Malawi television. The children were not coached what to say, but gave very touching answers. They stated that it was a blessing to serve and help others.

Side notes: All the children at Good Samaritan are feeling well. Wonderful, who previously lost his fingernail to a terrible infection in November, is now growing a new one. Brother Gentry's house phone has been repaired, although I have been unable to get through. The care package I sent on March 14th has not yet arrived.


Peace had her braids removed this week. Her hair is now "resting". She was hesitant to have them removed, because she was so happy with the way it turned out, especially the curls on the ends. It has been over two months, so they needed to come out or they were at risk at falling out, taking her natural hair with it.


Peace getting her braids on February 23rd in San Diego

The curls Peace loved.

Telephones and Brother Gentry

I was finally able to speak to Bro Gentry yesterday on the phone. The thieves stole the phone line at his house right out of the ground. They are hoping to get it fixed sometime this week. He is also having trouble getting the network with his cell phone. Thandie told me to call over and over and finally it would work. She was right, I almost forgot to say hello I was so surprised that he answered. He sounds great and says that he looks great too! He and Mrs. Gentry have been busy having meetings with the Good Samaritan Staff and getting things ready for the first set of American visitors coming from Alaska on April 25th.

Thandie reports that all of the children at Good Samaritan are doing well. She was having some repairs done on her roof today from where it was damaged from the heavy rains. She said that Madonna landed in Malawi this week on a private plane. She said that the son she adopted was with her and she plans to adopt a little girl. I told her that I haven't heard anything about it on the news. Since the tragedy at Virginia Tech...there hasn't been much other news.

Burton Girls sing in Chichewa with Peace

Peace met Abby (14) and Beth (10) Burton when they were visiting Lighthouse Baptist Church in San Diego this past February. Abby, Beth and Peace were constantly singing beautiful Christian songs. Peace taught them songs in Chichewa. Abby and Beth taught Peace songs in English. There were songs being translated from one language to another. They even learned some of the songs in sign language. It was such a blessing to be around three young girls all singing and praising the Lord together. Their time together was so pure and special. I just couldn't get enough of them singing. The song they are singing in the video clip is called "Father I Adore You". They sang this song both in English and Chichewa...but the clip is just the Chichewa part, which is my favorite. The girls sang the special at a church in San Diego and then on April 1, 2007 at the Gentry's sending church in Louisville Kentucky. The video is a little shaky as I was so touched by their singing I couldn't keep still. I hope you enjoy it.

Happy Birthday Steven and Evance

Steven turns 13 today, Sunday April 15th. He is in the 4th grade and wants to be a driver when he grows up. He loves to play soccer. When the children arrived to the Good Samaritan Children's home in 2003, the majority of them had never been in school. They were placed in grades based on their academic level. They have worked very hard to catch up, however some like Evance are older than the average child would typically be in their grade.


Evance turns 15 years old today, Sunday April 15th. This is probably a good time to mention that when the children came to the Children's Home back in October 2003, many did not know their birthdays. Since they had no living adult relatives it was difficult to determine their exact birthdays. Evance states that his birthday is April 15, 1990, which would make him older than 15, however he believes that he is turning 15. So 15 it is! Evance is in the 8th grade and wants to be a surgeon when he grows up. He also loves to play soccer.

Twin girls (or should I say Does)

On Thursday April 12, 2007 twin baby girl goats were born at Good Samaritan Children's home. Now there are 7 goats! Daniel is in charge of the goats and is very pleased with the new additions. Thandie has always hoped that the Lord would bless her with twin girls....I don't think this is what she had in mind.

Another Surprise!

Brother and Mrs. Gentry arrived safely to Malawi today. Yes! Mrs. Gentry went too! Thandie and the other staff from Good Samaritan were very surprised. They will return to the US at the end of June.

Mrs. Gentry with Peace

Brother Gentry on his way back to Malawi

Brother Gentry will leave Louisville, Kentucky at 6am on Thursday April 12th. He will arrive in Malawi at 12 noon on Saturday April 14th. As most of you know Brother Gentry has been battling many illnesses since his last trip to Malawi in October 2006. He suffered arsenic poisoning, Bell's Palsy, Spinal Meningitis, Guillain Barre Syndrome and a problem with fluid in his ears requiring surgery. Not to mention chronic diabetes. But Brother Gentry wont let anything keep him down....he keeps on keeping on! He knows there is work to do and he just wont quit. He is such an encouragement to me. Please pray for Brother Gentry as he travels and for good health while he is in Malawi. He is scheduled to return to the US at the end of June.

The Container is on its way to Malawi

It's official, the container has been shipped! Thank you to everyone who sent items, helped pack and load, sent funds and prayed for this container to get to Malawi. This is the heaviest container Brother Gentry has shipped, weighing in at 290,900 pounds! It contains a dump truck (pick-up size), 1 million Gospel tracts!, 40,000 books of John and Romans in Chichewa, school supplies, books, clothes, industrial mixer, pop corn machine, bicycles, linens and countless other items desperately needed in Malawi. The container left Louisville on April 10th. It is now on its way to Charleston, South Carolina. It will be loaded onto a cargo ship on April 19th and will finally arrive to Malawi Africa on June 5, 2007. We are rejoicing that this container is finally on its way, but we know the work isn't over. Prayer is still needed for safety as it travels by sea and for all the items to make it through customs with little to no fees and taxes. And there is the small task of unloading, sorting and distributing 290,900 pounds of items! And if that isn't enough, there is another empty container on Brother Gentry's property that is waiting to be loaded and shipped. And a barn full of more supplies! Praise the Lord!
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (KJV)

Many Birthdays this week

Martha turned 9 years old on April 9th. She is in the 3rd grade. She is a very bright child and is in the 2nd position in her class. Martha sings in chior and wants to be a nurse when she grows up.

Betchan turned 13 years old on April 10th. The caregivers can't say enough nice things about this boy. He has good manners, always cheerful and is very inetelligent. Betchan is in the 5th grade and wants to be a professional soccer player when he grows up.

Grant, affectionally known as "little junior" will turn 6 on April 11th.

He is the youngest boy in the children's home. He is just a cutie! He wants to be a sweeper (as in someone who sweeps the ground with a broom) when he grows up. Little Junior is in the first grade and sings in the chior.

Happy Easter - Resurrection Sunday

The children of Good Samaritan Children's home celebrated Easter by going to Church, eating a special treat (donuts and sodas) and receiving their gifts from America. Many of you donated items for the children. Thandie crammed all the goodies into 6 suitcases (leaving all of her clothes on the container to be shipped later) and brought them to Malawi. The children all received new underwear thanks to supporters in North Carolina. The boys received new polo shirts also from North Carolina. Many of the girls received new skirts from the Burtons, the Swims and others across America. The children shared a giant 5 pound candy bar, given to Thandie in Iowa. They loved it! There were many other gifts: tooth brushes, hair bows, school supplies, clothes, etc. Some children received special gifts from their sponsors. The children also received their first Easter egg. The eggs were sent from Kentucky and stuffed by myself and the Burtons. The children first tried to eat the plastic egg and then realized that they had to open it. Each egg contained two pieces of candy and "Easter grass". The Easter eggs were a nice inexpensive and lightweight way to get every child (97 +) a gift from America. Most importantly each child heard the true story of Easter, the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Thandie and Peace at Good Samaritan Children's Home

When Thandie and Peace arrived to Good Samaritan, the children were in the dining hall. Which would have looked something like these pictures. Thandie said the children squealed and cheered. They prayed and thanked God for bringing them back safely. Thandie shared with them how God not only provided for them on their trip but provided the much needed funds for the children's home.

























Some of the older girls came to Thandie's
house and helped her clean and get situated. I know that Thandie has to be tired but she was so excited to be with the children. She was talking a mile a minute. Tomorrow afternoon she will be able to unpack the suitcases and hand out gifts.

Thandie and Peace arrive in Malawi

Thandie and Peace have arrived safely to Malawi. All of her luggage arrived safely too. They were greeted at the airport by some of the children from Good Samaritan Children's home. Thandie then went to a friends house to charge her phone and have dinner. She ate Nsima and said that it was very good. Everyone was surprised by how much Peace has grown. It is 7pm now in Malawi and she is on her way to the children's home. She has been awake for many hours as she was too excited to sleep last night in South Africa. She asked me to call her back in a couple hours so she can let me know how the children reacted to her return.

Thandie and Peace have left America

Thandie and Peace began their journey to Malawi at 4am on Thursday April 5th. They are traveling with six 50-pound suitcases plus carry-ons. Thandie and Peace arrived in Washington just before 9 am. They had to claim their luggage and take a taxi to another airport (Washington Dulles). When they arrived, they discovered they would not be able to check in their bags until 2:30pm. Thandie and Peace had to wait with all of their luggage. They were excited when the check-in counter opened a little early. They even met some Malawians in line. Thandie and Peace were able to make some good-bye phone calls and get something to eat. At 5pm they boarded the plan. I was able to say good-bye as they closed the airplane door.

Thandie and Peace will arrive in Johannesburg South Africa on Friday afternoon. They will spend the night there and then will arrive in Malawi on Saturday around noon. I don't think I will hear from Thandie again until Saturday afternoon. I will be sure to post an update as soon as I hear from her.

SURPRISE!!!

I surprised Thandie, Peace and the Gentrys this past weekend. I flew into Kentucky with the Burtons. They were expecting the Burtons but were very surprised to see me.

Surprise #1
I surprised Brother Gentry late Saturday night when he arrived to check us into our rooms. After he had showed the Burtons to their rooms, I popped in from around the corner. He was so shocked, thankfully I didn't give him another heart attack.
I had thought Thandie would be with him and I wanted to make sure she saw the Burtons first so I hid on the property next to the church. My feet got stuck in the mud....or so I thought....later I was told that a septic tank had just been removed....so who knows what
I really stepped in....but I surely was stinky!

Surprise #2

I surprised Mrs. Gentry and Thandie by walking into their Women's Sunday School class just after it started. Mrs. Gentry saw me first and said "Chrissie!" Thandie turned around and just shook her head. I thought for sure she would have guess that I would have come with the Burtons. But it really was a surprise!

Surprise #3
Peace came into the the foyer of the church after Sunday School and was greeting the Burtons with hugs, she saw me and let out a squeal, ran and jumped into my arms. She is such a doll.

We had a nice visit. It was difficult for Thandie though, as she is preparing her heart and mind to leave America and return to Malawi. It was hard enough to say good-bye once (San Diego), but then we had to say good-bye again. Her stomach was "paining" pretty much the whole visit. Please pray for her, she begins her journey back to Malawi tomorrow (Thursday 4/5) at 4am.

Birthday Boys

We have another teenager on our hands! Owen turned 13 years old yesterday. He is in the seventh grade and loves to play futbol (soccer).

Felix turned 8 years old today, April 4th. He is in the third grade. Felix likes to make vehicles out of wires. He is very talented. I can't wait to see how God will use him. I will look through my pictures to see if I can show an example of the types of cars he makes.