Car Accident! Please Pray

I received a phone call from Thandie this morning which only happens if there is an extreme emergency as it is quite expensive for her to call the US from Malawi. As soon as I heard her voice the phone cut out. With my heart racing I called her back and found out there was a terrible car accident this morning. Rodney was driving the Mazda truck on the way to purchase a cow. I am not sure how the accident happened exactly, but praise the Lord no one was killed. There are many serious injuries however. They are as follows:

3 boys in the children's home were injured

Evance was thrown from the back of the truck on to the street. He is missing most of the skin on both hands, one elbow and a large piece of skin off of his back.

William hurt hit his arm, it was x-rayed and found to be sprained not broken. Praise the Lord!

Madahtso injured his neck, he is able to move his arms and legs, which is a good sign! He is in extreme pain and not is not able to move his neck at all.

The men inside the truck received only minor injuries. Praise the Lord! Pastor Baeta hurt his arm. Raxson has a bruised elbow. Alex the cook has a loose tooth and Rodney the driver has no injuries at all. Although I am sure he will be sore tomorrow.

The most seriously injured were two of our "garden boys"

Job (Japhet's brother) sustained a serious head injury. He is throwing up and has body pains. He is missing large parts of the skin on one elbow and both legs.

Kondwani has deep head wounds, missing large parts of the skin on his back and one arm. He has a dislocated elbow.

Please lift these boys and men up in prayer.

URGENT NEED PART 3

We have 21 children who our in great need of attending Summer School this year. The program begins on November 12 and lasts 5 weeks. The cost is $25 a child for the 5 week term. Please prayerfully consider contributing to this great need. Our children would benefit greatly from this opportunity.

This is the private secondary school that 7 of our children attend, and God willing 14 more will begin attending when the new school year starts in January 2008. Free education is only offered in Malawi up through the 8th grade. If a child wants to continue their education past the 8th grade they must attend private school. We have seven children from the Good Samaritan that just completed their first year at this school. They were all in Form 1 (9th grade) and will move up to Form 2 (10th grade) in January. We have 14 eighth grade students that took the 8th grade completion exams in September. If they pass, they will have the opportunity to attend secondary school, provided that the funds are available. We will have the results of their exams in December.

Form 1 Children.

Where do the other children attend school? Good Question! I will be doing a post very soon dedicated to the children's school and educational needs. Currently Good Samaritan has a primary school on campus for children 3 years (pre-kindergarten) up to 8th grade.

Please send your tax deductible donation to: Victory World Outreach
c/0 Victory Baptist Church
7808 Beulah Church Rd Louisville, Kentucky 40228
Please make the check out to: Victory World Outreach and write "Summer School" on the memo line.

URGENT NEED PART TWO

Good Samaritan has planted over 375 village churches since March 2000. It is our desire for the Children from Good Samaritan to visit these village churches. Church visitation will not only encourage our children but edify the church members. Unfortunately, this is something we have not been able to implement like we would like to because of finances. Church visitation requires two vehicles and the cost of fuel seems to increase daily in Malawi. Our goal is to take the children to two churches a month. The cost for this visitation ministry is $280 a month. Please prayerfully consider contributing to the church visitation ministry.

Please send your tax deductible donation to:
Victory World Outreach
c/0 Victory Baptist Church
7808 Beulah Church Rd Louisville, Kentucky 40228
Please make the check out to: Victory World Outreach and write "Church Visitation" on the memo line.

The two videos below are from Lighthouse Good Samaritan Baptist Church in Zomba. This church was planted while I was there. This video was filmed during their second week of church. The girls singing are from the Good Samaritan Children's Home Choir. They are wearing dresses from the "Dress Project"

Update

It has been difficult to update the blog lately with San Diego being on fire. If you visit the blog regularly, please try to leave a comment now and then. There is a spot for comments below each post. Without comments, it feels like I am just talking to myself.....which is boring since I already know what I am going to say. Questions would be great too.

San Diego continues to burn. Thankfully my house is no longer in danger, but so many homes remain in the fire path. Click here for a nice map of the fires. Since I don't watch television or listen to the radio, the Internet has been my main source of information. Here is an article written tonight that I found pretty informative.

SUNGENI

Please pray for Thandie and the Good Samaritan Staff as they had to make an extremely difficult decision to send one of the children, Sungeni back to his village today. The staff have worked tirelessly with this child in an effort to keep him. Unfortunately Sungeni was not compliant and his choices have put not only himself but the other children in jeopardy. This is the first child to leave Good Samaritan, and while we are heartbroken to see him leave, we know that God has a plan for him. This was Sungeni's time to go back to his village. While the Good Samaritan Staff and Sungeni were meeting with the social welfare department, a 12 year old boy who has been orphaned not only by his parents but all relatives was brought to the office. Thandie described this boy as well mannered and desirous of a chance to live in a safe and stable environment. It looks as if God maybe bringing this boy to us.


Savannah-Hope on the scale

Savannah-Hope had a well child exam today and weighed in at 10lbs 8oz! She has gained 6lbs 2oz in 7 weeks! Praise the Lord! Please continue to pray for her adoption journey. Urgent prayer needed for the arrival of immigration form (I 600A and 171H) and the completion of the social worker's adoption recommendation.




Part 2 of the Urgent Need coming soon. Please keep Ida's diet (Urgent Need Part 1) in prayer.

Pray for San Diego

This is a picture of San Diego!

This is obviously a blog dedicated to Malawi, specifically for Good Samaritan Children's home. But tonight I want to ask for prayer for my city as it is on fire. It would be silly for me to post statistics on the fire because it is literally changing and getting worse by the minute. Our local newspaper has started a blog with updates. Please pray for San Diego. Many of my church members have been evacuated. I can see flames from my house (Witch Creek Fire).

URGENT NEED PART 1

I was informed today about three urgent needs at Good Samaritan Children's Home. I will be posting them one at a time....so please check back. I am hoping you will pray about each one of these needs and prayerfully consider if there is something the Lord would have you to do help.

Ida

Ida was discharged from the hospital yesterday (10/18). The doctors have informed the staff at Good Samaritan that she is in extreme need of a more nutritious diet. Ida needs to be consuming more calories, more protein and more vitamin enriched foods. The cost of this special diet for our very special girl is $75 a month. The truth is, we don't have the funds. Ida has a compromised immune system due to AIDS. We don't know how long the Lord will allow her to stay with us, but while she is in our care it is our desire to give her the best quality of health.

Please pray with us for this urgent need. Any help would be appreciated. Whether it is a monthly pledge or a one time gift. If 5 people committed to contributing $15 a month, or 3 people sent $25 a month, this need can be met. Every dollar adds up....please consider helping Ida.

Please send your tax deductible donation to:

Victory World Outreach

c/0 Victory Baptist Church

7808 Beulah Church Rd Louisville, Kentucky 40228

Please make the check out to: Victory World Outreach and write "Ida's food" on the memo line.

Quick Update

Praise the Lord that this morning I was able to reach Thandie on her cell phone using the "cheaper" way to call. WooHoo! She still has laryngitis so we didn't talk long as she was struggling to get the words out loud and clear. Ida is doing a little better but is still in the hospital. They did get the results back on her CD4 test. They aren't great but not horrible either. Her count should be higher considering she is on the ARV's (anti retro virals). But the quality of the ARVs in Malawi is not good. Sometimes they are completely fake and it is hard to know for sure. I wish I could find away to send her the American ARVs, but I don't know if its possible and I am sure it is extremely costly. Keep praying for our Ida, God can heal her without the ARVs!

Please keep praying for Savannah-Hope's immigration paper to come in the mail "Sunga Sunga" (now now).

Update on the Sick Children....and Staff

Calling Malawi is only slightly easier than calling the moon. The cheaper way for us to call using a certain pre-paid calling plan has become so unreliable it is pretty much useless. Even the more expensive way to call has been fruitless 8 times out of 10. But I am praising the Lord that it at least works some of the time. Some missionaries live in the bush with no phone contact for months at a time.

On to the update.......

Junior

Junior's hospital stay was related to a seizure he had on Saturday. Junior is epileptic, but Praise the Lord that until now it has been relatively controlled with medication. He is having a few seizures now, so it maybe time to increase his medication. He has also had a growth spurt, so that could account for the medication no longer being as effective.

Ida kissing Brother Gentry on the cheek in her home Villiage of Jacket

Ida....what to say about our Ida. She continues to be hospitalized in Chirazu. I have convinced my "ownself" that this hospital is better than Queen Elizabeth. I don't have any scientific research to base this on, but I like Chirazu much better....so I am happy she is there. Regardless where she is, please pray for wisdom for the doctors and medical staff. Please pray that if there is a treatment she needs that the hospital can't provide, that God will provide the funds for us to purchase the treatment for her. Ida continues to have a high fever, chills and diarrhea. She does not have Malaria. Today they are running "blood work" to check her CD4 count. This blood test will show us how many T-cells (fighter cells) she has left in her body. Please pray for God to heal our Ida and if it is His will to take her home, that he do so with as little pain and suffering as possible.

Thandie sounds awful! But states that she feels better than she sounds. She would be so mad if she new I was asking for prayer on her behalf....but she needs it. Thandie has a cold with terrible laryngitis. It was very difficult to understand her and painful for her to talk. Please pray for her. It is VERY difficult on Thandie to see Ida so sick. Also Ida and Savannah-Hope for that matter can't afford to get Thandie's cold....which makes things more complicated for Thandie.

Brother Gentry has an anti-biotic resistant infection in the back of his neck related to a parasite. He will be seeing the infectious disease doctor this week. Please pray for wisdom for the doctor so that Bro Gentry may finally be delivered from this parasite that has been plaguing him for over year now. Also please pray for wisdom for Brother Gentry as he plans his next trip to Malawi.

Prayer Requests.....sick children

Junior was admitted to the hospital yesterday (10/13) for high fever. He was discharged this morning. I haven't been able to confirm what his diagnosis was. Please pray for him.

Ida! Our sweet Ida is back in the hospital. How I hate to write these words. Please pray for this special girl. She was admitted today for high fever and diarrhea. Please pray for God's healing and protection from any new infections she may be exposed to while in the hospital.

Happy Anniversary!

Today Brother and Mrs. Gentry celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary! Congratulations!

The Gentrys are now at home in Louisville after returning yesterday from a meeting in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Please continue to pray for brother Gentry's health. He is battling a couple of different medical issues. More information on those to come....

Please leave a comment, sharing your anniversary wishes for the Gentry's. I will make sure they get to see them.

Praises!

Chifundo is recovering from Malaria and feeling better. Violet, Savannah-Hope's nanny is also feeling better. Praise the Lord for his healing. Praise the Lord that he provided the anti-malaria medication.

I spoke with Thandie today and she said that everything is going well at Good Samaritan. The children, staff and staff children are all well. There are no new babies or exciting news.

Please continue to pray for Savannah-Hope's adoption journey. This weeks highlighted prayer request if for her immigration form to arrive "now now". As soon as it arrives the adoptive mother can travel to Malawi to complete the adoption process. Please click on the link at the top of my blog to go directly to the prayer request list. It will take you to a new screen with just the prayer request post. When you are on that screen you can print the post by clicking the print icon on your browser. That way you can easily keep the list with your prayer journal, bible and share with others. Please let me know if you are having trouble printing the post.

Asking For Prayer

I am asking you faithful blog readers to lift this little girl and her adoption journey up in prayer. Here are the specific prayer requests:

• Savannah-Hope: Protection from illness (especially Malaria)
• Violet the Nanny: Her health; wisdom in recognizing early signs of illness in Savannah
• Mike the Social Worker: That he complete the adoption recommendation by Oct 31st; That he will make honest and trustworthy decisions and requests.
• The Attorney: That he will represent the Johnson Family fairly and effectively. That he will complete the paperwork timely and have favor with the Court system.
• Good Samaritan: That the Lord will bless them abundantly for their generosity and service to Savannah-Hope. Wisdom and discernment in making decisions for her.
• Johnson Family: Wisdom in choosing travel dates; That the Lord will provide the finances for the adoption fees, specifically an adoption grant; That the Lord will protect Crystal as she travels to Malawi alone during the rainy season; That the Lord will put a hedge of protection around her four children and husband who will wait at home in Tennessee.
• Court Date: That it will be very soon after Crystal arrives and that the Court will grant the adoption.
• American Embassy: That they will process Savannah-Hope's visa, travel papers, and immigration paperwork quickly and without excessive fees.
• Thandie: I am not sure what to say here, other than Thandie is very attached to Savannah-Hope and I know it is going to be very hard on her when she leaves.

Mother's Day in Malawi

Mother's Day is a national holiday in Malawi and is always celebrated on the second Monday in October. Thandie sat down with the children today and explained to them about the holiday. They were very excited and have been singing songs about mothers. Everything is closed on Mother's Day in Malawi including the schools. I am extra grateful for this holiday, because Thandie's school schedule has recently switched to every day from 8 to 12 noon and there would have been no one to watch Savannah-Hope today. Not sure what the plan will be for Tuesday. Please keep praying for Violet, Savannah's nanny. Also pray for a hedge of protection around sweet Savannah-Hope. They share a room, it could have easily have been Savannah-Hope that was bit by the Malaria infected Mosquito. Everyday that Savannah-Hope is in Malawi, is a day she could get bit by a lethal Mosquito. Please pray for a smooth and quick adoption journey.

I was cleaning out my email today and found this photo from Thandie that I somehow missed before. What a little sleeping beauty.

Back in America

I have received word that Brother Shanaberger, Brother Carrier, Mrs. Carrier and Brother Gentry all arrived safely in America this morning. Praise the Lord!

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PRAYER REQUEST

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Savannah-Hope's nanny, Violet, has malaria. She went home to her village on Saturday for a day off, was supposed to return Sunday afternoon.....and didn't. Thandie then received word that Violet had contracted Malaria. Please pray for quick and complete healing. Please also pray that God will provide someone to help Thandie with Savannah-Hope until Violet is able to return.

On Their Way.....

UPDATE: I received information that the Carriers and Brother Shanaberger arrived safely to JoBerg South Africa. I think Brother Gentry may be taking a different route back to the states, possibly through Atlanta instead of Washington Dules. All four of them should have now left JoBerg and be headed to the states. They should all arive around 6am Sunday morning. (10/6/07 at 7:50am)

Brother Genry is on his way to the airport. Please pray for his HEALTH and travel mercies.
Brother Shanaberger and Brother and Mrs. Carrier will be leaving 2 hours later. Please pray for them too.

Pictures from Day 5 (Aug 19th)

Let me first start with a quick update on the American Visitors:

Brother Bobby Singleton left Malawi on Thurs Oct 4th. Bro Gentry was originally supposed to go back with him, but moved is ticket to the 6th. Tomorrow (Oct 6th), Brother Gentry will leave Malawi at 11 am traveling by AirMalawi. The Carriers and Brother Shanaberger will leave on the same day but at 1pm on South African Airways. I am pretty sure that Brother Gentry will meet up with the visitors in South Africa and then they will all head home via Washington Dules.

Here is a picture of Mrs. Carrier with Savannah-Hope

The Carriers were able to get a group picture of all the children in their tie-dye shirts including Savannah-Hope. They are trying to email them to me....but so far I have not received them. A special thank you goes out to the VA hospital in Martinsburg, West Virginia and Maple Wood Baptist Church for donating the t-shirts and tie-dye supplies.

Brother Shanaberger was able work on 4 wells, completing at least two. There were many complications in the well digging this year including an engine blowing up. Praise the Lord that Bro Shanaberger was able to accomplish so much even with the obstacles.

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Pictures from Day 5

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Sunday in Malawi

Good Samaritan Choir practicing before church.

Twins

More twins!

Savannah-Hope's Journey

One month ago today (Sept 4th), Savannah-Hope was relinquished by her parents and then began her journey.... a second chance at life.

You can see how swollen her eyes were. She was so tiny, but so puffy. Her birthmother, Chrissie, dressed her up in this pretty dress and even put a diaper on her.

Many people from the village gathered to see Savannah-Hope off on her journey. At first I was surprised that everyone seemed so excited and happy. Not a tear was shed. And then I realized that they had already come to accept they were going to loose this little peanut. She was very sick and weak. She had gone quite sometime without food and the fluid retention was probably an indication that her kidneys were close to shutting down. This family knew she would be leaving them soon....but hadn't even let themselves dream that she might get a second chance at life. They were so excited about the opportunities Savannah-Hope would have in America with her adoptive family.

Here is her big sister, Tamandani age 2 1/2. Oh how I would love to help this little one too. And her twin sister!

Here are the village boys. There were very few girls in this village, not sure why.

Here are the birth parents, just seconds before Savannah-Hope left the village.

Here is Savannah-Hope's birth family saying good-by in front of their house.

First bottle ever! Look how much bigger the bottle is than her.

Yum! This is good stuff!

Village Project #2 (Day 4)

Pictures from Village Project #2 in Mulanje.

Click on the above picture of the feet to see it bigger.

Bible Story

Raised hands during the invitation

Handing out the care packages

Look at this little guy!

Finding Day, September 1, 2007

One month ago today, we found Savannah-Hope. We weren't looking for her, but God lead us right to her. As soon as I saw her I took her into my arms. I was shocked by her small size. She was 4 months old but only 4 1/2 pounds. She was so tiny, but swollen. I burst into tears as soon as I had her in my arms. She doesn't look as small or sick in these pictures as she really was.

You can see how sick the birthmother, Chrissie is. Her belly was so full of fluid and the rest of her was just a skeleton. They had just drained out all the fluid a week before we were there, and it was huge again when we saw her. I look back and think about showing up unannounced to visit someone I had seen the year before and then while I was there she agreed to give us her child. We were just there to visit and bring supplies. I am so thankful she said yes. I don't know how much longer Savannah-Hope could have survived. She had has never had milk. She was living on small spoon fulls of porridge, when they had porridge. Chrissie told me that she cried all night long because she was so hungry. They had no way to feed her. Leaving Savannah-Hope that day was so hard. We knew when we left that we would be coming back in three days, just didn't know if she would still be there waiting for us.

Donuts

The children really enjoy having American visitors come to spend time with them. They enjoy the fellowship and especially the special treats. Many visitors choose to either do a special project with the children or buy treats. Tonight the children are having a donut party hosted by Bro Shanaberger. They are so excited as are the staff! The first time the children ever had a donut was last year when Bro Shanaberger was there. They all still remember that donut. Tonight will be their second donut.

Right now as I type this post, Ida is being discharged from the hospital! I am not certain what was wrong with her, but the important thing is.....she is doing well now and is going home.

Brother Gentry visited the Lighthouse Good Samaritan Baptist Church yesterday and there were 250 in attendance! They really need a temporary shelter while we raise money for their church building. The temporary shelter costs $100. Please pray for this need.

I hope you like the new look of my blog. It was designed by my friend the blog fairy. If you have a blog and need a make-over let me know and I will share her email address with you. 100% of the proceeds of the blog-makeovers goes towards international China-adoption costs.