Update on Blessing and his siblings

Thandie has written down the story of 17 year old Blessings and his siblings. Its on the way to Brother Gentry. But since I have has so many inquiries about him, I thought I would post the part of the story I know. I will post the complete story when I receive it.

Blessings has an 11 year old brother named John and a 6 year old sister named Gerturde. Their parents died in 2004 after a long illness. The children remained with their adult sister and her husband in their home village in Mulungi. In 2005 the sister and her husband died and left a 2 year old little boy (name unknown). I was originally told that this was a niece....but it is actually a nephew. After the sister and her husband died the children remained in the village alone. Blessings cared for the children himself and went to different fields begging for casual labor. He made enough money for the children to eat one small meal a day.

At some point Blessings was no longer able to get casual labor so he decided to make the trip to Bangwe by foot. After some time they arrived in Bangwe where they knew a lady that was from their home village. She was unable to take them in because she could barely meet the needs of her own children. Blessings started renting a small one room broken down hut for 400 kwatcha a month. He found a job as a security guard paying him under $10 a month. He then heard about Good Samaritan on the radio and felt God leading him there. He arrived there last week and spoke to Thandie. Unfortunately Good Samaritan was unable to take him in, but our staff has been praying with him that God will meet his needs.

On 1/30/08, Thandie visited Blessing's broken down mud hut. Thandie said that there are huge holes in the house that leave the children exposed to the elements including wild animals and thieves. The floor of the house is muddy and some areas have standing water which is extremely dangerous because of the mosquitoes. They were using shredded rags and an old mosquito net for blankets. Six year old Gertrude has one dress that is torn exposing one shoulder. She has no panties, no shoes, no socks, no shirts, no skirts, and no pajamas...just the one torn dress. Eleven year old John also has one torn outfit, no shoes. Neither child had a school uniform. Gertrude’s hair is matted down and in dread locks. She is also covered in a skin rash. They have no buckets for bathing.

It really touched Thandie's heart that when she asked Blessings to make a list of the items he needed, he asked for money to be set aside for school fees for his siblings, which is a huge worry for him. He also asked for blankets and some clothes. Thandie was so surprised that he didn't ask for bread, sugar, salt, soap, or buckets. Blessing's really felt those things weren't necessary....he needs to pay his siblings school fees and they need clothes because they are nearly naked. He didn't ask for any extras. Blessings loves the Lord and has faith the he will continue to provide for him and his siblings, but last week became so distraught, when Good Samaritan turned him away. He felt that his siblings maybe left for dead and sobbed and sobbed. He is still a child himself, has such a huge responsibility on him. He needs our help and our prayers.

The day that Thandie visited Blessing's, a lady from their home village came and took away the nephew. The woman is a grandmother who was friends of the family. She heard that Blessings had no means to care for the 4 year old and came and got him. She was not willing to help the other three. Blessing's was devastated to see his nephew leave, but felt he had no choice and no way to care for this boy. He has experienced such loss in his young life. Please continue to pray for him.

I should have pictures of Blessings, Gertrude and John in the next week or two. They came to church yesterday at Good Samaritan. Peace gave Gertrude some of her clothes. Thandie found some shirts for Blessings and John that were left over from the dress project when I was there this past summer. Thandie also stepped out by faith and purchased shoes for each child, a couple of buckets for bathing and some antiseptic wash for Gertrude's rash. Please prayerfully consider contributing funds for Blessing and his siblings.

Funds for Blessings can be sent to:

Victory World Outreach
C/O Victory Baptist Church
7808 Beulah Church Rd
Louisville, Kentucky 40228
Please write "supplies for Blessings" on the memo portion of the check.
**Please note that these funds can be made available immediately to Thandie for Blessings as long as we know that the check is on its way.