Updates on Visitors from America

On Monday May 19th, the Boekoff family had a fellowship get-together with all the children at Good Samaritan. The Boekoff’s presented two plays to the children. One was about sharing and the other was about appropriate behavior of children in church. The Good Samaritan staff translated the plays in Chichewa. The children lisented intently and enjoyed the performances very much. The Boekoff family presented each girl with a jump rope and each boy with a Frisbee. All of the children received a bag of candy. They were thrilled! I hope to get pictures eventually to post on the blog. The family also made balloon animals for each child. Thandie said the children are still talking about the balloon animals. They had never seen anything like that before. Everybody had a wonderful time fellowshipping together. The Boekoff Family left Malawi Wednesday May 21st.

Brother Chuck Miller from Florida arrived safely in Malawi on Tuesday May 20th. He is staying with Brother Gentry at his home on BCA Hill.

Visitor Vickie Valle from Fresno California was scheduled to arrive in Blantyre, Malawi on Wednesday May 21st but had to be re-routed through Lilongwe. She had to spend the night in the capitol city and arrived to Blantyre first thing Thursday morning, but without any of her luggage. Vickie arrived to the Good Samaritan Campus while the children were taking a morning break from school. She immediately started interacting with the children and formed an instant mutual bond. Thandie said she had never seen such a quick connection formed between the children and a visitor. The staff tried to send the children back to class and the kids were really struggling being separated from Vickie. Some that went back to class couldn’t focus and were looking through the windows at Vickie who was still playing outside. So they sent the teachers home and cancelled school for the rest of the day. Vickie was exhausted from the long trip, but didn’t let it show. She played games including basketball with the kids all day long non-stop. Vickie is staying at the Round House with two of the older orphan girls, Betty and Mercia. Both girls were recently featured on the blog as star kids. Today (Friday May 23nd), Vickie began teaching the girls about soul winning. Tomorrow Vickie, Pastor Beta and the teen girls will take the church bus and go hut to hut soul winning. The teen girls are looking forward to this opportunity! Vickie has only been in Malawi for two days and has hit the ground running…..please pray for her throughout her two month stay.

Two More of Our Star Teens

Betty came to Good Samaritan from Charazulu village, which isn’t far from the Children’s Home. She is in Form 1 or “ninth grade”. Betty is in the third position in her class. She takes her school work very seriously. Betty has a heart for helping those younger than her. She has taken two of the younger children (Rufina and Martha) “under her wing”. She helps them with their school work, does their hair and makes sure they are dressed nice for church. She has been chosen to stay with Miss Vickie a visitor from the states that will be serving at Good Samaritan for two months. Betty and Miss Vickie will stay at the Round House.

Joseph came to Good Samaritan from Zomba. His father was one of the Good Samaritan Pastors. When his father died, he was left alone in his village. At this time the Good Samaritan Children’s Home was in progress but not yet opened. The Good Samaritan Staff told Joseph that once the Children’s Home was opened he could have a home there. Joseph is in Form 2 or “tenth grade”. He is in position one in his class. Joseph wakes up before 5am every morning to spend time studying. He recently was thrilled to receive a calculator from Brother Gentry. Joseph is a self initiator and is often found doing chores without being asked. Joseph is not only a good example to his peers but he takes it upon himself to guide the younger ones. Joseph hopes to be employed at Good Samaritan as a Cargiver to the boys when he finishes school.

Savannah-Hope Update

Savannah- Hope turned one years old on May 5th.

These pictures were taken 6 days after she arrived to the U.S.

These outfits were made in Malawi for the Johnson family.

Savannah-hope is wonderful. She is a hearty eater, a great sleeper and rarely cries. She is full of smiles and laughs from the bottom of her toes. She is reaching new milestones everyday. Savannah-Hope is pure joy. I had the opportunity to spend a few days with her in early May. She came right to me and smothered me in hugs. I tied her on my back every opportunity I could. I hadn't seen her face to face since I left her in Malawi when she was four pounds and her skin was hanging off her body. What a transformation! What a tribute of God's love. She is quite the miracle girl.

Visitors from South Dakota

On May 9th the Boekhoff family From South Dakota arrived in Malawi for a month long visit. They arrived safely and spent the first few days with Brother Gentry. They were originally supposed to stay at the Round House on the Good Samaritan Campus, but the roof of the Round House didn't survive the rainy season. The Round House turned into the great big swimming pool. But praise the Lord we were able to replace the roof and the Boekhoff's were able to move into the Round House yesterday. Today they are heading to a two-day safari. On Sunday they will be traveling to the new property in Nchueu. They will get to see the new property and attend church there. Please pray for the Boekhoff family for continued health and safety during their journey.

Teenagers

Whether in America or Malawi, the teenage years are a time of decision making. Are you going to continue to follow what you are being taught at home or are you going to go your own way?

Our children have been at Good Samaritan since October 2003. Many remember what life was like for them in the village and our thankful to God for the opportunity that Good Samaritan has to offer them. Others seem to have forgotten. Some remember, but aren't thankful.

Over the next few years we will have more and more and more teens at Good Samaritan. Please continue to lift these precious children up in prayer. Please continue to pray for funding to help Good Samaritan prepare these children for adulthood and full-time Christian Service.



Brother Gentry and Thandie would like to feature some of our teens on the blog that are choosing to follow God and our Godly examples to their peers. Here are the first two:




Jason James is from the village of Jacket. He lives at Good Samaritan with his sister Alinafe. Jason is called to preach and he is the Pastor of the Good Samaritan Children's Home. The children refer to him as Pastor and he is humbled and grateful to the Lord for his calling to preach. Jason rises before the sun on Saturday morning and sets out for the long journey up prayer mountain. He spends hours on the mountain praying. Brother Gentry says that Jason has great leadership skills and encourages his peers. He sings in the choir and enjoys praising the Lord. He is a hard worker in the garden and one of our best "diggers". He never complains and sees each trial as another opportunity to learn and give God the Glory.


Meet Mersia. If there was an award for the most improved over the past year it would go to Mersia. She has turned around and decided to follow Jesus and it sure shows. She is singing in the lead choir on Sunday mornings and her voice is like an angel. She is earning top grades and is in the #1 position in her class. She is a hard worker and wants to do right. She is respectful and a good example to her peers.

Its a Boy!

Good Samaritan Staff Chris and his wife Emily were blessed with a healthy baby boy born today on May 8,2008. They will call him Jeremy Clay. Mother and Baby are doing well.

A plea for our Students

On behalf of Brother Gentry, Good Samaritan and the 21 children in Secondary School (high school) I am "reposting" an urgent need. We are still in desperate need of tuition fees for 15 of our 21 students. They will have to be pulled out of school if their fees are not paid. The schools fees are $300 per student. We are past due by one month, everyday the children go to school in fear that it will be their last day. Please pray with us for this need. If you feel led to give to this great cause please send your tax-deductible donation to:

Please send your tax deductible donation to: Victory World Outreach/0 Victory Baptist Church7808 Beulah Church Rd Louisville, Kentucky 40228Please make the check out to: Victory World Outreach and write "Summer School" on the memo line.