Last Post

The updates for the Good Samaritan Children's Home will now be included on the Victory World Outreach Ministries Blog.


Thank you for diligently checking this blog over the past two years. We hope you will now go over and check for updates on the Victory World Outreach Ministries Blog.

Update

Good Samaritan Staff members Rodney and Lloyd are recovering from Malaria. Please keep them in prayer.

Gertrude (Blessing’s sister) has been ill for over a month. She had Malaria and took the medication but just doesn’t seem to be getting any better. Today Thandie took her and Peace (who also hasn’t been feeling well) to the hospital for blood work. Gertrude was found to be extremely anemic with a hemoglobin count of 7. Any lower and she would have had to have a blood transfusion. She was also diagnosed with Malaria plus 1. Gertrude was given iron tablets and more malaria medication. The doctors stated that Peace is having some issues with her blood sugar due to the Quinine medication she was taking to treat her malaria. Thandie has to adjust her diet, but she should be just fine.

Joy and Faith are doing well, thanks for your prayers.

Brother Chuck Miller from Florida is scheduled to arrive to Malawi this Saturday (1/3109). Please pray for his travel.

Update

Faith and Joy

Thandie has been very busy with the needs of the Good Samaritan Children’s Home. I am thankful that she was able to check-in with Faith and Joy’s nannies and report to me their progress. Thandie states that both girls are weak and very ill. However, they are starting to see some improvements. Faith is still suffering the effects of Malaria and is not a fan of her quinine treatment. She puts up quite a fight when it is time for her medication. She has not appetite and has to be hand fed. Joy is suffering from severe night sweats. She will be tested for Tuberculosis in the next couple of days. Both girls are scheduled to have a thorough medical exam on Saturday 1/24/09. The girls will respond to the staff questions by nodding and shaking their heads but are still refusing to speak. Both girls are speaking fluently and intelligibly to each other.

Today Joy was heard telling Faith “look the water is coming from up, how is the water coming from up? Its not coming from down”. She has never seen a water faucet before and is intrigued by the water coming out from “up”. So cute!

Thandie is pleased with the care the nannies are providing to Joy and Faith. We are very thankful to the Lord for providing the right ladies for this delicate and special job.

Other News:

On Wednesday our tailor, Mr. Banda died after battling a 2 month long illness.

The majority of the children at Good Samaritan are feeling better. Simion is still complaining of back pain and suffering high fevers. Peace is recovering from Malaria. She tried to go to school today, but was sent home early due to vomiting. Thandie injured her toe when a heavy object fell on it. Brother Fullford and his daughter Elizabeth are suffering from the flu/virus that has been spreading through Good Samaritan.

Brother Chuck Miller from Florida will be traveling to Malawi next week and will be there for two months. Please pray for travel safety for him as well as protection from illness. He is transporting a couple of items for Faith and Joy in his already jammed-packed luggage. Thank you, Brother Chuck!

Thank you for your continued prayers.

Update on Joy and Faith

Faith’s fever continued throughout the day Tuesday and the staff began to fear she had Malaria. The doctor didn’t take a blood test in the morning because he was certain the fever was caused by the flu that is plaguing Malawi. Faith was taken back to the clinic Tuesday night for a blood test and diagnosed with Malaria 3+. This is a very serious form of Malaria. She contracted it in her village prior to her arrival at Good Samaritan. We are so thankful that the Lord lead us to her when he did because her family would not have been able to get her to the hospital in time for the anti-malaria treatment. Faith is receiving this life saving treatment now, and responding well. She still has a loss of appetite, but otherwise is improving.

Joy was suffering from severe constipation and worms. Her stomach became so distended that she was unable to swallow food. She was given treatment for the worms and a suppository. Her constipation has resolved and she is much more comfortable, and probably a pound or two lighter. She is receiving a high protein porridge along with a specialized food program that has her eating every three hours during the day. So far they haven’t found a food that she doesn’t like.

Thanks for your continued prayers.

Joy and Faith

*********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

My New Opportunity

Do you remember this post? When I introduced a little "peanut". Well today I am announcing the expected arrival of two new little ones....

It all started back in June 2006 when I met a woman with my same name. Chrissie was very sick. A nurse that had traveled to Malawi with me took her from her remote village to a hospital for treatment. Chrissie had 14 month old twin daughters with her, Tamandani and Sidala. They were malnourished and very tiny. Of course I fell in love with these two precious children right away. I have always had a special place in my heart for twins. I was able to use some money that my friend Crystal (now Savannah-Hope's mom) sent to buy supplies for the twins.

I then returned to the States but continued to receive updates on the twins. Shortly before I returned to Malawi in August 2007, I learned that Chrissie had delivered a new baby and was again seriously ill.

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.

...........................Sidala in Sept 2007.......................Tamandani in Sept 2007

Then on November 11, 2007 Chrissie went home to be with the Lord.
Here is a picture of Chrissie's funeral and the children she left behind: Jameson, Tamandani, Sidala and Savannah-Hope

In March 2008 Crystal was able to visit the twins' villages twice. Both times bringing supplies for them.

***************
On December 24, 2008 Thandie delivered Christmas gifts, food and supplies to Savannah-Hope's siblings: Jameson, Tamandani and Sidala. I was informed that the girls' condition had worsened. Their villages have been hit hard by the famine in Malawi. The girls are literally starving to death. Tamandani didn't have a bite of food to eat the day before Thandie arrived. Seeing the girls and how they had deteriorated for the past 6 months brought Thandie to tears. I was told that it was unlikely that either girl would survive the rainy season. MUCH discussion and prayers followed.

The girls are expected to arrive to the Good Samaritan Children's Home on Monday January 19th. Thus my new "opportunity". I will be sponsoring the girls at Good Samaritan indefinitely. God opened this door for them and I am taking a leap of faith that He will provide me with the finances to provide the girls with a chance to live.

Good Samaritan does not have openings for new children. The children's home has lost a third of its financial support. They are struggling to meet the needs of the 100 children already at the home. Tamandani and Sidala will be independently supported and housed in the Staff Quarters. I will work diligently to insure that their placement at Good Samaritan does not take away from the funding already being stretched to the max for the other children. I would appreciate your prayers as I embark on this new opportunity.

At this time the birth family is not interested in relinquishing the girls for adoption. It is my hope and prayer that the children will one day know the love and care of a forever family through the miracle of adoption. But until then, I am grateful for the opportunity to provide care for them where they are. Please be in prayer for the twins transition as they are removed from their villages and brought to the children's home. Thank you for your prayers.

Brief Update

Wellness:
Today was the first day there were no new cases of illness at Good Samaritan! Praise the Lord. The total of sick children reached 43. Many of the staff and staff children are also ill. The first set of sick children are now starting to feel better. We had 13 cases of Malaria. All of the children are responding well to the medication and loving care provided by the staff.

Court:
The staff and teens involved in the legal matter regarding passing out tracts were supposed to have their Court Hearing today. It was continued to February 2nd. Please continue to pray that all charges will be dropped and without fees.

My New "Opportunity":
It looks as if my New Opportunity will launch on Monday January 19th. I am going to post the details tomorrow. I have to say that the Lord's timing is always perfect. Because steps had been taken to prepare for my new opportunity, there were extra staff on campus this week that were able to assist with the sick children. What a blessing!

Sickness Spreads at Good Samaritan

UPDATE: as of 9:30am PST 1/13/09 there are now 40 sick children.

Thandie is currently at the hospital with another 16 children who are experiencing high fevers and other flu like symptoms including sore throats, head aches, body aches, and chills. This brings the current total to 38 children who are sick at Good Samaritan Children's Home. We have never had this many sick children at once. Please join me in praying for these children and the staff. We do not have enough child care workers to care for this many sick children. Please pray! Pray for a hedge of protection for our staff and the children who are still well. Please pray that the staff will have the opportunity and wisdom to clean and sterilize the kitchen and bathroom facilities in an effort to stop the spreading. Please pray for the integrity of the medication the children are being given. Please pray that the children will respond quickly and completely to the medication. Please pray that the staff will be able to accurately and diligently administer the medication prescribed. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors to accurately diagnose each child. Please pray that these children will feel the love, strength and joy of the Lord through their illness. Please pray that the Lord will heal each one of these children according to His will.

Those of you looking for an update on my "new opportunity", please keep checking back. Things are very busy right now at Good Samaritan with 38 sick children and 4 staff & 2 teens awaiting their Court Hearing on Friday. I am still hopeful that my new opportunity will come to fruition this week....but waiting on the Lord's timing.

Very sick kids....Please pray

Today Thandie took 21 children to the hospital! They were all experiencing high fevers. 5 children tested positive for Malaria (Francis, Mary, Big Junior, Chiyajano and Rufina). The other 16 children were diagnosed with influenza and/or tonsillitis.

On the way back from the hospital, Thandie was notified from the Secondary School that one of our students (Jennifer) had been taken to the hospital and two more were very sick. Jennifer was diagnosed with tonsillitis.

When Thandie arrived back to Good Samaritan she was met at the gate with news that 3 more boys and 1 girl are sick with high fevers and Daniel needs his tooth pulled. So tomorrow the 6 new sick kids to the doctor and Daniel to the dentist.

Please pray for a healing for our sick children and a hedge of protection to be placed around the other children.

Praise:

The men were released from jail on bail on Saturday night. They had a meeting at Court today but it was postponed to Friday. We are praying that all charges will be dropped.

URGENT Prayer Request

Today there was a big Ball Game in Malawi. It was a great opportunity for Good Samaritan to get the Gospel out to the Malawian people in the form of passing out tracts. The Staff and teenagers handed the tracts to the people as they went into the stadium. The Gospel Tracts were yellow. During the game the current President of Malawi, spoke a few words. This president's flag is blue. The last president's flag was yellow. Participants of the Ball Game became excited and waved their "yellow" tracts in the air. The Malawi Police Department misunderstood and believed it was a planned protest against the current president.

The police then arrested four Good Samaritan staff and two of their teenagers along with 3 of their church members and took them to jail. Missionary John Fullford along with two other Good Samaritan Staff members have been working hard to get them released, but with no successes. The Police will not release them. Malawian jails are very different than those here in The States. One of the differences is that food, clothes and bedding are not provided. Good Samaritan will have to deliver food to these men or they will be left to starve to death in the jail.

Please lift up these men in prayer.

....................Jason...........................................Lloyd.............................

..............Pastor Beta................ ..................Blessings................

.................Rackson.............................Navigator.....................

Special Delivery!

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!

I hope to post an update tomorrow of the results of the children's school testing. And also an update on my special "opportunity".

Recongnizing Special Days

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.

January 5th also marks the first day of school for our secondary students. They are starting a new school this year and we have great hopes for their education. Secondary schoool (high school) is not free to the public in Malawi. This is a great cost to the ministry but one that we can't afford not to pay. Educating these children is a cruital part of their future. They need to learn to read so they can study their Bible, obtain employment and open more doors to be used for Christ.

Ida W. (the other Ida) turned 14 years old today; Simion turned 8 years old.

Jason turns 18 tomorrow and shares a birthday with Brother Gentry

Stay tuned for a big announcement....a new "opportunity" for me in Malawi...details coming soon.

Merry Christmas and an Update

Merry Christmas from the Staff and Children at Good Samaritan!

Here is the long awaited update.

Food:

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.

School:

The school year in Malawi begins in January. This year we will have 25 children in High School. We are praising the Lord for Lighthouse Independent Baptist Church in West Virginia who has covered the tuition cost for the first term. The children are so thankful for the opportunity to attend school.

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.

There is a daily cost per child of 150K ($1.10). This covers their food expenses.

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.

Every cost that can be cut has been cut. Every shortcut that can be taken has been taken. There is not a school closer, there is not a school cheaper, and God has not opened the door to have the children taught on the Good Samaritan Campus. The sacrifice made for each dollar that has been donated has been considered. The goal of Good Samaritan continues to be to stretch each dollar as far as it can be stretched and to use the money for the most urgent needs and in a way that is pleasing to the Lord.

Wellness:

This is malaria season. We are praising the Lord for his supernatural mosquito net. We have not had any cases of Malaria so far this season. This is truly a miracle and direct answer to prayer. Thank you to those who faithfully pray for the health and safety of these children and staff.

Christmas Note from Thandie:

“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”
Merry Christmas from Thandie and Good Samaritan.

If you would like information on how you can help financially please click here.

Savannah-Hope turns 19 months

I had the opportunity to visit Savannah-Hope this month! It was so great to see her. She is doing so well and is so loved and adored by her family. It is amazing to see this child eat, you would never know she only has 4 teeth. She is a little piggy. She likes to have something in her mouth all the time. She is also quite the talker and can now put up to three words together. Savannah-Hope is a happy and healthy baby, our great big miracle.

The Johnson Family cuts down a live tree every year.

Savannah-Hope along with her siblings helped her daddy cut down this years tree.

She even got to put the angel on top

Look at that sweet face!

Here she is tied to her big sister's back.

The day before Thanksgiving I was able to travel with the Johnsons to Kentucky to visit Brother and Mrs. Gentry at their home church. The Johnson's gave a testimony and the church members were able to meet Savannah-Hope in person.

This is a picture of Savannah-Hope's siblings. Tamandani and Sidala are 3 and Jamison is 10. Brother Gentry told us that their villages are not doing well and these children may not make it through the rainy season. They are without sufficient food and supplies. Please keep them in prayer.

Honor Roll

The school year has ended for the primary school children in Malawi. They will advance to the next grade in January. The following are the children who received the top position in each grade. The Good Samaritan Staff are very proud of the hard work and good example that each one of these students have shown this year.

First Grade- Jennifer

Second Grade - Chitani S.

3rd Grade - Memory (Sileni)

4th Grade - Josofina

5th Grade - Patrick

6th Grade - Kenneth

Good Samaritan also honored the two children that take the most care to keep themselves and their area decent and in order.

Cleanest Boy - Betchani

Cleanest Girl - Lydia

Standing in the need of prayer....

Please pray for Ida. She is having a very difficult time emotionally. She is missing her parents and her siblings who have gone home to Heaven. Ida has been writing letters to her family members, sadly all of them have died of AIDS. She is the only one left. She wants to be reunited with her family. She is tired of being sick, tired of battling a disease with no cure. She is sad and homesick. Please pray for her. Please pray for the staff as they try to comfort her.

Alinafe J. is recovering from malaria. Please pray for her. The big rains have started in some areas of Malawi, but haven't yet started at Good Samaritan. The rains bring malaria. Please pray for a hedge of protection for Good Samaritan against this life threatening disease.

Happy Birthday!

Today was Thandie's birthday! Here is a picture of her with her daughter Peace and little Savannah-Hope taken before Savannah-Hope left for America.

Happy Birthday Thandie!

Remebering Ivy and Savannah-Hope Update

22 months ago today on January 5th our precious Ivy went home to be with the Lord after a difficult battle with AIDS. Because of the soil and the rainy season it is Malawi tradition to have a dirt grave for the first year to year an half. This insures that the ground is settled. After that waiting period then a cement headstone can be put in place. Last weekend a cement headstone was placed at Ivy's grave along with a small ceremony celebrating her life and her decision to follow Christ. I hope to receive pictures of the stone soon, but rejoice that the Lord provided the funding for this special project.

This is Ivy's grave before the headstone

Savannah-Hope turns 18 months old. She has been in the US with her adoptive family for 7 months!

Could she be anymore beautiful?

Savannah-Hope suffers from respiratory issues and receives breathing treatments. She is doing well though and takes her medication without complaint.

She has oodles of toys, but prefers to play with household items.

She thinks she is a big kid and wants to do whatever her siblings are doing.

First trip to the pumpkin patch

First hayride with her siblings.

And she is a superstar! Just ask her family!

Savannah-Hope still has only four teeth but that doesn’t slow her down a bit. She eats like a horse. Her newest word is "eat eat". She says “milk” for any kind of drink. Savannah-Hope’s current favorite foods are sausage, tomatoes and dum dum suckers. She also says “Dora” and can recognize Dora’s picture on clothes at the store. She says “cheese” when someone takes a picture. She loves to play outside and can climb stairs like a champ. Savannah-Hope knows what “no-no” means and will lay down on the floor and cry in response. She is a precious gift and her famly loves seeing her personality blossom as she grows and learns new things. Savannah-Hope is crying now when she is put in her Sunday School class and wants her mama. This is hard on her mom, but a good sign that she is securely attached to her family. She is a joy!

Savannah-Hope 17 months

Savannah-Hope is now 17 months old. She has been living in America with her forever family for 6 months. Savannah-Hope continues to thrive and bless all those who come into contact with her. She is a healthy and happy toddler. She now has 4 teeth!
Here are some pictures from the last month.

Savannah-Hope "grocery shopping"

On a playdate with big sister Izabella and her friend Norah (in the middle).

Hugs for sissy



Going down the big slide with big sister Amelia

Visiting Izabella at preschool


Driving the ice cream truck

Running away with a clean diaper

Thank you for your continued prayers for Savannah-Hope, her forever family, and her twin sisters that remain in Malawi.

If you are new to the blog, and aren't familiar with Savannah-Hope's adotion story, click here for a quick review.

The Gentry's are back in Kentucky

Praise the Lord! The Gentry's arrived safely in Louisville, Kentucky last night around 9pm. They returned from Malawi a little earlier than expected because Mrs. Gentry was having some medical complications related to a kidney stone. I spoke with Mrs. Gentry this morning and she sounded very strong. She said that she is no longer in any pain and will be following up with her urologist on Monday. Thank you for praying for her health and for their safety.

Prayers for Thandie

This is a picture of Thandie's grandmother Elizabeth. She died yesterday at the age of 96. Please pray for Thandie and her family as they have her funeral services today. Elizabeth had her first birthday cake this past May. It is a memory that Thandie holds dear to her heart. Elizabeth was loved by her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. I had the privledge of meeting her last year and enjoyed my time with her very much.

















Here is Elizabeth with some of her great grandchildren.

Thandie's niece, Thandie, Elizabeth and one of Thandie's sisters

Here is Elizabeth with Savannah-Hope and Peace.

Thank you for praying for Thandie, Peace and their extended family.

Secondary School - Prayer Request

The above picture are the 20 children who currently attend Secondary School off campus. We recently had six children from Standard 8 (8th grade) compete their end of their year exams. If they all pass, we will have 26 children starting Secondary School in January 2009. The school year in Malawi follows the Calendar year (begins in January and ends in September). This is exciting news, but also comes with a mighty price tag and a HUGE prayer request. The cost is $180 per child per term (3 terms a year). This cost covers transport, school fees and food allowance. On Wednesday 9/24/08 the children were told that at this point there are no funds available to send them to school. The children held their heads down, but Thandie told them they needed to take their burden to the Lord. Please join these precious children in prayer.

Prayer Requests

Brother and Mrs. Gentry are on their way now to Malawi. Please pray for travel safety.




Brother Gentry is requesting special prayer for the upcoming inspection of the Good Samaritan Children's Home. The inspection will be conducted by the Commisioner of Child Welafare. It will be unannounced and happening any day now. Please pray that God will give Good Samaritan Children's Home favor in the eyes of the inspector. The Children's Home is currently being run by the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Which is not exactly what they are looking for when they come to inspect. They are looking for numbers and quotas and ratios. Please pray that we pass the inspection. Please pray that the Lord will give the staff wisdom to meet the areas they are looking for on the day the inspector arrives. Please continue to pray for those who support the Good Samaritan Children's Home. The home is underfunded, now more than ever we need the funding required to run the Children's Home in a way that will be pleasing to the Lord, allow us to pass the inspection and be a good testimony.

Savannah-Hope 16 months

Savannah-Hope turns 16 months today. She continues to grow and flourish. Savannah-Hope weighs 19 lbs 13 oz and measures 29". She points to her nose when you ask her where it is. She knows the hand motions to "Wheels on the Bus" and "If You're Happy and You Know It". Savannah-Hope can crawl in and out of the bathtub and her newest habbit is trying to thow everything in the toilet. She keeps her parents and siblings on their toes. Thank for your continued prayers for the Johnson Family.

Exams and the Garden

I spoke with Thandie today. She gave me the following update:

School:

This week we have 6 children in standard 8 (8th grade) that are taking the National Exam to enter Form 1 (High School). This exam is not only important for the continuation of the education for these six children, it also is used by the Government to evaluate how well the Good Samaritan School is doing as far as teaching the children. We don't want to loose the opportunity to have control over our own school. Please pray for these children as they continue their exams. They take the exams at a site off campus with children from all over the country. There armed police officers sitting next the children to make sure there is no cheating. How nerve racking! Today they are taking Chichewa and Mathematics portion of the exam. Tomorrow they will be taking Primary Science. The children completing the exams are Mercia, Jennifer, Sampson, Peter Frank, Tisungane, and Elson.

Ida:

Ida had a tooth removed this week. I spoke with her on the phone today. What a blessing she is. I just have to praise the Lord for this sweet girl. I am so thankful she is having a good week. I am trying to get the money together to pay for the grave stone for her sister Ida. It is time now to have it made.

Garden:

Thandie is so thrilled with the progress of the garden. It is becoming more and more important that Good Samaritan grow crops that could be used daily for food. Our hope is to be self-sufficient from the land. The Lord has been blessing this vision. The green vegetables are doing very well. They are currently growing turnips, cabbage and tomatoes. The children have a 3 day holiday coming from school. They will be using the opportunity to prepare the land that will be used to plant corn with the rains come. Please continue to be in prayer for our garden, that it will flourish and provide food for our children and staff.

A year ago today:

September 4, 2007 Good Samaritan became guardians of a little peanut that would grow to become Savannah-Hope. Click here to read the post from that day. Click here to read details from that day, that I wrote reflecting back four months later.

Update

I spoke to Thandie on this past Thursday August 21st.

Prayer Requests:

Ida is sick with Malaria and is not responding well to the medication. She is refusing to eat and has sores in her mouth and throat. She has been having very high fevers.

Simion is ill with tonsillitis, but he is responding well to the medication. Praise the Lord!

Peace fainted at school this week and has complained of dizziness. She tested negative for Malaria but was placed on the anti-malaria medication due to her symptoms. Peace will turn 8 years old On Sunday August 24th.

The American visitors have all returned to The States. The Fullfords continue to serve as full time missionaries to Malawi. Please continue to pray for them and check their blog.

Brother Gentry returned to The States on July 24th and plans to return to Malawi in September.

This time last year, I was in Malawi. So hard on the heart to hear about the needs and be so far away. Please continue to pray for the needs at Good Samaritan.

Savannah-Hope is 15 months old today

Well I’m back. Hope there are some people around still checking the blog. I apologize for the long delay in updates. I had a medical issue to tend to, but I hope that I will be able to be more regular with the updates now.

So since it is the 5th of the month, here is the monthly update of our miracle peanut Savannah-Hope:

Savannah-Hope is officially a walker now. She walks independently everywhere all the time. She loves to sing, and can be heard continually singing “oh oh oh!!”. She is jabbering and babbling but not too many of the words are intelligible at this point. She does clearly say “no” and “hit”. She has two teeth!!

She is now climbing out of the bathtub and loves to growl like she is scaring you. She plays hide and seek and loves playing "I'm gonna gitcha!!!" She loves to scribble on paper with crayons. She goes to the doctor next week but I am going to guess she is right at 20lbs. Savannah-Hope graduated to the “walker” class at church and is a big fan of the all you can eat vanilla wafers.

She has recently taken to waking up in the night wanting to play. Her parents are hoping this is phase that passes quickly. Savannah-Hope has been sleeping with a Japanese silk scarf on her pillow and this has really helped with her bald spots. She has been rubbing her hair out on her pillow causing some balding, but they are just about gone now.

Crystal says that they love Savannah-Hope more everyday. She does not miss a beat keeping up with the rest of her siblings. They just love on her constantly and now that she is getting into all their stuff they tell her no then pick her up and kiss on her! They have been very kind to share their prized possessions with her as long as she wont choke on them. They have even given her her own video game controller so she wont slobber all over theirs. :) Savannah-Hope is truly a blessing to her entire family.

You can see her two bottom teeth in this picture! She also has her Japenese silk scarf on her head.

Savannah-Hope served with her family handing out food with the Angel Food Ministry. Savannah-Hope is pictured her with her sister Izabella.

After serving food, it was time to treat herself to a special treat....an ice cream cone!

Food Situation at Good Samaritan

Every year in June Brother Gentry purchases a one-year supply of corn and dry food staples. Buying in bulk is much more cost efficient. The prices continue to go up throughout the year and depending on the weather and availability of corn (supply and demand). When we buy the whole year supply at the beginning of the season we are able to get the best price and don't have to worry about the cost rising throughout the year because our supply will last a whole year. Unfortunately due to reduced financial support, bad weather, poor crops, reduced value of the dollar, high fuel cost and dramatically increased prices in food, we were unable to make the year supply of food purchase. We are buying "little by little". The children are now eating what we can afford, which is just not the same as what they need.

Corn: We use fifteen 50KG bags of corn a week at Good Samaritan. Each bag is approximately $25. Currently we have 35 bags in storage. This is only a two week supply.

Rice: We are now using one bag of rice a week instead of two. One 50kg bag of rice is approximately $35. (After July there will be no rice in storage)

Milk: Our milk is now heavily diluted with water. The children were getting one cup of a milk every Sunday. Now they are getting milk three Sundays out of the month.

Vegetables and Beans: are being served only on Wednesdays now.

Eggs: We used to be able to purchase 30 trays (400 eggs) for 485K ($4) , now the price is 770K ($6).

Bread and Beef: We are no longer able to serve bread and beef to the children. We have to use all of our financial resources designated for food, on the above mentioned basic staples.

Please pray!

Update

I spoke to Thandie this morning! She was so excited to hear that Savannah-Hope has two teeth and took three independent steps. And got a laugh that she did that the day after I posted that she had no teeth and couldn’t walk independently.

Ida is still in the hospital however her vision has been restored! Praise the Lord! Thandie expects that she will come home tomorrow.

Americans Serving at Good Samaritan

I have had some questions about which Americans are currently in Malawi serving with Good Samaritan Ministries:

Missionary Brother Gentry is curently in Malawi and staying at his home on BCA Hill. He has been their since April, not sure yet when he will return to the States.

Chuck and Sheila Miller from Florida are currently serving a 3month term with Brother Gentry and are staying with him at his home at BCA Hill.

The Fullford Family has just begun their first term in Malawi as full-time missionaries with Good Samaritan. They are currently staying in a home not too far from Brother Gentry while their house is being built on the new property.

Vickie from Fresno, CA is serving for two months in Malawi (returning to US on 7/24) and staying at the Round House on the Good Samaritan Campus.

The Day family from North Carolina is scheduled to arrive tomorrow and will be serving in different capacities for two weeks.

I hope to update you on the current food situation at Good Samaritan tomorrow.

Savannah-Hope Update

Savannah-Hope in her American girl dress. She is standing holding on to daddy's hands.

First trip to the beach. In the arms of big sister Bella

Savannah-Hope's baby shower. Sisters Amelia and Izabella are pictured above their mama and Savannah-hope.

Savannah-Hope loves to swim. She is a little fish!

Such a sweet and happy baby girl!

By popular demand, I will be posting an update of Savannah-Hope on the 5th of each month. Today Savannah-Hope is 14 months old. She has been home for two months and is doing great. She sleeps from 7pm to 7am. Eats everything put in front of her and is just full of giggles and smiles. Savannah-Hope has mastered drinking from a straw, cruises around holding onto furniture or a toy walker. Savannah-Hope can stand alone in a center of a room, but has not yet taken any independent steps. She still is toothless, but there are some signs of bottom teeth coming soon. She says "mama", "dada", "uh-ho", "Zach" and "no no no". Savannah-Hope is adored by her family, extended family, church family and friends. Thanks for your many prayers!