Good News!

Other news:

-Finally the Generator is connected and working-see picture! It was used so much one week with the colder weather still hanging on and no power, it even ran out of kerosene already-which meant a few days without it because of how long it takes just to get gas or kerosene when we finish it. So thankful to have it!
-The boys are in the middle of exams-means a lot more time spent helping them study in preparation and lots of pr for them to focus and apply all they are learning
-In this last month:
• I am currently in my last full week now here at the hospital-saying goodbyes and making every minute count, taking opportunity to step in wherever I can
• Teaching with families and staff-making posters for the staff to use. I need a lot of wisdom regarding what and how to present the most important information without it being an overload. Most of it will just be tools the staff can use after I am gone, but still I just need wisdom for how to make these tools appropriate for the level of education of these families and their capabilities considering their poverty and limited resources.
• Deb is traveling to train staff in another state-gone for a week, so pr for protection for those of us staying back at the house. Final travels home-my flight leaves April 18th!
• One of the boys who comes to the intervention program during the week who lost so much weight in the winter, Sunny, has been coming more consistently (at least 1-2 times a week!)-Praise! As a result I have been able to start him on a vitamin and protein supplement that can help him gain weight lost and fight infection-he is significantly under weight and comes from a very poor community where poor hygiene and living conditions combine to spread infection and malnutrition. Pr for him and his family, for his body to respond to the vitamins, and for him to continue to come to the school program here regularly enough to get these vitamins and recover well.
• The boys in the home are progressing slowly with piano lessons, and I believe the discipline they are learning in practicing piano and the connections music makes in the brain can and will help these boys with their studies and to develop behaviors that can help them grow to live for Him. The other children in the home light up when any of us are playing the piano; I hope music can continue to bless this home and provide another way for Him to be lifted up in each of these lives.
• I have seen signs of improvement with these kids since starting them on vitamins (those in the home and coming each week to the day program), but of course continue to pr for the families and staff to be able to take over and watch for signs of problems. Ask Him to help the staff and families remember to keep the kids on these and apply the little teaching I have given. Above all, pr that the seeds planted through songs, verses, stories and devotion times with the kids would continue to grow.

The newest addition to the family moved in last week and has settled in remarkably well! PRAISE! Just pr for continued adjusting and especially discerning any health issues and assessment needs. He is a sweetheart and has been through so much at just 5 years!

At Last!!

Finally! Once again I am learning how to put my trust in Him and not my own plans or schedule. Every day holds a new surprise and carries with it the lesson of leaning not on my own understanding, but seeking Him and His purpose for each day. I was once so comfortable with my busy schedule and list of things to do each day-knowing it would never be finished in one day. Usually I am a foolish procrastinator, but where there is less opportunity for distraction here in the usual ways, I am learning to take advantage of those opportunities to dive into the Word and reading books I have never gotten around to. I am learning so much!

Due to the delay, I will first update you with the most recent happenings, and hopefully later this week post some reflections of events in the past few weeks worth sharing. This past week, the open house finally took place to celebrate His provision with family, friends, and community. Before this though, Lakshmi (my roommate) and Debbie arrived safely back home with our new addition-Joshua. He is more autistic than we had originally been informed, but is adjusting surprisingly well. The children in the home are also adjusting better than expected. It is going to be difficult to get him to take vitamins or other medication to help with some of the bowel, skin and behavior problems he has, not to mention food he needs for both. We are hoping once he adjusts and settles in we can find something for him that he likes. In the meantime keep praying for his transition and progress in the home, and for all of us to adjust.

I have no new requests, but to ask you to continue to lift us up to Him. There are days where I can sense physically that you are lifting me up to Him, and I am so thankful to have you here with me. I have been so blessed in the past weeks by the encouragement of those around me, and witnessing ways in which once again He was and is at work despite my great weakness. It is bitter-sweet to be in the final stretch of my time here, eager to return to all of you and share in person what a gift He has given me here, and my heart for what I hope is in the future. At the same time, I want to take advantage of every day I have left here and know it is going to be very hard to stay away long enough to finish the preparation I believe He is asking me to do from home. He still has much to teach me and change in me before I am able to dive in fully here-in His will and time. I don’t want to forget what He has taught me or change my mind about the direction He is taking me from here, and yet still to trust Him in every step that He has me right where He wants me and is using me.

Specific details to come, I hope some pictures, and sweet stories of His Power perfected in weakness.