wow is all i can say!

Hi again.  Lots to report today.  It has been a busy few days so i will have to type fast…. Friday, I went back to my new ‘village’ to check on the baby i put on antibiotics and to see the HIV woman contemplating and abortion.  The baby was getting much better.  He was not coughing anymore and his ears were looking better.  His mom, however, had a fever, swollen glands, lots of aching and just looked awful.  So i put her on antibiotics too.  

When we first arrived at the ‘village’, the HIV woman met me first with a huge smile and said she cancelled her abortion.  Now she has to have her cd4 level checked on the 13^th.  Prayers please for that.  I will keep you posted.  I went back later that evening and left her a bottle of vitamins.  She looked so at peace with her decision… 

My boys…. Wow, all is can say is wow.  They spent half their mission money on Friday as well.  They bought a soccer ball, coats, shoes, socks, pants and blankets.  They took the soccer ball to the kids that are always playing out in front of my new favorite place.  They loved it!  Then, james bought a huge blanket for a family that he over heard say that they get cold at night.  So he ran right up to their shack to give it to them.  The clothes are for another little boy they have befriended and they can’t wait to see him and give him his goods.  I know i keep saying how proud of the boys i am, but i really am.  They have done fantastic over here… i can’t believe how well they have adjusted, how easily they have made friends and how tender their little hearts are.  They are so compassionate.   

Saturday we all went to Grahmstown for a festivel.  We had a great time.  Lots of things to look at and buy.  The boys got their birthday presents there.  They both wanted an African drum.  So, stupid me, i decided that was perfect.  Well, i should have waited until the END of the trip to get those… i feel like i am in the middle of that movie Drumline.  Between them and Daniel drumming every night, the roosters every morning… i am going to learn to sleep through anything… J 

Today was an awesome example of how God  works.  Just last week, going to this village was just a mere ‘desire’.  Now we have been able to treat the sick and today the teachers were able to teach an English class.  We showed up at 0800 (little too early, my fault), that is the time i picked when i asked if some of the ladies if they would like to learn English…  It was a slow start.  Nobody was there at first but by the end of the first hour, there were around six women and  three children.  They loved it! There was an empty shack in the middle of this town and in it were four picnic type tables…. Like it was just waiting there just for a class to be held.  They are all coming back tomorrow and the teachers did great.  They played a cool ‘english bingo’ game.  What a great way to learn English… can’t wait until tomorrow.  I will get pictures sent soon.   

On the other hand, Daniel and i went to motherwell today to get the food parcels bought, but also to visit the girl’s family that died last week.  Her grandmother was understandably upset still and had a big hug for us.  She cried.  We gave her some sponsorship money to help with funeral costs (money that was donated for the girl) and said our goodbyes.  Very sad.  Her grandmother said she knew she was going to die because the last night she was alive, the little girl asked her grandmother to light some candles for her…. 

There is a new boy here who is going to stay.  He fits in nicely and loves joseph and james….he is something else…look out girls. 

Well, lots going on here.  Tomorrow i am going to try to take some of the older girls in to be tested, they say they are ready….so you know what that means… pray, pray….  

Thanks so much for your support everyone…. Your prayers and warm encouragement really keep us going….sometimes that is all we hold onto for the moment. 

In his hands,Jen, joe, james