We heard late last week from our Orphanage Director, Jo Anne Byrum, and I was overwhelmed so many different emotions. We have two new boys at HOFO -bringing our total to four and we just opened just over two weeks ago now. The following is an edited version of her update:
March 28th 2008 - Hello everyone, I am back out from the bush. God has sent us two more boys!
Lovemore is 7 years old and in the 2nd grade. He can say his ABC's, but when I use flash cards he could not read them. The numbers he only could say if they were in order up to ten after that he was lost. So we have a big job ahead of us, but I am sure that we'll get there. God will increase their knowledge as we begin to use the resources that God has given to us.
Lovermore comes from a place close to the children's home. I asked the Uncle what was in his diet, and he replied "nshemia" -which is the staple food there, a sort of corn meal mix. I ask what else what kind of veggies, and he said pumpkin leaves. So I then got direct with my questions and asked whether he has been eating groundnuts, beans, kapenta, eggs, chicken, beef, or fish? The Uncle replied fish sometimes..... All these food are high in protein and include the necessary vitamins which he needs to grow and he is not eating any of them. No one in this house is eating much protein.......
Now as I asked about Lovemore's health I found out that some times he swells, and he runs a fever. He has some type of skin disorder on his legs going up to his abdomen. I think he may have scabies, but am not sure. I will go to the chemist(pharmacy) and see if they have anything to treat him with. He looks underweight. I don't have a scale so I don't know for sure. He also has scaring on the right eye. I ask what the Doctor had said about these things and I was told that he has never seen the Doctor. I have no Under-Five card for him so I will try to see what vaccines I can get for him.
Now Blessing is the other young boy. He is 5 years old. His mother died in 2005 and he has been living with his grandmother. The Grandmother has 7 other children she is taking care of. He was brought to the house by his Uncle. Blessing's village is far away from the children's home. The Uncle who brought him is the headman's brother of the village we live in. The Uncle was unable to give much info about Blessing as far as his eating habits or health. I can see that he has had a diet that has been lacking. He is small and underweight also. His skin look well and no sores can be seen. He has warmed up quiet quickly with the books and flash cards. Blessing has been exposed to some teaching as he was able to see and say numbers to 10. He repeated everything I said. When reading 'Put Me In The Zoo', he would say everything I said. I think he will learn fast! He is showing no shyness.
So God has given us 4 boys and they are all wonderful guys. Olick the baby is doing very well and even likes me! He is now laughing and learning to have time on the mat with a few toys instead of being on the back all the time. He has attached himself to Elizabeth (our house mother). They have bonded very well. Sibajane enjoyed being able to tell and help the new boys with getting settled in.
So please pray for the children and their health. Also, pray for Elizabeth and her daughter Muntina. I will also ask for prayer for the parts for the truck to be found so I can have a truck to drive. It has been in the shop for a month now because they can not get a master cylinder for the breaks. Seems the truck is Australian made and they are having a hard time with finding that part.
Your Servant in Jesus the Messiah,, Jo Anne <><
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We are so grateful to have Jo Anne in Silembe fulfilling her call to serve Orphans and for allowing World Orphan Relief's work there to be in good hands.
Amen.
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