June 2004 Newsletter

Hello to all

I can do no great thing
Only small things with great love
I can do what you can’t do
You can do what I can’t do
But together we can do something for God
                 Mother Theresa

The last month has been a little tough, and has left me feeling a little frayed around the edge. Jake has been in hospital twice, my mother has been in hospital, and Siya has built up a resistance to the ARV’s (Anti retro viral drugs).

Still, God is good, he has sustained me, and we have been blessed in so many ways.

I think for me, the biggest blessing is the wonderful people that God has chosen to surround me and uplift me – to each one of you – I thank you so much. You are all so special to me.

We give thanks

To all our doners: Those who have donated money, food, nappies, toiletries, clothes, baby equipment, time, resources…

We had a wonderful surprise of a donation in the form of a fridge and a chest deepfreeze from Game, we have had a number of cash donations, and a donation through a fundraiser organized by someone special, for the purpose of purchasing a digital camera. We were given the cutest little bed for Siya, and there is one on the way for Simon…

We are ever so grateful for all the donations which we have received, in whatever form they have come. We are truly blessed by the generosity and love which has been shown.

We give thanks again for our prayer warriors, our church family, and our supportive community.


BABY NEWS:

Well Siya and Jake both had birthdays on 20 May, and Mary has a birthday on 21 June, so we had a lovely combined birthday party for them at The Japanese Gardens and they were all thoroughly spoilt! We all had a really great time, and to all of you who helped make it a great afternoon – thank you. Siya turned 3, and Mary and Jake turned 1.

Our big babies

My heart is very sore and I feel somewhat guilty that Siya has built up a resistance to the anti retrovirals. Adherance is MUCH MORE important than I had anticipated, and I don’t think I was being strict enough with the administration of his meds. He has bad diarrhea again, is developing a rash, and has some really swollen glands. We will visit the doctor again on the 17th June, and I think she will decide to change him to a different ARV. This is the final ARV he can take, so if the virus developes a resistance to this ARV, there is nothing more we can do. Please keep him in your prayers. He has such a fire in his spirit, and I just can’t image that flame going out.

Ah, my gentle little drummer boy – he is doing well. Simon has a quiet disposition, but a sense of humour with it. Siya is defiantly the leader,and Simon follows enthusiastically. I don’t think Simon would have attempted half the things he has, if Siya had not led the way. Wendy, you’ll be thrilled to know that Simon can now climb up the jungle gym ladder, and down again – by himself!

These two little guys are truly a delight to watch!

Our little babies:

Mbali left to join her forever family. It leaves that bitter-sweet taste in my mouth. I am so hapy that she has a forever family, and I know she is already adored, but she has this little spot in my heart, see, and I get a little mushy when I look at her photo’s.

May is walking now, and cutting tooth number 4. She thinks she is just so clever! (So do I !) When Mary smiles she kinda screws up her little face at you, and you just have to love her. Her “Foundling Dad” Francois phoned a few days ago, so we will go and visit him for her birthday. It is really great that he has chosen to remain in contact with her.

Themba Jake has been really sick this last month and he has been in and out of hospital. We have spent days of nebulising him, and doing physio on him, and finally – all the efforts have paid off. The ARV’s are kicking in, his chest is FINALLY clearing, and he is starting to eat well, and enjoy life. Jake has a very cute nature, and loves to smile at the ladies. Although he is 1 year old, he is still weak, and his milestones are in line with a 5 month old. Please keep him in your prayers, and please pray that he will find a forever family. I promise you – to anyone who has the calling and the courage to take an HIV +ve child. You will BE blessed more than you can think of, and more than you can bless that child!

We have a new addition to the family. Her name is Ntombifuthi, and she is now just past 3 months old. She is such a pretty little girl. Nthombi is not HIV +ve, but unfortunately she has hydrocephalus (water on the brain), and her head is growing faster than the specialists had hoped for, so we will be going for another scan soon, and I am suspecting that the decision will be to insert a shunt. So far she is very alert and does not look like she has any neurological damage, so please pray for her. Firstly – for healing, and guidance for the specialists, and secondly – for a forever family.


Our needs:

The usual: we’re always in need of formula, purity, baby cereals, baby toiletries and the like.

Disposable nappies – the HIV’s can go through quite a few if they have a bout of diarrhea.


Volunteers:

Well, Jen and Liana left (very sad!) but Cindee came back again which was really great to have her back, and with her came Carolyn, who immediately fell right in love with Jake (and let me tell you the emotion was mutual). All the photo’s of Jake with Carolyn, reflect this mutual bond that was instant. Cindee and Carolyns month came to an end all too quickly, and again we had to bid farewell’s. (I really hate this – it’s not fun having to say all these goodbyes to all these wonderful people who touch our lives.

We now have Esther and Inga, and they are enjoying their stay and really being a blessing to us all.

Of course there are our regular local volunteers who are ever so special. Bridgette, Jonel and Stuart.

Then I think I need to add to the volunteer list my own 2 children – Jay and Tazz. They are on duty 24/7 and are absolute stars. They fetch and they carry, they kiss it better, and read a story or play rough and tumble. I am truly blessed. They have a tough time sometimes, but they always bounce back. They have compassion and unselfish hearts, and I really thank them for their support. Tazz and Jay – I love you and you are VERY SPECIAL!

The volunteers have been staying in the church flat, and although it is much better than trying to squash them into our house, it does give rise to extra petrol costs, and sometimes fetching and carrying from the flat, so – please pray that we will find a better solution soon. For now though, thanks to Nina and the youth for sharing your Den with us. We are thankful and grateful.

We would still like to be able to put a TV into the volunteer flat, and are praying that this will materialize.


Our wish list:

Well, just see how good God is. Already I have 2 items on the wish list, and a third I will have in the next week - see the smiley faces next to the items we have been donated:

A good quality digital camera - will have in the next week or so

A chest deepfreeze

A fridge to be used as a "milk" fridge

Still on the list are:

A computer / printer
A combi
A 6 man tent (and any other camping equipment)

Added to the wish list:
We could use a new pram. Both ours have "died" and we could also use a couple of the little “umbrella” fold up prams. They are simple little prams with no bells and whistles, but the beauty of them is that they are very light and easy to use and transport.


THINK:

Especially those of you in South Africa:
most of you have children, or grandchildren, or want children one day.

The next generation will have an impact on our own children or our grandchildren. What kind of a country do we want for our children?


THE FACTS
The next generation will include a vast number of orphans. That could lead to some scary social issues. Most of these children will grow up never knowing a warm, safe and secure place. They will grow up without being told how special they are, and perhaps without being told that God loves them. Most of them will grow up having to fight for anything they want or even need.


THE REALITY
A generation of dysfunctional individuals, a high crime rate, a high rate of substance abuse. This will impact on our children people!


THE CHALLENGE
Each one of us has the power to change that. Not on our own - but if every person, every family, works together, we can turn the tide.

If every family took responsibility for 1 orphan - and I am not talking about donating money to a charity, (even if I had lots of money and a big house, and took care of lots of kids– that would not be giving them a “normal” family life.)

I mean, if every family raised one orphan as their own, in a family unit, we would turn the tide.

And it is up to us – as Christians to take responsibility for this. God’s word tells us clearly that we are to look after the widows and the orphans – and he doesn’t add "If you feel like it"!

Let’s be challenged to make a difference. Let’s be challenged to show the world what happens, when we are obedient to God, Let’s be challenged to turn the tide.

Thank you all once again, for your love and your support.

Yours in God’s service
Ruth


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