Charles

The same day that Ruth got diagnosed with TB, so did our local foreman Charles.  Anyone who has been here to visit us the past few years has met this amazing but humble man with a huge heart to help the orphans.  He has been a faithful servant to us, the ministry, and kids at the children’s home.  Being n HIV + for 11+ years now, has been a big advocate for HIV education in the village, even among the kids and the house moms here with us.  Unfortunately when we returned from South Africa in January we found him suffering with a cough which he said was being treated at the clinic.   When the cough didn’t go away we advised him to go for further help and treatment but due to the cost of going to the TB clinic without a referral from the local clinic, he chose to wait.  We pray that that decision will not be a fatal one because when we took him to the TB clinic in Zimba on Friday, the doctors said that both of his lungs were badly infected and that his case was quite severe.  Knowing that TB claims many victims here in rural Africa (the private hospital in Livingstone tells us that only 30% of the TB patients that come in to them walk out) we are desperately asking for your prayers and intercession on behalf of Charles.  God has graciously spared his life up to this point but we are asking for grace, mercy, and God’s healing touch on his life, knowing the good that he can still do in this area, for the ministry and in the lives of the precious children he has put under our care.     To may of these kids (especially the older boys) Charles has been like a father to them and they have already lost so much.  In addition Charles has a wife Brenda (who helps with the children’s home when needed and watching Jakob), and four children whom he is caring  for, (1 is Brenda’s son, 2 are grandchildren, and one an orphan that he has raised since infancy).  While we know that God’s ways are always best we appreciate your prayers for this faithful worker and his family, especially that He will remain strong in his faith during this time of hardship and not doubt or revert back to believing that this was caused by witch craft or a curse.  We pray for God’s healing power and for God to use this situation to bring HIM glory, praise, and honor once again.