Anticipating New Arrivals

(Mary Mutokoma with her grandmother)

Greetings Dear friends,

In our last update, we shared that we have resumed the screening of orphans in the district where Village of Hope is located because of the uncertainty with the outcome of the children from Livingstone.
As a result of our visit with the eight village headmen who are the community leaders in several villages, we were introduced to several families who are keeping orphans and consequently, we have interviewed a total of thirteen children, eight girls and five boys.

(Jenny, front left and Patricia behind her little sister)

(Miriam taking information during screening)

These children were screened from between August 17th thru September 7th this year. At Mpoola village, about 15km from the Village of Hope, seven children were screened. These children were identified by a local pastor whose church members have orphan children in their care. We interviewed seven children, six of them girls and a boy; they are all eligible for admission.

Most these children are single orphans and their surviving parents are living with HIV/Aids in very strenuous circumstances. One of the girls, was raped when she was three years old. Her mother told us that she is very introverted and she looked it too. Another, 4yr old Ethel Moono, has two deceased siblings, Josephine and Jackson Moono. I was informed that Josephine, aged two, died in 2002 due to neglect and her other brother, Jackson died last year at four years old, again as a result of neglect and starvation. Ethel's grandmother pleaded with us in tears to admit her in the children’s home because she was afraid of losing her too.

Agnes Mwaba and Idah Phiri are sisters but have different fathers, Idah’s father died in 2005, her mother has no income and she is also taking care of a 16-year old blind sister. I don’t know how they survive in this rural setting where jobs are hard to come by or almost non -existent. Melody, their mother, stated that the last time she received any form of government assistance was two years ago when she was given a bag of maize meal and some cooking oil. As a result of desperation, she moved in with a man who is HIV/Positive for companionship and for whatever practical help he can provide even though it be for a moment. It is terrible what abject poverty will drive someone to do when they don’t know the Lord. It boils down to the most basic human need, food; let’s eat today, for tomorrow we die.

I would like introduce you to these children; here are their names and their ages:

Ethel Moono (4)

Idah Phiri (5)

Jenny Kasongo (4)

Kahilu Kakoma (6)

Patricia Yusiku (8)

Agnes Mwaba (8)

Annette Yumba (8)

(Kimani, who was on outreach with Kamau, with Idah, her mother and young sibling)

The other four boys and two girls came to us through our contact with one of the village headman who had previously paid an introductory visit at the village of hope. Their names are:

Stephen Muyeba (6)—Double orphan, father deceased February 2007 and mother deceased 2005.

Shadrach Muyeba (7)—Brother to Stephen Muyemba--both parents deceased.

Frank Malama (8)—Father deceased January 2007and Frank’s mother left him with his uncle and disappeared.

Joe Michelo (8)—Mother died November 2008 and her father has not been seen since 2001. His mother was a policewoman prior to her death.

Terry Muleya (5)—Both parents deceased 2004/2005 respectively.

Mary Mutokoma (7)—Her father died December 2006 and her mother is partially blind due to complications related to Hiv/Aids.

(Joe Michelo & grandfather, waiting to be screened)




(From Right: Steven and Shadrach Muyemba. They will be new residents at Village of Hope)

**Please pray for these children as we prepare to receive them at the Village of Hope.

**Praise the Lord for answered prayers: The Lord has provided four house mother candidates whom we have begun to interview. This is great because two weeks ago, we did not have anyone on our radar screen.

**Please pray for discernment and guidance about which of the four housemother candidates God would have us choose to be caregivers for the new children.

Every 30 days we will feature a house that we would like for you to keep in prayer. We are asking that you pray for each of the children in that house individually and their housemother. In separate emails we will provide you with any new prayer requests or updates. For the next 30 days we are asking that you pray for Mama Rose Mugoma's house. Here are the requests:

**Mama Rose--to have the energy and perserverance needed to manage her household. She has a few children who have been somewhat difficult lately. Pray that she will have much wisdom and patience.

**Sharon S.--who has been diagnosed with a mild form of epilepsy. Pray that the medicine that was prescribed will be effective. Right now she has been falling asleep at odd times and sleeping for a long time. Praise God for her salvation, as she accepted Christ into her life last month at Hope Club.

**Isaac-- Isaac has been struggling with behavior issues and has found himself under discipline frequently. He recently invited Christ into his life, so pray that the Holy Spirit would begin to bring about visible changes in his life.

Brighton--Brighton has also recently received Jesus into his life. Mama Rose has stated that his behavior has been difficult lately. Again, pray that God's Holy Spirit will change his heart. Pray that he will obey his teachers at school.

**Moses--We are rejoicing that Moses has recently accepted Christ into his life. Pray that when Mama Rose asks him to do chores around the house, he will do them immediately without giving her a hard time.

**Selita--Selita has a lovely voice and sings on the worship team. She received Christ into her life last month. Pray that God's Word will sink deep into her heart and that she will grow to be a godly young woman. Ask God to continue to give her a cheerful servant heart.

**Maggie--Maggie recently accepted Christ into her life at Hope Club. She is experiencing some difficulty in reading and retaining what she has learned. Pray that God, who is the One who gives knowledge, skill and understanding, will help her in this area.

** Adam--Adam also made a decision to receive Christ into his life last month. Adam is having trouble recognizing letters and it is difficult for him to focus. Please ask God to open up his understanding.

**Docklin--Pray that Docklin will learn to be obedient to Mama Rose the first time she is asked to do something. Pray for her salvation.