An update on Philip + picture of Susan

Philip (right) with Benji

Many of you have been asking for 'Philip Updates'. I don't know if I have mentioned it before but the hospital that Philip is in, is not close to GSF. He is in Kampala, which is two hours away. So, my mom and several others were able to go when they were in Kampala and today some house moms went to visit. The other updates have all been from his auntie by phone. Those calls have been few. That is why updates have been few. The calls usually don't contain enough information to write full blog posts about. So, this is kind of a combination of those phone calls and visits. The latest news is, he is doing better but doesn't want to eat. He does want bananas, apples, and yoghurt however. He has been threatened with a feeding tube.
Hopefully he will start eating and will not have to go on a feeding tube so he can come home soon.

Philip soon after we came to GSF

Current Prayer Requests for Philip:

• That he will have an appetite.
• That he will be able to come soon.

Susan hasn't been at school much this week so I just got this picture today.

Little Cuties :)

Gabriel

Paul

Betty

Joanne, Jessica, & Joel - Could they possibly be cuter?

Uh, yes. But I think that is about as good as it gets.

I lied.

Micah

Angel

Lily

Zaitune - AKA Zai, Tuna, or Nana

Zai with her brother Edi

A reminder of God's Promise yesterday

I will put my rainbow in the clouds to be a sign of my promise to the earth. Whenever I form clouds over the earth, a rainbow will appear in the clouds. Then I will remember my promise to you and every living animal. Never again will water become a flood to destroy all life.
Genesis 9:13-15

Prayer

I am writing this post for several reasons, all of which involve prayer requests. Thank you everyone for your prayers!
This is a very special little boy ... Philip. He is very special to many ... all over the world. Many are praying for him everyday. On Wednesday he was diagnosed with a very serious type of Pneumonia. Every since Philip was little he has lived a very difficult life. The worst part is that no one can do anything to help him ... he will always have a hard life. Why? Because he has that awful disease called HIV. So, all that to say please pray for him.
As I said earlier Philip is special to very many people. Why? Well, because he can put on those puppy dog eyes and look sad and make you want to give him as many bananas and fruit snacks as he wants. Because of skinny little legs and that bandage that is on his ear a lot. Because he is silly and when he starts acting and dancing you can't help but laugh. (he is the one on the right in this picture the other boy is one of his good friends, Geoffrey.) And because he has an amazing smile.
And really just because he is special.

On Wednesday I went to devotions with the preschoolers. At the end one of the teachers brought a girl who is about 6. The teacher said 'We are going to pray for this girl. She is ever sick (she is sick a lot). Her name is Susan. Everyone hold out your hands and pray for her.' That is exactly what we did. I do not know exactly what is wrong with this little girl, how old she is, or where she lives but, I know her name and that she needs our prayers. I do not have a picture of her right now but I will post one of her as soon as I get one.


Well, that is all - thank you for praying!

Welcome to the Family

Yesterday, one more child was added to the GSF family. Meet Betty.

Betty is six years old and is an adorable, joyful little girl. We almost made her middle name Tomorrow. For about a month and a half she has been coming 'tomorrow'. Finally, tomorrow came.

This is a song that we sing at GSF:

Welcome to the Family

Welcome to the family

We are glad that you have come

To share your love with us,

As we grow in love.

May we always be to you

What God will have us be,

A family always standing,

To be strong and to belong.

May we learn to love each other

More and more each day

May words of love be on our lips

In everything we say,

May the Spirit mend our hearts

And teach us how to pray

That we might be a true family.

Welcome to the family, Betty, may you grow in joy, love, and happiness at GSF.