Blessings and Joy

He came from a place no one likes.  No one wants to go.  People use it as a joke and an offence.  He’s nearby playing now, carefree and seemingly innocent.  Someone mentions that he is from that place.  “They are real a lot there, and yet this one was chosen.”  “Yes, he is the blessed one.”  Blessed.  God chose to bless this little boy.  To bless him with love, home and family.  To bring him from a place no child should have to be.  God chose to use this little boy's life to bless the kids at GSF.  To give them the blessing of seeing that, out of things the world sees as curses, God can give us blessings.

The little two-year-old snuggles up close.  Several illnesses and more medicines than you can imagine often make her sick.  She vomits every day and is pretty malnourished.  However, she doesn’t stay down very long.  She is often found wobbling around with her little tongue sticking out, full of joy.  Joy.  The very thing she wouldn’t be expected to have, but she is full of it.  Just as God chose to bless us with the 6-year-old boy, he chose to give us a new joy through this 2-year-old girl.  To give her the joy of family, love and hope.  To give us joy through her.

Rejoice with us for the way God is blessing these kids and us.  Please also keep them in your prayers as they adjust to life at GSF. Especially pray for this sweet girl to gain health again soon.

Updates from GSF

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from GSF!  As a new year begins, I want to share 5 things you can do to keep in touch with GSF.
1) Like GSF's Facebook page to see more cute pictures of the kids, updates about all that is going on and how to pray for GSF.

2) Visit GSF's website which has just recently been updated and looks really awesome!  Good Shepherd's Fold website

3) Watch this video that gives a picture of a day at GSF.  Click here to watch the video!
4) Read GSF's newsletter.  I'm sharing it here, but if you can't read it, find it on the GSF Facebook page, comment on the post and they'll send it to you in Facebook messenger.

5) Share any of these things on your social media page(s)!
Thank you!

Special

Gracie came to GSF with many delays.  The doctor didn't think she would ever be able to do anything.  At 9 months old, she couldn't sit up, crawl or put pressure on her legs.  All the things most babies would be beginning to do around her age.  A few doctors thought she would progress, but they said she would NEVER catch up, she would always be delayed.

Little Ivan came to GSF at 2 years old.  He had spinal TB and was never taken for any treatment before he was brought to GSF.  The hump on his back was so big no one knew if he would ever be able to walk.  There was a possibility that he had other special needs and delays as well.

When they came to GSF {at different times} we began praying that God would help them overcome their 'disabilities'.  Today is a very special day as it is Gracie and Ivan's birthday!  Today, we not only celebrate their lives, but the progress they have made!  Gracie is sitting up, crawling and even standing with help!  Ivan is walking ALL OVER THE PLACE and is copying everything he hears his friends say!  They both have such big, fun personalities!

Praise God with us for the milestones these little ones are making and please join us in praying for them to continue making progress.  Happy birthday, Gracie and Ivan, I love you!

Prayers please

I am sitting writing this from Entebbe.  Early Friday morning, I get on a plane and head to America.  I will be in Florida for two weeks and then head back.  I will meet up with my dad who is in America for 6 weeks.   The main reason for this trip is for medical purposes.  Would you please be praying as I am traveling by myself?

Would you please also be in prayer for two of our kids, Kathy and Sebastian.  Kathy is one of our sweet special needs girls and she just had  a surgery yesterday morning to have a part of her colon removed.   It went well, but she will have to be in the hospital for another 5 - 7 days.  I was able to go see her in the hospital today and she is doing well, but just wants all the IVs and things off.  Please be praying for her as she has a long recovery journey.  Sebastian will be getting tubes in his ears Monday morning.

Thank you for joining us in prayer!

Sebastian 

Kathy

Walking

This week I have been encouraged to see three of our sweet kids walking this week.  I know many of you have been praying for them, so I wanted to share some of the joy! {If you do not know much about these kids, please click on the captions to read more of their stories and why we are rejoicing that they are walking this week!}

Ivan

Moses

Esther

That stick will take her far and hopefully one day she will no longer have to use it!

Praise God for his provision for these 3 blessings!

He will redeem.

Tiny 20 month old Alex snuggles up against my chest.  My heart cries out, 'why is this happening?  Why is he still losing weight after living at GSF for almost 5 weeks?  Why will he still not eat very much?  Why does he have no will to live?'  Then I stop and I remember.

Precious Alex

I remember when Leticia. '"For I know the plans I have for her", declares the Lord.'*

Leticia Before

Leticia Now

I remember Philip.  'For my plans for him are good'*

Philip Before

Philip's 13th Birthday {A couple days ago}

I remember Isma and Moses. 'For I won't let evil and disaster win against Isma and Moses.'*

Isma on arrival at GSF

Moses Before

Moses and Isma Now

I remember Richard 'For I have given him a hope.'*

Richard Before

Richard Now

I remember Gracie  'I have given her a future.'*

Gracie Before

Gracie Now

I have to think, that if God could redeem Leticia, Philip, Isma, Moses, Richard, Gracie and so many others, he can redeem Alex.

“For I know the plans I have for Alex,” says the Lord.  “Plans for good, not to let evil win against him, to give him a hope and a future.” ~Jeremiah 29:11

Please join us in prayer for little Alex.

*A paraphrase of Jeremiah 29:11, changed to add in the kids names.