As promised in our last newsletter I am including a photo of Hope on her third birthday. We had a Big Birthday Party for her birthday in January and although she is HIV+ we marvel at her excellent health.
Garin has had several stays in the hospital, which is always an extra load on us all here. But when we look at where he has come from, we can only acknowledge that Jesus is in control here. Even though Garin was diagnosed with Tuberculosis several weeks ago, and is currently on medication, he shows minimal symptoms and is such a happy little fellow. I am sure his goal is to walk all by himself before his third birthday in June.
In March, we welcomed two little sisters into our home, Mae and Bell. They are both HIV+. Their dad died two years ago and their mum has died just recently. Their aunt, who had been caring for them even though she has four children of her own, realized Mae and Bell were too unwell and needed to be near a town where they could receive the medical attention they required. So she asked for help. Consequently, Mae and Bell have moved from their remote village in the mountains and have settled into our home very well. However, as their health issues are a challenge for them and us, we are praying seriously for a doctor to join our staff. Please pray for God’s healing touch on their little lives. At this time Mae, the baby, is still hospitalized and accompanied by one of our Thai staff, so she is not in this photo.
We recently heard of two little boys: a newborn and a two year old (both HIV+), who needed a home and while we are in the process of finding out more information regarding the newborn, the two year old named Fern, arrived just today. It is a traumatic time for him. We would appreciate your prayers for his transition. Not only that, please pray for us to understand and show more of God’s heart to these little ones as we care for them.
I am sure you know that we have two properties, both within the same village. One of these properties is completely paid for (Lakeview) and I am excited to be able to tell you that we have just had an MMM team through from Australia who have completed our first duplex there! It is at lock up stage and our goal is to be ready to take in a HIV+ mother and baby in the new year. We will be using the duplex in the meantime though, half as a storage shed for our building supplies as we build the larger mother/child respite care facility on the property, and half as a kindergarten for our preschoolers. We have a Thai teacher who will be teaching them five days a week from June. This lovely lady is volunteering with us and she needs a support team so she can continue in this role. Would you like to be a part of her team? This means pledging $8 per week to her. Please hit reply on this email and let Penny know if you can help with this need.
In July, (just two months away), we need to have all the funds to pay the balance of our Mountain View Property, where our babies are currently living and our four homes are situated. Would you consider contributing to this project? We believe this is part of our inheritance and invite you to join in! J So far all the rent payments for the past two years have gone towards paying off the price of the land. The agreement we currently have with our landlady is that she would give us two years to raise the funds to buy the property. Because that time is up in July, we need your help. If you have heard about our project and have considered helping us… we sure would love to hear from you within the next month or six weeks.
Did you know that…we can offer tax-deductibility for any gifts to Home of the Open Heart? …email us for details. Recently we have had new Thai staff join our team. It is exciting to see who God brings together to accomplish the dream He has put in our hearts.
Finally, we have very exciting news that our long-term staff, Tdai & Jumnong, have just had their first baby – a little girl, born 23rd April. Any messages of congratulations can be sent to our PO box. They are doing very well and adjusting to parenthood.
Thanks for your love and prayers,
You are a part of our team,
Bless you!
From Penny and all the staff and children at Home of the Open Heart.
Box 121 Bandu P.O.
A. Muang
Chiang Rai, 57100
Thailand
Ph: 66 53 703524
