So much happened this week that it honestly feels impossible to fit it into one short update... but here we go. Starting with the most serious situation: Bishop was called to the home of a widow after concerns were raised that her failing health was putting her two young orphaned grandchildren at risk (Joel and Benjamin). When he arrived, the conditions were even worse than expected. The mud hut was collapsing, the three of them were sleeping on a rug soaked with urine and feces, and all of them had severe chigger infestations from sleeping on the dirt floor and walking barefoot. For those unfamiliar, chiggers are tiny fleas from contaminated soil that burrow larvae into the skin, especially the feet and fingers. It is painful, dangerous, and heartbreaking to see. Bishop immediately went into action. We had two leftover mattresses, blankets, and pillows ready to give, along with food and urgent medical attention. But the response did not stop there... we also funded an entirely new small home for them. Shoutout to the professional builders that did the work pro bono! The existing structure was declared completely uninhabitable, and the rugs were burned that same day. Bishop and his team are still carefully assessing what long-term support will be best for the widow and the children, and I will absolutely keep you updated as we learn more. How you can help:We had to reallocate funding from another project to cover this $700 emergency grant, so if you would like to help us replenish that, you can donate below. On another major concern (and also praise), our children at the orphanage began falling sick one after another this past week. Our Healthy Child Fund was running low, and naturally, questions were piling up. Thankfully, Bethany (Bishop’s daughter and a trained nurse) stepped in quickly. She went to the school, examined the children, and discovered that most had contracted the flu. She also found that a worker had accidentally added too much chlorine to the drinking water tank, which likely contributed to some of the symptoms. Bethany has committed to staying at the school this week to monitor and treat the children. This has pushed forward an initiative that had only been in the early planning stages, but now has suddenly become urgent: hiring a full-time school nurse to care not only for our orphanage children, but for the entire school community. That is exactly why our joint medical clinic fundraiser (in partnership with Sigma Beta Theta at-Large Chapter in Western Massachusetts and American Christian School in New Jersey) matters so much right now. This fundraiser is listed on our Fundraiser page. We do not only need to build a clinic, we need to hire the staff to make it function well. This week made the need impossible to ignore. Now for a major praise report: We have been praying for funding to complete our water runoff management project and cover the remaining cost of expanding our wood stove... and an anonymous supporter gave the exact amount needed in cash. Not close. Not partial. The exact amount. Those projects are now moving forward, and I will have more to report soon. One last thing: the shoe fundraiser is officially in motion. Feet have been measured, orders are being placed, and over 160 children will soon receive brand new, high-quality leather school shoes. God is good. God is moving. And at this pace, we may all need stronger running shoes ourselves. 🙌
