The Gills in Malawi

In our bible study last week we read Luke 9 v 1-9, in v 2 it says 'and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.'

It just so happened that we were taking our visitor Yomi, out to the feeding centres that week and I really felt moved by that scripture and could not stop thinking about it.

When we went out on our first outreach we prayed together and I encouraged everyone to be open to what God wanted to do.

We had fun with the kids, we support 15 kids at this centre but when we go and visit kids come out and join with us and we must have had about 200 kids if not more join the group to praise God.  Yomi said what was on her heart and then we took the adults to one side to talk to them while Paul told the kids a story. 

We prayed for anyone who needed healing and 2 ladies were healed.  Thank you Jesus!  I also felt there was one in the group that had visited the witch Doctor for a charm to be put around their child, I explained that Jesus is the one who heals and that putting a charm around your baby can not bring healing to it.  I encouraged the person (I did not know who at this stage) to just pray about it and ask God as to what she should do.  A while later a lady approached me and told me she was the one who I had been speaking of.  She said she was hiding it but had a strong feeling that she needed to come forward and she asked me to remove the charm so she could burn it.  I thank God for his revelation.  We prayed for many people and continue to lift them up in prayer as many were in such need.

They asked us if we could come back again another time for us to pray again!  The kids also had lots of games with Charles and Lydia came along to clean any wounds that the children had.

On the Thursday and the Friday we visited the other 2 feeding centres and loved being with the children.  I am always moved when we go out by the poverty we see and the little that the kids have but then I have to remember that we can only do what we can do with what we have, that we are not their provider and that God is.  It sure does lead me to prayer that is for sure!

We never know what will happen in our day here. We can make plans to do something and then one visit from someone can change your whole day and especially your outlook.

Today was one of those days. We had a lady come to our gate with a newborn baby. The baby girl is one week old. The lady is the Grandmother, her first born daughter gave birth to the liitle girl and died during childbirth. The young girl who died was only 21 years of age, the father of the baby died 2 months before the baby was born from pneumonia.

We explain to the lady that unless we can find a sponsor we are not able to help her. She has tears in her eyes as we explain this and my heart goes out to her. We then weigh the baby, she is only 2kg (4lb 4oz), we put a nappy on the baby and give her a fresh set of clothes to wear and make her a bottle. After drinking the milk, she lies in my arms very content. We have given the lady milk to last till the end of the week while we look for a sponsor and can only pray that God will provide. I have to tell her that we can make no promises at this stage of help but even as I say it my heart hurts as I look down at the little life in my arms.

The cost of buying milk here is very expensive. The baby will need 3 tins a week, 12 tins a month and that will cost ₤65 per month. It is a lot of money I know! If you would like to help but can’t afford ₤65 per month, you could find 2 friends to split the cost between you. Please, if you feel a tug on your heart, please consider this baby and pray about it, maybe God wants to use you to help, all we can do is ask. The baby will need to be sponsored for a year and a half. If you would like to help please contact us and we will let you know how you can help.

The picture on the left is the Grandmother with the baby, the one on the right is the baby after her milk and a new set of clothes.

On Sunday afternoon we collected Cabu and his mother Mary from their home, which you can see from the photo is a tiny mud bricked place with a grass roof. The reality is that the home wont stand another rainy season, the roof leaks and the walls are dangerously close to collapsing. Cabu breaks into a huge smile when he sees us knowing that he is going to get the operation that will mean he can walk again and you cant help but be touched, there is something in that smile that moves your spirit and causes you to break out into a huge grin as well, it's infectious. 

Tracy gives Mary a travel sickness tablet and tries to explain in hand gestures that it is to stop her throwing up and within 10 minutes Mary is being sick (she must have wondered what on earth we gave her). She continues to be sick the whole way to Blantyre which is an hours drive away and we are all grateful when we arrive at Cure as the noise and smell were almost as infectious as Cabu's smile!

So Cabu will be operated on this week so please say a prayer that all will go well and the wound will heal quickly. Say a prayer for provision so we can build Cabu a better home, but most of all pray that Cabu and his family will come to know God is a deep way as we spend time with them and that even the little things like Cabu's smile will be used by God to break chains, heal lives and touch hearts.

We have regular check ups and weigh in sessions for the 2 babies that we recently took on. So I decided to go and have a look to see their progress. 

Wow....I didn't even recognise little Isaac when I saw him, he has grown so much. He is now 9lb and he looks so healthy and he even gave me a smile.

Fred is also looking much better than the last time I saw him, he is just over his birth weight now and he weighs 8lb 4 oz and does not look like skin and bones any more.

The Grandmothers are doing a really good job in looking after these babies and we are so pleased at their progress.

We really thank God for the provision for these little ones and for their health. Please pray that they will continue to thrive.

On the left is Fred, in the middle the Grandmother with Isaac and lastly me and Isaac.