Update on Tamandani and Sidala

First I would like to thank all of you for praying for these precious girls. On Monday December 29th the maternal uncle who holds the custody rights for the girls, visited the Good Samaritan Children’s Home. At the end of the meeting, he agreed to relinquish the custody of both girls to the Good Samaritan Children’s Home. Woohoo! On Tuesday we received word that the maternal grandmother caring for Tamandani and the paternal grandmother caring for Sidala are in agreement with the uncle’s decision. Today we received final confirmation from Good Samaritan that the children can be housed there.

Good Samaritan is not a baby orphanage. It is not set up for toddlers. Special arrangements had to be made for Savannah-Hope when she was brought there. Good Samaritan is also extremely under-funded as they have lost 1/3 of their support due to financial hardships among supporters in America. They really are in no position to take in two more children, let alone starving toddlers who will require specialized care. We are so grateful to the staff at Good Samaritan for agreeing to take the girls even though their “plate is full”. We trust that the Lord will make a way. I was so touched by the staff and the children during my visit there this past summer. They may have a shortage of funds, but there is no shortage of love.

If Tamandani and Sidala remain in their villages their death is imminent. If food and supplies are sent directly to their village, it is more than likely that it will not be used for them…and they will still starve to death. We were told by the missionary that the only chance the children have to live would be for them to be brought out of their villages and independently supported. We prayed and prayed and then waited for the Lord to reveal His plan.

The plan is now unfolding. The children will be brought to orphanage as soon as a nanny is hired for them, which will hopefully be by the end of next week. The girls are very ill and every day is critical. Please pray for wisdom for the orphanage director as she screens possible prospects. We have concerns that the children are at high risk for abuse due to their incessant crying and other behaviors that may surface as a result of their separation from their village.

The orphanage is reporting that it will cost $150 a month per girl for their care. Chrissie is working on getting a break down of the specific costs, some costs such a food won’t be able to be determined until the children arrive. The only specific cost that we know of right now is that their montly well-child exams will be $5 a piece.

We don’t have $300 a month to send to Malawi. If you would like to help sponsor the girls please let us know. Every dollar helps. You can send a tax deductible donation to:

Bible Baptist Church
Attn: Good Samaritan Orphanage
32 Adak Ave
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701

Please make the check payable to “Bible Baptist Church”
On the memo portion of the check please write “orphan twins”

In addition to their monthly financial support, it is being requested that one care package a month be sent for the girls. There are items that they need that can not be purchased in Malawi. The cost of shipping the box is $49.95. If you would like to pick a month to sponsor a care package let me know. If you would like a list of items needed for the care packages I can send you that as well. The girls' family is not willing to relinquish the girls for adoption. The current long term plan for the girls is to be cared for at Good Samaritan permanently. It is my hope that the girls will one day know the love of a forever family. We know the Lord has a plan for the girls, and are committed to do what we can to support them along the way.

These first two pictures were taken in June 2006, when the girls were receiving the items we had sent for them. They are 14 months old in these pictures. These were the first glimpses I saw of these precious angels.

This next picture is of the girls, their birth mother and maternal grandmother. They were returning to the village after spending 3 months in the hospital with their mother. This picture was taken in September 2006

This sweet face is Tamandani. Taken on Savannah-Hope's finding day, September 1, 2007

This sweet face is Sidala also taken on September 1, 2007