Welcome Sanford!

At the end of August we took in another little boy…Sanford.  Sanford is 4 years old and in desperate need of proper care.  He is extremely malnourished, has TB in his stomach, orange hair, a bloated belly, and a very unpleasant home life.  Sanford’s mother passed away in 2009 from heart complications and he has a sibling at another orphanage in town.  He was staying with his grandfather who had six other children he is caring for.  The grandfather's second wife refused to care for Sanford since he was not her child, so the little boy was not receiving regular meals, baths, clothes, or love.  The house they are all living in is made of sticks and no one cared enough to even put mud between the sticks to keep the harsh winter cold out.  I cannot imagine how these children are surviving, especially Sanford…only by the sovereignty of God.  Needless to say, he is the only double orphan living in that environment and after interviewing the grandfather and his children, everyone agreed that it was in the best interest of Sanford to move into the orphanage.  At the MOL Orphanage he will receive three proper, nutritious meals a day, his own bed to sleep in, clothes for all seasons, shoes on his feet, a bath every night, love from mommies, companionship with the other children, and the gospel…the most important thing of all!

Being 4 years old, Sanford realizes everything that is going on, but he does not understand why.   Please pray for this little boy…we had to leave quickly for South Africa after he came, so I have not been able to check up on him, but the morning we left, Belita said he was doing great.  The older children are working hard to make him feel safe and at home, however, I can only imagine how scary and uncertain a new environment can be for children at that age.  Ask God to comfort him when he is scared, to give him peace, to physically heal him, to allow himself to be loved, and to put a new joy in his heart.  We know that God knows all of our needs and takes care of them when we put our faith in him alone and seek his kingdom above all else!!

 

“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the Gentiles seek after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” 

Matthew 6:30-32