December 29, 2005

  • Unexpected Christmas Gifts

    December 22, 2005

     

     

    Just when I thought there would be no presents this Christmas…..I was given two gifts I will never forget!         

     

     

    First, do you remember Susan?  She was our first HIV patient that was dying in her hut after giving birth to twin boys a month prior.  Joanne took the babies into the orphanage and agreed to keep them for six months.  Sal went to Susan’s hut and transported her to the clinic after JoAnne notified him of her condition. She stayed with us for four days while we treated her with prayer, IV fluids, IV antibiotics, oral rehydration solution (ORS) and eventually HEPS (a High Energy Protein Supplement.)  On the day of discharge, we wheeled her over to the church on the farm in a wheelchair accompanied by her mother and brother for Sunday service.  During special requests and prayer time, we took her to the front of the church and had some of the elders of the church pray and anoint her with oil. Approximately a week later we again went to her village and transported her to Livingstone Hospital for bloodwork and the government program for free Antiretroviral (ARV) medications.  That was two weeks ago….today was her review at Livingstone, so Sal went first thing this morning to pick her up.  When she arrived on the farm, she gave us a present.  It was a hand carved dish in the shape of a fish with a matching lid.  When I opened the lid, inside were two notes. I want to share them with all of you....

     

     

    22th Dec 2005

     

    To Dr. Sal Marini

     

     

     

                I am here Susan wanting to thank Dr. Marini and his wife for the effort they have shown me during my sickness.  I had no money to use for the hospital, even my family had no money. But God used Dr. Marini and his wife to help to get treatment.  And I am able to testify to the people what God has done to me.  Because I didn’t know that by this time I am able to be alive.  But God himself knows why he didn’t allow me not to die.  Theirs something God wants me to do before I leave this earth.  I am still continue to thank them for the wonderful things they have done to me, as the bible says we need to give thanks to him for his wonderful things. Psalms 118:1 and psalm 136:1.  Dr. Marini and your wife let God continue to bless you and use you, because we have seen your work.  You come here in Zambia to help people both physically and spiritual.

     

     

     

                                                    Yours

     

                                                    Susan Munsanje

     

     

     

     

     

      

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    20th Dec 2005

     

     

     

    To Dr. Sal Marini,

     

     

     

                I am here the Moono family wishes to sincerely thank Dr. Sal Marini and his wife for his spiritual and material support rendered to Susan during her sickness.  Your invaluable support lightened our burden.  Continue with the same spirit the way you have shown to Susan.  May the Lord bless you all.

     

     

     

                                                                Yours

     

                                                                Jennipher Munsanje

     

                                                                the young sister to Susan

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

               

     

     

    Secondly, do you remember Allister, the woman in labor whose hut we went to on the back of the farm in order to transport her to the clinic to deliver her baby? This was the first baby delivered in the clinic…a healthy 7 pound baby girl?  Well, I would like you to meet two week old little “Renee.”   When Allister and her baby went home the day after she was born she was Baby Kapenbwa.  Allister said “her dad will tell the name.” Mom brought her to the clinic to be seen today and when we asked her the baby’s name she said “Renee…after you.”  Tears immediately came to my eyes….What an honor…I am very humbled.  Most of the people here have a hard time just trying to say my name because of the “R” sound, so I was very surprised!

     

     

    Sal and I are not here to receive any pats on the back or to think that anything we do here is in any way because of us.  What we do here is all directed by God and covered in prayer by all of you.  So all the glory goes to God….we are humbled to just be His vessels.

     

     

    As I am writing this update, the mission of Sons of Thunder is being brought to mind…..

     

     

     

    “Our mission is to care for the needs of Africa, physically and spiritually, through the enabling of the Holy Spirit.”

     

     

    I hope we are doing that God.....

     

     

     

     

                                          Little "Renee"