Newsletter

February 2001

Dearest Friends,

In Psalm 126:5 we read, those who sow tears, Shall reap joy.

Yesterday was a day of tears, tears over Africa. I drove home and found on the street corner a mob waiting to cause trouble. I drove as fast as I could to the police station 1/2 km away, the urgency of the matter was not very important to the police, they first wanted me to make a complaint, upon which I told them that someone would be dead before that and they had better come NOW not later, and so they did.

We found three men about to be beaten to death, allegedly because they were stealing, but thank God we got there just in time. The three bleeding men were put in to my car and taken to the police station.

I was reminded of the scripture in Proverbs where Father says: Do not despise a thief when he steals if he is hungry. They were not young men, but so very poor, their clothes were rags. I wept and wept at the sadness of it all. I know that stealing is wrong but what would you do if you and your family were starving. Never say never if you have never been there. We need to give and give until it hurts, some people are poor through no fault of their own but sheer ignorance.

We are the Hand of Jesus extending It self to the poor, oh the pain of the multitude for whom Jesus has so much compassion, and for whom He died. His mercies are NEW EVERY MORNING. I was glad I was able to cry, we see so much misery and I wonder if we get hardened to it.

AT LAST WE HAVE OUR OWN BABY HOME.

After five months of obstacle after obstacle, beyond our control, the Kondanani babies are the proud owners of their own home. It is a very big mansion on a hill, and believe me we are going to let our light shine. It was a challenge, the price went up by 20 % during negotiations because of currency devaluation. We tried to get it at the price we had offered and the amount that the donor had given us, but in fact we were told if we did not have the balance within 48 hours the house would be sold to someone who wanted to make it into a Motel. But our Great God had it all under control, after all for some months now we had proclaimed day after day that this was our house. Needless to say that this Great God provided every penny needed in 48 hours, I had a good cry, out of joy of course. I went to the house and shouted VERY loudly, I knew that God was not deaf, but I began to wonder if the devil was, we give Him all the Glory !! I walked through the place like a queen, it feels so wonderful to bring up my babies in such a lovely place.

We have some work to do before the babies can come, the house needs painting, especially on the outside. We have knocked out a wall to make one room bigger. I have got some expert advice because we can not afford to have professionals to come in and do the work, but who cares, we are having fun and we are learning a lot. A victory has been won and without a battle there is no victory, and victory tastes so sweet.

KONDANANI CHILDREN'S VILLAGE

The Village has also proved to be quite a challenge, of course, I would find it difficult to live without challenges, I function at my best when things present a problem, some people would want to send me to a psychologist I presume. There are always answers to problems. I have learned that God's Word is so true, in Hebrews we are encouraged not to cast away our confidence, for it carries great rewards.

We have been defrauded by the builder, his passport is with the fraud squad, but he never the less managed to leave the country, but his crime is not stopping us in any case. The Village will be built and I look forward to the day we celebrate its opening. Lewis is living on the property at the moment, he is overseeing the building operations, but we are believing God for someone, because Lewis is not a builder.

I know that many of you are praying for us, we have many HIV positive babies, but it is amasing how well they are doing. Because of your support we are able to feed them well and give them the medication they need, I believe you have played a big part in all this.

In our new home we will have about 65 babies, between 40 and 65, our costs are going to increase a lot and more staff are going to be needed. We believe Father that we will be able to continue with the same care we have been giving our babies until now. We have had several teams of helpers come and go last year, the team from "The Barn" Church is coming back to help with the work at the house, they are in fact going to take care of the level of the house (the house is a split level) where the 2 year old children will be. Little bunk beds will be made by them as well as undertaking all the painting etc. and we are very grateful for that. So many of our visitors add something very valuable to the ministry.

OUR BABIES

We have a little one called Elisha, he is such an adorable little bundle and gives us lots of laughs too. He was one of a twin, his brother Elijah has joined the heavenly nursery already, he died of full blown AIDS. Elisha had severe meningitis and is deaf as a result, but it does not stop him from stealing a bottle from one of the others, and what he does is put the one bottle between his feet and the other in his hands, drinking alternately between them, and the other child is screaming. Can you see the picture it is really funny.

A few days ago little Rodger went into the Arms of Jesus, he was born deep in the village from a mother who had full blown AIDS and died in child birth. He was only a month old and did not have much of a chance to live, but we did not give up until the angles came. The grandmother came the morning he died, she wanted to know that her spirit would rest when she died, because she had not see the child and she did not know that he had passed away. Her wish could not be granted and her ignorance will keep her from peace, the peace that passes all understanding.

Do you remember the story of Zoe, the child from the pit latrine and so miraculously saved from death? Her mother, who is on the run from the police, came and asked to see her and the matron had to inform her that if she came with a letter from the police then she could. Of course this she could not do and she cried bitterly, I think that there is deep sorrow and pain because of her actions, and although she did a terrible thing I can help feeling sorry for her. Zoe is a joy to behold, a very intelligent and beautiful child. The newspaper has been again and did an article on her.

I last wrote you a note about little Lewis, he is no longer at our home (big Lewis said that he had competition). He is much better, he is crying now and drinking well, no weight gain as yet, I am hoping that he is HIV positive. It was a bit sad for me to let him go but the night feeds got the better of me after 5 nights and feeding every 2 hours, it was worth it though and I will do it again if necessary.

I am going to the UK, Ireland, Switzerland and France during the month of May 2001. All this to make known the need of the orphans of Malawi. We are very soon expecting a visit from the first lady at the orphanage, no date has been given yet but we have been informed that she is coming. At the end of the year I will be going to the States again and San Diego will be added to the places to visit. We have faithful partners in the USA. We love you lots and please send us and e-mail it always encourages us.

Yours in Him

Lewis & Annie Chikhwaza