Hello everyone. I apologize for not getting a newsletter out recently, but as many of you have been getting email updates, you are aware that things have been extremely busy in the last few months. I will be in the U.S. in about three weeks and look forward to being able to communicate freely and frequently with all of you. Here is a quick update until then of all that has happened since December.
MY CHILDREN:
Hassan transferred to our Lokoja branch. Tyler came, under 3 lbs. a few days later. He was followed by Kendall who had septicemia and was losing weight. I (yes, I personally) inserted an NG tube for him (that's the 1st NG tube I've inserted myself!) Both boys are now fat and healthy and have been transferred to Lokoja. Zubeiru and Nejiru, two boys born with congenital problems affecting walking and limiting mental capacity ages 10 and 7 are now living with me. They are from a Muslim family and formerly did not receive schooling because it was too far to walk, teachers didn't pay attention to them and children ridiculed them.
Martha, a twin who was not eating well, came from our Lokoja branch. We put her on an NG tube, and she is now doing fine and back with her brother Matthew in Lokoja.
ADOPTIONS"
Hannah is now with her adoptive family in the U.S.
Anana, Gideon, and Iyaji to join their adoptive famil in U.S. this week.
Stephen's adoption is still pending.
HEALTH
We recently lost on twin baby girl to unkown illness. We were able to assist several people with corrective orthopedic surgery and one Muslim woman with reproductive issues. Malaria has been affecting many (I was down 2 days and Tom is still a bit sick). Joshua's wife almost lost her baby because of malaria. Her pregnancy is advanced, please be in prayer.
NEW BABIES:
In addition to those already mentioned, we are continually getting new babies at Lokoja. They include twin girls both under 5 lbs on feeding tubes at Otutulu and one 4 month old baby boy whos mother died last week.
Also, former teachers Dorcas nee James and Dorcas nee Sunday both safely delivered their first borns (Dorcas Sunday previously suffered several miscarriages and a still birth) One of my friends in the village recently delivered a still born.
SCHOOL:
The music recording project has been completed! It was definitely a learning experience, but seems to have gone well. Hopefully, the CD will be available before my visit to the States. There are still four teaching vacancies and no administravtive staff for the time of my furlough.
College students are finishing up their 1st terms.
Secondary student's schools have been on strike two full terms!
Nursery/primary school just finished their two week Easter/Spring break.
The school building project-the plan is to start the roofing before the end of this month.
CHURCH:
The young teens club led by secondary students contributed money and purchased two chairs for the church.
A local childless widow the church was assisting died recently and the church at Otutulu carried the brunt of the funeral responsibilities (which are many in this culture)- this is true religion.
HOME ASSIGNMENT:
I plan to be in the States from mid-May through December (if I can get an extension on Tom's visa). MOst of my time will be focused in the PA/MD/VA area with at least one trip to NJ (Liebenzell) and possibly a trip to see supporters in TX (still very tentative); churches/groups wishing to hear of the work here in Nigeria during this time, please contact me with your preference of dates so that I can start working on a schedule for my time in US (some of it will be reserved for family and re-creating, too)
You may contact me via my email.
May we serve with true servant's hearts.
Crystal Gosnell