January 2010 Update

Here is the current update from Clay and Jewel...pictures will be posted soon.

January 30, 2010



Dear Friends and Family,



Until a few weeks ago we have had a young mother bringing her son to SFCV for therapy. She had met Annie, our Filipino Occupational Therapist, and asked if she moved close enough to us, could she bring her 2 ½ year old son for therapy. We had agreed she could if she would be her son’s caregiver for therapy. For about 2 months, she walked, pushing her son in a stroller for 20 to 25 minutes to bring him to SFCV. In the beginning she would walk back home at lunch until we realized what a long distance in the cold it was to travel. We were able to provide lunch and she would stay through lunch break until the afternoon hours. She brought her son for therapy at great sacrifice. Her husband did not support her, he wanted her to abandon their son. The woman’s brother provided support and paid for the room she lived in. One unheated room. We were able to provide her with an electric heater so she didn’t have to rely on the heating blanket they slept on to keep them warm. She faithfully and cheerfully provided the care her son needed under the guidance of our therapy team. Her husband has had a change of heart and she has gone home to work things out and will continue her son’s therapy at home. We are pr*&ing for continued reconciliation in their marriage. She is a believer, he is not but the testimony of her life and the sacrifice she was willing to make for their son has been a testimony to the husband. We pr&*y it is watered and grows!



A couple of weeks ago we were in House of Love with some of the older children. Please remember there is a language barrier! Somehow we understood the boys thought we were going to choose 2 of them and take them home. The next day we were to teach class and decided we had to spend some time sharing our story with the primary class, beginning with meeting 32 years ago and ending with, "we love each of you and we are so glad the Father brought us here to know you. We won’t be taking anyone home with us but we can be your Mom and Dad while you are here at SF and you will always be a part of our hearts. Since our 2 boys are gone, you have helped to fill a part of our hearts that has been empty and we are very glad for that." We didn't come here looking to adopt or looking to fill empty places in our hearts, although we thought that might happen and the Father has blessed us with an abundance of love for these children. We are now the proud SFCV parents of 9 children, we’ve been adopted!



On Thursday we were in the school checking out the new computer room that is being set up. I (Jewel) wasn't needed right then so I went into the primary classroom where we spend a lot of time. The kids were having a free time playing, reading and writing. Grady wanted to know a name in the SFVCV calendar so I read it to him then he wanted to know what the other writing on the page was. It is a scripture from Jer 29,11. You know the one. Of course he didn't understand but it is a good verse for our children here. He asked where it was from and I told him the Bi&le. His immediate comment was, Grady like Bi&le, Grady like Je&*sus. Grady doesn't just like Je&*sus, he loves Him! A little later he was at the whiteboard drawing a picture of the cross, Je&*sus on it, several people in the picture with the sun, stars, clouds and flowers. All had tears, he was showing the sadness of Je&*sus death to the many people who are important in his life. He is a blessing and a transformation in process. How blessed we are to be a part of that! (you are part of it too Thank you for your encouragement and support!) There is more to this story, at staff fellowship that week we were talking about II Corinthians 4,7 to 10. This is referring to transformation which made me think of transformers (they love them!) and caused me to reflect, transformation is what is taking place in Grady’s life. His body isn’t transformed (yet) but his spiritual heart is! He is pressed on every side but not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair, knocked down but not destroyed. Grady’s great power is from the Father! He is being transformed! Are you being transformed? Changed to be more like Him? We have talked several times recently about change and how difficult it can be. We’re talking cultural things mainly, they just aren’t going to do everything they way we want because we think our way is the right way and the only way. This is surrender. He has brought us here and we are on their turf not ours!



Around the third of January it snowed and the wind blew all day. The snow piled up and drifted in and around our six and a half acres. Certainly reminded us of living in Odessa with the wind blowing and rattling the windows! The next morning was beautiful of course but so cold! Inside and outside the gates, things slowed to almost a halt. What to do with all this snow?! The workmen gathered in the workshop building snow shovels and brooms. They kept making them until everyone who was able had a shovel or a broom to remove all the snow! You will find a picture of the shovels and brooms being used below. They used a sturdy post, slit it up about 8 inches or so, inserted a thin piece of paneling, secured it and wala! A snow shovel! We heard in some of the more populated areas there are snow plows, we saw the evidence but never actually saw one. A team effort had the snow removed from most paths by lunch time.



Please be on your knees for:

Grady’s surgery to make the quality of his life better. Our hopes are still for early 2010 in the US. Some progress is being made toward this happening.

That His light will shine through us.

2 children died within 5 days of each other. These children’s health was fragile but it is still difficult to see them go. Please bring the Ayi’s before the Father, for healing and peace.

Funds for Lucas’ cochlear implant, this little one turns 4 in May. Three is the optimum time for the implant. We have to raise the funds before he can have the implant

The Study in the book of Esther, growing together and in the Father’s ways. What a joy to share with these young women!

For the children who are matched to forever families. Paperwork to go through smoothly and these children will go to forever homes soon and for their transition into those homes.

Lift us the mother and her son as they continue therapy at home and let His light shine thru.



Big thanks for:

Grady’s spiritual transformation to continue. He is a leader among the children here at SFCV, what an impact he can have!

Stacey’s pain is gone and she is healing and learning to use her hand in its new position.

For faithful supporters and faithful pr**yers!



“When we think of the wisdom and scope of His plan, we fall to our knees and pray to the Father, the creator of everything in heaven and on earth. We pray from His glorious unlimited resourced He will give you mighty inner strength thru His Holy Spirit. And we pray that the Son will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of His marvelous love.” He is more than we could ever imagine. How grateful we are for His plan! Ephesians 3, 14 to 17.



With our love and our prayers,



Clay and Jewel