Thank You!

Passing along the orphanage director’s husband’s words is the best way to thank you for your prayers and giving toward the roof.  Get ready for a whole lot of gratitude!  

“Thank you for the roof.  It turned out awesome! Please thank all your friends who helped with the finances.  We are so happy!  Now we are not going to need to worry if it will leak this winter and beyond.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you!”  

This comes from a man who for 13 years has constantly worried about structural damage and ceilings falling every time it rained or snowed.  You have eliminated the worry so now they can focus on the children.  Again, thank you!

Welcome Drew’s Friends!

Most of you are accustomed to my (Nicola’s) newsletters.  I’ve been writing them for 16 years.  With this one, we welcome Drew’s friends and relatives as they receive this first newsletter in my voice.  Should you desire to continue receiving these newsletters, you will hear updates of things happening at this orphanage I have ministered in since 2004.  Some orphan graduates have gone on to study in universities at home and in other countries, some are gainfully employed, several traveling for work to other countries, and some have started their own families – we have five grandchildren so far.  

Welcome!  Have a cup of tea or your favourite beverage and we hope you enjoy visiting with us!

Merry (Peace-Filled) Christmas

Being recently married, everything is new to me, including all our Christmas decorations.  One I like is a red canvas hanging over the front door that declares in large letters, “Peace - throughout the world.”  It makes me think of what a blessing God’s peace is.  The angels came to the shepherds during the night as they watched their sheep, told them where the Baby was, then praised God saying, “glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”  What a wonderful a gift for us – that in the midst of any storm we may find ourselves, the Prince of Peace gives us peace that passes all understanding and will lead us through the storm.  A very Merry Christmas to you and your family from Drew and me and the children and directors at the orphanage!

The Project

In case you missed the last newsletter explaining the project . . . when they started the orphanage in 2004 the building was a 50+ year old kindergarten which had been abandoned many years.  There were many large holes in the ceilings which they patched with mud and straw.  The large roof has leaked since they occupied the building.  They patched it with anything they had on hand – often duct tape.  It had dozens (if not hundreds) of patches on it.  Leaks caused the mud and straw mixture patching the ceilings to become soft and would fall out in large chunks.  One time an entire bathroom ceiling crashed to the floor just missing the director.  I wanted to raise the money to purchase them a new roof.

Through You and Us and People There – It Happened – for Christmas!

A Big Surprise:  

I’d had a friend in mind to ask to help oversee the project.  I wasn’t concerned that he had no experience with roofs, because he’s very bright and I knew he could handle the project.  I wanted to contact him for over a month, but felt uncomfortable asking, because his job requires a lot of him, plus he has five children – that keeps you pretty busy!  At the end of October I took a deep breath, picked up my phone to text him and lo and behold, there was a text from him saying, “Nicola, I want to bless an orphanage, do you know if the orphanage has any needs?”

It gets better.

I asked my question saying, “Please say ‘No.’ if it is too much for you.”  He told me he was actually putting a roof on two buildings that Tuesday, and had just put a roof on a dormitory . . .  not only was he willing to help, but he had good experience I wasn’t aware he had!  

Drew and I planned to go to the orphanage in February to purchase the supplies.  However, my friend was eager to get the project going before winter settled in to avoid more damage to the wooden framework.  He was willing to front the money for the project, as well as personally donating $500 to it!  Eight inches of snow had fallen when they began the work.  With his help, we bought supplies, he oversaw the project and in three weeks not only the roof was done, but there was money left over and they sided two “wings” of the orphanage which needed it badly . . . and still came under budget!  AND when we come in February, we’ll have more time with the children!

Prayer Requests

1.  The orphanage has a few prayer needs they want to share with you:  September 6 four new children (siblings) ages 4 – 11 came to the orphanage.  None of them has gone to school and the school originally would not accept them, because of their physical condition and lack of schooling.  They worked hard on the children’s health and nutrition and have hired a tutor who is making progress with them.  Their teachers are praising their growth, however, they are proving a challenge for the orphanage.  Please pray for the children and for wisdom for the directors.

2.  The director of the orphanage has been very ill recently.  Please pray for her health and for wisdom and direction and protection for the directors and the children.

3.  A sweet little orphan girl came to the orphanage when taken from abusive adoptive parents.  These people went to court and surprisingly got her back (they receive money for having her).  When she was living with them before she lived outside with the dogs.  When she came to the orphanage she literally “spoke” dog, cat and horse better than human and had to be trained to actually speak rather than make animal noises.  Please pray for her safety and that she will be well cared for.

4.  Drew and I would love your prayers for our trip to the orphanage in February.  There he will meet the children in person the first time.  The director wrote me recently saying, “We have not forgotten you and everything you and Drew have done for us.  The children often think and speak among themselves about you.  They tell people who come to us about you, and show them your photographs.”  I cannot wait to see them and have high expectations of our time with them!!!

The day we're finishing this letter, This photo (below) of the siding work on two wings of the orphanage arrived.  Again the directors said, “Thank you!”