Bezaleel News - February 2007

Dear Friends,

The days pass swiftly in a household of eighteen, with our eleven younger children as well as Jowie and her twins absorbing our attention and involvement in their lives, raising them and pointing them to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Jowie, Mongi and Mpathi moved in on the second of January. There had been a delay as Jowie’s father had died of cancer at the end of December. Over the last six weeks Jowie has had time to reflect, rest and rebuild relationships with her family. She has spent weekends at her mother’s place and we have counseled her to return to her family as this is also their wish. If anything were to happen to Jowie, her extended family would raise the twins and in the long term it would be better if they were actively involved in their lives now. Jowie is quiet and reserved and it is difficult to determine how her HIV status has impacted her life. Please pray for her salvation, the decisions she needs to make regarding her future, her health and her children.

Little Themba Nkosi is remarkably well. In the three months he’s been with us, he has obtained an undetectable viral load. His CD4 count is still extremely low at 4.64% (291) and next week we will see a skin specialist to determine what is wrong with his skin. Other than that, he has gained weight and interacts well with the family. Approximately every second week Themba goes home to his dad and our hope is that compliance to his ARV’s is improving from his dad’s side. He is a happy little boy who laughs spontaneously and often and it gives us joy to see him afforded an opportunity to experience a carefree childhood as far as his circumstances allow him.

On the 12 th December Thoko joined our family. One of my staff informed me that an eleven year old girl had been put out of her home by her grandmother. Another family in the township took her in temporarily. We requested an interview with her father and drew up an agreement to care for her and homeschool her. Thoko’s mother died in 2001 and her father is unemployed and unable to care for her. It is unacceptable for an eleven year old to be homeless and we responded quickly. Thoko and Lizzie (thirteen years old) share a room. They are both quiet girls and share space happily. Thoko has very little understanding of the English language but is very eager to learn. She enjoys her schoolwork and participates willingly. From observation and known facts she appears to be HIV negative.

Lizzie continues with piano and recorder lessons and it is lovely hearing her practice in the mornings. Ernest starts the new soccer season in March and Benjamin only stops when he falls asleep. Rosie has been seeing a physiotherapist for the effects of cerebral palsy on the muscles of her right arm and leg. There is no response in the muscle of her wrist and consequently it drops. We requested that a brace be made to hold her wrist in place during the day. We will make an appointment in March to have one made. Rosie needs to do exercises regularly to prevent the tendons contracting in her foot. She also needs to strengthen the muscles in her hand and forearm to compensate for the lack of use in her wrist.

Bezaleel is in the beginning of her tenth year and we thank our Father God for his love, faithfulness, provision and ability to show His love and be a family to the children He has called us to serve for His Names sake.

Thabo developed some sort of infection in his bladder with blood present in his urine for more than two months. After two courses of antibiotics the infection has cleared and further blood tests revealed that everything was normal. His viral load is undetectable with a normal CD4 count. He gained in height but not in weight. Thabo has begun recorder lessons with theory and practices faithfully everyday.

Ruth’s viral load remains undetectable with a normal CD4 count. She gained one kilogram in weight but no height. Her cholesterol at 7, 57 and triglycerides at 2, 59 are still elevated. She has a bladder infection and the beginnings of an ear infection for which two antibiotics have been prescribed. Ruth has begun guitar lessons and Allen practices with her. We were able to purchase a small sized guitar which she handles with ease. An unfortunate incident happened where Allen accidentally rode over Max, Ruth’s dog. She witnessed it and though she seemed to get over it quickly, she has not been herself. We are busy looking for another puppy for her. 

Walter has a normal CD4 count and a slightly elevated viral load. We had x-rays done on his hip due to a long term limp and swelling. There appears to be no abnormality.  At the age of eleven Walter is still unable to read. He struggles from an auditory, visual, tactile and verbal perspective and even though we will continue to pursue literary skills, we want to set up a carpenter’s bench for him with hand tools initially. Hopefully over time he will develop sufficient skills to earn some sort of income, if his life expectancy permits.

Themba and Precious are both very well with undetectable viral loads, normal CD4 counts, gain in height and weight.

With more children and one to one tutoring we have employed our daughter part-time (four hours per day) to teach our four younger children. I prepare the lesson plans weekly for Roxanne. This allows me to focus my attention on the seven older children and our days are more productive as a result.

Allen spends a lot of time at Ebyown preparing the cottage for occupation. Alethea continues to meet in our home on Sundays. We are grateful to the Lord for fellowship with Him and the people who gather here. We draw strength and encouragement from each other as we seek to live out the truth and love of God and His word in our lives. It also gives us strength as we experience your love for us through your prayers, support and contact via e-mail.

For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay; Acts 13:36 NASB.

In a world of pseudo purpose, may our service be centered on the purpose of God for our own generation, pointing to the one who knew no decay but was raised up by God for the forgiveness of our sins, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy One worthy of our complete love, devotion and service.

Please feel free to contact us at bezaleel@saol.com

The Lord bless you all

Allen and Sue