2012 W E N D Y ’ S U P D A T E

It’s been a challenging few weeks but there is always good amongst the bad, I’ve been quite unwell with Typhoid, it made me feel very weak, I had shivers and dizziness amongst other things and at times – in the middle of the night when it seemed the worst I felt lonely. So what was the good through this, well the truth is I was never alone, this is not meant to be a cliché but

when can we ever be alone if God is with us – I didn’t feel Him, or see Him but He was there and felt everything I did and He loved me constantly. He showed me His compassion and care through my many friends here – one person would bring some of the children to the house and they would sit on the floor colouring pictures, just watching them laugh, play and

chatter lifted me. It’s usually when I’ve being feeling unwell or the culture, food, heat or many other challenges get to me, that I reflect ‘do I really want to be here?’ – the answer is a resounding YES… despite all of these things I am happy in Africa, I love the people, the simplicity of life and that here relationships are more important than tasks or meeting deadlines.

Happy in Africa

CHILDREN COLOURING TYPHOID FEVER TOY

NEWSLETTER

The challenges have come in other ways too; Yei (the town where I live) needed a supply of ARV’S (Anti Retro Virals) the medications that people with HIV/AIDS require, if they don’t take them regularly then the virus can become resistant and the medication doesn’t work – the ARV’s were in a store room in the capital city, Juba (100 miles away), in the rainy season this journey can take up to 11 hours, perhaps longer. That wasn’t the only problem though; the government didn’t have the funds

to fuel the vehicles to bring them. We knew someone who was very sick which highlighted the issue to us at Iris, so we prayed and about 2 weeks later the medication arrived at the hospital; we are so grateful for this. The staff at the local hospital are remarkable not only is there no funds for fuel; there is no money for wages. The last time they were paid was August and yet they still turn up for work, look after the patients and do the best they can – amazing!

ARV’S Finally Arrive in Yei

COMPOUND PHOTOS

YEI ANTI-RETROVIRAL TREATMENT CENTRE

THE ROAD FROM JUBA- YEI

A COINCIDENCE? I DON’T THINK SO

If you would like to

sponsor one of our

children or young

people, email

apromisefound@gmail.c

om and check on the

website here http://

irissouthsudan.org/get-

involved/sponsor-a-

child/promisesfound/

for the upcoming sign-

up form. If you would

like to sponsor me

personally email at

wendysaints@gmail.com

and I will give you the

details you need.

Blessings Wendy

Sponsorship and Support Information

PRAYER POINTS:

1. GOOD HEALTH

2. A PASSPORT FOR KENNEDY,

A YOUNG MAN I AM WORKING WITH

3. TRAINING FOR EDWARD WHO WANTS TO BE A CLINICAL OFFICER

4. FAVOUR WITH THE GOVERNMENT AS I RESEARCH THE ADOPTION

PROCESS FOR ONE OF OUR

CHILDREN

There are a small number Christian expats working in Yei, including one couple who were expecting their first child and had planned to leave for the US in 2 weeks time, unfortunately their son didn’t want to wait and was born on Friday 19th October at 33 weeks old. Another organisation has just opened a hospital for women and children, they had recently bought an incubator, one of the doctors had been to Kenya and had seen how to make an improvised C Pap device (this gives a constant pressure allowing a premature baby’s airway stay open). God was clearly in the midst of all of this because there was even a paediatric doctor and nurse from the West visiting the hospital for 2 weeks; their input and expertise was invaluable and along with the other things life saving. A coincidence? I DON”T THINK SO! The family were taken to Nairobi by ‘Medi-vac’ and the baby is stable.

And finally…..

When I went to the clinic to be tested for Typhoid the triagenurse struggled with my name as many Sudanese do, some call me Weddi, Windy or Winnie but this day I was Wildy. Ha ha