I am always amazed by the way that God’s love, as shown through ordinary people, can transform lives.  I am amazed that no one is ever invisible to God; that no one is ever forgotten by God.  I am amazed at how God can heal and redeem our deepest pain.  I am reminded of these things as I watch the changes in Suttee.  Suttee, the newest child at the House of Love, was brought to us because no one else wanted him.  His mother and father had died of AIDS.  He lived with his grandmother who was an alcoholic.  She did not want to care for Suttee; he was a burden and caring for him would only interfere with her drinking.  She became angry and violent when she was drunk and would take out her anger on Suttee.  Other villagers did not want Suttee around.  He was HIV positive, and thought to be deaf and severely retarded, unable to learn.  He did not talk.  Everyone in the village teased him.  He had been abused; he let us know that by acting out his abuse, usually through hurting another child.  He would not look at us; he did not try to communicate with us and it was obvious that no one had ever tried to communicate with him, not ever.  He did watch the other children when he thought no one would notice.  He watched to make sure that they would not harm him.  His eyes were full of fear; he trusted no one.  At age eight Suttee was considered hopeless by many; was unwanted in his village and home.

Suttee met Jesus’ love through the house parents, the other children and a student intern at the House of Love.  Suttee has been at the House of Love for one year now.  He is learning quickly.  He is very interested in his environment and wants to know about all the things that he is noticing for the very first time.  He wants to speak and write and draw pictures.  He dances with the other children as they perform for guests.  He wants contact with those around him and he runs to greet people he knows.  He has learned to laugh and to play with the other children.  And the other children have accepted him.  He attends a special school now and is proud of his achievements.

He still watches the other children, but it is not out of fear; he watches because he wants to learn appropriate behavior and fit in with the others.  He has been tested and does have some hearing.  He has been fitted with hearing aids.  He now trusts the staff and the other children at the House of Love.  He is no longer afraid.  He still has difficulties to overcome and needs our prayer; but God has begun His work of healing in the life of Suttee.

Praises:

•    The construction of the new girl’s dorm is progressing on time.  The floors of the first and second story have been poured.  Plans are finished for the kitchen and dining area.  The children went to the construction site for the first time since the building began and are very excited about their new home.  They thank those who have contributed and continue to pray daily for the completion of the project.

•    Daw Song has begun to react well to her new medications.  She has gained over ten pounds and is feeling stronger.

Prayer requests:

•    Continue to pray for Suttee as he makes an adjustment to going to school for the first time.

•    One of the older boys (11 years old) attending the House of Blessing Daycare Center was beaten by his father for not making enough money begging and selling flowers in the night market.  His father uses alcohol and drugs and does not help to support the family.  Please pray for children living in the slums who must work at night and who live with domestic violence and physical abuse.  Pray for us as we make decisions as to how to intervene.

•    Pray for the Health Project teams as they do baseline studies in villages in order to plan for future activities of the project and for the writing of a new proposal for funding purposes.

•    Saylo, the nurse who manages the Community-Based Rehabilitation Program is in the process of completing her thesis on the quality of life of children with disabilities for a Masters in Public Health.  Nok, the project coordinator for our foundation is in the process of completing her thesis on counseling and pastoral care of people living with HIV/AIDS.  This is for a Masters in Divinity.  Please pray for these two women as they continue to work full-time as they are completing the work for their academic programs.