How many times have we heard or used that turn of phrase?   A week and a half ago, this took on a new meaning.

Leray was having some discomfort in her ear but knew that money was tight since donations were down, so she didn’t say anything about it.  Inday first knew about it when she was washing her hair and saw a yellow, stinking, gel-like substance coming out of her ear.   I told them to take her to the doctor immediately because I was sure that it was infected and I knew that an infection like that could harm her ear permanently and an infection that close to the brain can also be dangerous.   The local doctor declined to do anything about it because he said he wasn’t an ear doctor but repeated my warnings.

They made the 2 1/2 hour bus ride to see the ear doctor.   A bug had gotten into her ear and punctured her eardrum causing an infection.   The doctor cleaned out the infection and removed the bug and prescribed some strong antibiotics for her.   She had a follow-up visit and still had a little infection so he renewed the prescription.

It seems as if there has been a huge amount of small stuff happening in the last quarter.

1.  First a top of a coconut tree fell on the roof and crushed the roof and one of the walls in the sleeping area.  The constant coconuts falling on the roof had weakened it very substantially.   We had a problem because the tree was not on our property, but was a neighbor’s tree, but since it didn’t fall on his house, he wasn’t worried about it.   A couple of the local guys were not able to work because the fisherman that they work for had boats to repair.   We hired them to put up an old fishing net to catch the coconuts and channal them to the bottom of the tree.
2. Then there was a typhoon went through and the tree fell on the roof before we had it fixed from the previous damage.    This happened during the night and there were five people sleeping in the room below where the tree fell.  There were no injuries other than some splinters and they were able to evacuate and sleep in another building.   At daylight one of the volunteers propped everything in place until the roof could be fixed.
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4. After a few false starts due to more structural damage and additional materials being needed, as well as raising the additional funds for repair, it was enclosed and secured.  They were able to move back in so they weren’t sleeping in a storage area.
5. The after picture showing the new roof and framing.
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7. It still needs roof paint to protect it from the salt water air.  That will have to wait for funds to come in for that to be done.

We welcome all donations.   You can donate on the front page of the site for both one time donations and you may also setup child sponsorship.

Thank you for your support.

I will start with thanks that Leray was able to get to the doctor after the funds came in to pay for the doctor’s visit, her tetanus shot, and a prescription for the infection in her foot.   She is now very much improved, and we thank God for that.

The new trouble is that there is a typoon that is hitting just a little north of them so the winds are less at the children’s home but they are getting the heavy rain.   After the children’s home roof was crushed almost 2 weeks ago, they are currently in a category 5 typhoon (same as a hurricane). Inday got the children somewhere protected but she’s staying there to try to stabilize things and keep ahead of the rain. The police came through and suggested evacuating because they are so close to the ocean and they are expecting a storm surge. Requesting prayers.

I don’t seem to be able to insert the links from the news sources but if you look at the BBC and Reuters websites, they both have good coverage of Typhoon Rai.

I ask for your prayers for their safety and for your assistance with the repairs from the after effects.   You can donate on the front page of the website.

Thank you.

On November 9th, there were 12 new pigs born at the children’s home.   There are 20 ready to be sold.

This is an effort for them to become as self-sufficient as possible.