Good News From A Distant Land

by Jodie Schooley R.N. - Medical Director Treasures Of Africa Children’s Home

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.”
Prov. 25:25

Antoni was 4 1/2 years old when he came to live at Treasures Of Africa Children’s Home and he was our first HIV positive child. He had just been released from the hospital when he arrived at the orphanage and looked very sick, with spindly limbs and a distended abdomen. After two years of loving care, good nutrition, consistent medical attention and LOTS of prayer, we have a praise report to share. Antoni received a good report from the doctor on his last visit. All of our HIV children are on antiretroviral drugs to help slow the multiplication of the HIV virus in their bodies. They have blood work done regularly to determine if their medication is working and to check on the progress of the disease. When the doctor checked Antoni’s viral load (which shows how many copies of the HIV virus are in the blood) he found it was so low that it was UNDETECTABLE!

The doctor said that his medicine is working properly and that his immune system is normal as of right now. The doctors require that he remain on medication, but said that he does not need the usual precautions that HIV children need to keep them from getting sick, and that we can treat him like a normal child. This is a huge breakthrough! We know that God has touched this young boy’s life.

While rejoicing over Antoni’s good report, we want to keep Awadhi, another of our children with HIV, in prayer. His viral load was very high on his last test which means that the medicine he has been receiving is not working like it should. He has been switched to another regimen of medication. The doctors have said that this is the last regimen of drugs available here that they have to offer him. Awadhi looks fine from the outside, but definitely needs the Lord’s touch too and that is what we are thanking God for every day in faith.

We really do appreciate your prayers for all of the Treasures of Africa children because we know that prayer changes things. Your prayers and financial support for our orphanage have given children like Antoni and Awadhi a chance at life that they would never have had. God bless you as you continue to stand with us in rescuing the abandoned and orphaned here in Moshi Tanzania one small life at a time!