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Here is the first picture of Breanna and her 9 dorm sisters.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
September Update
We’d like to bring you up to date on some of our recent activities. Many of you have been following Debby and Gwen’s trip to the states because of Gwen’s reading problem. Gwen was diagnosed with dyslexia and attention deficit (with no hyperactivity). We are still waiting on some medical tests like food allergies that were taken when we were in the States.
Debby and Gwen met the rest of the family in Kenya and we all had our first vacation in Kenya (and first trip to Kenya in all our time in Africa). We took the bus to the coast and spent a wonderful five days at Mombasa, especially focusing on family time before sending Breanna to RVA. We all enjoyed swimming in the ocean and snorkeling. We even saw a lion fish in one of the tide pools.
The whole family went to RVA to see Breanna’s new school and to get used to the fact that Bree will spend much of her time there. We loved the school. We were overwhelmed with the love and concern shown for Breanna and the other students. God has given us peace that this is the right place for her right now. Breanna is happy with this new arrangement and very excited about the excellent educational and social opportunities it offers her.
While in Kenya we sought help for some issues that we have been having with Aren at school and at home. He was diagnosed with ADHD. We had to delay our return to Rwanda and are now spending an extra week in Kenya. Aren and Gwen both are starting medication and being monitored. David and I are reading our way through a huge stack of books trying to figure out what we are dealing with, both in the area of dyslexia and ADHD. We are also meeting with the Dr. regularly who is a Christian. He is helping us understand better what we are dealing with and how we need to parent these kids with special needs.
We are very grateful that we have the ability to get the help that our family and our kids need at this point in time. We realize that these educational issues often force families off the field. So far the Lord has been faithful to help us find the resources we need here in this region to face our particular issues. We are thankful for excellent counseling services at the Tumaini center with Africa Inland Mission (AIM).
Financially, this has been a huge strain on EFM. EFM is committed to caring for their missionaries, and they are doing a very good job. However, our personal support package does not have room for all of these extra medical and educational expenses. We are currently about $13,000 behind in our support mainly because of these issues we are facing. We are grateful for our regular supporters, but we need an extra boost to cover these extra expenses. Our home church of West Chehalem has already contributed $2,700. If your are able to make a special contribution to the Thomas family at EFM (PO Box 525 Arvada, CO 80001) we would be most grateful.
Thank you for your prayers and friendship.
Many blessings,
Debby and David Thomas with Breanna, Aren, Gwen and Alandra
Debby and Gwen met the rest of the family in Kenya and we all had our first vacation in Kenya (and first trip to Kenya in all our time in Africa). We took the bus to the coast and spent a wonderful five days at Mombasa, especially focusing on family time before sending Breanna to RVA. We all enjoyed swimming in the ocean and snorkeling. We even saw a lion fish in one of the tide pools.
The whole family went to RVA to see Breanna’s new school and to get used to the fact that Bree will spend much of her time there. We loved the school. We were overwhelmed with the love and concern shown for Breanna and the other students. God has given us peace that this is the right place for her right now. Breanna is happy with this new arrangement and very excited about the excellent educational and social opportunities it offers her.
While in Kenya we sought help for some issues that we have been having with Aren at school and at home. He was diagnosed with ADHD. We had to delay our return to Rwanda and are now spending an extra week in Kenya. Aren and Gwen both are starting medication and being monitored. David and I are reading our way through a huge stack of books trying to figure out what we are dealing with, both in the area of dyslexia and ADHD. We are also meeting with the Dr. regularly who is a Christian. He is helping us understand better what we are dealing with and how we need to parent these kids with special needs.
We are very grateful that we have the ability to get the help that our family and our kids need at this point in time. We realize that these educational issues often force families off the field. So far the Lord has been faithful to help us find the resources we need here in this region to face our particular issues. We are thankful for excellent counseling services at the Tumaini center with Africa Inland Mission (AIM).
Financially, this has been a huge strain on EFM. EFM is committed to caring for their missionaries, and they are doing a very good job. However, our personal support package does not have room for all of these extra medical and educational expenses. We are currently about $13,000 behind in our support mainly because of these issues we are facing. We are grateful for our regular supporters, but we need an extra boost to cover these extra expenses. Our home church of West Chehalem has already contributed $2,700. If your are able to make a special contribution to the Thomas family at EFM (PO Box 525 Arvada, CO 80001) we would be most grateful.
Thank you for your prayers and friendship.
Many blessings,
Debby and David Thomas with Breanna, Aren, Gwen and Alandra
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