Makron Junior

Kya Sand Informal Settlement - About 6 weeks ago, our team met a young mother named Sizakele. She had recently given birth to a son, Makron Junior. Our interpreters, William and Pearl, had the opportunity to get to know her, They found she was HIV positive and sick. Sizakele attended our Tuesday morning kids club once but due to her illness, William and Pearl had to visit her in her humble settlement shack. They shared the Good News and she accepted the Lord. They prayed for her and her newborn son. The virus kept destroying her immune system. She had become extremely sick and the anti-retro viral treatment was started several months too late.

This last week her illness became much worse and she was hospitalized. Her husband, Makron phoned William and asked if there was anything they could do for his son. Dealing with his wife's illness and other aspects of his life, he was unable to care for him.

William and Pearl contacted us and asked if there was anything we could do. Shelly telephoned our good friends Mark and Sue Knocker, who created Barkston Place. Barkston Place homes are safe, clean, wonderful places where orphans are raised in a loving, godly environment. The Knockers have adopted 4 children on there own and now have 10 children in their homes. Sue immediately offered to take the baby in.

On Friday, April 3rd, Shelly and Pearl picked up little Makron Junior and his dad and took them to Barkston Place. Makron completed the paperwork giving his approval for the acceptance of little Makron Junior into Barkston Place. Now his involvement in his son's life is up to him, as much as he wants, or a little. He commented, "At least one thing is done."

When Shelly and Pearl left the baby's father, it was obvious he was relieved. His son has a future of hope. He smiled widely.

We are relieved to find that Makron Junior is virus free. We are so grateful. The community of believers have brought Light into a story of extreme darkness. It's so obvious that if we put ourselves into the path of righteousness, the Lord will provide glimpses of our eternity with Him. He is all around us. His presence is now. Don't look upon the darkness with shame, look for His Light and join Jesus, His Love and His Kingdom!

Sizakele died on Sunday morning, April 5, 2009. I am assured by Scripture that she is relieved of the sufferings she faced, the sadness of leaving her son and family and her impoverished life as an Zimbabwean refugee. And for Makron Junior, what does God have in store? One thing we know, his life will never be the same again.

Love, faith and hope,

Dwight and Shelly