I am so delighted to show you the picture of the disabled mama with her new baby she has named 'Lightness', (she tells me she wants her to grow up and be a Light in Africa). Mum is just so happy that she now has a child of her own, which was something utterly unconceivable with her severe disability.
The taunts and the neglect that she had to suffer until we rescued her and placed her safely at Mailisita until her delivery are now all a thing of the past. She only has one desire and that is to show her family her wonderful baby, and then return to LIA.
Mama will be employed to repair the many torn clothes and make new clothes for our children, as she is a seamstress. A great ending to a very disturbing beginning. Just a thought; abortion is not an option here in Tanzania. How different this situation would have been if the lady had lived overseas: professionals would probably have told her to abort the baby. She would have Rape Counselling, and be given all the reasons why she would not be able to care for the child.
Comments like, 'it would be in yours and the babies best interest to abort' given your disability, probably would have been said. I think sometimes people forget about the power of love that a newborn brings into the world.
Having witnessed the love and care this mama has for her new child reminds me of the adoption party that I attended at the weekend. A new young adorable life has come to a couple who thought it could never happen to them because of their age, their lives have completely changed, new plans must now be made and they see the adoption as an amazing gift of a child that has been given specially to them. A gift made in heaven.
A new baby is born out of the misery and tragedy of Mirerani, and as the photo's show, the desperate plight of the people who lost there homes in the floods. We are very grateful to our present volunteers who have responded magnificently to their plight and have assisted the people of Mirerani in many ways.
One of the quotes I often use is that "I am sold out on the youth of today" and I quickly receive the response that a lot of people would not agree with me. Perhaps not, but the young volunteers that we receive at LIA, are young people who often have to take on one or two jobs as well as study to enable them to come over and make a difference to children's lives and the community where we live. We have with us at present two young 16-year boys, who briefly visited with us last year in a school party, and made the decision to save up and come over by themselves. What remarkable young men Tym & Matt are. They have built a pig sty - tomorrow they purchase the pigs - they have helped in the disaster at Mirerani, they have given unstintingly of there time, as I write, I am waiting for a call to say the children they have taken to the HIV/AIDS hospital clinic have completed there assessments and they are ready for collection. Tomorrow is their last day with us, and so they have arranged for a Sport's Day to be held. What compassion, what love for our children! As I say; 'I'm sold out on the youth of today'.
Be blessed
mama Lynn.
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seeing these images of some of the devastation and after the various press articles about the many lives lost, we can only hope that the survivors can pick up life and have faith in a better future.
Thank you
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... and Light in Africa was there to assist the desperate people whose homes where swept away by the torrential rains.
The medical and social worker teams of Light in Africa where utilized to the maximum in helping the desperate flood victims in the mining town of Mirerani, Manyara region, of Tanzania over the last three days.
As reports of the miners deaths hit the national news, the medical teams and social worker teams assisted over 100 desperate cases, some people waiting over 10 hours just to have their needs met by the outreach team.
It had been decided that an outreach program would be conducted at the food kitchen on the 28th March and that although there had been heavy rains, we considered the need to take more food supplies which normally feed the 500 people each - six days per week was needed to sustain the program.
Arrangements were made that the medical team would travel in one vehicle, and a volunteer would be with mama Lynn, whose vehicle was filled to the top with packets of food, and containers of water, as in Mirerani the water is undrinkable.
Two kilometers from the airport the first of the flooded roads was encountered so great care had to be taken. A phone call was made to Anthony Kimaro not to use his vehicle but to come by local Landrover with the medical team. Cautiously, the car continued down the flooded road until it reached a low point where the water on the fields were running in a torrent across the road.
We waited until two cars crossed the river. I then steadily moved forward into the water, but the torrent covered the bonnet and the vehicle stalled, and quickly filled with water.
Removing the volunteer’s seat belt, she was instructed to go into the water and go to the side bank. By this time the water was up to the drivers seat and with the release of the side door, I was then able to slowly open the driver’s side door, drop into the water and safely reach the side bank. Ten men quickly appeared to help push the vehicle to the other side of the road, so re-entering the water, I climb back into the vehicle and the men pushed me to the other side, where water streamed from the vehicle.
The phone was 'hot' with messages flying over the airwaves. A very kind man driving a CelTel vehicle stopped to give us assistance - when we looked for our towrope it had disappeared. He then went off to a garage to return with a chain to pull us the remaining miles to a Mirerani garage. We are deeply indebted to this Good Samaritan who would not receive any payment for his kind deed. I was so pleased I was a CelTel subscriber!
In the meantime dr. Minja is being bombarded with enquiries as to our whereabouts. The outreach was set to start at 9am and it was now 11 am. and the food kitchen was packed with waiting people. On our arrival we were met with loud cheers and whoops that we had made it. I then spoke to the waiting people that I now knew how a baby felt wearing a wet nappy, as we were wet to the waist, and had to stay like that all day whilst assisting the clients. The medical team arrived later and set to work assisting the sick.
The decision was made that as we had not been able to help all the people,(64 names went down for the following day) that sister Grace and I would stay the night at the children's home and Anthony and the volunteer would try to return home, as more funding would be needed as the garage bill was expected to be high. That night the heavens opened, and torrential rain fell, Steven our kitchen manager was called upon to help people in distress whose homes where being swept away, he even had to tie a bed to a post, so the women didn’t lose it, and for her to search in the water for her pots and pans and place them on the bed.
In the morning the devastation was clearly to be seen, we quickly heard of the mining tragedy in tanzanite one who lost 70 miners, and the independent mines that had lost other miners. After breakfast we walked to the food kitchen passing uprooted trees that had swept down the road, knocking down mud-stick homes where the poor lived. Before we arrived at the food kitchen we knew we would have more people than the day before waiting for us, and we were right.
We worked through the day, drying tears, comforting the hopeless, giving out hugs and resources to meet there individual needs. We continued to dark, with only a Tilley storm lamp for light, and all we could see in the beams was still a long line of people quietly sobbing until it was their turn for their story to be told of the previous nights misery. We walked home in the dark, through the flooded roads, totally mentally and physically exhausted, but also to know that at the children's home there would be waiting for us a bucket of hot water for a shower, and a hot meal, a basic need that would be denied so many people that night.
Some of the cases that we assisted:
1) A mama with a huge elephantiasis leg had her mud brick home demolished, her granddaughter returned to us late evening to tell us they would sleep at a neighbors house, and arrangements were made for a rented room and food to be provided. A house re-build would be required
2) Rented rooms were paid for 4 other widows whose homes also had been lost. The bed / bedding / and cooking facilities still have yet to be provided.
3) Three mothers with the aids virus, asked for their children to come into care of Light in Africa as they could not support themselves anymore, as their homes had been damaged.
4) A woman who was infected had been told to leave her room, as the landlord had heard she was attending the food kitchen. A seminar was arranged to educate the village elders on stigmatizing the infected.
5) An elderly Masai mama's home had fallen on her fracturing an arm and leg, the Masai family did not want me to take her to hospital but chose for her to have the limbs pulled by a traditional doctor.
6) A further case of a mama with elephantiasis, struggled to see us to tell us she is now unable to access the food kitchen, as she is struggling to walk could she now have her meal delivered?
7) Our doctor for the day had two rooms and his toilet disappear in the flood.
8) A mama came with an 8 year old child, who had been pledged in marriage to an elderly Masai man, she had already been circumcised and had suffered sever infections......... I did a runner with her........
9) 4 families where paid transport money for re-location to their families homes.
10) A 14 year old girl has been raped and was asking for medical assistance as her family had thrown her out of the home. She is believed to be 7 months pregnant and has yet to seek medical assistance
.....and on it went. Light in Africa present volunteers have today been given all the referral cases to see if they can assist the poor, with either house builds, blankets, beds, etc.
Now for some wonderful news.........the disabled lady has now safely delivered a healthy baby girl, she is still in hospital, but is hoping to return to us in the next few days, praise God and thank you for all your prayers.
God bless
mama Lynn
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Dear Wangani's (friends)
First of all I need to ap0logise to everyone who has read the previous
data that I gave from our medical team. I'm sorry for some reason I
had a 'senior moment" when the previous years figures just popped into
my head and I'm glad to say the figures were incorrect...
Today I will write part of the report that Sister Grace, Medical Team
Leader gave at our recent AGM followed by Social Worker Grace
report.....
MEDICAL TREATMENT REPORT - ANNUAL REPORT SEPT 2006 - AUG 2007
REPORT WRITTEN BY SISTER GRACE MASSAWE - LIGHT IN AFRICA NURSE
The following report represents the Medical Treatment and care given
to the children who are resident with Light in Africa and many village
people within the Hai District, Mirerani Simanjiro, Manyara Region and
Lemongo - Kenya.
The conditions which were mostly treated by the medical staff where:
1) Respiratory Tract Infections.
2) Malaria
3) Worm Infestations.
4) Gastro Intestinal Infections.
5) Diabetes
6) Cardiovascular Diseases
7) HIV/AIDS related illnesses.
8) Councelling services.
There were 228 cases reffered to local hospitals, where cost covered
by LIA were hospital fees, medication and any surgical operations
that may have been required.
SEMINARS
LIA medical teams conducted and facilitated seminars to the community
to educate the villagers on the following.
1) HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention awareness.
2) Nutrition and healthy eating.
3) First Aid for burns, resuscitation, choking, fractures
4) Malaria Prevention and environmental care.
Seminars were also conducted at LIA facilities to the children in
their care on health education, the importance of hand washing etc.,
STAFF TRAINING
LIA medical team have also conducted training for the staff of LIA on
the following topics.
1) HIV/AIDS Transmission and prevention.
2) ART and ARV's Drugs.
3) Child care and child rights.
4) First Aid for burns, choking and resuscitation.
XXXXXXXXXXXX ACHIEVEMENTS XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
THIS PERIOD OF THE YEAR LIA HAS HAD AN EXCEPTIONAL YEAR IN HELPING THE
POOR BY PROVIDING SERVICE TO A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF PATIENTS WITHIN THE
COMMUNITY AND LIA
THE FOLLOWING ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE BEEN ATTAINED:
| patients treated | |
|---|---|
| CHEKORENI OUTREACH DISPENSARY | 2489 |
| LERAI OUTREACH DISPENSARY | 203 |
| TINDIGANI OUTREACH DISPENSARY | 210 |
| LIGHT IN AFRICA | 7205 |
| LEMONGO | 243 |
| MIRERANI OUTREACH DISPENSARY | 1555 |
| HOME BASE CARE (HBC) | 135 |
| REFFERAL CASES | 228 |
| MAJOR SURGICAL OPERATIONS (ADULT) | 15 |
| (CHILDREN) | 10 |
| THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PATIENTS | 12,293 |
WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD - TO OUR HARD WORKING MEDICAL TEAM WHO SOMETIMES
HAVE TO ENDURE VERY LONG HOT DAYS JUST TO SERVE THE HUNDREDS WHO
ATTEND THE OUTREACH CLINICS - VOLUNTEERS WHO PURCHASED
ALL OF THE DRUGS FOR OUR DOCTOR TO USE, TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE
FINANCIALY SUPPORTED LIA - ANTHONY AND MARCUS FOR THEIR DRIVING SKILLS
ON SOME SCARY TERRAIN - WE BLESS AND THANK EVERYONE INVOLVED.........
JUST AN UPDATE ON THE NEW ADULT FOOD KITCHEN. WHICH WAS RECENTLY STARTED.
THE NUMBERS OF ADULTS WITH THE HIV/AIDS VIRUS WHO ARE ACCESSING THE
FOOD 6 DAYS PER WEEK HAVE INCREASED TO 110..... ON WEDNESDAY A MAN
CAME UPTO ME AND SAID 'MAMA LOOK AT ME' I HAVE GAINED 11 KILOS
SINCE ATTENDING THE KITCHEN, I FEEL ALIVE ONCE AGAIN' AND ANOTHER MAN
WHO, THE LAST TIME WE MET WAS SUFFERING FROM TB AND I SENT HIM OFF
TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL, WAS THERE AND HE LOOKED JUST SO WELL, I HAD TO
ASK 'IS THAT REALLY THE GUY WE SENT TO HOSPITAL?'.
I AM JUST SO THRILLED AND GRATEFUL TO FLOYD AND KATHY AND EVERYONE
INVOLVED IN GETTING THE FOOD TO US SO THAT WE CAN HELP THESE PEOPLE.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL. MAMA LYNN
... PS WE ARE STILL AWAITING THE BIRTH BY CAESAREAN SECTION OF THE
DISABLED LADY'S BABY.... MORE LATER WITH GRACES REPORT
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Hello everyone,
That was a surprise this morning to see Jake's photo of me and my boys staring at me from the blogg page that Webmaster Paul had placed on over the weekend.
And it's nice to hear that Jake is returning again for a short break before he goes off to 'shoot' some more amazing photo's for other charities. He just can't keep away, our children are just sooo infectious with all there huge smiles and laughter it really is contagious, volunteers just keep coming back to visit us. Wonderful.
Here are two photos of a happy young masai boy, who when he was first brought to our out-reach dispensary, could only hobble on one foot.
One leg was shorter and only his big toe touched the ground. Now thanks to the surgery carried out by Stemms Medical Mission of America, the child is now walking on two straight feet. He returned to his masai home on Saturday. And we greatly appreciate all the financial support and care that was given to the child by this organisation.
Two pics of the masai boy, in plaster and standing up on his two legs
On Saturday we held our Annual General Meeting to elect the Executive Committee for a further 5 year period. I can only say it was an AWESOME TIME to hear from each department on what they had achieved over the last Finacial Year Sept '06 - Aug. '07
Bearing in mind that it is our policy not to ask for finances or materials, or to send out proposals or use any marketing machinery accept this website to inform, but to be totally reliant on God's Provision. And He has been a faithful God, providing for His children abundantly. Sister Grace, our team leader for the medical sections, reported that over 10,000 patients had received 'FREE' TREATMENT AND DRUGS AND THAT 25 MAJOR OPERATIONS HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT AND PAID FOR BY LIGHT IN AFRICA.
Our Social Worker Grace reported that over 900 families had been supported, with either children being placed into eduction with school fee's paid, school uniforms purchased, provision of books, older children accessing Veta training life-skill courses, food provided, milk bills paid, blankets, mosquito nets, mattresses, two houses built for the poor, and much much more.
We give God the Glory for all that has been achieved. And look forward to another year of amazing blessing to help the poor and unsupported children and adults in this country of Tanzania.
Have a blessed week,
mama Lynn
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Dear All,
If I recall well, Mama Lynn previously mentioned the recent visit of Jake to Light in Africa. Jake is a professional photographer from the US and I am happy to share some of his pictures with you all on the website.
Go to the Pictures page and select Jake's Pics from the menu on the left hand side, wait until the full page has loaded , then doubleclick the first image and browse through the wonderful world of Light in Africa. Enjoy!
Thank you Jake.
Wishing another wonderful week for you all,
Paul
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This update is going to be a little bitty, with numerous items covered.
Firstly, the Masai mama with the lumps, has had the majority removed by surgery. Her 70 year old husband was so happy with her condition that he honoured me by spitting on my arm - great.
Anthony Kimaro who has been Light in Africa's Secretary for nearly 5 years, has resigned to start up his own safari company, we wish him well in his new venture.
On Sunday, we hosted over 60 students and adults from Shishukunj, the local Hindu community, who blessed our mission with many items of food, clothing etc., for our children. After visiting the nursery to see the babies and the disabled children, they then travelled to Pilgrims House to meet the boys and girls from the centres. A lovely morning of relationship building.
PLEASE NO MORE PARCELS THROUGH THE POST.
I am really saddened to have to ask you NOT to send any further large parcels through the post... small parcel post is not a problem, but the larger parcels are. Over the last 4 weeks we have been asked by the customs department of the Post Office to pay large amounts of
money, ( approx. 120 dollars & 60 dollars) for such items as used clothes, sweets, and toys........ sadly, this is money we can
ill-afford to pay, and tomorrow mama coupa - the Treasurer - has another 5 parcels to collect. Please may I ask you that if you wish to send futher gifts for sponsored children that it is through the 'small parcel post' where we do not have funds to pay........ Thank you for your co-operation.
Now, for all you medical students: Information please on how to treat MOLESCUM CONTAGIOUS.
We have so many differing opionions over here, that the only suitable option I have at the moment is applying Provine which is taking a long time for the warts to disappear.....
your assistance in greatly appreciated
For the volunteers who where with us in 2004.
Mama Sarah has now been released from prison after serving 3 years 5 months.
The Food Kitchen project for the adults has now risen to 85.
We are hopeful that shortly with collaboration from two regions that these precious people will soon be able to access the anti-retro viral drugs therapy which will enhance there lives.......
Be Blessed Abundantly - mama Lynn
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Hello everyone, greetings from Moshi in Tanzania, on this lovely hot day where the tree's are in bloom and looking quite beautiful, we bless you all for opening this site. It is so encouraging to hear from our former volunteers who tell me they enjoy the update on the blog to keep them informed of all that is happening in Light in Africa.
This last week saw the discharge from hospital of the pregnant disabled lady who is now with us at Mailisita for bed rest. And already she is looking so much more happier and content from when we first met here, not having to be concerned where her next meal was coming from, or the stigma that she was having to bear.
The Masai mama with the lumps has already visited the dermatology department and has an appointment for the removal of some of the hanging tissue tomorrow.
We have been blessed with Jake Lyall the photographer from the States who had to make a hasty exit from Kenya where he had hoped to have taken shots of celebration, but instead had to flee as the fighting became worse and arrived at our doorstep unannounced at 10pm one evening. Jacob is documenting the history of LIA with photographs as he knew us when we first started on the mountain, so next week we shall have some new pictures to place on the site, thanks Jake.
I previously mentioned that I had made a decision to open the Food Kitchen for the many people suffering from the HIV/AIDS virus who were unable to obtain food, either through lack of employment or because they had become to weak to work.
Saturday found Pastor Frank and me in front of approx. 70 people who had arrived to obtain a plate of food, and wanting me to officially open the Adult Food Kitchen Program. I started by telling them how I had arrived in Tanzania from the UK and then explained all the work that LIA is now involved in. After I had finished, a mama stood up and asked if she could pray. The words that this mama spoke left everyone in tears......she cried out to God that no one wanted to know them and spoke badly of them, they had no food, or money for transport to access the drugs which could extend there lives and all the hope they had was that they would lay down and die quickly....... but now God had send Light in Africa to help them, and for the first time they had hope, that their lives would improve..... she also prayed for the staff of Light in Africa who had welcomed them to the Food Kitchen, instead of shunning them, and now they couldn’t wait for the next day to arrive, because they were assured of having a plate of food and a drink of tea, and for the first time they were all together in one room and friendships had been formed......it was just so emotional that I had to leave the room and have a good cry and to thank our staff that they had put there prejudices behind them to help these suffering people.
Be blessed
mama Lynn
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Dear Family, Friends and supporters of Light in Africa.
I really believed with all the upheaval over the Christmas period that we were now entering the New Year with a quiet, peaceful time...........alas, not so.
The 8th January, finds me waiting in the local hospital car park for two nurses who specialize in HIV/AIDS testing. It had been agreed by the doctor who manages the children in our homes that the nurses may accompany me to the mining town to do a pilot testing scheme, as I am very much aware there are many children who are orphaned and are not receiving any anti-retro virals which would enhance there lives ......
The testing station was held at Dr. Ninja's new dispensary which our volunteers built last year, and there were many clients awaiting our arrival. One maasai mama who was covered in lumps was feeding her baby whilst laying on the floor, waiting to ask for Light in Africa's help.
As the adults entered the room, after the customary greeting to me as an elder, there was much talk and counselling. The nurses were repeatedly explaining to me that they were being asked to thank the 'wazungu' (european) for feeding the children, but please, they were starving too, would I also feed them. Six hours later, I had been convinced that I had to open the Food Kitchen to the adults as well as the children.
So with a long list of names of needy - malnourished - patients that Dr. Ninja gave to me, I initiated the Adult Feeding Program which started yesterday. The adults attend between 10am - 12 noon, and the children attend from 1-30pm to 4- 30pm. We ended the clinic and put the maasai mama and her child in the vehicle to go back to Mailisita. Enroute, I receive a call from Anthony our Secretary. An ambulance has just pulled up from the hospital with two seriously sick HIV/AIDS children, where did he want me to place them?
One child was suffering from TB so they of course had to go into isolation..... We didn't arrive home until 8pm, it had been a long day.
The children were in a skeletal condition, the boy of 4 yrs weighed 8 1/2 kilos and the girl, 4 years, weighed 4 1/2 kilos. I am extremely happy today to say that with the special care our nursery staff have given, the boy is now walking and we pray they will continue to make good progress.
The following day I took the mama with the lumps completly covering her body to the dermatology clinic. The Professors where very interested in this case, and an appointment was made to remove the larger hanging tissues. Thankfully, it is not malignant.
On the 11 January, the police arrived at 9pm with a newly abandoned approx 1 month old baby girl.
At 11 pm our resident 20 year old with a learning disability and schitzophrenia decided to climb a tree and cause havoc. This meant a visit to the hospital at 1pm for sedation......... and that my dear friends just completed my day.
Previously, I wrote about a disabled young woman who was pregnant; hhe is now hospitalized and we are awaiting the outcome..... Prayers for this young women would be very much appreciated.
Bless you all abundanly - mama Lynn
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Hello dear family - friends and supporters of Light in Africa.
Over the New Year period I have received some lovely SMS messages and would like to share them with you as I too pass on these sentiments to one and all..........
MAY ALMIGHTY GOD BRING THE HEAVENS IN THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS THIS YEAR OF 2008 BE FULL OF GRACE AND PEACE ....DR. MINJA
UNDERNEATH THIS CHRISTMAS TREE IS MY WRAPPED GIFT OF PRAYERFUL WISHES OF PEACE LOVE AND JOY FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR IN 2008 .... MR. KESSEY TAXI DRIVER
EACH DAY TO YOU IS A GIFT FROM GOD; UNWRAP IT WITH ZEAL, WEAR IT WITH STYLE & CELEBRATE IT WITH GRATITUDE....
MAY GOD'S BLESSINGS BE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES
AS WE ENTER IN TO THE NEW YEAR OF 2008 MAY THE LORD
- REMEMBER YOU LIKE NOAH,
- FAVOUR YOU LIKE JOSEPH
- FIGHT FOR YOU LIKE THE ISTRAELITES AND
- BLESS YOU LIKE SOLOMON AND GREET ALL PEOPLE WITH YOU .....
GOD BLESS YOU ....RITHA (15 YRS)LIA
GOD ISNT THE ELECTRIC COMPANY - BUT HE LIGHTS UP OUR LIVES.
GOD ISNT THE TELEPHONE COMPANY - BUT HE COMMUNICATES WITH US EVERY DAY.
GOD ISNT BAKHRESA, BUT HE GIVES US OUR DAILY BREAD.
GOD ISNT THE MOBILE COMPANIES - BUT HIS NETWORK IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE -
SO STAY CONNECTED WITH GOD - HAPPY DAYS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR ....PASTOR FRANK (LIA)
>
With these wonderful sentiments we start a new year at Light in Africa.
I would like to express our most deepest thanks to all of the volunteers who came to our mission and made a difference in the lives of the poor.
I would like to thank all the wonderful people who made a contribution to our mission either with prayer support - financialy - food - medicens or with gifts for our children. We bless and thank you all for your wonderful compassion, I can not repay you, only GOD HIMSELF can reward you for your giving, as it is clearly stated in the bible, "it is better to give than to receive", and I can assure you that this promise holds true, that I personally have no wants or needs and yet God is feeding and providing in the miraculous for all of the children in and out of our care. MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU - WITH LOVE
MAMA LYNN
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