All Glory be to God- Fernanda Update!

The italics was added in as of tonight:
Today Fernanda gained again- she is up to 15.2 pounds (6.93kg)! I got to see her today and go back to praying over her in person instead of from my bed...and honestly she is "chubby" in comparison to Saturday. Yes...I said it. A malnourished 15 month old that is only 15.2 pounds looked "chubby" to me. Her face has filled in and you can't see her ribs nearly as clearly. I'll snap pictures tomorrow if I can! She started her new medications today as promised...with absolutely NO vomiting! She is still eating EVERYTHING we put in front of her and she is reaching for people and was very upset as I laid her down to undress her for weighing because she wanted me to be holding her! She is bonding...she is growing...she is transforming! Praise God Praise God Praise God!
And...another exciting thing...Erin walked into the Bercario today to see our tias and Mozambican nurse dancing around the room singing praise songs to God! They were holding Fernanda and praising God's name! They can see that when we didn't know what to do we turned to God for help, we trusted in him, and he is showing up in such a HUGE way! It has been an exciting day for our little peanut! Also, I was greeted this morning by an older youth, who wanted to know how I was but more importantly how Fernanda was doing. He is one of the youth who stepped out in faith at church last Thursday and prayed in desperation for this little life. He walked away with a big smile on his face this morning as I told him about the amazing things God has done this weekend! And Erin was able to go tonight and speak to all of our older youth to tell them about God's work. She was very encouraged by their excitement and increased faith in God!!!!
But...Naftal is still having a tough time. He has been diagnosed with malaria on top of everything else going on. Please continued to keep him lifted up in prayer! And Lucas (a little boy who has already been extremely close to death while I've been here) is struggling as well. He has no strength to hold his head up and is refusing food. Please be praying for him as well and especially Laura as both of these little boys are from her dorm! We are still trusting God for the impossible.
Last but certainly not least...we have decided to call a day of fasting and prayer on Wednesday that God might respond to our cries as we push deeper into him. Please join us in whatever way the Lord leads you! We will be spending our lunch together is prayer for little Naftal especially!

So yesterday Fernanda gained more weight...almost 18 ounces actually! That brings her up to 14.4 pounds (6.54kg)! I have not seen her since Saturday afternoon because yesterday I spent most of the day sick in my bed and certainly did not want her to catch whatever I have. But I was told of her weight gain and how much she has changed! She is reaching for people, watching people, reaching for food...bonding to one of our tias! God has transformed her! And we were blessed to get 2 weeks of medications from our local clinic this morning! Community members are required to come daily and wait for hours to get their medication so this was certainly a blessing from God! Keep praying she will have no side effects from these harsh medications please!
The transformation in Fernanda all started with our night of prayer at church on Thursday...youth, pastors, missionaries, children, and tias/educators prayed over her the best way we knew how. Fernanda watched with complete amazement as so many outstretched their hands to beg the Lord for her health and speak life into her! Then Erin started our daily prayer time and you joined in...it is making a difference! God is hearing and answering our prayers...so keep them coming!
Also, I said she has started bonding to one of our tias...this tia has become a Christian since she began working with us and is so dearly encouraged by what God is doing in little Fernanda! Erin told the tias about all of you praying at home on Saturday night, and they were blown away! They can't seem to understand why you would be so worried about this one little girl in Africa...we told them this is what the Body of Christ looks like...this is Christ's Church! What a testimony to what God can do when we have faith in Him!!!!
So keep those prayers coming at 9am (SC time) every day, and I'll make sure and keep you posted on her status!

As for Naftal...please keep praying for his healing as well. He is certainly suffering in pain and very uncomfortable! We as a staff are trying to make decisions regarding his care at the moment. Pray for healing, peace, and comfort. Pray for the tias who spend 24 shifts with him during each of their 4 day shifts, sleeping sitting up in uncomfortable metal chairs. Pray for his father who obviously loves him dearly and continues to visit him and call the tias often! Pray for Laura (as his dorm mother/caretaker) for comfort and peace as well. And pray especially for Steve and Ros (our directors) as they make final decisions regarding Naftal!

Please and thank you for all your prayers!