update on Nelrie

We are very grateful for your prayers for Nelrie and are happy to inform you that she seems now to be making a recovery from the severe bout of malaria.  Originally she became sick on Sunday evening, a week ago (the 17th).  Her parents administered malaria medication but her condition gradually worsened until they were very concerned about her.  Although the fever and vomiting had subsided for the most part, she was extremely weak, refusing to eat or drink, very confused and unresponsive (delirious at times) and sometimes not even recognizing her parents.  By Wednesday they realized that they would need to take her to hospital, so her father took her to Katete (1 hour away) where she still tested positive for malaria, showing that the previous treatment had not been effective.  She was given different medication but not admitted, as the hospital staff told her father that he would be able to give her better care and an environment more conducive to care than they could.  They spent the night with friends in Katete and returned home on Thursday, but Nelrie was still extremely weak and confused and they watched her carefully.  During this time they had to feed her and give her drink using a syringe.  By Saturday she had gotten up once or twice and walked outside to see what her brother was doing, but mostly just slept and was too weak to do anything else.  Now there has been immense improvement and she is no longer confused or refusing food and drink.  The malaria is gone, but please continue to pray for her full recovery.  Nelrie, who is 5 years old (sorry I mistakenly informed you that she was 6) has lost at least 3 kgs (over 6 lbs) during this illness and now only weighs 2-3 kgs more than her 1-year-old sister.  She is very weakened by this illness and it will be a while before she is back to normal. 

Please also continue to pray for the rest of us here, that no one else would succumb to malaria or any other illness. We need your prayers for the Lord's protection.