Praise Report on Samuel

Thank you for your prayers....Samuel is now home (at Rivers of Mercy) and doing well, praise the Lord!  Samuel had been in the hospital since Wednesday (Nov. 17th) due to severe pain and inflammation of his knee.  Emmis, Martha, and Felipe (a student at the Bible institute and relative of Emmis) took turns staying with him during the five days that he was there. Upon examination at the hospital, Samuel was diagnosed with septic arthritis--"the invasion of a joint by an infectious agent which produces arthritis".  He was treated with antibiotics during his entire hospital stay, and was released on Sunday afternoon.  His discharge diagnosis was juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, meaning that he could have recurring problems in the future because of this condition.  We are praying and have faith that he will not.  He is still taking medication but not experiencing any pain whatsoever and is back to normal activities.  The other children here at the orphanage were absolutely thrilled to see him and welcomed him home with a big group hug.

Emmis says that shortly after Samuel was admitted to the hospital, Samuel remembered the verse that he had shared in his testimony--”And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). Before, this verse had comforted him in regard to not being with his family.  At the hospital, Samuel related this verse to his condition, telling Emmis that he was confident that God was in control and God knew why this was happening.  Praise and glory to God for how He healed Samuel's knee and how He has transformed Samuel’s heart and life since he came to know Him as His Savior.