Monthly Archive for June, 2009

Andrea Burgess Newsletter April 2009

Published on June 20, 2009 in Burgess. 0 Comments

What’s new? April 2009 Andrea G Burgess

Hogar de Nueva Esperanza, Los Cedros, Nicaragua.

Dear friends and family:

This month I wanted to share with you an email sent to me by Theresa Williams’ daughter, Elise, age 8. I love and miss you all, see you soon. May God continue to bless you extravagantly.J
Subject: A note from Elise
Date: Sun, 22 Mar 2009 14:11:10 -0400

Dear Miss Andrea,

Hi Elise: I was so happy to hear from you, thank you for writing. :)

Are the kids and babies from the orphanage adoptable?

Our goal would be to get all the babies adopted and settled into families as soon as possible, but it is a very long and difficult process.

If the kids are adopted, can they take their blankies that we made with them?

Yes of course they could take their beautiful blankies with them. If/when children leave, we pack their personal things for them to take with them:)

I will be praying that if they get adopted, that they will have a nice new family.

That is an awesome prayer and one dear to my heart also. :)

If they are not allowed to be adopted, what would they like for me to pray for them?

All the children have had sad things happen to them in their lives before they came here, I would ask for prayers for healing for them from their sadness, and for them to be filled with the love of Jesus. I pray that they will be great leaders for their country, they need to do well in school for this:) A good prayer would be that they will all be able to get a good education, that is not so easy here. Many children cannot go to school for different reasons.

I’m really glad that Miss Allyson is going to visit the orphanage, because it sounds like you are already very busy!

Me too!! Only a few days away now, I am really excited. I miss my friends and family back in USA. It really helps me to hear from you, makes me feel closer to you:) Thank you so much for writing.

Do you have enough story books in Spanish to read to the little ones?

We do have lots of books, in English and Spanish. The children love to be read to, I cannot think of a favorite story though, they like lots of different ones. What is your favorite story? I remember my Mother reading “Alice in Wonderland” to me when I was a little girl. I loved it, she read it over and over again!!! (Maybe we didn’t have many books then:)

Do they have a favorite story? I wonder if it is easy to buy story books in Nicaragua?

There are book stores here, but I do not have a car to go into town to go shopping very often, and we have to be careful with our budget, (ask Mummy about that!!) We are very blessed to have been given lots of books, although we constantly need more since they suffer a lot of wear and tear with so many children sharing them!

Do you know when you will be coming to Gainesville for a visit?

I will be coming to USA April 28th for 2 weeks, for a conference in Pensacola. I hope to visit Gainesville during that time, and Shana and Todd have spoken about having a dinner one night in the community room so we can all get together and talk. I think she said Sat May 9th, then prayer on Sunday 10th, Mothers’ Day before I leave again for Nicaragua.)

Is there anything you will need when you come back?

I would love to visit with as many of you wonderful people as possible while I am there.

Is there anything you will need for the orphanage?

Ms Allysen has a list of things we need at the moment. I am not sure what she will be able to bring, so we will know more after she arrives:) Thank you for asking!

Guess what one of the numbers I was in for my Gainesville Youth Chorus Sweet Taste of Broadway? It’s a Hard Knock Life from Annie.

I’m glad that your orphanage is not like Annie’s orphanage!

I wish I could hear you singing, I am sure I would cry with pride and joy! (I know, how embarassing for you! I cried when my son sang in choir when he was a little boy!)

Hugs and Kisses,

thanks for your love Elise, and for all your hard work and help with the blankies, I think of you every time I see them, which is almost every day:) Hugs and kisses back to you, you are very dear to my heart. My prayer is that you would be able to come and visit us one day, it would be SO cool:) You should start studying Spanish. :) :):) Would you like to travel, if so, what countries would you like to see?

I miss you lots

Lots of love in Jesus,

ms andrea,

smiles and blessings galore

Elise

P.S. By the way, I did get to listen to Elise sing at a concert in Gainesville while I was home in May. I was honored to be invited and included in family plans. And yes, I did cry, I was so proud of you Elise, and you too Tim! Love you always n forever!! XX andrea XX

Andrea Burgess Newsletter March 2009

Published on June 10, 2009 in Burgess. 1 Comment

What’s happening?

Hogar de Nueva Esperanza, Los Cedros, Nicaragua.
Dear friends and family:
Jumping right into a praise report: Pedro is back! We got him back March 18th,
along with his older brother Manuel , (age 3) also.J An answer to prayer. We are so
happy and blessed to have him back with us and Manuel has made a smooth transition
to life in the orphanage. He is such a happy child with a huge, infectious smile,
see pics. Many thanks to you and your family Theresa for sending us personal
blankies for them both.J

Carlos continues to gain weight and is melting our hearts with his smiles. Funny
thing: all the other children have started playing with baby dolls, and guess what?
They are all called “Carlos.” Sweet!

We had a new girl join our family March 6th. Yakareli is about 5 years old and had
been living a rough life before coming to us. The first few weeks were challenging
but now she has started school and is settling down well. I am very proud of her and
the progress she has made. She is a very intelligent young lady and is already
picking up English!

Oh, before I forget, all you Gator fans out there…. Whilst driving through Managua,
the capital of Nicaragua, a few weeks ago, I just happened to see a vehicle with a
Gator license plate on it! I couldn’t believe my eyes and stalked it down to take a
photo. (not the best idea when driving in Managua!) check out the photosJ A glimpse
of home!

Poor Tatiana had Impetigo quite bad and we had to shave her hair off. After medicine
and cream, she is much better now. However, some of the other children are showing
signs of it now, so please lift them up in prayer. Impetigo is a highly contagious
skin disease and can take a while to heal. We pray for a supernatural healing and
restoration in Jesus’ name. Amen.

March graced us with the presence of DR Watson, O.D. from Doctors Vision Center in
NC. A talented, professional man with a great sense of humor. I had the pleasure of
working with him at an eye clinic he held here for all our staff. Not only did he do
comprehensive eye exams, but then he followed up with the prescription glasses and
eye drops as necessary. Our staff, and I, were very appreciative, Thank you! Oh
Lord how you provide for us!

We had a medical team from USA here for a week in March and I had the pleasure of
serving with them at one of their clinics. This was the first time I have been able
to join a team in operation and it was encouraging to see them reach out tirelessly
to the sick and needy, who otherwise may not have had an opportunity to get the
medical help they needed. I worked mostly with the children, keeping them occupied
while they were waiting to see the Doctor. I pray I will be able to help more often
with Medical Outreaches in the future.
March 8th was my jubilee birthday!! “Nifty Fifty” as my daughter’s birthday card
notes.J The nannies and other staff here at Los Cedros were so wonderful and
generous. They had a surprise birthday party for me, and sang songs they had been
rehearsing together for some time. It really touched my heart and was a huge
blessing to me. They gave so much of themselves to celebrate with me and make my
50th Birthday special, one to remember. They presented me with a leather purse,
sandals and a few other little gifts. We continue to grow closer to each other and
to The LORD as we meet weekly for our ladies Bible Study.

I thank you again for your involvement in this team. I value your prayers, and am so
encouraged to see the great things God is doing here in Nicaragua. Thank you LORD!
Well, until we meet again my friends, adios, hasta pronto.J

Love and blessings galore,
Andrea XX

“Defend the cause of the weak and Fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and
oppressed.” Psalm 82:3