Sandra King — June 2026 Newsletter

Family, friends, and supporters – greetings in the name of Jesus Christ.

Psalms 121:5-8: The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; 8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Things go wrong but God is right beside you!

The May newsletter never got written because I was busy packing and leaving the town where I had been living. I did not want to pay another two months' rent when I was returning home for my birthday.

After finishing the packing, I found only a can of Spam and some stale bread for dinner. Not long afterwards I became very ill and spent the whole night running to the toilet going both ends. To make matters worse, there was a power cut during the night. In the darkness I slipped, hit my head, and eventually crawled back to bed. By daylight I cleaned everything up before the truck and helpers arrived. It was horrid and I cried.

Unfortunately, things continued to go wrong. The first truck was too small, causing delays, and after the furniture was placed in storage. I was taken to a hotel, and was left there while still very unwell. I had no help and really had needed to see a doctor urgently.

The following day I was taken to the people I would be staying with, and they cared for me well. They took me to hospital to outpatients, and was then admitted to hospital where I received saline, antibiotics, and medication after tests showed some deficiencies. Thankfully, I improved and was able to return to the peoples' house.

With only four days before my flight, and understanding that my body is a temple and that I must do due diligence to look after my body, I returned to hospital for repeat blood tests. While sitting in a small stuffy room with the doctor and a nurse, I heard familiar voices. Anthony and Peter arrived after hearing that I was unwell. Their visit was a real blessing and it was so good to good to have them there to support me during this terrible time. I was reminded me of the verse.

Proverbs 25:25: Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.

During the appointment, I was lying on the bed and shock set in. I suddenly became very cold and began shaking. I developed chest pain and needed oxygen and medication. They piled me up with blankets and the driver fortunately understood my hand signals and rushed home to bring me my heart spray. After three squirts using it I recovered. Once again, we praised the Lord.

Anthony and Peter stayed nearby to make sure I was alright, and I was greatly comforted and encouraged by their care and support.

I decided to leave my car in Soroti and place it in storage with the furniture. Anthony and Peter kindly drove me to Kampala, where we stayed overnight at a lovely hotel before heading to the airport the next morning.

Psalms 37:23 The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him.

Anthony truly proved himself to be a mighty warrior of God. He walked into the airport with authority and arranged help for me. He stayed with me until he knew I was safely taken care of.

While I was sitting there, I noticed a Chinese man trying to explain something to the staff member, but she could not understand him. So, I asked him in Chinese what was wrong. He looked absolutely astonished that I could speak Chinese.

"Do you need help?" I asked.

"Yes!" he replied, delighted that someone could understand him.

I helped him sort out the paperwork he needed to leave the country.

Anthony asked one of the staff members what was happening, and the worker replied, "The lady you are with is speaking Chinese!"

Everyone was surprised and laughed, saying, "Well, you never know when these things will come in handy."

The man thanked me in broken English and Chinese, smiled broadly, and waved as he left.

Before leaving, Anthony hugged me and prayed for a safe journey home.

Praise the Lord, the flights to Dubai and then on to Auckland all went smoothly. Throughout the entire journey I experienced no vomiting or diarrhoea at all. God was gracious and brought me safely home.

I arrived home in New Zealand on the 22nd of April, after a long flight from Entebbe to Dubai, an eight-hour stopover and then a fifteen-hour flight to Auckland Airport. After suffering with vomiting and diarrhoea in Uganda for nine days, I prayed and asked the Lord not to let me have it on the plane. True to His word, I was completely fine throughout the journey. Praise the Lord.

However, on the morning of the 25th, after only my second day back in Auckland, I was staying with Vaughan, my son, and my daughter-in-law, Cindy. I became so ill that Vaughan needed to take me back to hospital.

Very quickly we were on our way. When I arrived at White Cross, there were not many people there at that time of the morning, so I was seen very quickly.

After examining me, the doctor asked if I was a New Zealander. I told him that I was, and that I had been living in Uganda for the past year. He immediately wrote a letter for me to take to the local hospital so that I could be admitted.

Vaughan drove me to Waitākere Hospital in Henderson, which is a hospital for infectious diseases. After examining me, they found that I had a fever, severe shivering, nausea, and the diarrhoea had returned here in New Zealand. I was put into isolation and remained there until I left nine days later.

My symptoms pointed towards typhoid because of the fever and intense chills, so they were very concerned. Tests were carried out every four hours, and there were continual updates.

Eventually they discovered that I had a life-threatening disease and they had tried New Zealand antibiotics, but they didn't work. They told me I could die if I don't get the correct medication. They struggled to find an antibiotic that would kill the infection and eventually had to source one from elsewhere. They also found contamination in my gut, together with a urinary infection and a fever. I also had severe pain in my right side where my kidneys are. For the remaining four days they carried out more examinations and they finally got on top of it.

At last, I began to improve.

What a retreat!

Psalms 18:19: He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.

My stay in the hospital became my retreat. After living in Africa and having had no real rest, suddenly I had nothing to do. They washed my sheets, cooked my meals, and looked after me. I had hot water for showers, a toilet that worked, and doctors and nurses who cared for me, took blood tests, and checked on me regularly.

Even though I was sick and slept a lot, it felt wonderful. I kept telling everyone how good it was—and how God had provided everything for me without money. I didn't even have to pay for it!

Isolation, rest, and sleep whenever I wanted it. I really didn't want anyone's company. I was simply tired after a very demanding year in Uganda and desperately needed rest.

After nine days, the doctor said there were no further signs of infection and that they had done all they could. I was discharged without needing any medication, which amazed me which it shouldn't have - as we serve a mighty God.

Psalms 37:4: Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

But what really touched me was something else.

Over the past thirty years, I have often returned home without any real welcome. This time, however, I felt honoured.

Vaughan came to collect me from hospital. He placed my luggage on the wheelchair and walked ahead while I followed behind. As we made our way down the corridor, I noticed people coming out of their rooms. A doctor appeared, then a nurse from the other side of the passageway, and then other staff members emerged from the patients' rooms all along the passageway. They had all come out to say goodbye.

"Keep well." "It was lovely having you here." "Thank you for what you do."

As I looked down the corridor, people were forming a cheering line on both sides saying farewell.

What an honour!

No one person could have organised something like that. It simply happened that it was the hand of God, and I felt so blessed. After all these years, I had a whole line of people saying goodbye to me.

How wonderful and how marvellous our God is!

My Birthday Party

My birthday was on the 4th of June, but we held the celebration on Saturday the 6th. Thirty-nine people were invited. A few were unable to come, but those who attended really enjoyed themselves.

The gathering was held upstairs in the Deep-Sea Anglers Club rooms at Tutukaka. It is a lovely venue.

Graham Preston was our MC and did a wonderful and very professional job.

[Photo: Liz, Ruth, myself and my daughter Andrea went out for my birthday on the 4th of June to a Greek restaurant]

[Photo: View from Tutukaka Deep Sea Anglers Club Room]

[Photo: Ruth and Casey on deck of the club room]

There were five rows of tables, and everyone was invited to stand and share their memories of me.

Pastor Russell Watts from Church Unlimited spoke about a time when I phoned him and gave him an encouraging word. Liz from C3 Church in Blenheim and Picton also shared a beautiful tribute. As we moved around the tables, many others spoke. Gail said that whenever I walk somewhere, it is as though flower petals are scattered before me. Many other lovely things were shared as well scriptures that people had given.

Psalms 92:14: They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,

In between the speeches we enjoyed the main meal, followed by more memories and testimonies. Afterwards we had dessert and cut the birthday cake.

John 4:34: "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work."

Psalms 71:18: Even when I am old and grey, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.

Zephaniah 3:17: The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Then I received the surprise of my life. Graham announced that Ruth had something she would like to say, and asked everyone to take a moment to listen to what she had to say.

She began by saying, "I don't know what would have happened to me if I had not been adopted."

As she spoke, I sat at the table sobbing. She had never spoken to me about these things before. She also told everyone that she was with me in the orphanage, and she knew how hard it was. Earlier she had shared how God had spoken to me years ago about adopting her, and she told everyone this story.

When she finished, I went up and hugged her. What a precious gift. God is so faithful, that this was a healing time for Ruth and it needed to happen that she is now restored back into the Fathers arms. I had been waiting for a break through with her and the Lord gave it to me as a gift on my birthday. Once again He reminded me that in all these years of serving Him, He is in charge.

[Photo: Graham, the MC, and Brent giving his speech.]

[Photo: My children: Ruth, Andrea and Brent. Vaughan sadly was unable to attend.]

[Photo: Ruth giving her speech.]

[Photo: With Liz]

[Photo: Tom and Ruth with me at my birthday party.]

[Photo: With Ruth.]

My precious baby in a box

I was just so happy to receive a letter to say that a Tone, Sonia and Tom would be coming from Tauranga to my birthday party to celebrate my 80 years. What an honour it was to have one of my babies, now living in New Zealand, come to my party. Tom, it was just a delight to have you there and my heart is really touched by this. He met Ruth who also remembered playing with him in the home.

Testimonies

I received a wonderful letter from Wendy Nicholos that really touched my heart. It is always so wonderful to hear how my babies from China are doing.

"Sandra,

I just wanted to write and tell you about my daughter—one of your babies—to thank you for your part in her early life and your tireless work in China. I also wanted you to know what an incredible inspiration you are as you share your testimony of dependence on the Lord and His faithfulness through your amazing books.

We adopted Anna Rose on November 5, 2007, at the age of sixteen months as a special-needs baby. I believe she had only been in the House of Grace for a few months. You had called her Anne.

We corresponded by email a couple of times, and you mentioned that she struggled to sleep, so you would rock her and sing "Jesus Loves Me" to her.

Anna Rose is now seventeen years old. She is on the autism spectrum and is simply amazing. The Lord has blessed her with incredible musical ability. She plays both the violin and cello beautifully and can perform long and complex classical pieces entirely from memory, learning them by ear.

Her hearing is extremely sensitive, which can sometimes be difficult, but it has also become a blessing in helping her understand and appreciate music.

Anna is also very interested in learning Mandarin Chinese, and her sensitive ears are definitely an advantage in learning a tonal language.

Most importantly, Anna Rose loves the Lord. She talks with Him throughout the day, reads her Bible daily, and has a deep understanding of spiritual things that far exceeds her academic abilities. She has a strong desire to share Jesus with others.

Thank you for your influence in her early development. Thank you for your prayers over her and for the love you showed her while she was in your home.

I have just finished reading your three books. They are so inspiring! What a difficult, challenging, faith-building, exhausting, rewarding, God-ordained, and sustained time you spent in China, impacting so many lives.

Your testimony has encouraged me to trust God more, expect Him to provide, and boldly share my faith."

Thank you, Wendy, for sharing your story.

📌 Is God calling you to come to Uganda?

I need volunteers to come and work alongside me in Uganda. If you feel the Lord is calling you, would you prayerfully consider coming to Uganda on a three-month holiday visa and do His work? All that is required to come to Uganda are yellow fever and typhoid vaccinations. Please get in touch if this is you!

info@sandraking.org.nz

Praises

• Praise the Lord that I got home safely

• There was a great birthday party to glorify God for the 80 years he has given me on earth.

• That my health is good and I have completely recovered.

We Need Prayer

• Please pray for volunteers who feel called to come and help me in Uganda.

• Safe travels back to Uganda and that there will be no issues.

• The right facilities and staff to be made ready for my return.

• For open doors and that things get done faster now we have some support in Uganda.

• For long term help and that someone can be trained up to take over. Just like in China, this is the Lord's work – not mine – and He gave me the staff I had been training so He had it in His hands. Please pray that the same will be done in Uganda.

• Please pray for Melissa Smith and that God's Will be done in her life.

📚 Book Sales

Sandra's books have arrived and could we please advertise them. $100 for Set of three, or "The Call to China" is $25, "The Mission in China" is $40 and "The Blessings from China" is $40

100% money goes to orphanage ministry.

kingsandrajane@gmail.com

www.sandraking.org.nz

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THANK YOU FOR READING & GOD BLESS YOU,

Sandra King FOUNDER

Contact

• Sandra's Ugandan whatsapp Phone: +256 7677218367

• Sandra's app number: +64 220938806 (free phone calls and texts anywhere in the world)

• akiwishouseofaroha@gmail.com

• kingsandrajane@gmail.com

• www.sandraking.org.nz

ANZ Bank New Zealand ltd

corner of bank street & rust ave; Whangarei Northland area code 110;

Swift Code ANZBNZ22

NAME: SJ KING / ADDRESS: Upon request

ACCOUNT NUMBER: 06-0493-0566562-08

Is for orphanage: Last two digits personal is 00 same number