Week Five

 Happy Sunday Everyone!

Week five has been very quiet as all of the kids are in school now. I have officially become “one of those moms” that looks at pictures of their kids when they’re sleeping or only away for a few hours, knowing that shortly I’ll be telling them not to pick their nose or fussing for them to complete a job. If I miss them this much now, I don’t even want to think about what it will be like when I get home!

While I was visiting with a neighbor and her children one day this week, she told me, in front of her son, that she did not like him or want him and wished I would take him back to America. That moment spoke volumes to the harsh reality that family means little for most people here. Daily, parents who do not have jobs send their children to beg on the streets and to walk around in insanely busy traffic to see what they can scrounge for the day. I have seen girls as young as maybe three years old begging on the streets. 

On a more positive note, this week I had the chance to visit an orphanage/rehabilitation center and it was very encouraging. I spent time with a few of the older children and basically asked them what its like to live in an orphanage. Although their stories were heart-breaking, it was inspiring to see a Christian couple care so deeply for these unwanted children and have a program that not only houses and feeds them but also takes time to love, protect, and disciple them so they become functioning members of society and in turn, know the value of life and raise God-fearing families of their own one day. 

The lyrics, “How deep the Father’s love for us, How vast beyond all measure, That He should give His only Son, to make a wretch His treasure...” come to mind. Father God sent His only son to die for us while we wanted nothing to do with Him. He loves us even on our worst days.

This next week I am looking forward to joining a medical mission in the bush! The organization that I normally travel with was supposed to have a team of American doctors and nurses to set up clinic but thanks to Covid, the American team was not able to travel. So, I am going with African doctors and nurses and some staff of the organization to the bush to set up clinic. Please pray as we reach those that do not have normal access to medical care or the Gospel. 

Thank you for your prayers - I feel them! Miss and love you all.