Greetings friends and family! Life moves full speed ahead for us here in Congo. We are blessed to have a few visitors from the US this week. Rev. Debbie Braaksma, the Africa Office Director for Presbyterian (USA) World Mission, has come with Regional Liaison Jeff Boyd, along with Man Yu and JR of Korean Presbyterian Church of Fresno. I just visited the Ditekemena street children ministry with them. Debbie gave a warm message about how inner wounds of hurt and pain can fester if not dealt with. She gave the example of Joseph in the Bible, and the long road of forgiveness and reconciliation with his brothers. She highlighted that Joseph did not allow bitterness, anger and hurt to dominate his life. He was elevated to a high position in Egypt and was able to help his family (brothers) who had betrayed him. Please pray for these children to forgive the families who abandoned them and rejected them to life of destitution and thievery on the streets.
The children are doing well. They started school last month. Five of the kids study at two separate schools which are nearby. The other eighteen are in a “catch-up” school which will help them be placed in the grade that corresponds to their age next year. Noella, who is about two years old, is beginning to walk – exciting! We video-taped her steps earlier this week. Please enjoy the collection of photos of the children that follows, and say a prayer for them. Thank you!
Ditekemena Children studying at BICE Center (where they live)
Children playing, having fun, horsing around!
The famous Ditekemena Choir!
Meal time!
Other fun pics!
Lord God in Heaven, may you bless these special children whom you have made with a plan and a purpose. Their families and communities may have rejected them and discarded them as refuse, but they are the apple of your eye, and their value is worth more than all the copper, gold, coltan, and other “riches” of Congo. Bless these precious ones, Lord God. May their dreams come to pass, according to your perfect and pleasing will.
1 comment:
Precious kids!
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