Wednesday Mike, Simon Peter, Chris, and Jerid participated in a community meeting at the Acres of Hope. Mike shared with the community our plans for providing access to water, assuring them that no one would charge them to obtain the water (which made them very happy). They have decided to form an association to sell the crops that they are growing on the property. They met under a large tree on the property and below I will post a picture of everyone walking back up to the road.
Thursday we spent with the children at the feeding program in the morning. It was a little nicer day and brought out even more kids than the week before. They were full of energy and rejoicing that day. We brought them words of encouragement, even KaLia shared with them and Nate greeted them (most times they both feel too shy & overwhelmed to do so).
After that we bought supplies that enabled us to move the first boys into the Home of Innocence (a rented home). The youngest is Celestin, and he is joined by two older boys, Theogene and Evie. We praise God also because we have found a House Father to live with the boys in the home. He was recommended to us by an Australian businessman we met here at the Mission House. He recommends him as a Christian, completely honest and trustworthy, as well as a hard worker. Upon meeting him we find he has a very gentle spirit and we trust that he will be a good guiding hand for these boys coming into the home. Tuesday we will move another boy into the home as well. It is very exciting to realize the “Home of Innocence” is actually in operation- even if it is not the permanent home we envisioned (yet)!
Today we met with the newest children who have been signed up as wishing to be sponsored, as well as those who are already sponsored who were not there last week. We got to talk to their moms and find out more information about their home situations. Friday Simon, Chris, and Jerid had traveled out to many of their homes to interview them there as well. It was a real experience for Chris & Jerid, going out into very poor areas. Seeing small mud homes, maybe 10 ft. x 12 ft, some of which had a family of 7 squeezed into them. We look forward to helping the children attend school, and eventually also helping the parents to find ways of improving their situations. Most of the families provide for themselves by finding odd jobs when they can, like doing laundry or gardening for neighbors.
It is hard to believe that we’re already looking at the last week that Chris & Jerid will be here (they leave Saturday afternoon). The container still has not been released, though we are slowly getting closer to that goal.
Thank you for keeping us all in your prayers as we trust God to take and make this time profitable.
God Bless You,
Lisa
This picture was taken at the feeding program. I don’t know if you can tell here- but the TTI T-shirts look a lot different now after just a few months of being worn heavily by the street children- all are faded and some have holes already. Not really that surprising to see- if you consider it may be the only shirt they have worn for the last few months!
