No Longer Orphans

Hello again! 

Today, Christine, Joseph and I visited their friend, Cory (seen below), who has committed her life to caring for sick and dying children. The Health Department in Mozambique has even sanctioned her orphanage, and although they do not give any funding regularly send her children with terminal illnesses.  I was thrilled to meet such a valiant woman and to see that many of the "sick and dying" children are thriving under her care! She told me story after story about baby that has been brought to her without a chance and those that have miraculously grown to be healthy, happy children. One of which is in the photo below. He was brought to her as an infant on his death bed, HIV positive, struggling against five strands of Malaria and Tuberculosis. You will see him dancing and singing in the photos below. 

Cory also has the only preschool and elementary school for miles around and therefore teaches the entire surrounding neighborhood. Some of the children who have come to her, too sick for their parents to take care of, have since been reunited with their families. Cory only has three Mozambican staff to help her care from anywhere between 30 and 60 children at a time. The Mozambican women are also thriving under her care and as she will tell you, "are running the show!" 

We were able to meet one very sick little girl who is currently struggling with the later stages of AIDS and a tough case of Asthma. They had been up all night together fighting illness and were both exhausted by the time we arrived. We were able to pray for her before we left, but I would also like to solicit your prayers as well. So many of these children should not be dancing, learning, and living as they are. I am believing for a miracle for this one as well. 

I am hoping to get ahold of an 8 minute video that we saw today depicting many of the stories of these children. I'll try to post it this week, if I can get my hands on it! 

As tragic as it is to see such poverty and disparity, I must be honest in saying that I am left with such hope and encouragement to see such unabashed joy! I look forward to taking Cory out (to get away for even just a night) and to spend more time with these precious children. Surely the kingdom of God belongs to ones such as these.

You can also partner with me in prayer that Cory will be given a apprentice to eventually take on this ministry and to help her cary the load.

I HAVE ARRIVED!

Yes, I am alive. I have made it half way around the world and have arrived safely in Mozambique. Currently, Christine (Founder of Could You) and I are staying at the house built by Could You? and shared with partnering organizations. This beautiful little property is situated in Matola Rio, a community about a forty minute drive from Maputo. Since riving on  Monday, Christine and I have been preparing for the teams that will be arriving on the 9th and touching base with all the people that will be helping throughout the trips and the guest speakers that will be giving us an insight into life in Mozambique. 

Meet Joseph, one of our translators and gentle, kind, new friend. 

He will be an immense help on this trip!

I have truly been blessed to meet so many incredible Mozambicans and people who have moved here to give their lives to serve this community. I hope to speak a lot about them in the days to come. 

The house in and of itself (built by Could You) has been a testament to the care for the individual and Could You's commitment to supporting Mozambican lead initiatives. Jill and George Nuttal are a British couple that have lived in the house and have been present to care for the relationships surrounding the construction of the property. The house (plus two round houses, one seen below) was built by a Mozambican contractor, giving jobs to many and built with all locally sourced materials. The stories I am hearing about each person who shows up to guard the property, clean during the week, tend to the surrounding garden, have all benefitted from the the presence of Could you and the Nuttal family.  Many of the men and boys who are working on and in the property have been hired through relationships with partnering orphanages and organizations committed to reuniting street kids to their families and helping raise up healthy individuals through the orphanages. Jill and George have cared very deeply for all of the people they have met through this process and have been intimately involved in each of the families and lives. I wish I had time to tell the stories of these lives. Six boys reunited with their mother (HIV positive and homeless), who was able, with the help of Could You and Jill and George, to start a chicken business on the side of the road that grew enough for her to be able to support her boys, who are all in school and thriving (two of them stopped by tonight to say hello since they heard we were in town.) Since she has grown ill, she has been cleaning at the Could You house and being paid enough to support her family. This is just one story of the multitudes who have been blessed through this house. The Nuttal's due to family tragedy and health issues have had to return to England and are devastated not to be here with "their kids." However, I think  they would be besides themselves to see the growth, health and prosperity that their love has brought to so many. 

Those the Nuttal's have cared for are now able to care for their own and many more. 

The internet is very slow, expensive and spotty. I will do my best to keep you all updated, but please know I am doing extremely well. Taking it all in, relaxing in this slow paced country and enjoying all the people I am already being impacted by.