Loving and Feeding the "Least of These"

Today was as incredible as we anticipated it to be. We headed out early for the Mercy Care Center (ICDI’s Orphan Care Center). When we arrived, we were greeted by 21of the 42 orphans who are sponsored by people in our church. Two of them approached us with bouquets of flowers and greeted us in unison, welcoming us and telling how happy they were to have us there representing all of their sponsors from Wooster Grace.

I must tell you, after staring at their faces on the board I made for our C.A.R. orphans, for many months now, it was an emotional moment standing in front of them and seeing their faces in person. On behalf of all of the children, I send greetings and much gratitude for what you are doing for these kids!
After introducing ourselves, we began the hand-in-the-paint project. The kids had fun putting their hands in the paint and putting their prints on the sheet. We also had them put their hands on a piece of paper which we will bring back for their sponsors. We also had the ICDI staff who works with the children put their hand prints on the sheet. I am not sure who had more fun, the children or the adults!

Several children couldn’t be there because school is out for the summer and many have to go to the family gardens to work. These gardens aren’t like the one’s in our backyards. They are often miles away from town and basically a field in which they work by hand. We hope as we meet with the orphan groups, that we are able to catch a few more of our children, and get at least a traced handprint from them.

We also took pictures of each child to bring back to their sponsors. Then we went outside to play games with the children. Zac, of course, played soccer with the boys, ending up a muddy mess because it had rained earlier in the morning. Barb, Heidi and I sang and danced to more games. We are learning lots of new games to bring back. The children had also prepared verses which they recited for us as well as fables and lessons from school. Zac shared the verses he knew in Sango too.

We provided lunch for the children. Nurse Rebecca and one of the tutors, Flavia, prepared the meal. It was a typical African meal of gozo (manioc root) rice, chicken and beef in a wonderful sauce. Unfortunately, most people don’t get to eat all of that at one meal. This was a special occasion, though, and a celebration.

One little girl, Jemima, looked very sick when we arrived. Barb went right over to check her out. She didn’t have a fever, she was just very lethargic. Others had to carry her around. She had no strength. But as she began to eat, she began to perk up, smile and become full of life.

We asked Williams, the center’s assistant director, about her. He said she it is possible she may have not eaten in a while. Sadly, many times children do not eat for 2-3 days. Even though food is provided to the orphans, there are so many other children in their home that also need food, that it gets spread rather thin. It’s a hard thing, but who can blame a mother for trying to stretch out that food to her own children as well as her relative’s orphaned child?

That should be another reason why we need to do more and not less to help these children. I am including a picture of Jemima here after she ate. (Sorry, the picture is a little dark, but hopefully you will be able to see her beautiful smile). This meal was a great blessing to these children. One boy finished off Zac’s plate. He wasn’t all that fond of "gozo" (manioc root). On behalf of the children, I say a BIG thanks for providing this meal for them!

After lunch, we presented the children with their gifts from their sponsors and some extras we brought along so that every child could have something. They were all so grateful and excited. What a privilege it was to be there representing all of you. It has been an honor to be with these kids too!

The afternoon was spent in orphan group #5. We listened as their leader, Vivian, shared a Bible lesson. They too recited Bible verses for us. Then we played soccer and danced and sang to games. We can’t believe how many different songs and games these kids know. We heard only a few repeated ones from yesterday’s two-hour game time. It’s been fun though. There are lots of games where you seem to be challenging someone else. Most have to do with doing certain types of dances. We white women always seem to be picked the winners, but in reality, we know they are just really being kind. Next to these girls, white women can’t dance. We have video to prove it...

There was one girl in group #5 who just laid down on the bench while everyone else played. I found out that both of her parents died of AIDS and she also has it. Nurse Rebecca is working to get her medicine.

We learned today about the fatalistic beliefs of this culture. People believe that if you have had something bad happen to you like loosing your parents or getting sick, that their must be bad spirits around you. Others then don’t want to get too close to you for fear that they might catch some of those bad spirits and suffer the same fate. This leads to those people who need help the most, being the very ones who are shunned and helped the least. The only times these kids get special attention is in their groups and when people like us come to visit them. Praise God we are here being His arms, His hands and His feet to these children.

I was able to spend a little one on one time with the two children our family sponsors. Ruth lost her father when she was 7 and her mother last year when she was 16. She is really good in sports and likes to play sports at school. She wants to be a nurse when she grows up. She has a very large family with 9 siblings. She is the youngest, but unfortunately her siblings are struggling and unable to take care of her. Mathurine is 10. He lost his father 3 yrs ago. He has many siblings as well. He loves to play soccer and draw. He would like to work as a minister in the government. It was great to get to know them a little.

Thank you for praying for us here!

Jeana Harley