I see the beautiful faces of the little ones in Every Orphan Hope’s “My Father’s Houses.” Joy radiates from their eyes as they share testimonies about new life in Christ and new life in their MFH family. They arise at 5:00 a.m. for devotions (led by the children) then prepare breakfast for the house, handwash the plates, and head off to school … their lives forever changed and abundantly full.
Faces also of the children in the streets remain with me. Some double orphans, some single orphans, some running over to meet us, some hanging back. Not a lot of muzunga (white people) around here typically. Some children are a bit fearful. Unlike the MFH children, these children have dry skin, sores, thin and worn out clothing, no shoes, unkempt brown-tinged hair. We learn that many can only hope for one meal a day from their extended family. So they search for food in trash heaps. Nshima is the main staple of everyone’s diet. The cornmeal mixture is rolled in your hand then dipped in tasty gravy and veggies (cabbage and kale-like greens).
The Lord illustrated scripture during this short-term mission experience. Through miraculous revelations and answered prayer, His word and character came alive in unexpected ways and blew the doors off my nicely packaged faith. We witnessed His people united across continents, His breadth as revealed in our team members’ star gazing, His worth to be praised Zambian style (!), His power in children’s deliverance, and His love for all the little children. “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after the orphans and widows in their distress …” (James 1:27). God hears the cries of His people … may we the church respond to His direction to be His hands and feet.
(July-August 2010)
Posted by Sharon R Hoover
