I have seen cabbages the size of basketballs here inTanzania. So, I have used a cabbage to illustrate teaching moments with the mamas and older kids when talking about seeking Jesus to heal the layers of false thinking, grief, fear and pain in our hearts. As time goes on here there are more opportunities to have some quiet times to talk to some of the kids about their stories. With eyes cast downward and in a very quiet voices, some of the older kids have shared of their pain of losing their families to death or separation. Tears don’t come easy for these children. They guard their hearts fiercely to protect their deepest thoughts and emotions. The kids and I have been writing back and forth in notebooks this month and I have learned so much more about their pain, past experiences and doubts. Questions like “Why did God take my mama away from me? “Why do I have to be an orphan? “If God says he is good, why does my heart hurt everyday?” Their letters to me have hurt my heart more that words can say, but these questions have opened a door to for us to seek God for answers to these deep questions from their hearts. Life is hard here for everyone, but so much more so for these vulnerable, precious children.
I would like to share two stories with you that have really impacted our hearts. Last week, we spent a few hours with the kindergarten class reading and playing educational games. It was a beautiful afternoon so we finished up by sitting on the grass in the middle of the houses to read books together. Our conversation flowed easily from frogs, to the stars in the sky, to why some of the children are not at the children’s home anymore. Wow! Where did this come from? I talked with them about adoption and forever families. The small group of kindergarteners around me agreed that this was a great idea. I then shared with them that the president of Tanzania stopped all adoptions for a while. The kids were not happy to hear this. One seven year old boy who is very bright but often involved in the craziness that occurs here said something I will never forget. He said very boldly, “If I were president, I would make a new law that said that all children should have a family. That will make God very happy.” I was stunned that such a profoundly true statement should come from such a little guy. This boy came with a baby sister to the children’s home several years ago. He was the one to find his mama dead in their home. Even he understands that God’s heart is that all children are loved and cared for in a family. That is the deepest desire of each child here.
I would also like to share with you the story of little Happy. We met little Happy almost two years ago during our first visit to the children’s home. Happy’s name did not fit her personality at that time. A social worker and policeman had recently brought her to the home from a hospital where Happy was treated for burns to her face, back and extremities. The police report stated that Happy was burned with a hot spoon by a woman who was “taking care of her.” Happy was very scared and angry during her first few months at the home. She bit and hit other children, stole food and cried throughout most of the day. During each of our visits, we saw huge changes in Happy. She had learned to interact well with the other children and was beginning to trust the mamas to care for her. She now loves to sing and dance. Happy has made huge strides in her learning in preschool in the past year as well. One afternoon, I asked one of the mamas who speaks English to help me talk to Happy so I could learn more of her story. Happy shared with us that her home was in Burundi before she came to Tanzania. The mama told me that there had been lots of violence and fighting so Happy might very well have come with many refugees into this country. Somehow Happy ended up staying with a woman to care for the woman’s infant. Even though Happy has no idea how old she is now, I can’t imagine she could have been more than five or six when she was caring for that baby. Happy said that the woman came home one day and found her baby crying. She then placed a spoon in the fire and then used it to burn Happy in many places all over her body. Happy’s physical burns have healed into scars, but only God has been the One to start to heal the deeper wounds to her heart and mind.
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