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| These are just a few of the beautiful faces and even more beautiful souls we got to encounter at Jonathan's House for Orphans in Central African Republic. These kids are full of life, full of love, and full of joy, despite circumstances that could've robbed them of these things. God is moving in CAR, that is for sure! Pictured from left to right are: "Little" Rodrigue, Manuella, Grace, Jospin, and "Big" Rodrigue. They love playing at the basketball court that was generously donated to the town of Sibut. |
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| This is Sacre Coeur. He is about 8 years old and is as sweet as pie. He's quiet but loves to be tickled and loves even more to cuddle. He also loves little kids and would regularly be seen holding the baby at the orphanage or chasing the younger kids around. Such a gem! On the last night that we were at the orphanage he asked if I was his Mommy; if he was my child. I wish I could've explained how much it killed me to tell him "no" to these questions, but I simply said "no" and ran to my room to sob for 10 minutes or so. I pray that someday very soon he will have someone to call "Mommy," but until that day I pray that he would be able to rest in God's perfect love for him. |
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| This is Sandra. She is 13 years old and she is my hero! She and her 13-month-old brother, Sylvain, were rescued from a nearby village called Njouku after it was almost completely destroyed by rebels. She has seen more violence and has endured more emotional trauma than I can even explain. She is also currently acting as the mother figure to her baby brother, caring for all of his needs. The single best moment I experienced while I was in CAR (and maybe in my whole life) was very brief and it involved Sandra. Sandra had given baby Sylvain to one of the other girls for a little bit and she was playing with a basketball with the biggest possible smile upon her face. I was convinced that up to that point, she hadn't done much playing in her entire life and I had never ever seen so much joy in one person. She has so much responsibility on her shoulders for such a young girl but in that moment, it all faded away. Seriously the most amazing moment. Love that precious girl. |
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| I had the privilege of bringing 70 pounds of Plumpy Nut (a high-calorie, nutritional food designed for malnourished children) over to CAR. We had only planned on giving it to one child at the orphanage but when we arrived, we realized that six of the children there were in desperate need of more nutrition. Here are four of the boys (Elysee, Teranus, Rodrigue, and Jordan) eating their Plumpy Nut! They loved it! I will be tracking their weight gain for the next few weeks and am praying that they get to a healthy weight soon. |
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| What a beautiful view we had on top of a hill at Jonathan's House all week. We simply had to look out the window or walk outside to behold God's masterpiece that is known to so few people outside of Africa. My prayer is for the knowledge of this country to grow by leaps and bounds because the people of this country need hope and hope begins with knowledge. Please share with people you know! |
