Faces of ZOE

It is one thing to hear stories of orphan and vulnerable children all over the world, but another thing to be in their presence and look them in their eyes. To clasp their hands. And to hear their stories of survival and new life. These are mostly AIDs affected families meaning their parents died of Aids.

These photos are some of the children I met yesterday. Children in the Abakudana "Love" Working group. Many are only 14,15 and 16 years old and have been responsible for their siblings for years. They look like they are only 12 years old due to severe malnutrition over the years.

We heard stories of begging and stealing food just to survive and feed their siblings. Then being chased and beaten. Many stories of survival could not be shared as it was difficult for them to remember or want to remember.

But these have been the blessed ones. They have renewed their faith in God and show it by paying forward their blessings toward other orphans.

It is simply humbling to be standing in their presence. The children prayed with us and we are asked to pray for them. I volunteered to pray. As I began to pray the wind began to blow refreshing air as we stood in the hot sun. I thanked God for the wind as if it was his breath breathing life into each of us. His breath surrounding us with his love and comfort. When I finished the wind died down. Oh how he reaches out to inspire each of us and let us know he is with us always.

Photos:
*A 14 year old raising cows.
*A 15 year old that grows bananas with the group.
*A row of teen head of households, some as young as 14 caring for several siblings.
*Brothers sharing their story of being homeless, starving and finally a new life through ZOE Ministry.
*Karen and Will that are sponsors of a Working Group meeting 2 brothers and a sister for the first time. They have a home, a cow and a bag of beans. The oldest said his proudest moment was buying his younger brother his first school uniform.