Jesus, encounter our children...

I think back on the days where I worked with abused and broken children and I remember those challenging heartbreaking days. Days where you would cry, smile and feel overwhelmed all at the same time... Days where our children had to be sent to the mental institution for trying to hurt themselves, days where the police had to take them away because of violence, days where you sat in a quiet place and heard their devestating stories of rape, molestation, hunger, abuse and neglect. I can clearly remember those days years ago... for they were often and present.

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Taking in our children over the past 2 months has been a precious time in our hearts. Seeing children hunger and in great need to then have a home, food, a bed and a family who loves them has been a blessing to our souls... but there's so much more than physical needs. I remember about a month ago, I spoke to Isai telling him "working with children in such situations is so different here than in the US; daily we were working with behaviors, mentalities and counseling them to restore their self worth and dignity. Here in Burundi, it was smooth sailing. Behavoirs were amazingly good and respectful and there wasn't much manifestation of the pain and brokeness that lies within their hearts.

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Recently, the flood gates have opened.... (in a good, longsuffering, patient kind of way.) In a way I remembered working with children in the past. In a way that takes alot of time, effort, understanding, silience, advice and time once again. God is working in their hearts and all the pain is pouring out; in many forms if I may add. Some of the children come from abusive pasts being violated while others stayed with families who were heavily involved in witch craft (witch doctors often giving out posion to kill enemies of those who come to them).

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The cry of our hearts today is this. Jesus. Encounter our children. Restore them, heal them, reaffirm them. Be established in their hearts as their only hope. It has been a patient time working with the children to counsel them alongside our staff. God is faithful and has been helping in our understanding of their language "kirundi"...

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Join us today in praying for our precious children. May God pour His love into their hearts through the Holy Spirit. May you be a part of their lives, may you be one of many helping to see the nation of Burundi transformed and preparing for for the coming of the Lord. Make a difference today. One village, one family, one child at a time. Until next time...