Boys

Elvis is in the orange shorts offering me the head of a pigeon that they just killed. Mukala and Joseph are both looking to see if I will receive this great gift!

There is a group of 5-8 boys who are always around. The property where the base will be - the orphan/children’s home, the gardens our homes a school – is in the middle of villages. But these particular boys, all around the age of 15, although most of them look more like 10 years old and have had very little schooling. Some only went through grade 1. But they are always together, a natural group. They have little responsibilities at home; many of them are OVC’s (Orphan and Vulnerable children). At this age the girls are the ones who take up responsibilities in the home, caring for the children, cooking, etc. so we see much more of the teenage boys.
The 2 activities they do on a regular basis are hunt birds (or other small animals) with their homemade slingshots, or play soccer with a homemade ball. Jeremiah has been going on their little hunting expeditions, just being with them, forming relationships with them. They are so hungry to be loved and approved of. They wear the same clothes everyday; I know some of them have never had a bath. They roam around all day looking for something, anything to do.
At this point you should be asking, why are they around all day? They do not attend school. The closest school is 4 miles away, and they would need to provide school fees that they don’t have. Some only went through grade 1. Communicating with them is getting easier. One of the boys, who went through grade 4, can understand a bit of English, so he attempts to translate. These boys were just so strongly on both of our hearts; they have such beautiful smiles and laughs. They are always teasing and laughing. We asked if they would want to learn English, they all were very enthused about it, so we began!
I am not an English teacher… no not at all! But wow, when you have a heart to see someone succeed you just want to equip them in the best way possible! So we have done 2 classes so far. We have a white board to write on, and we now have paper for them to practice writing one. We sit in the dirt, under a tree. They are very worried about keeping the paper clean, and writing the letters perfectly. We have taught them to write A – I. but they will need much more practice to remember how they look, the sound they make etc. we are working on short vowel sounds, and body parts, and sounding out words. It has been beautiful to see their minds being activated, and we already communicate better even outside of class! I read them the story (a simple version in a picture book) of Baby Jesus Birth, and gave them words to listen for before hand. As I read, I began to realize this is the story of these boys life, born among animals, in a village. He was a king living in a stable, visited by very rich men. All along God had a plan for His life as He ahs for theirs. (I had this translated to they could understand what we see in them and believe God has for them.
Pray for them
Joseph and Mukala, and Elvis, and Joseph (#2) and Eugene, and Michael.
God has plucked them out. We want to see them raised up, and sent out to reach their own people! These are Orphans who are part of Gods army!!