A Child is Restored!

I recently went to Uganda and Kenya to visit HOB's children's homes. God is so good! He was constantly reminding me that He was with me but more than that-He is with the children and He has a big plan for their lives! I am amazed that He chooses to allow me the honor of being a part of their stories! These children are absolute miracles! I have seen shattered children completely restored and their minds made new. No matter how many times I see the transformation in a child I am always amazed! I know He can do so much more than I can think or imagine, but I am still amazed! As I hear the stories of how a child was mistreated, abused, abandoned I can't see with my own eyes how they can ever overcome their brokenness. But God...He is able! Maina is a great kid from Kenya who, along with his brother Wamae was mistreated by his own grandmother. She locked the boys up in a closet for long periods of time. They were forced to lie in their own filth, hungry and all alone in the dark. When they were discovered and rescued both were severely malnourished. Maina didn't speak and kept his head down. He had retreated into his own world...his safe world.
The first time I met Maina he would stand away from the other children, mostly looking at the ground. If he did look up it was with eyes that were filled with caution. If he was asked in school to answer a question he would wet his pants out of utter fear! The next time I came he greeted me with a shy smile, but kept his distance from me. He did have two friends in the home who he would quietly speak to, but he didn't play with them. He still kept his distance.
This time when I came he not only greeted me, he spoke to me! He smiled at me as we ate dinner that night. Later when the children gathered for prayer and worship before bed I heard a precious voice leading out in song and guess who it was? Maina! He was leading worship! This shattered, totally broken little boy was being put back together piece by piece by our Heavenly Father...Maina's Heavenly Father!
Later in the week I witnessed him explaining the story of baby Moses to another boy in the home! AMAZING!!! We serve a big God! I can't wait to see the plan he has for Maina! I know he will use him to do something great and lives will be changed through Maina's life story.

 
Well our trip to the Ukraine was wonderful! Cold! But very sweet! Here are a few pictures and some stories about the visit. I hope you will enjoy seeing the precious children I was honored to meet.
This is a photo of Alexi leading Bible study with the boys. Each week he has Bible study with the two girls one evening and the eight boys on another night. The children are growing spiritually and three (Tanya, Roma and Zhenya) have given their hearts to the Lord.
This is little Rita with Alexi.
 
Rita is eight and she has seen many horriable things in her short life. Because of the life her mother lived, she has a mixed up look at men and especially what a father should be. Alexi is changing that! He treates her and all the children with fairness & kindness. He is gentle in his rebuke and lets them know when they have messed up, but he is quick to let them know that he loves them but not their actions. I caught Alexi with each of the children one on one when they didn't think I saw them together. It melted my heart! Alexi and Tanya are truly being Jesus to these kids!
Can you imagine cooking and cleaning for a family of 12? This is a photo of Tanya and her friend Nina making potato and cabbage pies for dinner. It took them nearly 5hours to make enough for dinner that evening. When they made pizza several nights later it took them 4 hours from start to finish.
 
They had to make the dough, let it rise, chop all the toppings and then bake them in one small oven one by one. They were yummy!!! Becuase of a monthly donation that someone has committed to make, Nina will now be working daily in the home helping to make food and help with the canning and gardening, so that Tanya will be able to spend more time with her family helping them with homework and playing with them some. They often play cards or practice their English together as a family, and poor Tanya has only been able to hear them as she slaves over her stove. Now she will be able to be apart!
Here they are! The whole bunch! Their grown daughter, Alena lives nearby and comes to the home everyday after school and stays until about 9 pm when the last of the homework is completed. She helps Alexi work with the children one on one. There are three boys who are very behind and struggling greatly with school. It takes them several hours to do their homework each day. If they could hire one more person to help them with homework each day it would be a great help! Not only could they finish homework earlier, they might be able to spend more time with Vova, Nikita, and Vitya ehlping them get ahead. It is very hard on the boys to be the ones in their classes who always seem to be struggling. Please pray that the funds will come for the much needed tutor.
 

Pictured from the back (standing)are: Roma, Alena, Tolik, Sasha, Tanya
middle row:Oleg, Rita, Alexi and Mama Tanya
Front row:Nikita, Vova, Zhenya and Vitya