Ping pong time

Augy (right) teaches 8 yr. old Dieu Donne to play ping pong with the help of a chair to even things out. Dieu Donne (God given) is the most recent addition we've received from the Katanga children's tribunal. We're not sure how long he'll be with us but I'm glad to report he's doing very well.

Mutombo Kabamba

Here is a picture of Mutombo from 2006.... I love to see the change that the Lord has brought about in his life. Compare the picture below. Mutombo was one of the first boys who we began feeding back in 2005 & 2006. He would always come in hurriedly, drink his tea & eat the bread we gave quickly & rush out, with his large plastic bag in tow, to go all around town to pick up plastic bottles. He had to meet the quota that his 'boss' gave so he'd be able to eat or have laundry detergent. Now his worries are just to study (he's in 7th grade), wash clothes, finish chores, eat & play soccer. He loves to sing & praise the Lord.

Recently Michael & I rode a bus the 1.5 hours to Likasi, where Mutombo lived with his uncle. The uncle reported that Mutombo had been sent to live with him by his father until the paternal grandfather came to take him, when he was about 7 or 8 years old. The grandfather accused him of being witch & tied him to mango overnight before taking him the next day to a children's center. After some months at the center he left & rode the train to Lubumbashi where we met up with him. The trip helped to explain the fearfulness that made winning his trust so difficult. Thanks be to God who leads us in triumph...in Christ!!