Early morning baths

Here is Toto helping the boys to get hot water for bathing before the electricity goes.... It was 5:30.

What we're really here for.

Meet Matthew. His uncle brought him as he was a 'problem' for their family. After his father had died last year (his mother died some years ago) he had been sent, in September, from western Congo to live with his uncle. He has now been with us a month and after being treated for Typhoid and his bruises healing from some abusive treatment he is happy, loving school & no problem at all.

Friends

Here is our new friend, Tarzan. She showed up in the compound early one morning and was stoned by one of the boys as a witch before I saw her. She was seriously injured so I spent the day avoiding her & wondering how we'd put her out of her misery. The boys who aren't afraid of cats, spent the day taking care of her & by the next day she was able to walk & is now doing great.

Playing with Alain.

That is Alain behind all the tape. And as you see he is even cuter without the tape. He is 12 or 13 and is in grade 1. Recently he told me that he enjoys school now, that before he was always sad and thinking about the difficulties in his life. Alain is very bright and has a great sense of humor.

Goodbye rain.

Here is a view out of the front door of results left by the last big rain of the rainy season. The compound finally dried out after 24 hours.

Trip to the zoo

We surprised the boys with a trip to Lubumbashi's zoo 2 weeks ago. Most of them had been there before when they were living on the street, but this time their trip was paid for and they entered via the gate and not by climbing over the wall.
Ever the student, Shanick had to write down where each animal came from and it's scientific name.

The gorilla seemed to want his pictures taken (and to show the piece of corn in his mouth) so I did.

So after looking at the monkeys, snakes, ostriches, deer, lions, tigers & alligators (and the ever energetic Kamba & Diedier running and running along the fence with the deer) the boys all loaded up in the mini bus and the rest of us in a taxi and we went home; just in time to miss a heavy rain.

Papa Michael

That's Michael in the middle of some of the 1st boys that he became 'Papa' to. Michael has been a pastor in Lubumbashi for over 10 years. In 2003 he began to have a desire to help the boys he saw on the streets there. As a former African boy (growing up in eastern Nigeria during civil war) Michael has great wisdom to know how to bring the guys in, love them, lead them to the Lord and discipline them. God has really gifted him to know what the boys need to feel at home; how to work with the Congolese nationals; how to negotiate with everybody, and to always stay joyful and filled with faith.