Looking back.

I just wanted to post these 2 pictures to show and remind myself of how far we have come in the area of the school. The picture on the left was taken in June '09 at a celebration of the boys progressing from one class to the next. Out of 28 boys, twenty seven of them passed onto the next class. Eleven of them jumping from 4th grade to 6th.
The picture below comes from September 2006 when we had just started. Teacher Edward was using a door as the blackboard to teach the 12 boys we had started with. Now we have 5 classes, 7 teachers and 6 blackboards. Real blackboards; like the one in the picture on the top.

He restores my soul.

Here is Tshbaka (pronounced Chibaka) getting sugar for the morning tea. He's around 14 years old and is a wonderful example of the Lord's power to transform. He used to be a wild boy; disrespectful, rude, failed in school & didn't care. After being with us for 2 or 2-1/2 years he is a different guy. He opened up to us over the last year & told some of his background. His father died when he was 10 & he was hit with the ever popular accusation of being a witch. This meant that he was taken to a "pastor" and stripped and beaten. Hard. He was able to get away and that is part of how he ended up living on the streets. Also, in the last months I'd finally asked him why he didn't act like he heard well. Answer. Because he doesn't hear well. He'd experienced numerous ear infections with broken ear drums when he was small; explaining the reason he would act like someone with pretend ears. I am grateful that the Lord has saved Tshbaka and helped all of us get to know him. Now he is one of the sweeter boys we have, much calmer. And he is determined to do his best in school. AND when Tshbaka leads praise... everyone follows. It is awesome to see another of the diamonds God has given us being revealed.

Brothers united 2

Here are James & Matthew (Sengwa). The were reunited when 16 year old James came to live with us in early December. They came from a western province to live with their uncle after their parents died in 2008. Twelve year old Matthew came to live with us in April of last year due to difficulties in the uncle's family. When the difficulties hadn't been ironed out James joined him. I am glad that we had room for them as the next thing for them would have been to join boys on the streets. They are both extremely intelligent and love school.

Comings and goings.

On the right is Bilonda, at the grade promotion we celebrated in June. Even though he was 2nd in his class & had been with us for over 4 years he decided to leave last month. I am sorry he left but glad that he at least is with his family even though they aren't able to put him in school. And the other picture is of Patrick who left for 1-1/2 years but after going all around Lubumbashi decided he would return to us no matter what. Unfortunately it is too common for some of the boys who have been with us the longest to decide to leave. But I am grateful that the Lord has brought much more stability to the mindsets of all the boys so that now we are at 30 boys.

Sunday afternoon.

Here is a picture from earlier this year (2009). I am just just hanging out with the boys, letting the clothes dry, waiting for food to cook, looking pretty cool in my African fabric skirt.

Brothers united

After 7 years of not seeing each other Yannick's (R) brother Andrew came to see him last month. They had been separated when their mother died & the extended family pretty much chased them away. Andrew was able to get our phone number after Michael & Yannick had visited the uncle's house and one of the uncle's children gave him the number. He was choked up when he first came in & saw his younger brother. They sat & talked about the difficulties they had experienced and Andrew was able to encourage Yannick to do well in school, listen to the people over him & to follow the Lord. Andrew leads a prayer group in his church & is on the worship team.

Kamba

Here is Kamba. He is a wonderful comedian... and an expert at getting out of doing his chores.. or delaying to wash his clothes.
He will make you laugh & laugh... He's busy here making noise & is there under the tree blessing the checker game.