Rivers of Living Water

Heavy rain greeted us this morning and continued until early afternoon, but it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of our welcome by the widows and orphans at Homecare! We were ushered into exuberant singing and dancing, songs of praise and thanksgiving for God’s protection, blessings, and bringing friends to be with them. 

Nobody leads worship like Mama Mary! And can they dance and make anything a drum! After introducing the team, we shared with them that today was Christa’s birthday; they sang Happy Birthday to her in not one, but three languages! First Kirundi, then French, and then English. What a truly special treat for Christa!

Two of the students shared their testimonies, very detailed accounts of the trauma they have endured in their young lives. To think that they have survived the horrors of abandonment, physical and sexual abuse, what amounted to slavery, homelessness and living without food or shelter, it is no wonder they had lost hope and were in deep despair. One had been ill for some time, going to every sort of doctor/healer with no relief. Finally, it was determined that she was being poisoned by her brother-in-law, and thankfully received treatment.

They both had had everything they had taken away by their husbands’ families when their husbands died. This is a common practice in many parts of Africa. Everything, including the children, are considered to belong to the husband’s family; the wife/mother has no rights or recourse. Their land, shelter, all possessions are usually taken away, and often the children. Women are then left with nothing; without education and/or skills, they have no means of supporting themselves or their children. They may go days without food, begging from anyone who might spare a bit of rice or vegetables with them.

In their darkest hours, God intervenes; as has been the case with so many of the widows and orphans who’ve been a part of the ministry. A former graduate sees their plight, tells them about Homecare and the loving community where they can find life and hope in Jesus as they learn sustaining skills, and they bring them to apply for the program. How they praised God for bringing them here!! Fearful at first that it can’t be “real,” they soon come to know genuine love, care and compassion as they spend the first months learning about Jesus, how to know Him, and be reunited with their Heavenly Father who loves them. They learn who God says they are, not trash and disposables as they have been told and treated as, but redeemed, forgiven, daughters of God, loved, accepted and secure in His love. As they share this part of their story, their whole demeanor changes; there is a peace in their expressions, smiles, joy.

They have begun their sewing training and are excited about the foundational skills they are learning, knowing that step by step, they will be able to create just about anything they choose.

 We had the JOY of presenting each widow and orphan with their very own Bible! As Renovat and others were carrying in the Bibles, there was an audible gasp in the room – could these really be for them? There were tears of joy, arms lifted in praise, and as the team presented each one with their Bible, there were huge hugs, smiles, and an outbreak of praise. How humbling it is to see the reverence and deep appreciation they have for God’s Word! Again, THANK YOU to all of you who helped make this beautiful moment possible!

We also got to share umbrellas and water filters with them. Especially on a day like today, these umbrellas will be so very helpful as they walk long distances to the center. John and Christian demonstrated how the filters work; they were awed by the instant change from filthy water to crystal clear! As John drank the clean water, their faces lit up. What a beautiful day it has been of sharing of hearts, hope, Scripture, covering and health giving clean water…shelter from the water from above, healthy water for the body, and Living Water for the soul. Each of us has been deeply impacted by what we experienced today and praise God for the privilege of seeing Him mightily at work in the lives of these dear ones at Homecare.