Shine

First of all, here is an updated photo of my sweet Tadiwa.

Doesn't she shine?

Now, in other goodness...

Do any of you remember this handsome young man,  Panashe?

Back in May I wrote this post hoping to find him a sponsor. Although some of you were also able to see the specialness in this boy, no one was able to make the commitment to sponsor him.

Confession time: The first thing I did after signing the contract for my new job/promotion? Sponsoring Panashe.

How could I not (and why would I not)? This boy is always on my mind, and I was and am sure that God has placed him there for a reason.

Last week my dear friend, Melissa, who is the founder of Beautiful Feet Global Outreach (the organization through which I sponsor both Tadiwa and Panashe) returned from Zimbabwe where she, among many other things, delivered mail to sponsored kids and announced the good news to those with newly committed sponsors.

Panashe has been described as quiet and laid back, an observer, and maybe a little shy and withdrawn (it has also been said that at times he will start laughing uncontrollably, which I love, because everything I have learned about Panashe sounds a lot like me at his age).

Melissa told me that Panashe "came alive" when he learned that he was sponsored.

And here, my friends, is the proof.

Oh, Zimbabwe, you hold so many who hold my heart.

This One is Special

Earlier in my post, A Day for the Motherless, I shared photos of several children, some who are in orphanages hoping for a family to adopt them, and others in orphanages simply waiting for a sponsor and mentor to pour some love and encouragement into their lives.

Today I want to highlight one of these children who God has placed a little more heavily on my heart. Any of you who have been around here long know that, to put it simply, Zimbabwe holds a special piece of my heart.

Panashe is from Zimbabwe, and lives in an orphanage which is served by Beautiful Feet Global Outreach. As I have shared before, this ministry has adopted a group of orphanages in Zimbabwe, and is striving to not only provide the children in these homes with their basic needs, but to also provide them with love, encouragement, and support from sponsors who are given the opportunity to pour into their lives.

This sponsorship is unique, as the vision is for three to come together to provide for the needs of a child and lift them up with love and kindness. This post, The Power of Three, goes more deeply into the heart of this vision.

The child I am pleading on behalf of today, Panashe, is twelve years old. The first time I saw him there was a little twinge in my heart saying, "This one is special." Before I knew anything about him I knew there was much more under that shy smile than one could see on the surface.

Lately I have learned a little more about this young man, and the more I learn the more he holds my heart.

No information is available about Panashe's family. He came to the orphanage after police took him off the streets of Harare where he was living and fending for himself. After police found him, he spent a month in the hospital because of his poor health, after which he was able to move into the orphanage.

At the age of twelve this young man has likely seen and experienced more than you and I could imagine. I praise God that he now has a safe place to sleep and that his needs are provided. My prayer for Panashe is for God to provide someone to come along side him and pour into his life until he is overflowing with confidence and joy.

If you have seen the specialness in Panashe as I have, maybe God is asking you to be the one to bless him with your love. The goal is to have three come together, but it starts with one. If you would like to commit to becoming Panashe's sponsor at any level ($25, $30, or $35), you can do that here.

A Day for the Motherless

Today is a beautiful day of celebration for mothers and children around the United States. For some it is also a day of sadness, a day of mourning and remembrance for those who have experienced loss of a mother or the loss of a child.

And then for others, like me, it is a day of mixed emotions. Celebration and gratefulness for having a supportive mother in my life, an amazing step-mom, and grandmothers here and in heaven who have weaved love into my life from childhood. But I am also overwhelmed with a sense of longing. Longing for the children that my arms have yet to hold, and for those I have held in my arms and hold in my heart, but are separated by distance. 

As a childless mother on this day, I cannot help but think of all the motherless children in the world. Today it is for these children that my heart truly breaks.

Here are the beautiful faces of some of these children, representing others from all around the world. As you celebrate your moms today, I ask that you also remember the orphans, the one's waiting, hoping, and longing to know the love of a mother.

(Some of these children are waiting for a family, others who do not have this opportunity are simply waiting for a sponsor and mentor to pour into their lives. For more info on any of these children and how you can help them specifically, click on the name below the photo).

 

Panashe
 

Yelena

 

 

 

Farai

 

Tadiwa

 

 

Clara

 

 

Brandon

 

 

Agina

 

 

Owen

 

 

Kuda
 

 

Pamela

 

 Happy Mother's Day!

 

 



An Over-Abundance of Happy

This Christmas Dasha and Leana experienced their first Christmas at home.

Leana got to be a birthday princess for the first time.

For the first time ever they celebrated New Years with their family. Dasha had her first dance, an experience every little girl should have with her daddy.

And on Monday Dasha went to school for the first time!

I am so proud of these girls and so thankful for the amazing family that God created for them to be a part of.

Now I hope and pray that next year at this time we can celebrate these firsts for this beautiful girl, Yelena. I know it is possible!

And remember how I mentioned a missionary friend of mine who gets to hug one of my sponsored children on a regular basis? Well, there are many perks to that, and here is one:

Miss Tadiwa on Christmas. My friend said that she was undoubtedly the happiest child in the orphanage that day!

(Unlike Dasha, Leana, and Yelena, Tadiwa is not eligible for international adoption. But, she is eligible for sponsorship. This sponsorship helps her orphanage give her the care that she needs to thrive. Tadiwa still needs sponsors at the $25 and $30 monthly levels. Join Tadiwa's dream team or check out other Zimbabwe children who need sponsors here.)

Tadiwa

My dear friend Melissa at Beautiful Feet Global Outreach recently returned from Zimbabwe bearing gifts. She has been working wholeheartedly collecting information and photos of the children in the orphanage to pass along to sponsors and hopeful sponsors.

Last week in my post Visions of Sugar Plums I introduced sweet Tadiwa. 

Tadiwa is a Shona word meaning "loved" or "favored."

Tadiwa is six years old and came to the orphanage at the age of three when her father passed away.  The whereabouts of her mother are unknown. 

Tadiwa has some developmental challenges and verbal delays but is overflowing with joy and sweetness. 

Tadiwa loves hugs, loves to be held and carried, and is always smiling. 

Tadiwa (left) with two of her friends.

Tadiwa still needs sponsors at the $25 and $30 levels.

Check out Melissa's post here about why sponsorship for these children is so important. 

The goal is that three families or individuals would come together to complete a group sponsorship for one child. The group sponsorship for Tadiwa will cover the costs of her clothing, shelter, food, school fees, and medical needs. If you cannot commit to a $25 or $30 giving level, Tadiwa would be happy to have you as part of her support group at any amount you feel led to give.

If you are interested in being part of a group sponsorship for Tadiwa you can leave your email information in a comment below, or you can email me at shebecomes(at)gmail(dot)com.

If you have any questions Melissa or I would be more than happy to answer them (some answers may be found in my previous post about Tadiwa and BFGO found here). You can see more photos of children waiting for sponsors here: BFGO photo album of children needing sponsors (and don't forget to 'like' their facebook page while you are there.)

God Bless,