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Panashe has been described as quiet and laid back, an observer, and maybe a little shy and withdrawn (it has also been said that at times he will start laughing uncontrollably, which I love, because everything I have learned about Panashe sounds a lot like me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

Perspective

I mentioned recently that I got a promotion. The autism program in which I have worked for the last six years is expanding and has opened a brand new classroom. I am so excited to launch this new K-1 class, although I have to admit that building a special education class from the ground up has been nothing short of exhausting.

It seems as though we have met nearly every barrier possible, and things that should have taken a day to get done are taking weeks. From furnishing the room and buying curriculum that fits in the budget to attempting to build a positive relationship at our new school site, it seems as though it has mostly been an uphill battle.

I have tried to keep a positive attitude because I am doing what I love, and I see God's hand all over the place: in the timing of this new position, in the all-new staff team that has come together and seems to fit wonderfully, and of course in the sweet faces of the little ones we serve.

But, in all honesty, in my own mind as well as in a few emails written out of frustration, I've had a bad attitude. Just today I came home steaming that we still don't have internet hooked up in our room, and I still don't have a printer and computer that work together, and I still don't have a code to use the copier. I find it easy to complain about having to clean out all the unneeded items that were left behind by the last people to use the room, or the bugs in the carpet, or the bathroom not being cleaned to my standards.

Then today a friend from Zimbabwe tagged me in this photo on facebook.

This is a temporary school that we built two years ago. Although the village prays it will someday be rebuilt into a permanent structure, I can guarantee you that they are not complaining about the internet connection or printers, the bugs in the carpet, or the dirty bathroom.

Although I want the best for my students and will always advocate and fight for them in order to get them the support and respect that they need and deserve, I so easily forget how much we have to be thankful for.

As I teach this year, using the tools that may seem limited compared to other classrooms in the U.S., I will remember the precious children meeting in makeshift buildings and under trees, the siblings who take turns attending school because they share one pair of shoes, and the students who passionately practice writing their letters with a stick in the dirt. I pray that they will have teachers who love teaching as much as they love learning. I hope they will have encouragers and supporters to fight for them and to celebrate their victories. I pray for them the very best.

Creepy Crawlers

This is an untold story from my time in Zimbabwe that I am sharing for my friend who recently had a near heart attack from a spider in her car. So, miss Aylin, this story is dedicated to you.

When I first arrived in Zimbabwe I was pleasantly surprised by my cozy little room where I would stay for the majority of my time there. Although it was well-kept and clean, as I walked through the small lodge I noticed that there were spiders...everywhere. Big black spiders, many easily the size of my fist when taking into account their long legs. During the evenings I would sit in the common area and out of boredom would count the spiders hanging on the walls. One evening I counted 17 in the one small room. Like I said, they were everywhere.

Immediately Tecla told me, "Do not kill the spiders. They are not dangerous, and they kill other things that are dangerous." I am not really creeped out by creepy crawlers, and if I was I had more important things to worry about, such as centipedes, scorpions, and snakes which also seemed to greet me on a regular basis.

So, I trusted Tecla, went a month ignoring the spiders, and they seemed to ignore me. That is, until one evening as I settled into bed I spotted a humongous spider on the wall, right by where I laid my head to sleep. I had been pretty accommodating, but this spider, my friends, was pushing the limits. I grabbed my shoe and took a quick swipe at him. I kid you not he lunged toward me before I even knew what was happening.

That is the point that the predator became the prey, and I discovered the spider was out for my life.

As he chased me around the room, one shoe on and the other in my hand (leaving my other barefoot vulnerable) I jumped and dodged from the bed to the chair and back again, apparently shrieking and squealing with each close call. In a few short moments the night guard, Dumisani, was knocking at my door. (Dumisani deserves an entire post of his own...he was my protector, prayer warrior and friend. Shortly after I left he passed away, but I am so happy and blessed that I had the opportunity to know him).

Dumisani helped me corner the little sucker and together we escorted him to creepy crawler heaven. I went to bed and slept peacefully, but awoke to find that during the night one of the spider's friends sought revenge on me for their fallen comrade. Tecla was right, the spiders weren't seriously dangerous, but I was left with a pesky little bite that had me doped up on Benadryl for the entire day.

After the bite I realized that these were not your average spiders. These spiders had sent me a message. They would allow me to stay peacefully if I did the same for them. I am pretty sure it was no coincidence that the only bite that I got was the same night of my only spider killing.

Message received.

I continued living with the spiders almost peacefully. There was some tension during the weeks that I stayed in another home with a thatched roof, sleeping with a sheet over my head so no spiders (or other creepy crawlers) would fall from the roof and into my mouth in the middle of the night (which I am happy to say was a strategy that proved successful). And then, of course, there was the spider in the shower incident, but I will leave that to your imagination. For the most part, though, we continued on in our peaceful truce.

That is until my mom came to visit.

As my mom and the visiting ministry team walked through the lodge someone commented on the spiders. I warned them, as Tecla did for me, not to kill the spiders. In addition I added an additional caution that if you leave them alone they'll do the same for you, but if you try to kill them they will attack. I heard a few giggles, restated my concern -this time with more urgency, heard full on laughter, and decided to leave them to their fate.

I kid you not it was that very evening as I was walking down that hall that I heard shrieks and squeals coming from my bedroom. I opened the door to find my mom on the run, shoe in hand, in full-on escape mode. 

Funniest moment ever. I was laughing so hard that all I could say to was, "I told you so."

I believe that evening Dumisani once again came running to the rescue, but this time both spider and human somehow managed to survive unharmed.

And that is how memories are made.

So, my friends, a word of wisdom: If you ever visit Zimbabwe, let the spiders be. 

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!

 

 



More than an Itch

If you looked at my one-year-old baby picture you would probably feel torn between laughing and a feeling of complete pity for me. I really wish I had it so I could share with you all. You see, in my photo I am covered in mosquito bites. I look like a happy yet tortured little soul.

Growing up everyone would tell me that I must have sweet blood. I was always itching and squirming from numerous bites from the first warm day of the year 'til the last. I don't know why, but they've always loved me, and still do.

Yes, the itching can be torturous, but it was livable. I guess that I actually got used to it, because in no way did those pesky little bugs ever stop me from fully enjoying the great outdoors.

Because of the mosquito's love for me, it should come as no surprise that on my first trip to Africa one of those little buggers shared Dengue Fever with me. It must have been my last day or two in Malawi, or possibly the layover on the way back in Ethiopia, when the bite happened. It wasn't until I was safely home that my sleeping issues began feeling more serious than jet lag. Then there was, of course, the infamous rash that resulted in a week long quarantine. North American doctors don't see Dengue Fever everyday, so apparently unfamiliar rash+ returning from Africa= crazy scary disease and imminent death for all who come in contact with said disease.

I survived the Dengue fever, and was lucky enough to have one of the less serious strains. But, inevitably, three weeks after I moved to Zimbabwe a few years later, I sat on Tecla's couch with the worst headache I have ever had, unable to force down a bite of food.

By the next morning the verdict was clear. The mosquito got me again; I had malaria.

I have always handled sickness pretty well, but let me be clear. Malaria: Take the worst flu you've ever had and times it by about 8 million.

I'm not kidding. It is bad.

And not only was it bad, it was scary.

When you are bundled up under six blankets and still shivering it's bad. But when you are bundled up under six blankets and still shivering when it is well over 100 degrees, it's scary.

That week is mostly a blur, but what I do remember is misery and being so very cold. I also remember people coming to pray with me, and being so thankful but too delirious to really communicate with them, understand their prayers, or even determine if they were speaking English, Shona, or Ndebele.  I remember the most amazing meals being prepared by precious and loving people just for me, hoping they would entice my appetite back to life. I remember looking at the food and fighting back tears because I just couldn't make myself eat. I could barely force down water a few sips at a time.

When I hear the Malaria statistics I am not surprised because I remember how ruthless it was to me, an adult in great health. But children, especially those who are malnourished with weakened immune systems, they are the ones who are losing this battle.

Malaria kills 655,000 children per year.

The good news is that we have weapons to help children and their families in this battle. These weapons are low cost but high efficiency.

Something as simple as treated mosquito nets and malaria prevention training saves thousands of lives, and is available to save thousands more if we are willing to help.

Having had a taste of this disease, I can understand the misery of Malaria. What I have a harder time understanding is how so many mothers survive the loss of their children from a disease that is highly preventable.

April 25, 2013 is World Malaria Day, and I urge you to visit Compassion International's Malaria Intervention Initiative page and consider what role you can play in arming these children in the deadly battle against Malaria.

You will be amazed at how little it costs to save a life.



P.S...I cannot walk away from this post without making a plea for Subdini. She is 9 years old, lives in India, is a beaming ray of sunshine, and has been waiting for a sponsor for 392 days. If you could use a smile or are ready to have your life changed by a beautiful little girl on the other side of the world, please click here. You know you want to.

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.)

Sweet Celebration

This little boy...

Joseph- January, 2007

...And this little girl...

Ruthie- January, 2007

Have taught me so much about the miracle of life.
And this month they both turn 6 years old!

Ruthie and Joseph- January, 2011

This gives my heart so much reason to celebrate!

Happy birthday sweet Ruthie and Joseph. Because of you a piece of my heart will always remain in Zimbabwe. 

Joseph's story can be found here.    And here.                                        

Ruthie's story can be found here. 

God is Bigger than Coincidence

Soon after I came home from my unexpected leave from Zimbabwe in 2007 I connected with a girl online named Regina. We randomly found eachother through myspace, and discovered we were in Zimbabwe at the same time and in the same area, and we knew many of the same people.

It was one of those "small world" moments, and left us wishing we could have connected there, as we both could have used some extra encouragement and support in our ministries.

We found we had a lot in common. One of those things was our "Ruthies." We both had orphans named Ruth who inspired and motivated us to do what we do.

Regina and her Ruthie, 2009

Me and my Ruthie, 2010

Regina has stayed on as a missionary in Zimbabwe through Rock of Africa. A while back her ministry was moved from the rural areas surrounding Victoria Falls to the capital city of Harare. She is a social worker who trains parents and counsels children, and also works with some schools and orphanages in the Harare area.

 I have continued to follow her journey, and we stay in touch through occasional emails (and facebook, of course). She has even taken supplies in for me for some of my kiddos.

Fast forward to yesterday.

Over the weekend Melissa uploaded her photos from her recent trip to Zimbabwe, posting pictures and names of all the children needing sponsors.

As I went through the pictures I was paying special attention to those of Tadiwa. As I scrolled through, I reached this photo, and for a moment I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.

I found Tadiwa, second from the left. But then it was the girl next to her that caught my eye. I didn't immediately know how, but I knew this child.

I continued to scroll, and saw the same sweet girl in the blue shirt with the name "Ruth" in the caption. Then it hit me: this is Regina's Ruthie!

I immediately went to Regina's photos and scrolled through, and discovered many familiar faces that I was able to connect to children in the BFGO photo album. It soon became clear that the orphanage that Beautiful Feet Global Outreach supports is not only one of the orphanages that Regina works with, it is home to her sweet Ruthie.

As I scanned through photos in Regina's albums the excitement built and built. And then I found one that completely pushed my excitement over the edge.

Tadiwa, Christmas 2011

It's not everyday that you sponsor a child, and then discover you have a friend who can give her hugs for you on a regular basis.

With 1.6 million orphans living in Zimbabwe today, the chances of this happening seem impossible. It was one of those moments that made this great big world seem so very very small.



Tadiwa still needs sponsors for the $25 and $30 monthly levels (or any amount you are able to give). If you want to be part of her dream team, encouraging her to dream big and praying for those dreams to come true,  you can find more information here and 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,

Visions of Sugar Plums

For the last decade I have had an overwhelming desire for vision.

About ten years ago God really began to grow in me a passion for impoverished communities and nations, but this passion spreads far and wide. Famine, disease, gangs, violence, slavery, AIDS, corrupt governments, war, malaria, and lack of things like shelter, clean water, and education: these are all problems that are deeply intertwined with poverty.

My heart breaks for all of these things, but I have been asking God for a unique and specific vision to take root in my heart. A place where He can use me most effectively; A place where change is needed.

Slowly but surely God has been messing me up and tweaking my heart for a specific purpose. Not long ago I realized that my greatest passion is for children to have the opportunities and support that they need to meet their full potential and live out their dreams. More specifically this passion is for children who have added obstacles, such as poverty and special needs.

Loving on some sweet orphans in Malawi (2004).

As my vision continues to take shape, God continues to refine and deepen it. I have so many dreams of providing opportunities for children with special needs in places where services are lacking, where they are labeled by stigmas, or where caregivers and teachers are uneducated about their disabilities and how to effectively help them succeed.

I dream of these children having dreams.

I dream of these children having the opportunity to pursue their dreams.

I am blessed to work with special children every day. I get to see them take risks. I get to celebrate with them their successes, no matter how small they seem. And I hope that one day I will be celebrating success with children all over the world.

As I make my way through graduate school I know I am temporarily sacrificing this desire to work with these special kids in impoverished nations, but I know there is much I can do from here.

One small way I can live my dream, right here and right now, is sponsorship.

This is my beautiful sugar plum, Tadiwa.

I am partnering with Beautiful Feet Global Outreach as they launch their sponsorship program in October.

This sponsorship program is likely a little different than ones you may be familiar with. BFGO partners with a wonderful orphanage in Zimbabwe. The orphanage consists of 3 homes (children separated by age group) and currently cares for about 65 orphans. The goal of BFGO is for each orphan to be sponsored by a group.

I have committed to finding this very special group that will help give

Tadiwa the support she needs to thrive.

Zimbabwe is very expensive. Prices rival those of the U.S., unemployment is above 90%, and those who are working are paid very little. Tadiwa's sponsorship will cover her school and clothing needs, all of her meals, medical needs, and housing costs. Because of the high costs and all that the sponsorship covers, the cost is $90 a month.

The hope is that groups of three would join together to cover the sponsorship of one child. There are three giving levels: $25/month, $30/month, and $35/month.

Tadiwa still needs sponsors for the $25 and $30 monthly levels.

In addition to supporting Tadiwa financially, sponsors will have the opportunity to pour love and encouragement into her life through letters, and there is even the possibility of giving her some real life hugs and kisses down the road if you so choose.

I can't wait to learn more about Tadiwa and her dreams. This sweet girl has many extra challenges in life, but I have no doubt that with a little encouragement and a lot of heart she can do some beautiful and amazing things.

Are you one of the lucky ones who will join me in encouraging

Tadiwa that her dreams can come true?

More information on Tadiwa will be coming soon!

If you would like more information about this sponsorship or would like to commit to a $25 or $30 monthly level for Tadiwa (beginning in October) please leave a comment with your email below, or email me here: shebecomes(at)gmail(dot)com.

If you are interested in committing to finding a group to sponsor another beautiful child through BFGO, please check out their blog: BFGO blog, or follow them on Facebook.  

Where Do You Buy Your Pickles?

I want to take just a moment to give you all an amazing opportunity to bless some beautiful children in Zimbabwe through buying stuff you already buy.

LambShops is and organization which partners with businesses and non-profits to give a percentage of the money you spend on practically anything online to a cause of your choice.

I have added a button on the upper right hand side of my page that will take you to LambShops, where you can do your online shopping, and meanwhile benefit Beautiful Feet Global Outreach.

LambShops has partnered with so many online businesses, that through them you can purchase pretty much anything you can dream of~ from airline tickets and hotel reservations to shoes, books, and yes, pickles. (And it is no extra money out of your pocket.)

So, before you make your next online purchase, I would encourage you to check out Lambshops and consider buying in honor of Beautiful Feet Global Outreach.

Just click here:

And, if you are as excited about this as I am and want to add this button to your blog too, just copy and paste the code from the code box, and add it as an html in your layout or your post.


<a border="0" href="http://beautifulfeetgo.lambshops.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x376/shebecomes/Lambshops-2.jpg"/></a>

Happy Shopping!

Join me over at On Your Heart Tuesdays.