Then and Now #6

Sabitheka, 2006

Sabitheka, 2010

Phineas, 2006



Phineas, 2010

Mayibongwe, 2007

Mayibongwe, 2010 (You cannot see it in this photo, but Mayibongwe was able to get an artificial leg through Tecla's program).

Maureen and Joseph, 2007

Maureen and Joseph, 2011

Hope these make your heart happy like they do mine.

Then and Now #5

This the is the Mgweya family.

Mrs. Mgweya with Spiwe on her back, Temba in front, and Mr. Mgweya



Mr. Mgweya after being paralyzed by a stroke, Mrs Mgweya with Spiwe on her back.



Mrs. Mgweya and Spiwe. I gave Mrs. Mgweya a copy of this picture on my recent visit and she just laughed and laughed and laughed. I asked why she was laughing, and she said it was partly glee from seeing her picture, and partly because she is now fat.  (Her words, not mine :)

Back in 2006-2007, the Mgweya family was not officially in the program, because although both parents were HIV+, both were living. Regardless, we often visited with them and helped them with necessities as needed.

Sadly, Mr. Mgweya passed away. Now Mrs. Mgweya, Temba, and Spiwe all benefit from monthly food distributions, clothing distributions, and help with schooling.

While I was there I was able to buy Temba a new school uniform, and he loved it. I love love love seeing these kids so excited, grateful, and eager for school and anything related.

And Spiwe, well, she's just excited, grateful, and eager about life.

Beautiful, aren't they?

Then and Now #4

When Flora was just a few days old I was given the honor of praying over her a prayer of blessing. You can read this story here. 

A couple weeks ago I was honored to pray over her again. But this time I prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for a healthy little girl. You see, last time, as I prayed, the question that hung over all of our hearts was if this little girl was born HIV+. Praise God for shielding Flora and giving her a healthy and happy childhood.

Then and Now #3

This is Sebastian and his mom.

Sebastian's father had passed away several years before my first trip to Zimbabwe. When I met Sebastian and his mom in 2006, there were many children in the household.

I knew Sebastian's mom as MaSeba, a rough translation of "Sebastian's Mom." It is common in many African countries for mothers to be called or known by their children. I believe that this is a name she took on proudly. Not only did she mother her own children lovingly and proudly, but also mothered orphaned nieces and nephews with the same love.

Sebastian was a recipient of one of the homes we built, as he was the oldest child in the large family that was squeezing into a small one room home.

Along with Sebastian, the home belongs to his siblings, Gertrude and David.

My first day back in Zimbabwe I learned that MaSeba had passed away.

I was shocked.

I knew that she was HIV +, but every second I knew her she seemed strong and resilient. In a photo album I created in 2007 I had labeled her photo as "A Portrait of Strength." That is how I saw her, and in my heart I wanted to believe that if anyone could beat the disease, it would be her.

Portrait of Strength

Many of you may recognize her from the story "Community." She was one of the people who worked with all her heart, not only to build a home for her family, but to also build homes for others in her community. She helped me learn the meaning of that word.

Immediately after the shock I felt sadness. Sadness for the kids. Then worry. Who was caring for them now?

I discovered that Sebastian's aunt had taken his sister, Gertrude, as well as the cousins to live with her in the village.

Sebastian, Sebastian's aunt/Ruthie's grandma, and Ruthie

(Note: Sebastian's aunt is also Ruthie's grandmother.)

I was able to meet with her, and although I was not able to see the kids, I was able to send clothing and food with her back to the village for Christmas.

Now Sebastian and his brother David are living in the home. Sebastian is now 17, and David is 9.

They are both going to school, and Sebastian is very healthy. Sadly, as you can see, David's growth has been stunted. This is common in children who are born HIV+.

David is on ARVs, as well as vitamins that I brought for him. Although vitamins seem like a simple thing, I have seen them make a huge difference in many people struggling with the disease, so I am praying that it will boost David's immunity and make a positive impact on his health as well. 

For a child who has faced so much loss and responsibility in his short life, Sebastian has shown remarkable strength and joy.

He is like his mother.

I ask that you would remember this family in prayer. Pray for Sebastian as he is a mother and father to his brother. And pray for David, that God would strengthen his frame and that he would live a life of quality and quantity.

Then and Now #2

Several months ago I told you all The Story of Baby Joseph.

From the first time those big eyes stared straight into mine, Joseph had my heart.

When I left Zimbabwe in 2007, Joseph was just a few months old. He had already proven incredible strength, just by surviving.

I wanted to bring him home, so very very much, but I left believing that God had given him a hope and a future, and had placed him right where he wanted him.


Because, really, that overwhelming love I have for him, his heavenly father and creator loves him about a billion times more.

That's a lot of love. 

Because I do not have the words to describe how I felt, lets just say I was really excited about seeing Joseph.

And when I finally laid my eyes on him, I couldn't believe that I had survived four years without this boy.

Seeing Joseph and his mom both healthier and happier was such and answer to prayer. 

Seeing that smile was worth every minute of working and planning and every cent that went into this trip.

Needless to say, this boy still holds a piece of my heart.

Joseph may only be four, but I saw in him quiet strength and undeniable joy. And now, more than ever, I believe God will use Joseph in great ways.

p.s. Part of your support has gone towards paying for Joseph's school fees. I may be biased but I think you all made a great investment.

Then and Now #1

So, I thought I would share with you some "Then and Now" pictures of the kiddos in Zimbabwe. It was so much fun seeing how much the kids have grown and flourished in four years.

This "Then and Now" is of Ruth (or Ruthie). I was actually given the honor of naming Ruth when we found her, abandoned, at four months old.

This picture was taken after three weeks on formula. By this time Ruth had already gained a significant amount of weight from when we found her, but you can still  see how thin she was, even then.

For now Ruthie is being cared for by Tecla. She does have some living family members in the village (including a wonderful grandma), but they are taking care of several other orphaned children.

Ruthie is healthy and lively, to say the least. She has the biggest personality of anyone I have ever met, and it is hard for me to remember her as such a fragile baby struggling for her life.

God's hand is undeniably caring for this little one.