Love Never Fails

Today I dropped a letter in the mail to my sponsored child in Rwanda, Africa.  I keep a picture of him on my refrigerator as a reminder of my responsibility, and the need to do more.  I thought I might share a bit more about my child, and the wonderful organization that is helping to make a difference in his life.

Shyaka is a young boy who is suffering due to the recent loss of his parents.  Though he now lives with his Uncle's family, he is extremely poor, hungry and was rarely able to attend school.  My friend Natalie, who works with Africa New Life Ministries, met Shyaka during her last visit to Rwanda in February 2010.  When I had expressed an interest in sponsoring a child, she immediately knew that Shyaka was the boy for us.  Natalie shared the following with me...

"Steve, 

Thank you so much for loving on Shyaka through ANLM.  I truly hope that one day you meet him face to face in Rwanda! 

I cannot get him off of my mind.  That child broke my heart.  I know that Shyaka's hurt was palpable and intense from the loss of his parents.  ANLM is committed to getting him trauma/grief counseling.  My heart broke for Shyaka....in fact, I left the room crying after I spent time with him the second time.  I had to compose myself and then go back into the room.  He was clearly hungry (I gave him food out of my bag that I bought at the market that day) and he had outgrown his shoes.  The closed toe ends of his shoes had been sliced open so his toes could poke out due to his growth.  It was truly heart breaking.  You can pray for his health/hunger, pray for emotional well-being/counseling....and pray that he would find GREAT HOPE for his future and comfort in our Lord Jesus."

Since then, I have had the privileged of learning so much more about the organization that Natalie works with.  Africa New Life Ministries started in 2001 with about 30 sponsored children, and since then it has grown to more than 2,000 sponsored children, a full primary school, five orphanages, two churches, and many other ministries.  Sponsorship provides for education, clothing, school supplies, basic health needs, social and spiritual development.

If you would like to learn more about sponsoring a child, I would strongly encourage you to contact Natalie or visit the Africa New Life Ministries web site.  Natalie not only manages the sponsorship of children, but she coordinates seasonal mission trips to Rwanda.

Here's her contact information...

     Natalie.E.Green@gmail.com
     http://www.anlm.org