Isaac.

When you have almost the exact schedule everyday life can become so routine and regular – I just get in the rhythm of doing everything – and then something happens that reminds me, "Oh yeah, I’m living in Africa!" For example, a few days ago one of the 10 year old boys here I’m close to – Isaac – killed a huge crow by throwing a stone at it while it fly by. Isaac followed the bird until it fell and then proceeded to strut around with it while all the other boys followed. I laughed so hard, it seemed like I was in Peter Pan watching the Lost Boys. Isaac saw me and pretended to throw the bird at me as it was still crooking & weezing out its last breathes. I asked what he was going to do with the bird, he said, “Eat it! It’s meat!” We haven’t had meat in a few weeks (God bless the person who donates for meat once a month to the home by the way!) and I wondered if he really would eat it. I didn’t have to wait long. The boys took the bird behind a shed and curiosity drove me to follow. They ripped the wings off and started playing with them like toys. Then they ripped the legs off and defeathered them to expose the meat. As I was working up the courage to hold a leg one of the boys was offering to me, I saw Isaac take an axe and chop the bird’s head off. It was that moment I it really struck me – “Yep, I’m living in Africa!” Can you imagine seeingsomeone do this on the streets of Marietta? Haha, how much I wish I could bring all these boys back home with me! So anyway, the boys continued to drain the blood and defeather the bird like pros. That is when I realized there were totally serious about eating it. Unfortunately I was called away to help somewhere else so I am not sure exactly what happened after this – but I do know all the boys arrived about 15 minutes late to Bible Study with huge grins on their faces –whatever they had just done they thought was totally worth the scolding they got for being late.

Isaac, like many of the boys here, was a street child. He was able to survive by stealing & sniffing glue. The bottom of his feet are burned horribly because the boys would steal and then run through places on the street where there was fire because the police would never run through the fire after them. Its so hard and heartbreaking to imagine all that Isaac, and the other street children, have gone through. Many of them shared one blanket with holes in it and used rocks for pillows at night. Abandoned on their own in the streets of cities where even I am afraid to walk alone at night as an adult. When Isaac first arrived at the home he was so high off glue he jumped off the boys dorm (then one story) thinking he could fly. All the staff said they thought he was dead as he landed on a pile of huge stones, but he walked away without a scratch. Apparently he used to also steal cokes from the duka and then use the bottles to hit some of the other boys. As I look into his eyes now I can barely imagine him doing these things. Everyday he runs up to me and jumps on my back or gives me a hug. He is so loving, so sweet, so tender. He always makes sure to share, whether he has just killed a bird or is playing a game with the other kids. I really love this boy so much and can’t imagine having to leave him – but I praise my God who will always be with Isaac!

Whenever I visit the cities here as see the street children, I see his face in every begging boy and I can’t help but pray and give. Looking at his smiling face I’m struck with awe as I literally see God’s loving pursuit and redemption of His children so clearly. The Lord has so clearly sung His love over Isaac’s life and shown Himself as Savior! Isaac is always so proud and eager to share in Bible Study – speaking with a confidence that humbles me daily: “Yes, I totally understand God loved me first and I didn’t deserve it” and “I want to live everyday for God and never do anything again that breaks His heart again” and “Can we pray for the other street children and people who don’t know God’s love?” As you read this today I hope you are reminded of how much God loves you! We are all Isaacs, in desperate need of a Loving Savior & Mighty Redeemer. And our God is mighty to save! All praise, glory, and honor to our King!!!

(Baby Hope update: We finally found a trustworthy doctor to test her for HIV as that is a big reason babies are abandoned here - SHE IS NEGATIVE PRAISE GOD! Also, 6 months worth of support has been raised and she is up on the Heart for Africa site for sponsorship PRAISE JESUS. She is healthy, she is happy, and most importantly she is in His hands - thank you for your prayers and love for her!)