The party… Heide-Marie is turning 10 years old this week-end! She has been so excited that we decided to have her party today (Friday, April 1) during our normal Mwinika team meeting time, although her birthday is April 3. Our family tradition is to wake the birthday girl (or boy) up with “happy birthday!” gifts and a breakfast in bed (see the picture). Heidi could hardly sleep last night as she looked forward so much to this special day. She loves horses and later this morning, the boys and I will decorate her cake with a horse theme.
Even though Heidi has been very excited about her birthday, this week had many ups and downs. Her birthday naturally also reminds her of the woman who gave birth to her and whom she called “mom” for 7 years. The same woman who is not her mother anymore, but lives a life completely separate from Heidi’s. Although we heard that her birth-mom is by now completely “over” Heidi, Heidi will never be completely “over” her birth-mom… Heidi still need your prayers as each year and new phase in her life will bring renewed grief and pain in dealing with her past.
But for today, we are celebrating 10 years of this little girl’s life! We praise God for our daughter.
(#2 IMG 1425 Baby Abu) The funeral… Baby Abu died early this morning. He has been in much pain over the last days as he body was losing the battle against the Aids virus. Since yesterday he stopped drinking, and at 5 this morning we heard the women cry… He was just over 6 months old. Another life claimed by this virus that is running rampant in our community.
This afternoon, before the birthday party, we will therefore first attend a funeral.
Our Father knows… And He is using all that the enemy hurls at this community to destroy and hurt, to point them back to their need for a Saviour; to Him. As I sat with the woman early this morning, I was able to share again why we came… Why we are here:
“God loves you! He loves the Mwinika people. He wants you to know His will and that is why He send us to translate His Word and teach you from it. He does not want you to walk this path in which you see only darkness and suffering, not knowing which way to go.”
And as I share, I see as spark of something like hope ignite in their eyes…
Jesus, our Light and Way, bring light into the darkness of this community. Show the Mwinika who you are.