Monday and Tuesday - Hope

Yesterday was a hard day for me; we got news that my mother was on her way to the ER where they discovered she was having a heart attack.  She is 91, and this is always a concern when we are out of the country.  They did a heart cath; found no blockage, arteries fine.  But it is a different kind of attack caused by arrhythmia, common for people of this age.  Dealing with this via texting with our daughter, only when I could get internet, from this distance has been so challenging.  So I did not blog yesterday.

We just got news (Tuesday night here) that they were sending her home.  We were hoping not, as she lives alone, but we have to trust God’s provision.  I am so grateful for all the prayers, for those who have emailed, offered help to Courtney, and been so supportive.  The dear ones here have prayed and continue to pray; overwhelming.  We do not leave until tomorrow night, and it’s a longer trip back home than coming.  It’s an exercise in trust.

BUT…..these have been amazing days otherwise!  Every day we start with praise and worship with dancing and drums!  Fervent prayers are lifted up, and the sharing begins.  Yesterday a young woman, orphaned, shared about her hard journey.  She lost her parents when she was less than 2.  She lived with her grandmother, working in the field, until her grandmother died.  At 10 she was brought to Bujumbura.  She became a house girl for an elderly lady.  At 16 she met a man, trusted him, became pregnant, only to be fired when her employer found out.  Pregnant and alone, she found shelter with a family who told her about Jesus.   She delivered her baby, but one week later the family said she would have to find somewhere else to live.  They just couldn’t support her and a baby.  Another elderly woman took her in, where she remains today, but the daughter of the woman has come home and wants her out.  She told us that she is depending solely on God to protect her and praying that this daughter will be saved.

The team brought all kinds of materials to make earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.  These women are just now discovering that they are capable of making something beautiful, that THEY are beautiful!  It was so fun to watch them working side by side, team and students, laughing, creating……enjoying!

Today we heard from Pacifique’s mother, the little boy who played the shepherd Saturday in the children’s session.  She is a 42 yr. old widow with three children.  Her husband died of AIDS, infecting her while she was pregnant.  Though her husband refused to take AIDS medications, she did take them and prayed she would live.  When he died, she was desperately alone and in despair.  The only food they had was when shared some with them.  A graduate of Homecare was helping her, giving her food when she was able. She urged her to come to Homecare and apply.  We had the joy of learning that she accepted Jesus during the prayer time this morning!!  She shared, “I have accepted Jesus here.  I am alive because of the love of God.  I consider myself healed, and I want to grow closer to Jesus.”  Miraculously, none of her children are infected.  She had hoped for a loving husband, but she said, “Now I have family here.”  How God works!

One of the staff then shared that she had a similar life story.  Her husband was HIV+.  She felt like she was in total darkness.  It ended her marriage.  Satan attacked her viciously, but she still had Jesus.  “Evil brought trash into my life through people  (and their treatment of her)…but I focused on God’s mercy and His Word.”

God has given her light and life; He has restored her body.  “Joy heals,” she told us.

Today her daughter is in ministry, and this dear woman pours into women at Homecare daily as God’s special vessel.

Tonight Peace and the staff hosted a beautiful dinner for us at Homecare. We feasted on delicious, local dishes. It’s easy to feel guilty about eating when you know that so many go hungry here daily.  But we know this is an offering of love; we humbly accept.

It is hard to realize that tomorrow is our last day here.  In some ways it seems like we have spent a long time with these dear ones; the intimacy of sharing hearts binds like nothing else.  We will hate to leave.

Our hearts are broken from all we’ve seen and heard, BUT…..we are also full of HOPE.  Every day we have witnessed the power of Hope; His Hope.  Hope brings life, promise, and the ability to persevere.  These women are filled with His Hope!  May we continue to pray for them these next months and beyond.  We can’t wait to see all that God will do in their lives!  There is no measure for how they have blessed ours.