Thursday – “He Knows My Name”

After the long journey across the continents, we arrived in Bujumbura…..pretty ragged, but here!!  After a time of needed sleep, we were ready to meet the newest group of wonderful ladies to join the Homecare family.

Even though these women have only been at the center three weeks, the songs of praise were instantly recognizable.  Welcoming us in with their beautiful voices, we joined in with their dancing and singing.  We were uncertain whether or not there would be the same intensity of song and praise upon arrival – after all, they have just started here and may not feel the freedom or desire to celebrate with abandon just yet.  Definitely without reserve, they sang….danced….and sang more!  And they could hardly wait to testify to God’s goodness that they have already experienced in these first days at Homecare.  

As several new students shared today, the sad themes seem to reoccur – ones of loss, abandonment, rejection and aloneness.  One, an orphan, shared about the poverty of her youth, fear for her siblings, the stings of taunting from neighbors and attacks from witchcraft.  She lost her mother, but she had come to know Jesus and continues to trust Him for His protection – for life. Beautifully, she said, “God knows my name.”

Another, a widow and orphan, shared about losing her parents, living with her grandmother only to lose her also, which left her living on the streets and desperate for work. Now a widow with four children, she continues to trust God, even when her children asked her if they will have something to eat. Her reply, “Whatever Jesus gives us, that we will eat.”  She praises God for bringing her to Homecare, but she is faced with possible eviction from her current shelter and also suffers from tuberculosis. Even with all this, she praises God, but she is in need of much prayer.

A seventeen year old student, an orphan, lost her parents during the conflict when only three months old.  Given to an aunt, she was mistreated, and as soon as she could, she came to Bujumbura to find work.  She found work as a baby sitter with a family, but the father abused her, strangling her and raping her.  When she discovered she was pregnant, others urged her to abort the baby, but she somehow she could not. She felt God was telling her that she didn’t know the future this little boy would have, that he was to live.  When the little boy was born, the father rejected her and him, threatening to kill them both.  She came to interview at Homecare last year very shortly after her baby was born, but she was advised to wait and take care of him since he was so very young and try this year.  And now she is here, a beautiful part of the Homecare family.  She now knows Jesus!  “I now have hope!  Though I have had much depression, I have hope.”

Being known, protected, accepted, loved……this is what it means to be here at Homecare.  Jesus’ love permeates this place.  There is a sense of peace, rest……….and HOPE.  Without hope, we perish………these women are living and already blooming!! 

The team is well!  They have very naturally connected with everyone we have met today.  Sharing songs, joining in the dancing, ……..connecting.  And so our time begins……with honest sharing, hearts connecting and great hope for each new day.  Thank you for praying us here, and please continue to pray for each of these women, for heart healing and abundant living.

“He knows my name.

He knows my every thought.

He sees each tear that falls,

And hears me when I call.”