4-28-07
All Nations - Maputo


We have spent a wonderful weekend with a hilarious South African family of 5, who operate a baby house near Maputo. They have 7 babies at this time - some have AIDS, some have died, one has been adopted, one has been taken back by her prostitute mother, one taken into a dreadful State hospital for children and they believe, intentionally killed because she was "positive" (testing positive for HIV/AIDS - the most negative positive word in the world!). This family and home has been thru a lot. At times they have had nothing to eat, and a miracle happened. Once some of their "volunteer" staff took them to court for not paying them! But now things are better, and it was such a blessing for us to be with them. We loved it. The children have incredible stories. If they live and grow into the men and women of God like this couple is praying for, they will be a tremendous victory of God over the works of Satan. He has redeemed these little ones, and whether they die young of AIDS or die of old age, their lives have been rescued for God's Kingdom.



Here are some of the children's stories, as related by the Boersmas:

"Luis came to live with us in August 2005. When we received him he was a tiny 2-month-old baby, very malnourished and weighed about 1 kg (2.2 lbs). He tested positive for AIDS and malaria. He also had a severe chest infection. His grandmother brought him to us. Being very old and living in an extremely poor rural area, with his mom very sick and dying of AIDS, she knew that she could not take care of him, and asked us for help.

Luis became so ill, that he had to be fed through a feeding tube and eventually ended up in hospital. We thought it was the end and almost made peace with God that He was going to take him home. One of our friends told us: Sometimes you love them to life and sometimes you love them into the arms of Jesus. Even if you make this peace, somewhere deep inside there is always a flame of hope. After 2 months of being in hospital, Luis was released. He gained weight and started on the anti-retroviral medicine for AIDS.

Today Luis is two and a half years old, and there is no sign that he is living with AIDS. Every time we look it him we see the miracle that Jesus has done in his life and we are reminded that God says in His word that faith is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see!!"



"One of our baby workers told us that she heard about a little girl who lived all by herself in a village. The chief of the village told people how he would wake up at night and see this tiny little girl walking through the village crying of hunger and fear, with no clothes on. We sent Luis and Aida to see if they could find this girl. When they found her she was asleep all alone in the house, lying naked on a little torn grass mat. She had not eaten in 4 days. She is about 4, but the size of an 18 – 24 month old. When she saw Aida and Luis she started walking to them. Luis took her into his arms and asked if there are no clothes for her. They found some underwear of her father in the house and tied it to her waist with a safety pin.

Her mother has a new husband, but he is not willing to take care of Aninha, so they abandoned her at the father's, who was not taking care of her either. He left her alone at home for many days; neighbors gave her some food when possible.


After a year, Aninha is doing much better; she has gained weight, laughs and runs around. She does not talk yet because of a lot of trauma that she went through, but she is starting to repeat what you say. She is a joy and is a real little helper. She still needs a lot of healing, but the love of Jesus brings healing and restoration."



Alicia came to the Boersmas' home severely traumatized by neglect and abuse of every kind. She had no name, and her age is uncertain--she is very small but may be three years old. She is such a beautiful child. She was probably abandoned because of her mixed-race heritage, and will certainly experience prejudice in the years to come. Alicia has v-shaped scars on her abdomen, cuts made by the traditional healer. For the first months of her time in the children's home, she spent a lot of time crying or singing a little mournful song and rocking back and forth. She was in a world of her own, and would not interact with other babies or adults. Now she is slowly beginning to emerge from her shell, and will occasionally even crack a smile. Pray for her complete healing from the wounds of her young life.



Dulcy and her five-year old daughter Jessica are staying at the Boersmas' home temporarily. Dulcy is HIV positive, and has been kicked out of the house by her family. AIDS carries such a stigma here--most peoplele don't want to be tested, don't want to know, even though anti-retroviral drugs are available. Dulcy's father is a police chief, but he is no different--he doesn't want the shame of this label connected to his family. There is hope that he can be convinced to reconcile with his daughter and grandchild. Meanwhile, Dulcy helps the staff care for the children, and Jessica has many little playmates.



Chris enjoyed playing not only with the Boersmas' three boys, but also with the children they care for. Little Quiteria, whose mother died during a C-section, was a favorite of his. After playing with her one day he told me, "Mother, if I was older and had a lot of money, I would adopt her." Lord, let this heart be duplicated in all of us--a desire to love like you do.

They are also starting a house church - discipling 4 young guys, and the lady workers they hire. Some of the guys around here have grown up in an amazing orphanage that we have been at before. the problem: when they reach the age of 17 they must leave. So they go back on the street and fend for themselves. And it is ugly. Most of them, though they were great at worship and hype, the depth of discipleship was never worked into their soul. So they returned to the world. Peiter used to work in this large orphanage, so knows the young guys. Now he has found one and is discipling him one on one. He has become his father, is sending him to school, putting him in charge of many details of the home, and giving him a second chance.