If the town of Medie had a newspaper, this week’s headline would read “Haven of Hope and Rafiki Split Matches!” In other words, we had the most anticipated football (soccer) matches in Medie history this weekend! Our boys and girls formed two teams and played against the boys and girls at Rafiki, the orphanage nearby. On Friday night, we pulled out 3 large bags of cleats, shin guards, and socks that had been donated, and dispersed them to as many kids as they could fit. I then told them all to be at our porch at 9:00am to begin the half hour walk to the field. Not to my surprise we heard most of them stirring around on the porch at about 7:30. Some of the 
kids said they couldn’t sleep because they were so excited while others said they had dreams that we beat them 1,000 to 0. The final scores were 1-0 in favor of Haven of Hope girls, and 0-2 for Rafiki boys. Now I am not a mother and don’t know what it is like to cheer for my child or applaud my own flesh and blood, but I do know that on Saturday morning, I felt like I had 30 kids of my own that were playing with all their hearts and I couldn’t have been more proud. While washing 30 little pairs of socks and smelling 30 little pairs of cleats was not that much fun, I wouldn’t have traded the whole experience for anything!
Even though the anticipation of the “big game” lasted all week, life did proceed as normal. On Thursday, another American couple arrived who will also be staying long term. Jerry and Ruth Ann Gowin will be taking over leadership of the school which is much needed. I am excited about Jerry’s urgency to get things into shape and can’t wait to see some organizational changes around here!
The child of the week this week comes with a very specific and urgent prayer request. Abdul is an 11 year old boy (another student of mine) who comes from a Muslim
background. Earlier in the week, his mother came to the home for the first time in the six years that he has been here, stating that she wanted to take him for a few days so he could celebrate Ramadan. The contracts that are signed when the children are brought here allow the parents short periods of visitation off campus. Social services agreed that he could leave, under the condition that he be returned before Saturday evening. He still has not been returned. Please pray that they will return Abdul as soon as possible, or if need be, that we would all have the wisdom to deal with the situation as quickly and effectively as possible to locate him and bring him back home!
Thanks!
Love,
Obruni
kids said they couldn’t sleep because they were so excited while others said they had dreams that we beat them 1,000 to 0. The final scores were 1-0 in favor of Haven of Hope girls, and 0-2 for Rafiki boys. Now I am not a mother and don’t know what it is like to cheer for my child or applaud my own flesh and blood, but I do know that on Saturday morning, I felt like I had 30 kids of my own that were playing with all their hearts and I couldn’t have been more proud. While washing 30 little pairs of socks and smelling 30 little pairs of cleats was not that much fun, I wouldn’t have traded the whole experience for anything!Even though the anticipation of the “big game” lasted all week, life did proceed as normal. On Thursday, another American couple arrived who will also be staying long term. Jerry and Ruth Ann Gowin will be taking over leadership of the school which is much needed. I am excited about Jerry’s urgency to get things into shape and can’t wait to see some organizational changes around here!
The child of the week this week comes with a very specific and urgent prayer request. Abdul is an 11 year old boy (another student of mine) who comes from a Muslim
background. Earlier in the week, his mother came to the home for the first time in the six years that he has been here, stating that she wanted to take him for a few days so he could celebrate Ramadan. The contracts that are signed when the children are brought here allow the parents short periods of visitation off campus. Social services agreed that he could leave, under the condition that he be returned before Saturday evening. He still has not been returned. Please pray that they will return Abdul as soon as possible, or if need be, that we would all have the wisdom to deal with the situation as quickly and effectively as possible to locate him and bring him back home!Thanks!
Love,
Obruni
3 comments:
Lindsay..We've been sitting here reading your last blogs and enjoying hearing about your daily life and are so glad things are improving. It seems God is allowing you some exciting experiences. We pray for you often. Reading all your letters make it so real that we almost feel that we are there with you.
Thanks so much for keeping us informed so well. We love you lots. Aunt Vera and Nina
Hi Linz,
I haven't made a comment on your blog to date so here is my (our) first...
We love you, we miss you and we're proud of you. May God continue to bless your work.
Dad and Mom
Hi Lindsay;
We are keeping up with your adventures and you remain in our prayers and thoughts. Know that you are loved and missed. We will continue to lift you up in prayer.
In Christ's Love,
Vicki Tayloe
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