While at the “Abandoned Kids Complex”, Pedro, one of the 5 year old twins, walked up and asked me something in Makua. I didn’t understand, so I took his hand and walked him over to one of the 3 Foster Mothers who care of these children. Laura tells me he is asking if I would take them all to our playground in my car for it’s about a 400 yard/meter walk for these little ones. Getting to ride in a car is a BIGDEAL to these tiny people, so I was thrilled to give them a treat.
Calling all 9 of the 11 residents that were present, we marched together to the car in single file. My King Cab is a bit high for these under 5 year olds, so the 6 little ones had to be lifted into the back seat. My work mobile just became a school bus!
The older boys begged to sit in the back which is covered by a canopy. I let these 2 be “big boys” in the back since I had a brick layer riding back there also.
My rules is no little kids in the back without adult supervision.
It was so sweet to see the smiles and excitement on their faces.
For it is moments like these that are forever etched in my memory.
Granny was overwhelmed when her older 2 daughters both died from abdominal illnesses, leaving 2 babies and 4 older children without mothers. The fathers of these children disappeared months ago when the women became sick.
Social Services brought them to our food distribution asking for our help. We also organized clothing and other essential needs for them. One of the babies is not shown in the photo, as another family member is taking care of it, since these 5 are a hand full for Granny and her only remaining daughter.
Rescuing those in desperate need is what Jesus asked us to do.
THANKYOU for making this rescue a reality and many others like it!
SNAKESGALOREFORFARMINGFIELDSAREBURNING
August and September all Mozambicans in the rural areas begin clearing their farming fields. That means likes of smoky days as the villagers burn the 7 foot (2 meter) tall grass that now covers these fields. Besides heavy smoke, it brings out the worst in all the snakes who live in those fields. On Monday my gardener saw a 1 meter (39 inch) cobra crawling along the side of my house. He killed it with 1 strong whack from a long bamboo pole as it tried to climb onto the walkway of my carport near the entrance to my house.
Then Wed., as I drove past the kid’s playground at NOON, I saw our gate guard running for all he was worth with a big stick in his hand. PTL that all the kids were home eating lunch, for he was chasing a 1 meter (39 inch) cobra that was moving at high speed under the swings. The snake hesitated when it ran up against the concrete wall of the slide. That hesitation was its last mistake as the guard ran up and swung his stick with all his might. Hearing the loud WHACK, and seeing part of the stick flying across the playground, I was hoping he hit his target! Sure enough, the snake’s back was broken. Unable to move, it was put out of its misery with a 2nd blow from what was left of the stick.
People ask me how I cope with the snakes in our area.
EASY.
YELLJESUSHELP!, and take evasive action, for my angels are always watching over me!
For it’s not the ones we kill who give me the creeps, but the ones WHOGETAWAY!
For most likely, they will show up again in the near future.
In reality, we only see snakes twice a year now. When fields are burned, and when the rainy season starts. Fire and water tend to run them out of their habitats, so they decide to join us in ours. They are on my unwanted visitors list for sure!