Kids of all ages wander around by themselves in Africa. Either they are orphans or their parent(s) aren't around, because they are busy working to provide for them. This leaves the children without much guidance and forces them to navigate the world on their own. They end up being exposed to way too much, way too young.
The neighbor kids in Tanzania are a perfect example of that. There are a ton of kids living in one home. I rarely see adults around, but the kids are always there to greet us. They run and jump into our arms when we come back from ministry. They throw rocks at our house to entice us to come out and play with them. They look at us like we are insane while we do the Insanity workout. They are pretty much always around and getting into trouble.
The other day, I found about 10 of them smoking. Children ranging from the ages of 3 to 8, were puffing smoke out into the air. They would blow out smoke and then giggle at us. They knew it was wrong, because they ran every time I got near to them.
Bad news for them, Mama Morgan came out! We chased those kids down, ripped the cigarettes out of their hands, and confiscated them.
A few days later, one of the girls that I had caught smoking, had burns all over her face and arms. She had been playing around the cooking fire and had fallen into it. The burns were black, swollen, and had some sort of hair in them. She just sat crouched over on the ground as the other kids taunted her. You could tell that she was embarrassed and in a lot of pain.
I couldn't stop thinking about her all night. I knew she was probably lying on a mud floor, cringing from the pain of her burns. If my sunburns can keep me awake at night, I can't imagine what she is feeling.
If I was ever hurt as a child, my mom was there to take care of me. I always had access to a doctor and medicine. Yet, Irene (8 years-old) had nothing and no one to help her get better. That realization broke my heart.
The next day, my teammate Sarah mentioned taking her to the hospital. I told her that God had been telling me the same thing and that we needed to do it. We got a translator, found Irene's family, and told them what we wanted to do.
5 minutes later, Irene had a new dress on and her mother was sending her off with 2 random strangers. Not only that, but another mom overheard what we were doing and asked if we could take her son too. So, we did.
Two mzungus, two random children, one mission. We knew NOTHING about these kids, yet we were now responsible for them. They didn't speak English and we don't speak Swahili! Thankfully, we've gotten pretty creative with body language over the past 9 months and were able to communicate with them that way. We successfully escorted a 3 year old and an 8 year old, twenty minutes away from home, to the hospital.
We walked in, showed the receptionist their burns and let the kids take over in Swahili. Which is when we learned their names and ages (Irene-8 & Frieden-3). Every one in that hospital was so confused by why these two mzungu women had two African children.
20 minutes and 10 dollars later, the kids were set! It was such a relief knowing that they were going to get better instead of worse. Their mothers were relieved and so thankful.
I can't imagine how hard it is for those moms. They desire to take care of their children, but they can't afford to. It must hurt so bad knowing that you don't have the five dollars needed to make your child better. It must be so hard knowing that your children are fending for themselves most of the time, as you try to keep things afloat. I can't fathom their lives.
I pray that the mother's hearts were affected by God's faithfulness. I pray that those children feel protected by their heavenly Father.
Lord, Provide for these families. Let the mothers have the time and finances needed to raise their children. I pray that you protect the eyes, minds, bodies, and hearts of Irene, Frieden, and the other children in the village. I thank you for my encounter with them and I pray that they see how You are always there for them!
In September… just a month after I return to the States… I will be moving to Gainesville, GA to attend something called The Center for Global Action. I will be living in community with other alumni racers, working as an apprentice in a department of Adventures in Missions, attending discipleship classes in the evenings, and doing mission work overseas.
And I need your help.
I need just $7,200 for the entire year!!!
So again, would you prayerfully consider supporting me as I continue in the call God has placed on my life?
You can make a tax deductible donation two different ways;
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By clicking the “Support Me” tab on the left side of this page and donating with a card.
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You can mail a check made out to ADVENTURES IN MISSIONS with my name (MORGAN WILLETT) in the memo line.
Mail the check to:
Adventures in Missions
P.O. BOX 53447
Atlanta, GA 30353-4470
I could not be doing this without your support and I am so thankful for you!
I am so excited about what God has done and is going to do!
Thank you for taking this journey with me!
Be blessed and know that you are a blessing!
