Tucked away in the bush of Mozambique live 25 children, left orphaned by the cyclone of 2006. They were left with nothing.
No parents.
No clothes.
No food.
No water.
Their basic needs for survival have remained unmet due to a lack of resources and knowledge.
They live in large, colorful tents far removed from any form of “civilization” as we know it. They sleep on large bamboo mats, next to the hen’s roost.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner all consist of the same rice and soya mash. High in protein, but low in vitamins and flavor. Their bodies are riddled with cuts, bruises, and large gashes that are unprotected from the elements, filled with dirt and frequently severly infected. They have no supervision except a “mom” who occasionally cooks dinner and helps haul water. Water that is 3 km away. Water that must be hauled 3 miles several times a day in old gas barrels by children barely over 10 years old.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner all consist of the same rice and soya mash. High in protein, but low in vitamins and flavor. Their bodies are riddled with cuts, bruises, and large gashes that are unprotected from the elements, filled with dirt and frequently severly infected. They have no supervision except a “mom” who occasionally cooks dinner and helps haul water. Water that is 3 km away. Water that must be hauled 3 miles several times a day in old gas barrels by children barely over 10 years old.
These children live in a state of need we have yet to see on the World Race. Many times we have been faced with hopelessness and poverty. But these children literally have nothing. They play with sticks and rocks. Their games involve deflated soccer balls and shovels that have been left lying around. Their clothes are gathered in an old rice sack and are covered by a permanent film of red dirt.
Jaco Rudolph and his family’s hearts have been burdened by these children and their needs. They are giving part of themselves to see that these children are fed, clothed and healthy. The needs of these chi
ldren rank as high as their own.
ldren rank as high as their own.
Their family has grown from 4 to 30.
Both the orphans and the Rudolph family has touched our hearts after our time in Mozambique. We lived with the Rudolphs, served along side the Rudolphs, dreamed of ways to improve the quality of life for the children in the orphanage, dug holes, moved poles, played games and bandaged wounds. There is a permanent imprint on the hearts of the team that spent time in Vilincolous.
There will be a time in the future, where I will ask you to aid these beautiful souls. To give time or money to better the lives of these beautiful children of God and the people sent to serve them.
But today, I ask you only to pray for them.
To pray that a well is built on site of the new orphanage building.
That the money is raised to erect the building to house the children and get them out of tents.
That Jaco and Maria Rudolph will have the strength, support and encouragement to continue following God’s commands.
To pray that these children would know God intimately. Hear from Him and know their worth in Him.
Pray for the health of the children. Specifically for Cedalia who had an infected toe while we were there. And Silvino who has an eye infection. We were able to treat them both with medication, but Pray for continued healing and health.
