This month Family Force 6 is in Chamba, Mozambique at a boys orphanage called Kedesh Sanctuario. After 5 days of traveling, we were warmly welcomed by the boys when our van was pulling into the property. Immediately the hellos began and the boys helped us to carry our 50lb packs up the stairs to our room. These boys speaks Portuguese (which is close to Spanish) and some English, so for me, communicating is not too difficult and even gives me a conversation topic in order to learn a new language.
This orphanage was founded in 1994 by John Wickes and since then has only expanded. In 2004, he acquired new property which is where we are staying today. John is a carpenter by trade and has shared this knowledge with the boys. All the structures on the Kedesh property were built by the boys, so this is truly their home. John has daily devotions from the Bible to share with the boys Christian principles and teachings. He also celebrates Shabbat Shalom which is a day of rest in order to cut out worries and fires in your life and simply rest in and enjoy the presence of God.
I had some anxieties about coming to a BOYS orphanage. From previous experiences in orphanages, the boys are the trouble makers, the ones you have to say the same thing to a million time and the ones you have to keep a close eye on. With this orphanage being strictly boys, I had a feeling it was going to be a long month. But those fears were quickly shattered after a day in Kedesh. These boys are well behaved, responsible, polite, loving, respectful, enthusiastic, and just a joy to be around. Of course boys will be boys, but these boys I could be around all the time.
Many of these boys come from hard lives. There are 26 boys who live in Kedesh who range in age from 9-18. The majority have had parents pass away and go to live with family members only to be taken away by social services. Many of the boys have been abused either physically or sexually. Many of the boys have been forced to help commit crimes. These boys have been tainted in their youth and were cheated out of a childhood. That is until they make it to the safe haven of Kedesh.
These boys once again have a chance to be boys. They all have responsibilities here in Kedesh. Some jobs are cooking meals, dishes, sweeping, or bathroom duty. Once the jobs are done it is time to play. There is volleyball, soccer, Frisbee golf, ultimate Frisbee, baseball, a ‘jungle’ game of tree climbing, an obstacle course, playing with the dogs and going swimming in the lake. In reality, there is never a dull moment here in Kedesh.
I admire John’s heart and devotion for these boys. It takes a lot to give up everything and to begin and maintain an orphanage in order to help these boys truly make something out of their lives. These boys are so blessed by being here and I hope they are able to recognize and understand the difference Kedesh has made in their lives because after only being here for a week, I definitely can see the greatness of this place and am super excited to spend a month of ministry here.
