When we arrived at Temane Orphanage in Mozambique, our eyes were open to a world we could never fully comprehend. Twenty-four orphans were found in the bush after the devestation of Cyclone Flavio in 2006 by a man named Eric. He would now care for them and protect them. However, Eric did not have the means to provide much else.
Jesus 4 Africa is a ministry started by Jaco and Maria Rudolph. Native to South Africa, they left home to preach the gospel in Mozambique. God interwove Eric and The Rudolph’s paths. Once Jaco and Maria discovered Eric and these children, they knew God was calling them to help. With little more than their own personal support, the Rudolphs set about the task of caring for these children. First, giant revival tents were purchased to provide shelter. One tent for the boys and one for the girls. Food is three meals of mealy meal and soya mintz, a soy meat substitute. Surveying the grounds of the orphanage, you would find a shower enclosure made by reeds, a toilet situated over a “septic tank” (a hole 4 meters down) and a playground that was provided by a short-term mission team from a previous year.
Our purpose at the orphanage marked a new phase in everyone’s life. The Rudolph’s are on the brink of launching into the first phase of their long-term vision. The children are months away from having walls, beds and a better life. Our team was wrecked, and we wondered what more we could do. For now, it was to move the orphanage to the new site.
Jaco has a vision to provide a dormitory building with a kitchen, running water and electricity. But, $20,000 would be required to provide electricity to the original orphanage site. So, Jaco decided to use his other piece of land so that his dream of better providing for the children would become a reality.
Moving day was long, hard and hot. Three giant truck loads later, everything was moved. Clothes, pots, tables, tents, toys, the children’s belongings, the toilet, and even the chickens and goats arrived at their new home. After a few days at the new site, the team and children had cleared the land, dug holes and moved the beams for the new building. Looking around we could see that so much had been accomplished. Looking ahead we saw many challenges. A few days later we were leaving. Some of us could hardly bear the thought of leaving the children and the orphanage unfinished. God had been showing me that these children need a mom, someone to raise them. Jaco and Maria are in the process of trying to move to Temane to be with the children but they need someone now. After speaking to Maria, the urgency to return was undeniable. My brain was going 100 miles an hour for days with ideas to return and help the children. Raise UP! was the culmination of this process.
And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generation; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in. Isaiah 58:12
My idea was to teach the children about respect for themselves, others, belongings and their environment. Each of them would have a box in which they could put the items they earn. This process would give the children ownership and help them develop responsible habits. More than anything, I want to be a part of raising these children.
It seemed a bit impossible for everything would work out for us to go back. However, I knew that God said He would make a way. Only trust and time would be my best and worst enemy in the weeks to come. It was incredible to know my purpose and to think God would use me in the lives of these kids. Also, it was maddening watching days pass by without any signs of God’s promise. Fighting for control only to apologize and turn it over to God once more. Frustration, exasperation, peace, trust, faith and and finally elation. Tonight, God made way. Tonight, God’s promise was fulfilled. Tonight, I found out that I am going back to Mozambique.
