There is a lady who is in charge of EL Shaddiah but she is in South Africa with the older kids that have gotten merits. There are about 7 aunties from the surrounding village that live here and help take care of all the children. These children are so desperate for a parents love. One of the little girls is in my arms as soon as she sees me. As I tutor the older girls she falls asleep in my arms. She constantly wants hugs and for me just to hold her.




Last day with Ayanda before she headed to school. Gosh, I love her so much!

 

The older kids raise the younger kids. There is a lack of maturity, and this creates lots of anger, tears, and lack of trust in them all. These kids come from horrible past. They have not healed. Of course they bring this into the relationships here because that is all they know. There are no men here, no father figures. No man to give them the love they desperately need from a father.

 

In the baby house the 4 year olds are in charge of the 1-3 year olds. You can just imagine what this means. There are legit wrestling matches babies, eating after cats, and chewing on rusting nails while running to hit another child. Yes, there are two Aunties there but their first priority is cooking and cleaning. There was definitely a change in some of the little ones though!


Vanessa playing at the baby house.

 

Our guys have been able to have a bible study everyday with the boys. But the boys are not responsive. There is brokenness in their hearts and which has caused huge walls to be built up. We are called to be faithful and our prayer is that God will pierce their hearts and reveal His great love for them.

 

We have a bible study with the older girls. By God’s grace there have been some incredible breakthroughs. Hearts have been tranformed! We have witnessed some amazing heart growth in Jesus. We pray that they will continue to grow. “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send our workers into his harvest field.â€� Matthew 9:37 We pray that God will bring godly men and women here to disciple and parent these children, but most importantly that they will accept the love and teaching of Jesus, the only person who will never leave them.




The older girl’s study.

 

There is surely God’s peace on this mountain. However, the reality is there is a lot of witchcraft and sexual abuse that has torn these children apart. By the grace of God they are being prepared for healing and slowly but surely it is happening. I thank Him that we have gotten to be a part of some of His glory being shown here!