As I began to write, this line from a song came to mind. The chorus says … “we are hungry, we are hungry, we are hungry for more of You, we are thirsty, for you Jesus, we are thirsty for more of You”.

I have been here in Dondo for a week now. Our children are not hungry in the natural. They are well cared for. Yet, I see that they are hungry. They are hungry to learn, they are hungry to know their purpose, hungry to dream and be who they were created to be.

I arrived at quite a unique time. There are 6 of our older boys who began attending “Young Africa” a fairly new school in the area that offers a variety of choices or tracks for learning a trade or skill. They will stay closer to the school Mon-Friday and be back here with us for the weekends. The younger boys all began today as well at a variety of local schools. Some start as early as 6am – 12 noon and then others start at 12 noon and others start at 2 pm depending on their grade levels. It was a big step for these older boys.

I talked to one in particular who acknowledged feeling a bit afraid. It was so sweet to be able to offer hope and encouragement to him as he moves into this new season.

I have had many opportunities to do art with the boys. Most have been spontaneous gatherings as I try to figure out what a formal schedule might look like. J I pull out my Portuguese learning book and have many spontaneous English lessons as well. They really want to learn and it helps me too. I am doing much better with my Portuguese. It is quite exciting!

I was able to assist with the ministry to the widows and blind on Sat. morning. Once a month we do a distribution of food. It is headed by an extremely tender-hearted man named Joaquim who of his own finances and on his own time goes out and makes repairs to the homes of the widows. To an outsider he may appear as one who needs help as he is somewhat handicapped and walks with a terrible limp … but he must not have gotten that memo. J

Last week I was able to do morning devotions with each group of boys. They are in 2 separate houses divided by older and younger. Starting this week I will be with the older boys twice and the younger ones once each week. Last week I taught from Psalm 1. It went really well.

I have been scoping out the bare walls and gates and etc for inspiration on what to paint. There is a 22 ft wide wall on the end of the Bible School that faces the church. I have decided that this is a prime place to somewhat re-create a mural I did on fabric many years ago. It has images depicting the Garden of Eden, mountains with Noah’s Ark perched atop, a huge rainbow, an equally large dove, a river of life, and fields of flowers full of children each tending to the field in various ways (the harvest). Jesus is there too … holding children of course! The death of Jesus is represented by the three crosses on a cloud in the sky. His resurrection is represented by a butterfly and the children in the far right have the tongues of fire over their heads to represent the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It will be a big project but I am very excited. I already have some of the children who I think will be able to assist me.

I will also be painting the name “Center of Love” on the gate into the base and there are other smaller projects as well. I want the boys to assist me so they can gain experience and confidence in this type of work. Locally it is common to see hand painted signs and murals on the sides of buildings, stores and etc.

There are also those who are truly hungry in the natural. Yesterday I had two brothers ask me if they could live here. They have a mother so they really are not eligible but I do not know why they asked but they were very serious and solemn and stayed with me learning English until it was dark. It is one of the difficult parts of being in this country that I love. Sometimes it breaks your heart.

I just had my housing “upgraded” today and I found this on the refrigerator.

“When I stand before God at the end of my life I would hope that I would have not a single bit of talent left and could say, I used everything you gave me”

-Erma Bombeck

That statement resonates with me. Pour me out Lord. Let me use everything you gave me.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

I fully appreciate your prayers and if you desire to assist financially in supporting me and the “Labor of Love” God has called me to you can donate either through Iris Ministries or directly through my PayPal on my website at

http://www.laborofloveforthenations.com/donate.html

Thanks again and God bless you,

Laura

Posted Tuesday, 26 January 2010 at 12:23 am in Thoughts & Communications

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