Watermark in Africa

After visiting Richard’s family, we went to visit a family ALARM has been supporting.  Miriam, age 15, is the head of household to two younger brothers – Jacob (10) and Immanuel (6).  Their parents had AIDS.  Their father died before Immanuel was born, and their mother died right after Immanuel’s birth.  So Miriam, then age 9, was left to care for her four year old and newborn brothers.

 

She managed to care for them, generally picking tea leaves and boiling them in water.  Miriam also managed to get day jobs picking vegetables for families and similar tasks.  This nullified Miriam’s ability to go to school.  In addition, this was at the height of the LRA attacks in Gulu, so she would bring her brothers to a public building in the center of the city to sleep each night, reducing the likelihood of being abducted by the LRA.

 

ALARM learned of this family three years ago and began to support them.  Miriam shared with us that life is much easier now that ALARM is helping her lead her family.  As she shared with us that she was a believer, she told us that she has joy.  It was a great picture for me of Philippians 4 and the source of our joy no matter our circumstances.

 

Miriam told us she wants to be a doctor.  Jacob wants to be a driver.  Immanuel wants to be a pastor.

 

Before we left, we asked how we could pray for them.  Miriam asked us to pray that God would continue to provide to ALARM, so ALARM could continue to provide for their schooling and other support.  This was a great picture for me of the Lord’s Prayer and asking for our daily bread.  It was also a great reminder of our responsibility to steward the resources God gives us.  Then Immanuel asked us to pray that he would not feel angry.  That really broke my heart, as I think of the pain a six year old must feel not having a mother and father.  As a father of adopted children, it grieves me.

 

Please pray for all the child-headed homes in the world.  Pray that the local church in each community would care for the orphans amongst their community.  Pray the church would be earthly mothers and fathers to these children.  Praise God for ministries like ALARM who are jumping in to meet needs as we are called to in Matthew 25:31-46.

 

Tomorrow – Visiting A Widow Group We Support.