children

Yesterday was the presidential runoff election in Liberia, and results will follow soon. Current president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has already served for six years and has proven herself to be dedicated to ushering in peace for Liberia. She has been in the lead at the polls, and some are not happy about this. News reports say that four people were killed and many others have been wounded from this week’s riots. Please keep Liberia in your prayers in the coming weeks, as there has been grave threats to the peace of this nation these last few days.

Christmas will be here in just a couple of months, and we at Orphan Relief and Rescue are already getting excited about delivering Christmas bundles to the kids in Liberia! Children living in orphanages are often viewed as a statistic or just another face in the crowd, and Christmas is the one time of year where they receive an individual gift, something they can call their very own.

A few weeks ago, we told you about the newly finished security fence at Rock of Divine Healing Orphanage. We also mentioned two other homes that are in dire need of a security fence of their own. 

Tonight was a very sobering evening as all the children in the Benin orphanage gathered around me to pray for my itchy skin to be healed (eczema rash on my arms). They sang some precious songs to God, then one by one said a beautiful prayer over me. The sobering part was looking out at all of them so passionate in their love for God and others and remembering where they came from just a short time ago.

As a nurse, I’ve been around a lot of death and loss. For some reason, Michael was the one that hit me the hardest. His was a life lost too early. Michael struggled immensely with the complications from his liver disease in the last weeks of his life. Yet in his final days he was at peace. I learned a lot from Michael about facing trials with grace and trusting in God. 

Last week we shared Barvor’s story with you; by now he has arrived in New York. We continue to pray for him as he adjusts and hope the doctors are able to find the best way to treat his eye disorder. 

As smiling people streamed through our offices last Wednesday, it was evident that our open house was a success! The food was great, the discussion was uplifting, the art moving, and the stories of the work filled the atmosphere.

We often get distracted by the big things that happen here- a boy who is sick, a girl who is barely getting by, the lack of food or clean water, even the joyous giving and celebrating of Christmas. We are anxious to report those needs and milestones to everyone because they seem measurable. The truth of the matter is that we are seeing miracles and reaching milestones everyday. The children in our homes are growing, going to school and playing with their friends. They are eating balanced meals and staying healthy. They are learning and coming up with new ideas.