Dear faithful friends,
Torkild and I have just been out to visit the extremely poor family with 2 bunk beds 4 mattresses, 4 blankets, bed sheets, towels and clothes for the children. The three children that are attending school also got school uniforms, shoes and backpacks.
The Family didn´t know that they were getting beds etc, so it became a huge surprise. I have never seen anyone be so excited before when we came with the beds. The children were shining and were jumping up and down with joy. First the old beds were carried out and the new ones put in. The mother right away tried one of the beds and it was so obvious to see that she enjoyed it. The children were waiting impatiently for their turn to try the new beds. They have never even tried to sleep on a real mattress.
As mentioned, the three children got their new school uniforms and shoes. One of the boy’s shoes were unfortunately way too big for him, so we took them back to take to town to exchange. He got so upset and started to cry as he thought he wouldn´t be getting any shoes. (he was walking around in his father’s big old worn out gumboots).
The little girls got home knitted teddy bears and they were so excited and full of joy over these teddy bears and straight away wanted to carry them on their backs like they do here in Africa with their babies. So sweet to see the big joy this brought with the teddy bears.
It has rained so the poor family had been in the field and planted maize and sweet potatoes. So, we must pray that they will get more rain and it will be a good harvest.
It became a fantastic morning where all of us got an experience for life. Their joy over getting these things cannot be described with words.
We were to greet you so lovingly from the parents and say thank you so much for all you have done for them. As they said, we don´t understand that someone we don´t even know has shown us such great love. We pray that God will bless you and your great kindness. So please take this greeting that we experienced and came straight from their hearts.
Personally, we would also like to say thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts for your support when we write about urgent needs.
I have attached some pictures; they say more than words.
With Love
Mirjam, Tabitha and Torkild.
The father disappeared and they have had no contact with him for several years. Ruth is a bright girl in school. Her school decided to sponsor her schooling because they are really poor. For various reasons the school recently shut down and Ruth had to find another school.
The mother cannot afford to send Ruth to another school. Ruth’s grandfather is a Maasai and he wants to have her back in Maasai land. He does not want a girl to get eductaed, but instead follow the Maasai traditions for girls: to be married. Maasais think that only boys should get educated.
Ruth’s mother told me that Ruth’s grandfather had received an offer from an elderly, wealthy Maasai who wanted to pay a very large dowry in the form of many cows in order to marry Ruth. Ruth had been desperate because she wanted to stay in school, get her education and choose her husband when the time was ripe. For this reason the mother and Ruth came to our office asking for help.
We trusted God and sent Ruth to a good, Christian school where she is thriving.
We received a sponsor who will support her until Form 4 is completed. But Ruth wishes to continue for another two years and graduate from High School. If any of you would like to support Ruth for a few more years please write us or send a gift to our missions account. Please earmark it “Ruth”.
