An Update from Elizabeth McCallum
An update from Elizabeth McCallum, the short-term missionary serving at House of Faith Orphanage in Siembe, Zambia. Check out her pics at the link below. Enjoy
Mwapona buti?
How are you? Doing well, I hope!
It might not surprise you by now, but another change has come my way. Mike and Linda Jones, the couple who direct all the work at House of Faith, have decided to take the next few months to do the aspects of their ministry that occur in the States! Since I plan to stay until March 20, and there’s no certain person to take my place, the Joneses are taking advantage of my presence to do other important work. Their daughter, Sheri, has recently rejoined the work, so she’ll continue to do a lot of the tasks in town, while I continue in the village. None of us planned on this until recently, but I’m sure God will smooth the way.
However, I wouldn’t mind more prayer, as this does mean some extra burden falls on Sheri and me! Some of you have already been praying that I will have wisdom and peace about how to spend my time over the next two months.
When I met with the housemothers lately, we read a few verses that I think give excellent guidance on how to use our time: 1 Timothy 4:8-10 “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put out hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.”
I’m not sure exactly what “physical training” is in Tonga, but the ladies took it as working to look good… like braiding their hair and having colorful skirts. Which I think is also to the point: physical training isn’t bad (hey, I like looking at our pretty housemamas), but it’s only so useful. Even the physical work we do day to day for the children only goes so far. But investing in their godliness and belief in the Lord, now that is worthwhile. So, I asked each mother to think of a child who takes extra work in this area. Will you join me in praying for these boys and girls who don’t readily respond to their mama’s efforts in training them to be godly?
Here’s a little about each of them:
Offer’s mother died after childbirth, and since her father was unknown, she was passed from relative to relative. When yet another family member failed to take care of her, House of Faith hoped to give her more consistency. Now, at approximately age 14, she visibly struggles to connect with anyone.
Castro is 11 years old. In 2008, I was on the trip to pick him up from a grandfather who couldn’t give him proper care after his parents died. When we arrived, Castro hadn’t been told that he was being sent away from the family. Currently, I don’t see behavior issues, but clearly his housemother is worried about him.
Ruth was named “Finish” at birth, and her sister was named “Over.” Not very hopeful names! Her mother, named “Isn’t,” had children by a number of different men and was supported by another family member, who had 12 children of his own. Ruth’s father died of HIV related illness, and when the mother proved unable to care for her children, the family brought her to House of Faith. She is now 8 years old.
Livity is 11 years old and was brought to us after his father went to seek work, never returning to the family. His mother had previously died. Livity has destroyed and stolen property from House of Faith and from the community. Most of his actions are rooted in trying to figure out the mechanics of things. And he’s also taken phones in order to try to contact his Father. Livity needs love, but he also needs to accept boundaries!
Friday’s mother had tuberculosis, and though she was cured, the medicines left her body wrecked. In fact, she only weighed 38 kg (84lb) when she brought her two boys to us. The father had abandoned his wife and remarried when she got TB. He hasn’t tried to see his sons since 2005. Friday is now 11 years old, and wanting to return to his mother (who only lately is strong enough to visit him at all). As a result, he is in turn rebellious and sad.
Sachah came to us under the pretext of both her parents being dead. She is often disobedient, and even tries to hurt the other children. Her mother later appeared, trying to take her to be part of a funeral purification ceremony (almost definitely involving witchcraft and harm to Sachah). Since her guardianship was legally to House of Faith, the family was required to see Social Welfare to make any change. They never did. Sachah probably struggles with being rejected by her family, in addition to whatever neglect or harm they did her while together. She has multiple tattoos from the witchdoctor.
While we have many joyous, emotionally healthy children, these few could especially use your prayer. And as always, pray for our mamas, who do the work. In discussing these children, I encouraged the mothers to look beyond what results they see now, to the eternal effects. Pray they can focus on God’s love and the goodness that is to come, so they won’t grow weary in their labor!
I’d love it if you have time to check out some of my photos, which document more of my time than I want to describe in writing… from struggles traveling in rainy season, to the largest python I think I’ll ever see.
Thank you so sincerely for taking an interest in my life, and the lives of the children I work with!
Leza amuleleke.
God bless you.
Elizabeth