Tears for Chifuniro's Daddy

Ephraim and his sister Eliza rode on 1 bicycle for 3 hours to get to Hope Village with 11-day old Chifuniro on Eliza’s back. Their bike broke down about 5 miles from here, so they finished their journey on foot. All in all, they traveled about 8 hours that day.

When we first met them 2 weeks ago, we saw their heavy hearts - Ephraim’s wife had died 11 days earlier during childbirth. He had 4 other children at home between 4 and 11 years. Eliza agreed to bring the new baby into her home, although she also had 5 other children in her small village home. They had been feeding Chifuniro goat milk, when they were told about our baby sponsorship program. They were eager to make the full-day bike ride to get here each week to pick up cans of formula.

We held Chifuniro that day, loved on him and his family, weighed him, gave him new clothes, baby supplies, baby quilt. We prayed with his dad and his aunt. See Chifuniro’s sweet face in this picture! Our next step was to post his picture on the web site to find a sponsor.

Ephraim came today to tell us that Chifuniro died on Tuesday. He got malaria last weekend and his little body could not fight off the high fever for 3 days. Another heartbreak for Ephraim; another burial in just 3 weeks. His face was resigned. The hope I saw last week had been buried with Chifuniro. I watched him walk away slowly from our clinic today with his bike, knowing he had a 3-hour ride home. Back to his 4 young children as a single dad, back to the hot work in the fields, back to the everyday struggles to find food, find joy, understand God’s plan. I thought of Melia and Joseph, our other babies that recently died from fever as well. I felt hopeless … surely there is something more we can do? So, I sobbed.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. For the old order of things has passed away.” Rev 21:4

Was lost, but now am found!

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound! 19-year Madalitso recently tasted the sweet grace of Jesus Christ in a transformation from the village “bad boy” to the village “Christian man” with a testimony that has surprised his family and shocked the village.

Before you read his interview in this blog, let me set the stage briefly. Orphaned at a young age, he lives with his grandmother (agogo) across the road from Hope Village. Agogo is a 70-something widow who lost 5 of her 7 children to HIV. So Madalitso and his six orphaned cousins share the home with their grandmother.

We visited the family 2 months ago to assess their living conditions, since the family receives some food support from a Hope Village sponsor. It was a special visit, especially because our daughter and son-in-law (Brittany and Kevin) were with me and Annie.  They had a heart for this family after learning of their struggles, and immediately went into action mode "how can we help?"

During our conversation, we learned more about their struggle to make ends meet, not having enough for food, school fees, school supplies, clothes. All of the children are in school but the oldest, 19-year old Madalitso. I asked why he wasn’t working to help provide for the family. They all laughed. “He’s a drunk,” one cousin said. “He dropped out of school at Standard 8. He is always in fights. He steals from us to sell for beer money. He cannot work to help our family.” And the worst offense, I heard, was that he sold the family munda (farm), leaving them with no garden to harvest. A heartbreaking story, to say the least.

During our visit to their home two months ago, James (left) and Ephraim (right) share their frustrations regarding the actions of their cousin, Madalitso.

How precious did that Grace appear, the hour I first believed.

Shortly after that visit, someone invited Madalitso to attend the Hope Village Youth Club. He went. He learned about Christ. He heard about forgiveness. He tasted the sweetness of grace. He prayed, asked, received! That was 2 months ago. And now, according to Godwins Maere, Hope Village manager and Youth Club leader, the village has been buzzing about the amazing change in Madalitso.   Godwins told us about two recent events:  “A 28-year old man came to my house and asked to be discipled. He said, 'Madalitso was my drinking buddy, but he is a changed man. I want to know who this God is that could change him like this.'” Now, Godwins has been teaching this man every night at his home. Another day, a village mom came to Godwins’ home. She said: “I want my son to be in your youth club. I saw Madalitso singing and talking about Jesus at the market with the other youth. I never thought it was possible! I want my son to be part of a group that can change a troubled boy like that.”

Godwins has a tender heart for Madalitso, and not only translated during our recent visit, but also encouraged him to share without fear.

Madalitso's Testimony: ...twas grace that saved a wretch like me!

We went to the home of Madalitso a few days ago, because he said he was willing to publically share his testimony. Here’s his story:

“When I was about 16 and didn’t do well on my Standard 8 exams, I felt hopeless. I wasn’t good enough for secondary school. I didn’t know what to do with my life. So, I just stayed home, felt sad. Then, friends invited me to drink some beer. I didn’t have money, but they were older, had jobs, and shared their beer with me. The beer would make me feel better, bring me pleasure, help me forget my problems. But usually I felt worse in the end. I would feel rage, anger. I felt like I was possessed by something evil. I wanted to do bad things. I sold possessions that belonged to my family. The worst thing I did was sell our family garden (farm). The chief told me not to do it, but I even went against him and sold it anyway.

"One day someone invited me to the Hope Village Youth Club. The first time I went, I thought, “This is a childish message.” But God must have wanted me there, because I went the next week too. This time we watched clips from the movie, The Passion. Godwins taught about the gift of grace, the sacrifice that Jesus made for us all. I looked at His broken body on the screen. I looked at myself, as a drunk. I could not deny Jesus! I understood that one day I would stand before Him and have to answer for my life. Right then, I gave my heart. Now, I have joy in my heart that I haven’t felt before. I know forgiveness, mercy. I think about the bad things I did, especially when I sold the garden. It breaks my heart. I am committed to never doing those bad things again.”

Sitting outside the Agogo's home, from left to right: Godwins, Madalitso, cousin James and cousin Loveness. Loveness told us the "new Madalitso" has been a welcome change in their family: “My old cousin used to speak to us all in harsh words. My new cousin now speaks to us in calm words.”

Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come

Madalitso has been an active member of the Youth Club for the last 2 months. He participated in a village outreach where the youth provided singing, dancing, drama at the outdoor market. He goes to the homes of village widows and helps clean their house, wash clothes. He was even baptized with the Youth Club this weekend. As an added boost to Madalitso, he found his first paying job, directing traffic at the market. The job was only temporary, though, and is ending soon. He told us he knows he has a rough road ahead. “There are still temptations,” he admitted. “My old friends still offer to buy me beer. So far, I’ve been able to resist.”

Madalitso told us he wants to return to school in January, to try to finish the 4 years of secondary school. “I look at my cousins who are younger than me and doing so well in school. I want to do the same, and now think I can.” Join us as we pray for Madalitso: for his faith to grow stronger, for his discipleship to be consistent, for strength to resist temptations and limited idle time. Pray for his yearning for education to flourish, and for financial support to help with school fees. Pray for God’s grace to renew his soul!

Pictured here is Madalitso’s agogo. She told us she cannot believe the change. “The old Madalitso would beat his young cousin Ephraim. He would really hurt him, saying ‘I don’t care if he dies.’ This new Madalitso, however, is up early in the morning to wake up Ephraim, encouraging him to go to school. “