Laments

One thing we want to do at Heart of the Bride is be as open and honest as we can. As partners of our ministry, we want you to journey with us through the highs and lows of what God has called us to do. Orphan care is not easy and it is not always “successful” in the traditional sense. No matter how well you care for a kid from the street or how hard you work to show love and provide stability to an orphan that has experienced abandonment, some of them leave. Some choose life on the street with all of the “freedom” it promises. Sometimes they just openly rebel like many of our own biological kids. Oh, how we long for a 100% success rate, but we live in a fallen world.

Zambia

Our partner ministry, Abba’s Heart Zambia, sees a lot of heart break in what they do as they work with some of the roughest, most traumatized kids we encounter. This year, they have had three significant loses that we are all mourning. Baldwin had been with AHZ for over 8 years. He came to us as a boy who had been through much. But he also showed some of the most promise. He is intelligent and gifted and graduated with high marks. However, he never overcame some of the trauma he encountered as a young boy. What we have learned from experience is that many of these young men experience a resurgence in their trauma response when it is time to make adult decisions. Soon after Baldwin entered a gap year discipleship program he was dismissed for conduct that broke the rules. We worked on alternate transition plans to help him live with a relative and receive the counseling he needs but he eventually chose to go his own way. We continue to stay in contact with him and pray for his healing.

Our second set of girls in the Daughters of Destiny program in Zambia were doing well. We had seen so much progress in them physically, mentally, and spiritually. We are always walking a delicate balance between discipline and discipleship with rebellious attitudes, stubbornness, and defiance, but they seem to be doing well. Then, over the summer, something seem to change. We now know that one of them developed an attachment to someone nearby and was tempted with the idea of “freedom” and living on her own. Naomi left to live with that person.  While it is not what we desired for her, she is living in a safe place and taking care of her self.  Mapalo is pursuing a different path.  She has returned to life on the streets.  We try to keep up with her through our outreach ministry but it is up to her.  She can avoid interaction if she wants to.  Please pray for these girls.  Pray that they will hear the voice of the Lord who gave them an opportunity and called to them.  We believe that He is still calling to them.  It is never too late to repent and pursue Him.  That is what we long for in their lives.

Kenya

In Kenya, we have seen another form of rebellion.  This one comes from the parents but it does damage to the kids. Attitudes of entitlement, rebellion, and deception have been showing up in some of the kids we once counted as leaders among our student body. As our partner, Monica, approached the parents, she found the source. Some of the families of our students had begun to demand and expect more. These attitudes are passed down to the kids and exhibited in rebellion to authority. After attempts to restore them, Monica had to make the difficult decision to let them go. But what I love about this story is the heart behind it.  Monic had to let them go, but she did it with tears. She loves each and every one of them and hopes for so much more for them. We pray that they will repent and be restored.

Thank You

Thank you for taking this journey with us. There are many things to rejoice over and others to lament. The laments are tough but give us perspective as we rejoice over the successes. They also call us to faith. We know the story isn’t over for these kids and we pray for their hearts to soften to the voice of the Lord. He can speak even when they aren’t listening to us.