Last week we returned from our Field Service in Northern Benin, Field Service is the practical application part of the Gateway training program.
Do I start at the orphanage with 53 children just wanting to be loved on, where you were each day using both you relational and physical skills to try and make as much of a difference as you can in the short time available?
Do I talk about Mamma Arlette who is responsible for raising these kids? A true woman of God who is dancing one moment and correcting the next.
Do I talk about the prison outreach, about the main badly overcrowded area we walked through or about the 24 teenagers whos future hangs in the balance? Who ask for things but they just want you to be there. Do I talk about spiritual warfare, the grip that voodoo has on that place and the destruction it leads to?
Or do I tell you about friendships with team and locals. About irritations and arguments, laughter and tears. Where do I start..
Im doing this per person per story. May take a while but thats the only I can do it justice.
Meet some of the orphans at the Maision d'Espoire in Abomey. A private orphanage for children who have lost both parents for what ever reason. The kids range in age from 2 to 15. We did projects there building them cabinets and towards the end a swing set from local materials. Most days contained a period of songs and a skit with the kids. These guys know how to worship!! With everything they have!! The orphanage has a staff of 7, this include maintanace, cooks and mamma and pappa. The kids all are going to school and being raised as a HUGE family. I couldn't imagine a better place for these kids to be. They are lovingly cared for.
It is far from a holding pen for kids through there childhood but a household where they can thrive.
Please pray for protection and provision for the kids. That God will continue to bless them and the staff and reward them for the amazing way they are rasing these kids.
