When Something Goes A Way You Don't Expect

Have you ever done something that you thought was a great way to glorify God and once it was completed, wondered if it really did what you had hoped for?   Today was that day for me. 

We have 40 women coming to Tabitha House on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.  40 women usually equal 40+ infants and small children.  With that many little ones, the day starts in a bit of chaos and ends in a bit of chaos.  The noise level can almost be deafening and it is hard to communicate information or directions.  (Our number has decreased because some of the women thought it was going to be a full-time income and some of the Muslim faith have been forbidden to come).

We were given the idea of creating a gated area for the children of the women who come to Tabitha House to play in, freeing up the moms for their work and reducing the noise level.  The work for the play area began immediately.  Under the oversight of the local pastor, a concrete slab was poured, and metal railings were put in place to enclose the area.  Today was the dedication day of our newly completed children’s play area.  Simple decorations were added, and a hand-washing station was enclosed in the area so that the children could begin to learn about washing their hands.  Each child came in one by one, washed their hands, received a cookie and orange drink and the toys we currently have were opened up to the them. What should have been a fun and exciting event in the continuing growth of Tabitha House was not at all what I experienced.  As soon as the festivities began, children from all over the village began to arrive - they wanted a part of the fun and food.  Those children were not allowed in the area because their moms do not attend Tabitha House, and so they watched through the metal railings.   Watching those little ones peer through the railings with looks of disappointment and unhappiness had not even entered my mind as a possibility.  You may be asking why those children were not allowed in the area.  If we did, there would literally be hundreds that would show up, and in no time the area and toys would be destroyed and it would be dangerous for the little ones we have.  It is a hard life in Sector 30 and that is reflected in how the people treat each other and in possessions.  Although my mind knows the reasoning, my heart is really struggling.  How can we be a beacon of God’s love when we turn those children away? 

I am not the first one to deal with this struggle and I won’t be the last.  I could pour every dollar I have and all the energy I could muster into this country and it would only be drop in the bucket.  But I want that drop to count as an example of God’s love and somehow better the lives of people here as much as possible.  So I’m not through with this dilemma.  If you have a moment, please pray that God will provide wisdom and guidance on how we can make the play area a win-win situation for both the children of the women at Tabitha House as well as the children in the village of Sector 30 and that they can all experience His love.

A New Year

We are now well in to the new year here in Ouagadougou.  I had the wonderful opportunity to go home for the holidays.  It was totally unexpected, but Tabitha Center closed for the holidays and I happened upon a very inexpensive airline ticket.  It was good to be with family.  I was able to see my 2 month old granddaughter for the first time, her 17 month old brother, and help out their mommy (who I found totally exhausted physically and emotionally!)

As with any group of people trying to work together, Tabitha Center experienced some rocky times just before the holidays.  Some of the women lost sight of the purpose of the Center and that led to misunderstandings and unhappiness.  Fortunately, through prayer and communication, we have worked  through the issues and start the new year strong.  In the African culture, women do not usually assume a leadership role.  We've divided the women into groups and appointed one of them to lead each group.  It is very difficult for them and will require some extensive training so that they can be effective. 

Betty Arnold found a translator for me and she started today.  Her name is Anna and she is a smart, polished young Burkinabe woman.  I couldn't believe how great it was to have her with me!  It meant I could really communicate with the women and we were able to work out some kinks in the jewelry production.  Anna jumped right in to learn how the different items are made and assist the women.  

I witnessed something today that I have never seen before.  Just before we were closing at Tabitha House, we heard hysterical screaming and saw a young boy running from a man holding a leather whip.  The man caught the little boy and started whipping him as hard as he could.  Several of the women and I ran over to where it was happening, and before we got there the man took off.  The little boy was bleeding from both ears, his head and back.  I took him to the center and washed and dressed his wounds.  Poor little guy was scared out of his mind.  We found out that his mother was scared of the father and fled to her village, leaving the little boy behind.  The father is taking out his frustration on the little boy, who is in first grade.  The little boy doesn't want to go to school because he says they beat him there as well.  He snuck away from school and that's why his father beat him.  The little guy hadn't eaten or had water in who knows how long.  I gave him my water bottle and he drained it.  Then the Pastor's wife took him to their home to feed him, and the Pastor will take the little boy home later and talk to his father.  He will tell the father that it is against the law to beat children and if he does it again he will be arrested.  My heart hurts for that little boy.  Life can be very, very rough here.

My time here is flying by.  I've been here four full months now and know that there is so much work yet to do.  I'm encouraged and grateful that there is visible progress with the women at Tabitha Center and that God is being praised.  I am so fortunate to be a part of it!