News from Mandaba and Rachel

NEWS FROM THE FIELD (reprinted from TouchGlobal newsletter)

From Mandaba:

A couple of weeks ago, the GlobalFingerprints program team made many trips to visit sponsored children in two different regions (Bokuda and Karawa). We met many of the sponsored children, and I updated their pictures to put on the GlobalFingerprints Web site.

At Bokuda, we participated in the distribution of product from their micro project. Many children were happy to have some food to help them for a few days. On our way back in the truck, we picked up some younger orphans and we realized that many of them were great singers. They sang until we arrived at Gemena.

The next trip was to Karawa. We had a good trip, but it was tiring for some of us because we arrived late at Gemena. On our trip, Rachel (our good singer) sang on our way coming and going. It was exciting for all of us. We had a good time visiting some of the sponsored children.

Mandaba - GlobalFingerprints Congo communications

From Rachel:

It was wonderful visiting two different regions and meeting some of the children that GlobalFingerprints is sponsoring. In Bokuda, the first region Mandaba writes about, the supervisor killed two of the pigs from their nutritional micro-project. The kids had such a good time eating with so much joy! I wish you all could have seen them ... I don't think it was just the food, but it is because they are special! They realize that they are loved and not forgotten ... their Mama and Papa are no longer providing for them, but God is! And His people love them!

I had the privilege to work side by side with Lopango, our new program manager (pictured here dressing Jeanne, a sponsored orphan, in a new dress made by ladies in EFCA churches). Lopango is super with the kids. She loves and understands them, holds them and asks them questions, and laughs with them. God has truly provided in our staff in Congo.

Please pray that God will bless the efforts of the micro-projects, protecting them from thieves and animal diseases, and multiply their efforts so that the children and extended families would benefit nutritionally. As I watched the orphans come up one by one to receive their gift of a bag of beans, they were so grateful and excited.

For sponsors reading this, I thank you with a heart full of praise. I remember the faces of these children ... I think of caregivers who wanted to thank me by giving me two eggs or sweet potatoes ... I hear the kids singing at the top of their lungs ... I watched them eating, sucking the bones clean until there is nothing left ... and I am so happy for them! Thank you for leaving Christ's fingerprint on these precious lives.

We are currently sponsoring 721 orphans! Thank you for your ongoing support and prayers for this important ministry.

Rachel Martin - EFCA Touchglobal HIV/AIDS ministry director