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A New Equation | 09-Jun-2006
The red dust suspended in the sweltering heat stung their eyes in the dimly lit dirt-floor church. The small holes in the wall for windows allowed little breeze as the Americans crowded together with Rwandan youth, eyes fixed on the slender boy addressing the group. Emotions swelled as the 15 year old speaker, choking back tears, told his story.
Emalbe’s parents were both dead. He and his 5 other orphaned siblings, the youngest being 18 months old, were left to survive in the bush of Rwanda. Being the oldest, Emalbe was now the head of their family. He told of the difficulty of survival and how he came weekly to this youth club in this Kanombe village church for discipleship and encouragement. Because none of his siblings had an education, their daily struggle and outlook for survival was bleak. No education = no living = no food. Emalbe’s body shook with sobs at the hopelessness of his little family’s situation.
THAT was January 2006 as an Op Paidion team toured Rwanda sharing The Gospel and encouraging believers. TODAY, through funding from One27, Emalbe is attending school while the 2nd oldest sibling looks after the other children. TODAY, they have hope in Jesus and hope for life in Rwanda.
Emalbe and his siblings are one of thousands of child –led families whose parents died in tribal wars or from AIDS. They represent the need of the overwhelming orphan population of East/Central Africa. Orphanages are few and help is sparse. But God…
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