When the Village Saw the Change:

This past Saturday was different, and you could feel the excitement growing at the Girl’s home as the day grew closer. Saturday was the day that our oldest girls would be returning to their village for the first time in almost two years.

As we prepared to go, my mind couldn’t help but go back to the time when we first met these children and what a difference there is in each of them now. Yes, they are taller and healthier, but the difference is more than that. It is seeing the smile actually reach their eyes, hearing their laughter throughout the day, watching as they play freely, seemingly without a single care in the world. It’s the trust that has been built, where they know that they are loved and cared for beyond measure. All these thoughts and more filled my head as I watched their smiles building with every mile that brought us closer to their home village.

Hannah, our oldest girl, began to point out special landmarks and the memories attached to them, “There’s the place where we planted a lemon tree and there’s the place where us children used to run and hide when a car would pass because we were scared of them.”

She could barely contain her excitement as the village finally came in to view after almost 3 hours of driving. The other girls, too, were equally filled with anticipation. They got out of the car, and I stood back and watched as the scene unfolded before me. Loved ones and friends immediately surrounded them. Hugs and handshakes were given and many words of praise spoken in their tribal dialect, Kpelle (pronounced pellay). I couldn’t understand the words, but the eyes spoke clearly of joy and pride.

The girls, some of them a little shy at first, took it all in, smiling sweetly and taking their seats in the hut where their social gatherings are held. We made introductions, prayed, had a short bible reading time and then our girls got up and sang a couple songs for their people. The villagers watched, their eyes never leaving the sweet scene of these precious girls praising the Lord. When the girls were finished, several women stood to share some words. In their dialect, they spoke with such feeling... describing the incredible difference that they saw in the girls, not only physically but in every way. One of the older men in the village said he could barely hold back tears as we watched them sing. They could never have imagined that the girls would grow into such beautiful and confident people and that they would have the opportunity to see this day. It was difficult for me to not hold back tears.

[pictures above is Rita with her precious caretaker who sent her home with lots of gifts of food, including pineapples and “country bread” that’s eaten like cereal]

The day continued with a great game of kickball that made H4L proud and afterwards, we had the chance to see where the girls used to live. Hannah led the group with confidence and a sweet, gentle sense of pride in this place she used to call home. If we had thought she had changed before, it was more evident than ever, and we left that day in wonderment of God’s goodness.

[On the way there: Hannah was beaming the whole way]

What these villagers saw last Saturday, is not only a testament to the Lord and His provision, but it is also a testament to you, our supporters, who have been walking beside us, praying for us, giving and going to serve the least of these. All of the children are thriving and it’s evident to everyone that sees them.

Thank you. For giving, for loving, for helping to change the lives of these precious children.

[the girls singing]