Teleios Ministry: Talents, Teachers And God's Vision...Teleios Africa 2007

Day 16…The Gift In Helping Shape A Better Future

Like an artist creating a masterpiece, young Alex has become quite adept at designing and sewing beautiful quilts.

The new swingsets at the DBL Children's Home are enjoyed by all.

This morning, we left Mbeya for Iringa. Nothing really exciting happened, except just before we reached Iringa, one of the fish we had tied to the front grille came loose. It landed in the grass on the side of the road. We picked it up and took the other fish off the front grille and put them both into the back of the Nissan Patrol. Oh, did you know people actually tried to grab our fish off the front grille when we were driving slow through towns. There are some nervy people between Mbeya and Iringa, actually between Makumbako and Iringa.

Up arriving at the DBL Children’s Home, Mpeli and I saw Alex, the cook and soccer coach, showing five boys how to chop down a big tree. The government said it had to go because of the “road” (a dirt path). Alex and the boys were taking turns chopping down the tree. Alex was teaching them the proper way to fell a tree. Because this is a school break, the children were playing on the new playground swings. They really enjoy the swings. Some were playing soccer.

Neema had a surprise for me. She took me to the sewing room to show me the other children who really enjoy sewing. One of the boys, Alex, is quite good. The children, along with the staff, have completed almost seven comforters and quilts.

Alex created the design and made his own quilt for sale. If only you could see the brightness in his eyes as he showed me his creation. From the dull, blank expression of a child slave who worked without purpose a little over a year ago, he works today as an artist creating a masterpiece. Alex not only creates but also teaches. The children have an instructor who teaches them how to sew, but Alex is the best teacher. While I was there, a girl sat down at the sewing machine next to his – she was his student.

Before anyone gets the idea that this is a textile sewing factory exploiting children, it is not. This is an elective course, so to speak. The children are free to choose an activity. While some played on swings, Alex created with a sewing machine – choosing his colors, cloths, and patterns. He also shared his gift by teaching others with the same joy and smile. A great picture of what God intended for work to accomplish in our lives.

What can I say, BABA (that’s me ol’ grandpa) has agreed to purchase the masterpiece. The funds help the Children’s Home cover the expense of the sewing class and supplies, but Mpeli and Neema are working out a means to save the profits from each child’s work for when they must go on their own in the future.

This Training Center will provide the students with the skills, tools and resources to help establish themselves in business. Pray for wisdom as Mpeli and Neema work out these details. They do not want anyone to see the children as being misused or taken advantage of. Another concern is how to determine other skill-related opportunities for those children who do not sew but are very good students.

One area currently being explored is carpentry. Some of the students are now learning the basic aspects of this trade. This process is taking longer. I really am proud of the children.

One issue that is coming soon is what about the children who will go to boarding school as they become older. The problem is that current government regulations are not clear on what happens to these students during holidays. They cannot be with the younger children in the dorm, but Mpeli and Neema want them back at the Children’s Home, and it’s obvious that the children want to be there, as well. Please pray for wisdom for Mpeli, Neema, and the Daily Bread Life leadership as they work out a solution.

For supper, we purchased a real pizza prepared by Elias. He is an evangelist and helps Mpeli pastor the Kidetete church. His wife is one of the teachers at the Kidetete Nursery School. He opened his new business just a few months ago offering “American food.” The business provides them the freedom to do their ministry. So far, he is doing a great job – everything is made from scratch. The pizza was really very good.

The day ended sharing with the children in their devotion time. They sang, prayed, and then I spoke. I shared with them from Philippians 1:3-7a. I assured them that they were being prayed for by you, our Teleios partners; that they were deeply loved and not forgotten.

We closed by praying together holding hands in a large circle. Each one came and shook my hand, and some hugged me. “Have a good night,” they all said in English. There was even a classic “Have a good night, sleep tight” – and from a child who only learned English this year! Mpeli did not know where he got that phrase from. The devotion time was truly a time of worship and another special time for me. The opportunity to be a part of ministry with these children is available for you.

Also on Sunday, I visited another village near Mbeya where another children’s home is needed. The Rev. Scout has started a mission point in that village. He said, ‘Every week there is another funeral of parents due to HIV/AIDS.” The new mission is almost overwhelmed with orphans.

The church has been giving a meal to the children each week. They keep coming, and every week there are more. They are not just coming for food but to be with people who love them and protect them. The mission has started a nursery type school to teach the children the very basics.

Pray for the mission and for Rev. Scout and his family as they minister in this area.