Fellowship Hall

Children I will always remember

Julie Collins of St. James United Church, Waterdown shares the experience of her recent mission work at an orphanage in Mozambique. 

For the last handful of years, I have felt called to go on a mission trip. Throughout university, however, the timing was never right.  This year, the timing was perfect.

With my Masters Audition in piano completed, and two weeks off from my piano teaching job at March break, I boarded a plane to Maputo, Mozambique, to work for two weeks at the Iris Ministry Zimpeto Children’s Centre, home to 350 orphans and school to an additional 100 community children.

I quickly developed a daily routine at the orphanage.  In the mornings, when the elementary-aged children were at school, I would spend my time in the Baby House – playing with the many babies and toddlers.  I would then join the children for lunch, a meal of rice and toppings, and play with them until their shower time.  Dinner came at 5:30, where I would join them for another meal of rice and toppings, followed by a scheduled activity or free-time until the bell rang for bedtime.

One of the highlights of my trip was the chance to sign out a baby from the Baby House. One special girl I was blessed to spend time with was girl named Carmina.  She was so full of life and joy, despite not being ble walk, talk, or even laugh.  But could she ever smile!  I played with her, held her, and to her complete enjoyment, helped her walk.  It was hard to say goodbye, not knowing what was to come of her, but I left hopeful as I was told on the final day of my visit that she will be seeing a
specialist this coming year.

Another highlight of my trip was the two outreaches that I took part in to Bocaria, the dump in Maputo.  I had the opportunity to sit, hold, play and pray with the beautiful children who live alongside the dump.  I was so blessed by them.  There was a young boy, Fernando, who I will never forget.  He and I were atop the dump, standing close to some Missionaries who were praying over a man who appeared to have nothing - in his hand was a plastic bag of bread scraps which he had been scavenging from the garbage. 

After the group was finished praying and the man was on his way, Fernando dropped my hand, caught up with the man, and pulled a small bun from inside his shirt and gave it to him.  He was being 'Jesus' to the man.  I was speechless. 

Jesus calls us to take care of the orphans of this world.  We are to be Jesus, to feed the hungry, to love those who are broken.  I may never fully understand what God accomplished through me during the two weeks I was in Africa nor the impact I had on the children’s lives, but neither do Carmina nor Fernando fully know the life-long impact they have had on me. 

The evening before I left, an ammunition depot, located 2 miles from the orphanage, was activated by the extreme heat.  For a terrifying period of at least 5 hours, bombs, missiles and rockets flew overhead uncontrollably, exploding all around the compound of the orphanage.  Although the orphanage was hit three places, none of the children or workers was injured.  Over 100 people in the neighboring communities were killed and more than 500 people were injured.  We are all thankful for God’s protection at the orphanage. 

Please pray for those children who have been affected from this near-death experience and for the families throughout Mozambique who are mourning the loss of loved ones.