Children's Nest.

While I was in Zambia, we spent an afternoon at Children's Nest, an orphanage in Choma. 

 

 

Children's Nest is a really wonderful place; these children are given a clean, organized, rich atmosphere of family and education.  It's a joy to be there, and it's also a stab to the heart to know that a home such as this is a reality for very few orphans in Africa.

 

 

I immediately singled out a group of young girls the same age as my own, and spent the afternoon with them.  We walked around the grounds and talked, taking pictures.  I looked for every opportunity I could get to tell them true things, and they ate it up.  I got a tour of their bedrooms, and got to talk about clothes and shoes, chores and school.  I saw their homework and they are sharp as tacks. 


Photo Credit: Rachel Durik

These girls have been invested in, are loved, and are growing to be beautiful, strong young women.  I found every way I could to tell them so.

 

 

Velina wants to be a nurse, Florence a teacher, and Febby a doctor.  I prayed those dreams over them and promised I would continue.

 

 

At one point one of the girls looked me directly in the eyes and said, "Your favorite color is yellow."  I don't know what compelled her to say it, but, it's true.

 

 

The girls told me their morning devotion had been taken from Psalm 139.  We pulled out my Kindle and they read it out loud for me:

 

"For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
 My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand—
    when I awake, I am still with you" (Psalm 139:13-18.)