Being Strong and Courageous at at 6!

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

The Mustard Seed has a little 6 year old boy named Thato who is a twin. His twin is very quiet and reserved unlike Thato who cannot stop talking and hugging. Both of them cannot speak one word of english but that has never stopped Thato who rattles off to everyone in Sesotho. Thato has learned one English phrase from a Christian dvd.- "God is in me I will not be afraid". When we walk past the drinking tavern, I hear him saying, "God is in me I will not be afraid". Thato is trying to be brave and fierce in a world that has treated him and his brother harshly. They are both alone in this world except for a fourteen year old sister. Nothing is ever a certainty for them so at the young age of six he recognizes that the only person that can protect his little soul is God.

Throughout the world, overall about 15% of orphans are 0-4 years old, 35% are 5-9 years old, and 50% are 10-14 years old. The loss of a parent/parents to AIDS can have serious consequences for a child’s access to basic necessities such as shelter, food, clothing, health and education. Orphans are more likely than non-orphans to live in large, female-headed households where more people are dependent on fewer income earners. This lack of financial income puts more pressure on orphans to contribute financially to the household to which leads them to the streets to work, beg or seek food. The majority of children who are orphaned continue to live with extended family, but often have to take on the responsibility of doing the housework, looking after siblings and caring for ill or dying family members.

Can you imagine being 2,4,6,8 or 12 without your parents?? What would you do? You certainly couldnt be a child, because you have to learn how to survive and help your siblings survive. Your only concern would be how to survive another day alone. The thought of playing and laughing in the schoolyard with your friends, having a nice big meal that makes you so full you want to rest, and learning how to read and write so you can become a doctor or a nurse to help others is NOT EVEN A THOUGHT!

This is why the Mustard Seed ministry exits. It gives Qwa Qwa children a chance to live, laugh, love and become the people God created them to be. Treat the orphans kindly, though they are alone in the world, God never leave them. Care about them with all your heart and you will help mend their broken hearts.