This week I am going to share with you one of my favorite stories from our trip. Every year, I am always amazed at how all of the kids grow. In particular, it is always fun to see how the once cute little boys have grown into young men that are now head and shoulders taller than me. This year was no different, Jorry Mwase, Muleya Mwale, Khalidwe Banda, and Brino Phiri all towered over me and it was really fun to get the “hi auntie” in a much deeper voice this year!

During our time in the village and at the lake not only was it great to marvel at how these little boys were maturing into young men, but it was really awesome to witness the close knit community that they have forged together. Not only do they have a great time just being boys together, but during their time together with Nick, Timothy, and Lawrence they asked some thought-provoking questions related to their future – they had really been pondering life stuff together!

But what touched my heart more than anything was the story about Brino. Over the course of this past year, Brino contracted Tuberculosis. Lawrence took him immediately to the clinic at African Bible College, where he immediately received treatment and is still continuing treatment. Somehow, Brino’s guardian and the rest of his family were convinced that the TB was related to HIV, and became incredibly fearful of getting HIV. So much so that they kicked him out of their house. After Brino was kicked out, Lawrence told us that Jorry asked his mother if Brino could live with them. She agreed, in spite of what the rest of the village thought, she still agreed.

When we were visiting the Mwase family, the true gift that she is giving Brino in taking him in became more evident. I wish I could take each of you to her home - it’s a meager sun-dried brick home that would fit into our living room, grass thatched roof, and already before Brino’s arrival was home to five people all the time and some cousins who were there sometimes. Not only is she giving him the gift of a home, she is giving him the gift of a home where people know how to share even when it is hard and uncomfortable.

Please join me in praying for Brino as he continues to recover and pray that God would abundantly bless Jorry’s mother for giving out of her “widow’s mite”.