More pics from reconciliation of boys!

These four boys(Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Moses and Danladi) were all taken back the their families. They live in the same village and already had plans to meet with each other the day after we left them. :)

About 4 years ago, Moses was involved in some satanic things, which put his life in danger. This is the reason City Ministries took him in. Moses is a new creation and was really welcomed back into the family and community last week. Only God can do that.

Moses and his mother!

Each time we took a boy home, Elisha (our supervisor, on the right), explained to the family and neighbors the reason the boy is able to go back to his family. He also explained how the ministry will assist for some time, but that the real responsibility lies on the family and the community to raise the child.

Linus and me. Oh, I love this dear boy and will really miss him. BUT - look how happy he is! When we drove up to his house, his mother came running up to the car and embraced him in a way only a mother can. His life is a testimony of power, grace and freedom, as he was once a child of the enemy through witchcraft. Now, he serves his Savior and King, Jesus Christ.

Father God, take these children and use them mightily in their homes, schools and communities. Protect them from the attacks of the enemy that are sure to come, since they used to belong to him, but now are in the Lord's army. Equip them to fight the battles and to resist temptations. I pray, Lord, that you will protect them mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. They are Yours and I know You love them and hold them close to Your heart and will never let them go. We commit them to You. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

New lives have begun for 38 boys!!!

A few months ago, we started to re evaluate what we were doing and who we were serving , as we had grown rapidly over the last few years. We discovered that many of the children have some family and we also looked into those who had been delivered from Occultic practices for several years to see whether they could be reconciled back into their communities. We realize it is far better in this culture if a child grows up with his family as the family and extended family unit is very strong here.

Some kids in a village where some of our boys now live.

As a part of this process, we sent home for Christmas about 100 of our boys, and the staff visited them to assess their situations . Many families stated that they had seen positive changes in their children , their behavior and their attitudes had greatly improved. Many were pleased to have them back. In some cases, though, it was confirmed that the boy needs to stay with us. We want to exist as a ministry to help those children who have no one to help them and to train and disciple them so they can function well in their society.

Some of the older ones we realize need to learn a trade alongside their education , so they can start to be independent when they leave school. So we have sent some to a Technical Boarding school and they will come back to us or family in the holidays. As a ministry we are committed to help with school fees as long as we can so the children's education does not stop, but this expensive and we continue to rely on money being brought in by God.

Last week was one of the best weeks and most difficult weeks. I have been processing a lot of emotions with all the changes we are facing. Good changes, but hard on the heart, too.

On Tuesday we took 10 to boarding school as you can see from the picture above, this was quite an undertaking as they have to go with lots of stuff.... they were excited and nervous at the same time and we were all quite emotional as we left them. We pray they will settle well and make good friends and that God protects them.

Then on Wed and Thurs we drove around several villages, taking boys to their family members. We caused quite a stir turning up in small communities with two jeeps, a car, and a minibus loaded with mattresses, bags, etc..but we took all the boys together who were in going home in the same area to see where each other lived. We greeted the families and prayed with them as we left their children with them. Mothers were crying, along with us Aunties as we gave back boys.

Daniel's father was waiting for him on front porch. A very powerful reunion. The local pastor observed Daniel's changed live when he visited over Christmas. He has invited Daniel to serve in the church.

It was awesome to see why the ministry exists happening before your very own eyes...boys whose lives had been turned around by God and who could now go home....We hope many more will follow in these first ones steps. We (staff) will be visiting each boy (in home or at school) on a regular basis to see how they are doing.

Here is a picture of Ayuba and Solomon re united with their Dad. He was so happy to see his boys back after being with us for 5 years after their mother died. He has built new rooms for them and has prepared farm land for them to be able to work and grow food. The eldest, Joseph, was among the boys who went to boarding school. During holidays, he will live with his dad and bros.


As we leave these precious children in school or in their communities we have to trust that God will look after them and that He knows the plans for their future. They were His children before they were ever ours and He knows them all by name......please pray for them as they adjust to new lifestyles.

(my pal and co-worker Nicky wrote this blog for her own update, so I figured why write another one! Thanks, Nicky. To my credit, I did at least add the pics.)