Written by Comella Nicoles, Iris Missionary at Michael’s Children’s Village
When I was about 5 years old, I remember telling my mom I was going to adopt children from Africa. As someone living out their childhood dream, I have no greater joy than to love and care for children who desperately need someone who will listen to and be there for them, and to love them no matter what they have been through. I get to choose to love the incredible children God has put in my path regardless of what their behavior looks like due to the things that have happened to them. Many things have tried to damage their innocence, steal their joy, and destroy their destinies, but I have seen the love of Jesus overcomes all obstacles.
Nhlamulo joined our family in January 2019. She arrived on a very crazy day as we had just let a staff member go after eight years of serving with us. It was a very difficult time for our staff. In the middle of sharing this hard news with our staff, we received a message from Social Services asking if we had space to receive a new child. We no time to discuss with our team or respond to the request. While were still meeting, a car pulled up with our new child, Nhlamulo. We quickly shifted gears as we discussed if we could we take this child or not. We are were down one house mama and did not have the child to house mama ratios desired. It did not logically make sense to receive a new child and yet, one of our house mamas said, “Let her come to my house. I will take her!”
If I am honest, we as the leaders at that very moment did not have the grace for a new child especially after having just made and followed through with the tough decision of letting a staff member go and knowing we did not have the children to house mama ratio that we wanted. Yet this mama had the YES in her heart and the desire to receive this new young girl. We wholeheartedly trusted her YES. It was the best decision we made!
At the young age of seven years old, Nhlamulo had been taking care of her mother who was extremely ill. As soon as she arrived she immediately flowed into our family routines. A month after joining our Michael’s Children’s Village, her mother passed away. Thankfully Jesus brought her to us at the perfect time and we were able to support her during a hard season of grief and loss. However, even through loss, she has so much hope. She is now enjoying the gift of childhood and has come so far in her healing journey. Nhlamulo carries a tangible peace and has a smile that lights up every room. We continue to rejoice in seeing her joy and childlike spirit come alive in her new loving family at MCV! Nhlamulo has a bright future ahead and we are so proud of her!
Jesus is enough, no matter who you are, what you have done or what has been done to you! He is greater, He sees you, and loves you and will go to great lengths to pursue you and restore you, so that you can know Him and do what He has purposed for your life. He loves ALL of His children and wants nothing more than for you to know Him and the love He has for you!