The Boy in the Blue Shirt

Mfura Village - Boy in the Blue Shirt

When we initially went to Mfura village there was a lot of discussion about who might be the "most needy" but there was no argument about the boy in his mother's blue shirt.  With his father passed away and mother suffering from mental illness, the neglect, mentally and physically was very obvious.  Having no clothes of his own, he wore his mothers blue blouse that hung off his frail thin frame.  His smile broke whatever was left of your heart after first seeing him.  We couldn't catch what his name was but it sounded like "Mufasa" so he became our little lion king.

We were informed that he looked better than before.  Social affairs had intervened and took him to the hospital for a few months to nourish him back to health.  

He played quietly by himself with blocks.  When we came it was a big event but acted as if it was just another day.  Not afraid nor overly excited about us being there like the other kids were.

I had asked about fostering him at that time and it was something we were going to pray about and did.

The second trip we saw our little guy wearing some clothes.  We had donated 6 months worth of supplemental food and could see already a difference in the children just 1 month in.  

He had more weight on him but we could still see he wasn't being bathed and still had fungal spots on his skin.  It was clear his mother, even when spoken to in Chichewa, was not mentally there enough to even have a simple conversation.  We wanted to foster him but I was too worried about funding to agree to it.  We struggle to provide for the extended family we have already, how irresponsible of me to take in another child?  I'm used to having a well paid job and a carefree lifestyle and I can hardly even bring myself to ask for support despite choosing to run a NON profit which is reliant on donations.  I wasn't ready to say yes to him.  Not yet little Lion King.

The third time we went to Mfura village we not only brought 6 more months of maize but also bags of dried beans.  One bag of beans went specifically to his mother.  His mother was a stick in the wind she was so thin.  Along with her mental illness she was looking like she was suffering from a physical illness as well.  "Mufasa" was as sweet as could be despite his rough life and despite our assistance it was clear he would not get the care he needed in the village.  This time we said yes to him.  Whatever people would donate to us we would find a way to make work with him.  God asks us to trust in Him and step out in faith and that all would be provided for.  At least we could give this boy the love, safety, and comfort that he has never known.  We sent social affairs to the village to get permission to foster him and if all goes well we will have the blessing of caring for him the way God wants us to.

Can't wait to see you little lion king!