Meet Joel!
Joel is very excited to be re-united with
his younger brother, they are protective of each other and are each others best
friends! Joel is a quiet, lovable, intelligent, funny and very sweet
boy. He enjoys going to our local school, wanting to come back and do homework!
He works hard on his lessons and loves sharing with us what he is learning –
asking for homework almost every day! He loves reading books, telling stories
and shading (drawing) and break dancing, Joel is very creative! Pizza
and cake are his favorite things to make, Joel wants to be a chef when he grows
up. Always wanting to help with chores or with the younger children, his
compassion and quirky sense of humor bring so much to our home!
History
Joel was abandoned by both
his parents. A local government official let us know that he was in need of a
home. He was hungry and in desperate need of help when he arrived at Rafiki.
Shortly after he came to us, we found out that he had a younger brother, Jerom
- now Joel and Jerom are able to be together here at Rafiki, receiving the love
and care that they both need! He was one of over 3 million destitute,
orphaned children living in the streets and slums of Uganda. But Joel is
NO longer one of these children because he is now part of our Rafiki
Family where he receives all the love and care he needs!
Funky Facts!
Favorite… Color: Blue Animal:
Dinosaur
Food: Chicken and Rice
Game: Tag Activity: Drawing/Dancing
Volunteer Corner
Joel is such a sweet
boy. There are many times when I look at him while he plays or does chores and
he is your typical 6 year old- feisty and mischievous, playful and energetic-
but there are times when I look at him and see something different that I have
never seen in a boy his age. Joel was abandoned by his family a few years ago
and though he’s so young, it will affect him for many years. I tried connecting
with Joel. I played with him, yes, and we had fun together, but I never really
connected with him.
It wasn’t long ago
that we took the kids on a nature walk. Joel walked straight up to me before we
left, grabbed my hand, and didn’t let go one single time for the entire hour
long walk. It was such a special time. We didn’t have to talk much. He only
held my hand and squeezed tighter with every step. I feel like from that moment
on he has really let me get to know him. His favorite animal is a giraffe and
he gets a huge smile on his face when he sees a picture of one or when someone
talks about them. He told me that he would do ridiculous things to get out of
naptime (not in those exact words, of course)! Suddenly at naptime he loves
doing dishes or has to go to the bathroom for over an hour. I’m pretty sure
that if he knew who he was, Nat King Cole would be his favorite singer. He
loves drawing power rangers and always makes sure to give them the world’s
largest biceps! Joel makes me laugh every day! He has a sweet spirit and loves
having quiet moments with those he loves. I love watching him grow. He is a
blessing in the home and I’m so glad he is in my life!
By Stephanie Madrid
Childcare
Worker
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
For the next few weeks we will be posting stories of all the
kids here at Rafiki Africa Ministries (RAM). We want to give these kids a
voice. There are more struggling kids here in Uganda than anyone is able to
count. Here are the stories of 13 kids who's lives were changed by God through
the work of RAM. We want to make you a part of this work, there is so much love
and joy overflowing out of the Rafiki Home and we want you to experience this
through these stories. We hope you can get to know the kids through these
updates and we pray that you will fall in love with them just as we have. Be a
part of the changes God continues to make in the lives of these kids. Make a
difference. Spread the word.
No comments:
Post a Comment