Envisioning a different path

He is a danger to others.  His family is afraid of him.  He is not allowed to interact with other because he can harm them or cause problems.  He is kept in chains so that he doesn't harm or frighten others.  Sounds like the man from Mark, chapter 5, a bit doesn't it?  This man's name is Vitalis.  Before his father passed away his family was able to take him to the doctor.  Now his mother Hawakii cannot afford the medicine he needs.

Hawaii is sixty-two years old and has ten children.  Three of her children are in college or secondary school.  The fees are paid for my a cousin.  Only one of her children brings in any income to support the family.  Unlike other families, they do not have farm animals to get nutrition or income from.   They borrow a donkey from a neighbor and make the 4 mile round trip walk to the nearest source of water, likely a muddy stream.

This family is waiting to get a hybid dairy goat.  First Hawaii will take some classes to learn how to raise and breed her goats, how grow food for it, and how to build a shed to keep it safe from hyenas.  If she cares for her doe well, in five months or so she may have a goat kid or two in addition to the doe she was given.  In a year she could have a herd of six or more goats. As a part of program requirements, she'll plan to give her first born goat kid (baby goat) to another family in need, keep the second, and give the third back to the project to fund local leadership needs.   If her crops grow she will have food for her goat and her family.  She may also have extra to sell to others.  She'll have a source of nutrition and income.  Vitalis will be able to get back on medication and Hawakii's other children will be able to go to school.  This family will have the potential to break out of poverty and begin a new journey.

Hawakii practices a local tribal religion.  She does not yet know the God who made her.  The goats are a tool to bring hope and share the love of God with people who have lost hope.  We recently  hired a local Tanzanian pastor to come alongside the families who get a goat to encourage them, share the Gospel, and pray with them.  It is our hope and prayer that Hawakii and her family will be able to realize a different future, come to know the God who sent His Son to die for them, and that through His power Vitalis will be healed.  Please pray with us.

Written by Dr. Margaret Thompson
edited by Joni Hoffmann