Psalms 71:8 "But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more."

Well our time in Zimbabwe at Eden Children's Village has come to a swift end. I could capsillate this adventure with one word: HOPE. From stories of how the orphanage all began with the faith and prayers of Kevin and Susan Fry who had fostered 150 high-risk children in the US before they were in their 30's to survivals of their orphans here in Zimbabwe found in garbage bags, shoe boxes, and pit toilets. One word comes to mind: HOPE. When I have had the pleasure to be guest in all the homes in The Village and seen jubilant dancing, singing, and laughing throughout the night by children who have lost their parents to AIDS or were deserted as infants, I could only express HOPE. After eating the staple meal (They eat it 3 times a day, 7 days a week...) of the Shona people-sadza (think grits without water) always combined with collard greens accompanied by worms (you heard me!) or raw fish the size of sardines or butternut squash or beef (if they're lucky) without hearing complaints I can only say: this is HOPE! After interacting one on one with young gentlemen and young ladies with special emotional needs due to severe abuse and/or neglect, and they say time after time "I only want to help people", I have to believe, there is HOPE! No, not just wishful thinking, not just a gutsy pulling oneself by the bootstraps. No, not a sprint to the finish line, but a victorious march-with a limp! By the way, it's victorious because though they limp they appear to be leaning on-God! In fact one young man was insightful and tranparent enought to say: "I want God because I know He's real-I just don't always trust Him because so many people who loved me have died." Pure honesty! Here again-HOPE! Here I was able to share from my own life's losses and Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans not to harm you but to prosper you: plans to give you HOPE and a future." There are no quick answers, no easy solutions, no one-step remedies-only HOPE! And the days I have spent here make it abundantly clear, no matter how troubling life can become, there is always HOPE!