You know the story of Nezerwa Centre, oh, the things God has done! Scripture is clear that God’s heart is for the widow and the orphan, the destitute, the foreigner, the refugee, the tossed out by society, and as a family, we have seen this truth time and time again.

Since returning from Burundi, we have partnered closely with 3 Burundians. Cedrick is a man of God and a great translator. He was an orphan himself, and he has a heart and a passion to serve the orphans and people of Burundi. Charlotte is a dear friend, we grew very close to her and her family during our time in Burundi, and they became family. She is helping us serve Burundians and help administratively as we need documents or translation. Lastly, Boaz has been a close friend since I first went to Burundi in 2009. He was my translator for the month I was in Burundi and we became close friends immediately. He has since married an amazing Godly woman named Africa and they have 3 kids.

One of my conversations that impacted me deeply in 2009 was with Boaz. He shared part of his story of fleeing during war and how his father was killed, and he became an orphan. Boaz was and is convinced God spared his life, and he does not intend to waste a moment of it. He became a doctor and studied in Kenya, and has since had a good job in Kenya at a hospital. Burundians think he is crazy because his deep desire is to go back to Burundi to serve as a doctor in his own country. You see, typically, if you get out of Burundi and have a decent life you would not choose to return, life is poverty and difficulty in Burundi, why go back? Boaz knows he has a skill that will benefit the poor and sick in his country and he intends to use it for God’s glory. In Burundi a doctor cannot make enough money to put food on the table for their own family, so Boaz is working as a missionary to raise support so he can be a doctor in Burundi.

In the past 2 months, these 3 people have been vital to us as we continue to serve in Burundi. Cedrick and Charlotte are on the ground, receiving funds and safely getting what is needed to the orphanage. They are keeping track of expenses and making sure the money is used wisely and correctly.

This last month, $2,000 was given for the orphanage to get mattresses, so the children no longer sleep 3-4 a bed. One of the orphan boys got a broken arm that week and there was no money to get him proper care. We talked to Boaz in Kenya, who gave us some good information about where to take the boy in Burundi to get proper care then Cedrick was able to go with the orphanage director to get the boy a proper cast. While taking the boy Cedrick noticed the orphanage director was not feeling well. He asked if it was possible for us to send a little money so she could get medical care.

We prayed and we received $150 unexpectedly from a donor of ours, which we sent on so the director could receive medical care. She has typhoid and malaria, and because of the $150, she is recovering well.

We have no assured funding at all; we are relying on the Lord to continue bringing people to support this ministry, and He is faithful. We seek to pay Cedrick and Charlotte $150 a month salary. We seek to help with basic needs for the orphanage immediately which is money for food, medical needs, and school fees totaling $500 a month. Our biggest goal right now is to begin the process of becoming an official NGO in Burundi, which is $500.

It is challenging because our own salary is support raising too, but God took us to Burundi as a family. God broke our hearts for these specific 49 children (they added a 4-month-old since we departed Burundi). And we cannot be silent about their needs. Pray with us, please. God is working, He has great plans, and He is telling these children through us all that they are important, valued, and God has not forgotten them!

Here are a few videos the orphanage has sent, their hearts are happy because of the support they have received-food, blankets, mattresses, medical care and running water. Yet, the reality is their needs are ongoing and we need God to raise up people to help take care of them in prayer and financial way. We also really hope to be able to take a team in next year to visit and minister at the orphanage. Be in prayer with us, please! If you would like to give please, click here. If you’re interested in getting a small group together or hearing more, please, feel free to reach out to us at joshandmichelle@proton.me.

I think the videos will help you grasp better; these are real people. I know you know that, but you see, we have had the privilege of knowing them, we have met them, we communicate with them, and we try to convey all of it to you. These are the precious children God has allowed us to minister to, see their faces, their smiles, the hurt and joy in their eyes. Each one has a story, and each one matters to God and needs to know that truth deeply. When you pray and when you give it’s not some flippant dollar a just another prayer, Your aligning yourself with God’s very heart for the orphan. Thank you!