I See You, Joshua.

“We learned that orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they’re not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes.” - David Platt, Radical

I had the privilege of sharing lunch with Bob and Julie Mendonsa this week. Our friendship dates back several years, and it has spanned over three continents. They are now living in Maai Mahiu, Kenya, where they have opened Naomi’s Village (click here for more info). This home is now set to feed and care for 110 orphans.

They shared a video with me about their current progress. In September 2009, I (along with an amazing team) had a chance to walk and pray over the land featured at the 0:33 mark. It is remarkable to see what God has done. See it all here:

At the 1:50 mark, you meet Joshua, who as the caption informs us was orphaned in 2010 (corrected) and is the first child at Naomi’s Village. His story is, as follows: “Joshua’s father came home drunk one night and slaughtered Joshua’s pregnant mother and two brothers with a machete. While Joshua hid under a table to escape the violence, his father hung himself above that table.” These next two videos are actual news reports:

It is hard to imagine such unspeakable evil, unfolding before the eyes of a 3-year old child. Yet it is also a testimony of unfathomable grace, that the Lord would prepare a home for little ones such as Joshua. Joshua’s story made national news. Yet, his story is now being swallowed up in God’s greater story—the good news of the gospel.

Bob told me over lunch: “God uses people to do His will. And when we give ourselves, He makes us into the kind of people He uses.” I was convicted that I needed to act. For myself, I don’t have much money to give. But, there are other things we can do:

1.) Share. I don’t want unspeakable evil to have the “last word.” I want to tell of God’s love and faithfulness. Naomi’s Village is a witness to that. So, I can share this story with others, praying that we won’t harden our hearts or turn a blind eye to it. Suffering is real, and Bob & Julie are offering real hope too.

2.) Pray. If you are reading this, stop to offer up a prayer for Joshua and all the dear children like him. Pray for more laborers to be sent out, to reach out & love them. Open your heart to what God may be speaking to you, about your role in this.

3.) Study. There are many great books out there to help us think through biblically what our role is in helping children like Joshua. Radical by David Platt is a great place to start. I just started A Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns as well.

4.) Give. If you do feel led to help the amazing work at Naomi’s Village, donations or sponsorships can be made online at naomisvillage.com or lostorphans.com, or by mail at Lost Orphans International, PO Box 1388, McKinney TX 75070.

I pray that I will not try to “un-see” what I have seen. May I not be a hearer who forgets, but rather a doer who acts! “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans & widows in their affliction…” (James 1:26)