Their stories to tell.

"How was Africa?"

The question that haunts me.

My reply, "It was wonderful. It's my favorite place in the world."

And with that response I quickly turn the conversation away from me. The reason...when I really stop to think about that question my heart grows heavy. There's a weight upon me that I either try to ignore or wait to share at the appropriate time and place. Is blogging the appropriate time or place to help lift the burden? To ease the troubled heart? And whose heart am I trying to ease? My own? The children of Zambia? The women of Africa? The sorrow and suffering of human kind?

My head has a hard time grasping it all but I feel in my heart that "their" stories need to be told. I want the people of America to know their brothers and sisters across the world. I want them to feel of their goodness and love. Most importantly, I want them to know, as do the Zambians, the love of God for all His children.

The first story I'd like to share is that of my sweet boy Evans.

Well I actually have two boys, Dala and Evans, but Dala's story is to tender for my heart to handle at this time. I will save his story for another time. Here are some pictures of both my boys.

I met Evans in the summer of '06 and I instantly fell in love with his beautiful smile and his outgoing, loving personality.

I had the privilege of being with him again in the summer of '07 where I received one of the greatest blessings of my life. It came when Evans was turning me into a Zambian by placing black soot all over my face.

As he was preparing the face paint he said to me, "Auntie Heather, Auntie Heather, I need to tell you something." I, of course, was eager to hear what he had to say. The words that came from his mouth have changed my life. He said, "You love me like my mommy did." At which point I broke down and gave Evans the biggest hug. No one but my Heavenly Father could ever know what hearing those words meant to me. I too, like Evans, have lost my mother and have yearned for the love of a mother. I have also yearned for the desire to mother. I realized that Heavenly Father has not denied me that opportunity, as a matter of fact, he has given me more opportunities to mother than most women have. I know how it feels to be a mother. I truly love Evans as is he were my own son, which is why his is the first story to tell.

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He was born sixteen years ago. He was the youngest in a family of 8 children. He has no memory of his father and his mother died when he was five. He went to live with his brother who was unable to take care of him. At the age of 8 or 9 he went looking for a job to help buy food hor himself and his brother he was staying with. He found a job herding cattle in the bush. His stories of this time in the bush with the cattle were frightening and it made me wish for children's rights in Africa. His job as a cattle herder ended when thieves came and stole some of the cows. When the owner's found out they took Evans to the police to report him for losing the cattle. At which point the police told the owner that he should not be hiring children and the case was dismissed.

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After this Evans went to live with another brother who was also unable to take care of his needs. Mothers without Borders learned about Evans when it was discovered that he was living in a chicken coop with his brother and his brother's girlfriend. What??? A chicken coop? He was found at the age of 12 and was promptly brought to the CRC (the orphanage) where he lived and was well taken care of for the next four years.

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In April of this year he was reintegrated back into a home with his brother. The circumstances are not ideal and have been the result of many tears on my part, but he has a couch to sleep on in a tiny little house, food to eat for most meals, rabbits to love and care for, a great attitude, and still that beautiful smile.

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The first picture below is of the new cage he built for his rabbits. He was so proud of his cage. I spoke with him a few nights ago and he now has 11 rabbits to play with. Pretty soon he's going to need a bigger cage. The last picture is of his brother, sis-in-law, and nephew in front of their home. Please take note of the sugar cane in our hands, a must in Zambia.



Here are some pics of me and Evans with Auntie Heidi. Heidi fell in love with Evans the minute she met him and almost in the same instant realized the need to support Evans in school so he can receive a real education. We've decided that for now the best place to send him is to a boarding school in Zambia. We're hoping that he'll start at his new school in January. I am so grateful for my sweet sister and for her ability to see things that I'm to blind to see. It was such a blessing having her in Africa with me.

Here's a funny video of the boys practicing their drumming on a Sunday afternoon with lollipops in their mouth. Evans is the drummer with the brown hoodie on.


There is so much more to tell about this sweet little boy but will end the story for now. I will forever be grateful for my Evans. He is one of the greatest blessings of my life. He will be a part of me and my family forever. Thank you Evans for your incredible example and love. You truly are a child of God.