Dear Friends and family of Orphan's Promise. We recently received this letter from one of our partner ministries in Sudan. See how your gifts are changing lives of needy children in this desperate country. You are making a difference.
Terry

Dear Terry,

Our orphanage is truly a "family home," not a small family with two parents, but a home and family to the children living here. When the older orphans go to town for a few hours, the younger ones sit and watch the gate for their return. When they see them coming back, they all run and greet them even though it has only been a few hours.

One of the most important things any of us can do for our children, whether we are in the U.S. or anywhere is to provide a godly example, present Christianity positively, pray with our children, have family Bible studies, and lead our children to the Lord. This is our Home! We know that material things do not matter so much...but what make a real home are love and a feeling of belonging. And we have that here!

We are told by local officials and the UN staff that many of the children living with us would have died if we hadn't taken them in. Life for children outside of our compound is a harsh one. Most children go to bed hungry due to the lack of food and they are cold because they do not have blankets. They are left alone much of the time and have to go to neighbors begging for food. Many of them have to walk for miles just to get dirty water. There is no education and no medicine. The only form of medical treatment they can get from the local witch doctor is to have their skin cut and local herbs poured into the opening. This is not what God intended for our kids!

We have learned much from our children. One day, James and I were sitting and talking and he asked me how we raise children in the U.S. He asked if we let children go wherever they want. I told him that to be a good parent you must instruct your children as they grow up, directing them in how they should live and they cannot go wherever they want. He told me life is so different in Sudan where children are left to themselves. He said he remembers his family tying up his hands and feet, leaving him home alone. I guess it was to keep him from leaving home. As he told me this, he had tears rolling down his face.

I've told James and many of our older boys about orphans and how it was never God's plan for children to be orphans. Emmanuel told me that after his mother and father died his aunt tried to care for them. He remembers times when she would pick leaves from trees and boil them so they had something to eat. This broke my heart and I could see it broke his heart as well. Emmanuel is a bright young man who wants to be an electrical engineer. And James wants to be a lawyer. These boys, along with our other children, are growing up with good morals and they are the ones that will help change this new nation for good. Their hearts are filled with love. They are living in a home that is changing their lives and bringing them hope for the future.

Thank you Orphan's Promise for helping us show the love of Christ to deserving children in Sudan, you are saving and changing lives!

Terry – what a privilege to come alongside these dedicated workers in the field to change the lives of these precious children!