Come as Children

As OMEGA project managers, we have recently formed a partnership with Safina Street Ministry, for the street children here in Dodoma. Future OMEGA teams will support the ministry by raising financial support and traveling to Dodoma to give of themselves. Safina feeds nearly 140 children (mostly males) living on the streets of Dodoma. Many of these children have been orphaned, or abandoned. Safina's primary aim is to get these children placed in the home of a relative or into a foster home. Even with these attempts, many are still living at the dump, bus stand, or sleeping in ditches at night. Safina provides one significant meal a day for these children, which is usually comprised of beans and rice. They seek medical attention if necessary and try to find means by which school fees can be paid.

In the coming weeks, the ministry will relocate to a larger facility which will require a great deal of work before they can actually move in. With this new location, there is the possibility there will be a place where the kids can shower and where the sick can have a place to sleep.

We had the privilege of spending some time with the program several times since we have relocated to Dodoma. A few weeks ago, we joined another American family, 3 American single volunteers, and a guy from New Zealand for a work day at the new facility. The lot is overgrown and a new fence is needed. Through the day, we trimmed hedges and placed 13 fence posts in concrete.

It was not so much the actual work that was accomplished, but just the fun of joining with others in this effort. What impressed us the most was the work done by the children. Not just the street children, but the 3 children of the American family also. They worked tirelessly all day, hauling trash, rocks, shovels of cement, and digging holes. The hearts of these children were so pure and dedicated to getting the job done. Not one word of complaint was uttered. Not only are these children giving their time, but they commit a large portion of their allowance to be set aside for a fund for medical treatment for the street children.

 

As they worked, children from the neighborhood appeared and wanted to do anything to help. These guys were truly "little...maybe 3-4 years of age. If they could carry a rock, they were thrilled. One little guy carried cement by the double handful.

 

Is it any wonder Jesus asks us to "come as children"?