Sharing God's Love.....

Paul and his wife became Christians while living in their home country of  Burkina Faso (a neighbour of Niger's). They soon became burdened for the orphans of Niamey and felt the Lord's calling to show His love to those forgotten ones. On Wednesday, I went with some of our high school students to Remar Orphanage, home to 47 children.

Cooking outdoors is a way of life in Niger. This is also the only space the children have to play outdoors. However in February, the orphanage is moving to their new facilities just outside the city limits. Thanks to the generosity of many people, Paul was able to purchase land and build two houses for all the children that have been placed in his care. There is a large yard for the children to play in and they have planted a garden to help feed everyone.

Children everywhere love bubbles, so glad that I brought some with me.

The high school students planned a program for our time there. A Name Game introduced everyone, then it was colouring time.

The team brought cookies and juice to be enjoyed while a story was being read to them. Education is very important here at Remar, and can  be expensive for so many children. Even public school cost money to go to. The older ones are taught to sew, do hair, carpentry, and mechanics. One of the older girls plans to attend nursing school soon. Paul has even hired tutors to help the children with learning.

This little girl laughed as she jumped off a bench and into my arms so I could twirl her around. Some of the children have family that they visit on holidays. Most will never see their father or mother again. One girl was sold by her father to the prostitution ring, rescued by the police and brought to the safety of the orphanage.

North American children like to play with pots and pans, African children prefer bicycle tires and rims. John Philip and I rolled the rim back and forth several times. He is the youngest child of Paul and his wife, they have 5 children of their own. They would say that all of the children at Remar are theirs.....to feed, to clothe, to educate, to hug and to love. That is true religion after all....James 1:27