David James

I've been reflecting on the life of David James this past week. For those of you who didn't know David he was a little HIV orphan that Shining a Light sponsored. We lost him to meningitis last week and I have been struggling as to what could have prevented such a senseless death and what I could do to change this common event in Tanzania. Although I know that God is the ultimate ruler of life and death I still have this sense that He is speaking to me, to us, about the fact that we get so caught up in the things of this world, things that are not important. So what is important? My heart tells me that people are but what does my head tell me? When projects need to be organized and job descriptions need to be written, donors need to be informed and updated and boards are pressing in to see results and progress. It's so easy to get caught up in the project instead of focusing on the people. Jesus always had time for people. He was never worried or stressed by deadlines and quotas. Aren't we suppose to be reflecting him?
I've lost David but God has placed so many more lives in my care. I have a new resolve to see these people come to know Jesus, to make their lives healthier and their futures brighter. We will take more time to see the faces and hear the voices instead of the bottom-line and learn from David James that even though God took his precious life he will live on in the work we do through Shining a Light.

I ask that you reflect on who or what is taking precedence in your life and if it's what, change it to who!

A Story of Reunion

Most of the time we hear the stories of children being abandoned over here in Tanzania but this is a story of reunion. I met Baby almost two years ago. She was a four year old little girl living with her Grandmother because her mother had to flee the area to escape an abusive husband. Her mother went to work as a house girl in another region of Tanzania because she feared for her life. After several abusive confrontations and a stabbing that left her scared for her and her child's life, Fatuma left her child in the care of her mother and ran as fast and as far as she could.
Now almost two years later she as returned. I have been helping Baby's grandmother care for her, taking her to the doctor when needed, paying school fees and buying food and clothing for her. But now that her mother has finally returned my hope and prayer is that she will be able to be the mother Baby so desperately needs. Our training center/workshop is a great place for Fatuma to get those skills that she needs to provide for Baby. We are hopefully going to welcome Fatuma into our program and save this family from every having to be separated again. Not only will she be able to provide for her and her child but she will be able to give her a life she never had herself. Our goal at Shining a Light is to create an environment of Empowerment so that mother and child may stay together and learn the skills necessary to sustain a brighter future for themselves and their family.