Fatima's House

This past weekend, I went to Fatima's House, an orphanage located about an hour drive from Freetown. The orphanage was started by a local couple who took in orphans after the war. They then began taking in other children who were unwanted, albino, or who were to be given as sacrifices. As the orphanage grew, the couple bought some land about 1 hour from Freetown where they now have over 50 children ranging in ages from about 2 to 20 or so. The couple raises the children to value education and every child attends school. As a result, the children that have grown and left the orphanage are all educated- some are teachers, and three of the girls have become nurses. The couple also teaches them each to give back to the communities in which they came from.

A group of about 7 of us went and when we arrived, we were greeted by dozens of children. We had them gather together and we sang songs with them and we taught them about the Africa Mercy, its mission, the work that takes place on it and about doing God's will for our lives. We each shared what we do on the ship and why we were there and some shared about what they like most about the ship or something interesting about life on the ship. The older school age children and teenagers were very attentive. After we were done talking, we made paper replicas of the Africa Mercy from preprinted cutouts. Then we did some coloring pages with the kids, while others played soccer, and others played with another ball. It was nice being with the children who all have so much life and joy. Each child was so unique, yet they are all viewed and treated as one of the couple's children. The atmosphere was one of a large family; I believe that is how the couple intends for it to be. I even had to remind myself it was an orphanage. The young kids kept calling me "Auntie" a term used to address the women in a community. I was touched by the endearing name.

While we were visiting, the father of the house was attending a meeting with the locals. There have been recent attacks in the community and 12 kids (not children from the home) were taken this week and their body parts had been found. It is believed that children are being taken to be used as sacrifices and idol worship. Because the home is in that community and there are many children, there is extreme concern about what should be done. There is alot of fear in the community. Apparently there had been previous missing people but their whereabouts were unknown. After finding the bodies of the missing children, it is thought that the others were also taken to be sacrifices. Prayer for the home, the children and the community is needed. Pray for safety and for peace.