Greetings from Africa, Friend, 

Last Sunday, I spent some time at Mustard Seed's children's home, Rapha's House—more of a family than an orphanage. All of the children wrote about what life was like before they came here. I was struck by how many described the death of their fathers and the heartache they'd endured.

With all of that loss, one might expect a gloomy atmosphere, but that is not the case. Each child is valued, and the housemother, older sisters and brothers, the social worker, and others give plenty of love and acceptance. Eighteen-year-old Edrine is a fabulous big sister who had the young ones dancing, singing, and telling stories. In the photo, six-year-old Fausta confidently gives a small speech about what she saw on the way to school. 

Gratefully,
Elaine