A Heart For Orphans

(originally published in July 2020)

A few weeks ago Mr. Ombeni from Centre Ombeni Orphelinat (in English: Ombeni Center Orphanage) contacted me through Facebook messenger. His message was short and simple: “with the Covid crisis, I have not been able to cover the rent for a few months, please if you could help me so that the kids and I don’t end up on the street”

Mr. Ombeni Manegabe, Centre Ombeni, Bukavu, DRC

I thought it was a father’s plea for him and his family. But my heart was strangely gripped by this simple message. I receive dozens of financial requests every week, and my answer is usually a standard response. But with this one, it was different.

When I asked him where he was, he said that they are in Bukavu, D.R. Congo, and that it was actually him and the orphans that he shelters in a rental apartment.

My heart was ripped. I understood that it was the Spirit of God who touched my heart with this simple message.

The rent is $50 a month and this house shelters 47 children with ages between 3 and 17.

I found a way to have a relative go visit the place and confirm the problem. He was skeptical, but when he went there anyway, he was able to confirm the story and he produced a video tour of the orphanage for us. Here is the first few minutes of the tour.