There were tears in Matilde’s eyes when she held the newborn triplets in her arms.



HELP A CHILD IN NEED
Give to our orphans and vulnerable children fund and provide relief for boys and girls facing desperate circumstances.It was an expression of happiness and grief. The babies were beautiful and healthy. But Matilde worried how she would care for them. Her husband had abandoned the family a few months earlier, and the young Mozambique woman wondered how she’d be able to provide for five children on her own.

Each day, Matilde would wearily wake the children. Her legs nearly gave out as she carried two of the triplets. She hadn’t eaten much in the last few days, and all the nutrition she consumed went directly to nursing.

Her 8-year-old daughter Stela carried the other baby and 2-year-old Mercia followed behind. The sun hadn’t yet peaked above the horizon as the family walked for 40 minutes to reach their small garden plot. They returned home after working the field, and Stela set out to find water.

Even though she’s only 8, Stela has to take on much of the housework and childcare.

Stela goes to school in the afternoons, but she has difficulty concentrating. She never gets much sleep. The crying triplets keep her up at night, and Stela must check on them when her mother is too exhausted.

The future looked bleak. Matilde didn’t know how much longer she could continue.Supporting families like this one is what God wants from us, and Samaritan’s Purse has made us see that this is our role as a church.
—Pastor Rafael

Then Pastor Rafael and Julieta met the family and were motivated to act. The two had recently undergone training by Samaritan’s Purse, which had encouraged their church to care for vulnerable children in the community.

After seeing the hardship and strain the family endured, supporting Matilde and her children became one of the church’s top priorities.

Julieta visits the family nearly every day to fetch water, cook meals, and care for the triplets. Pastor Rafael has provided counseling for Matilde, who is still working through her husband’s abandonment. The church has helped integrate the family into the community, encouraging others to overcome stigma associated with abandonment.

Samaritan’s Purse provides milk for the triplets and a supplementary food ration of maize, beans, oil, and sugar each month.

“Supporting families like this one is what God wants from us, and Samaritan’s Purse has made us see that this is our role as a church,” Pastor Rafael said. “A church does not only talk of how God is good, but makes other people realize it.”

Pastor Rafael and a team of 25 church volunteers now show God’s love in a practical way to more than 280 orphans and vulnerable children in the Manga community.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ,” (Galatians 6:2, NIV).

PLEASE PRAY:

Samaritan's Purse , Mozambique , Prescription for Hope , Caring for Mothers