Jonathan was raised in the orphanage, since he was 2 years old. He is 19 and one of the original "kids". When Ed remodeled the orphanage on our last mission, Jonathan worked with him everyday. He is sort of the "father" image of the orphanage. He takes good care of the other kids, and he is very helpful to Philomene, the director. He is the maintenance man and everyone loves him. When we finished the repairs, as we were leaving our last mission, we told Jonathan he had earned $300, but we weren't allowed to pay him directly.
We told him we would save it for when he was ready to go on a mission.
When we were on our last mission, he was serving as the Priest Quorum 1st assistant to the bishop. When we arrived here in April, he was Young Men's President. He was released in May and made the Ward Mission Leader. Everyone loves him.
Last month we went to a baptism where Jonathan baptized 4 of the orphans. We were so very proud of him!
If a Congolese boy wants to go on a mission, he has to earn enough money to pay for his passport. (About $300.) Then, the boys family is expected to pay a little each month. Because there is 85% unemployment in this country, it is extremely difficult for a young man to earn that money. There are special funds with the church to help pay most of their monthly mission payments. Because Jonathan is an orphan, he has no family to pay the monthlies. $300 meant he had earned enough to go on a mission and he is soooooo ready.
We told him we would save it for when he was ready to go on a mission.
When we were on our last mission, he was serving as the Priest Quorum 1st assistant to the bishop. When we arrived here in April, he was Young Men's President. He was released in May and made the Ward Mission Leader. Everyone loves him.
Last month we went to a baptism where Jonathan baptized 4 of the orphans. We were so very proud of him!
If a Congolese boy wants to go on a mission, he has to earn enough money to pay for his passport. (About $300.) Then, the boys family is expected to pay a little each month. Because there is 85% unemployment in this country, it is extremely difficult for a young man to earn that money. There are special funds with the church to help pay most of their monthly mission payments. Because Jonathan is an orphan, he has no family to pay the monthlies. $300 meant he had earned enough to go on a mission and he is soooooo ready.
One of our first priorities, when we arrived in April, was to help Jonathan get his paperwork done for his mission. After taking him for fingerprints, immunizations, passport, exit visa, and numerous other required items... his paperwork was ready to submit. Now we are all just waiting for his call to arrive.
I am totally weeping! That is so, so great!!
ReplyDeleteWe neee an update! What a joy!!!! We feel as if these kids are our newest siblings! When people ask if we miss you and are sad you are gone for so long.... we think of experiences like this and immediately answer no! Not at all! They are where they need to be and we are thrilled!
ReplyDeleteWe neee an update! What a joy!!!! We feel as if these kids are our newest siblings! When people ask if we miss you and are sad you are gone for so long.... we think of experiences like this and immediately answer no! Not at all! They are where they need to be and we are thrilled!
ReplyDelete