Bethesda Widows & Orphans Home Is Open!

A home for children and women affected by AIDS

On the last day of January, Mariam Bamago and her daughter, Suzanne, moved into Bethesda Home! We thank all those who have contributed to the funds for building this home, especially the Common Cause class of Liberty Bible Church in Chesterton, Indiana USA. It was a sad day when Mariam’s husband died of AIDS. How could she support herself and Suzanne, their only child? The sad truth was that she also had AIDS, which she had contracted from her husband. But love and joy came into her life when she turned away from Islam and became a Christian. Now Christ was in her life in addition to the loving family of Christ. The believers in Moussa’s home church tried to help her as much as they could. She was hired as a teacher’s aid in the Sarfalao Christian School, although she was often too sick to work.

But we are the family of Christ, too, and we can help. A little over a year ago a plan was made to build a home for children left orphaned by AIDS, such as Samiratou. When Samiratou’s mother enrolled her in the Sarfalao school, her husband had already died of AIDS and she herself was very ill. The mother soon moved in with her brother, but then she died. That left 10 year old Samiratou living in a one-room home with her Muslim uncle. But Samiratou trusts in Jesus. She says that her home is in Jesus. Let’s pray that soon she will be able to move into a home for children just like her.

In the leading of the Lord, we planned to construct a home with three suites to house around fifteen children, two or three widows, and one healthy Christian couple to be the house parents. This home will be much like an African family, which often includes extended family members.

So, where are we on those plans? We had hoped to purchase property and build the home all for $20,000, but the property ended up costing $14,000.

The property came with a cement block wall all around (which is a necessity), a small building for temporary storage of building supplies, and had running water and electricity accessible.

It was fun to watch the progress of the building—not exactly like buildings here in the U.S. All the cement blocks were made by our own Christian construction crew. Putting up walls preceded laying the floors. But today the outside construction is complete.

God has been very gracious to us and has provided the funds to bring us this far.  In order to put in plumbing, ceilings, electrical outlets, and painting the walls, we need about $8,000 more. We could sure use your help in praying and in giving. Mariam and her daughter, Suzanne, are so very grateful!