August Update – Hope for Life

(Twizerimana before and after the streets)

Last July, HFLM took in 14-year-old Twizerimana (meaning “believe God”) who initially had a countenance of grief due to a deeply wounded life. His life dramatically changed a year ago when his father died from AIDS, and weeks later, his mother passed away from malaria. He had nowhere to go after his mother died, so he began living on the streets and not even his relatives were willing to bring him into their home. After some time, Twizerimana was arrested and put into prison simply for living on the streets. He was released in April, and after attending HFLM’s outreach program in May, he gave his life to Christ. He says that, “…after coming to know Christ I changed my life and I stopped smoking cigarettes.” It is amazing to see how God began a work in Twizerimana’s life, brought him to HFLM, and has transformed his countenance to joyful smiling and laughing.

It is exciting to see the boys’ maturation in Christ as they have found joy in reading the Bible and applying its truth to their lives. Every Saturday morning the boys lead devotions at HFLM. 17-year-old Baby shared from Isaiah 54:17 which says, “no weapon formed against you shall succeed.” He confessed that anyone who looked at him before could tell he had many problems. He described the painful situation in his family that has been burdening him; “The last time I visited my mother it was so evident that she is dying that when we [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][he and his mother] looked at each other, we began crying and praying to God.” Baby then broke down in tears as he pleaded with us to pray for his mother. Baby shared that he’s also been struggling in school and has received bad grades. However, he explained, “I have felt happy since reading Isaiah 54:17. It is impossible for humans to be happy all the time, but I can find joy through reading the Word of God. He is for us and not against us.” A transformation in his attitude towards life has been unmistakable to everyone. Fellow HFLM member, David, shared an encouraging word to Baby and the rest of the boys saying, “I want to tell you the difference between dying and perishing. Us believers, we will die and have eternal life, but those who don’t know Christ will perish. Although we may think we are poor, we are richer than the richest person in the world because we know Christ. Most of our families don’t know Jesus, and we need to share this treasure with them.” As staff, we are proud and humbled to be a part of such momentous moments such as these.

During the month of August, the kids will be on their vacation. During this break, some boys will get the chance to go home to visit their families for a week. Several boys are eager to go home and share with their family how Christ has changed their lives and their hearts. Two of the boys, Veterne and Daniel, are going home to see their sister get baptized. They are both so excited and exclaimed they never thought they would see the day when their sister would accept Christ and be baptized. We are so excited that they have the opportunity to share in the joy of attending their sister’s baptism, as well as the opportunity to watch their sister grow in Christ.