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Focus on the Caregivers
They don’t give money. They don’t give clothes
or shoes. They don’t give gifts of candy or toys. They don’t
give just hugs. They don’t even give their time. These folks
give the most important thing of all. They give their lives to the
lambs and we deeply appreciate them.
Dinand
Whenever I walk
into the Center, I usually find Dinand with at least three children in
his lap. Dinand recently gave up a relatively good paying job because
of his desire to work with the lambs. He’s the children’s Bible education
director as well as their physical education director. Dinand can
be found any Saturday morning on the inner city dirt lot near the Center
coaching the 19 lambs on the intricacies of soccer. Dinand is also
in charge of the children’s medical needs. He’s big brother to the
boys and just generally a pal to everyone at Betikara.
Tefy
If you come through
the front door of the Center, you had better be able to dodge quickly,
otherwise Tefy will mow you over as he chases and plays with the lambs.
Tefy is Betikara’s master pest. He’s so successful with the kids
because he’s just like them. Tefy is a university graduate who gives
his life for the lambs while he finishes his own education and master’s
degree. He directs their academic education as well as serving as
Betikara’s treasurer, and Tefy is Betikara’s disciplinarian. He even
put me in the corner once! The lambs love Tefy, and so do we.
Ranja
Ranja provides a
sense of security to the children and to Betikara in general. She
has been our next door neighbor ever since we moved the first lamb into
Betikara and for many months when we visited the center we would find Ranja
sweeping the front step or cleaning the kitchen voluntarily. Ranja
now works at Betikara full time. She cleans and mends clothes and
very recently Ranja has taken on the task of trying to raise local funds
and supplies for Betikara.
Nivo
If you were to ask
me, I think Nivo does the hardest job of all at Betikara. She trudges
daily to the open air market, shops on a very limited budget, and feeds
25+ people three times a day. Nivo is Betikara’s chef, but her gentle
nature attracts the girls like a magnet. Nivo also oversees the lamb's
chores and she serves as Betikara’s hairdresser. She’s an excellent
teacher too. She has the older girls cooking already! Many
are the days that I find myself begging for a morsel from Nivo’s cook pot,
and she does it all without a proper stove or refrigerator.
The lambs love ‘em,
and so do we!
You would probably
think more than twice about giving your life to move in and supervise 19
lambs who live in very tight quarters on a salary of less than $30.00 a
month. I know I would! That’s why we appreciate these folks
so much. They don’t just give their time and their skills.
They give so much love and they spend every precious minute filling the
lambs up with that love. Please, pray for them as they serve Him
at Betikara. |
