A Message From Margaret
On the way to Africa high above the ocean, I thought of each one of the eight university scholars wondering what God wanted me to do to encourage them. All four of the girls Juliana, Joanitah, Claire and Gorret have lost both of their parents and have no “mum” to talk to, do “girly” things like shopping or manicures, or just talk about the things you discuss with your mother. It makes me think about how I’m now an orphan too though later in life. You never get over the loss of your parents. I often long for the times I would go to my mom’s room and sit on the edge of the bed and just talk to her about my day…what a sweet lady. She listened and always had an encouraging word and never held back if she thought I needed to be steered in a different direction.
The guys are a whole different story but still need encouraging in a different way. David, Michael and John have no parents. Joseph’s dad is dead and his mom is not is good health. David and Michael have both expressed one of the things they didn’t expect about the Rock is the sense of belonging to a family. It is a basic yearning we all have about connectedness. When your parents are gone that stability and feeling of being rooted is missing. John understands this and as one of the oldest scholars shepherds the group and creates a homey, loving atmosphere each Sunday where he lives and has the Bible fellowships. They love to share a meal and call it “swallowship time”. It is an opportunity many of us have experienced around our family dinner tables. It is a safe place we test our thoughts about what we believe around a small group of people who will challenge, exhort and spur us on to confidence.
God wants the guys to be providers, protectors and promoters as leaders in their relationships whether they are in school, business or with their families. And it is particularly important as girlfriends enter the picture. With polygamy so rampant these principles are not modeled in Africa. Few fathers are alive and from a Biblical standpoint it isn’t often taught. Guys want respect and when they are sincere protectors, providers and promoters of family and friends there is great joy and appreciation.
I am trying to imagine what they must be thinking about their futures in a country with over 50% of the students graduating from school but not finding jobs. It is scary I’m sure to be faced with no “safety net” at home with parents. So I’m so prayerful that the Lord will give me wisdom and discernment about how to evaluate their skills and help them write resumes, learn how to present themselves in interviews and also open doors in companies or organizations for internships. I’m finding the students really need advocates and people to help them “get their foot in the door.”
Even though I never thought I would have such a large extended family in Africa, I know God has a personal purpose for each one of them and I look forward to see how things will unfold. The Rock Scholarship program is very personal in the development of each student spiritually, emotionally, physically and intellectually. Juliana needs to go to the dentist, Joanitah is being treated for goiter, and both Claire and Gorett have just recently gotten over malaria. David has anemia and a vitamin deficiency due to poor diet. We provide for all their medical expenses, tuition fees, all incidentals, lodging, and special activities.
As part of the Rock I believe you are a part of the implementation plan when God says he has “a plan and a future” for them. If you want to participate in this way to pave the way for the scholars, we have a great need for the second installment of their tuition in fees, and incidentals for this term.
To cover what is needed for these 8 students we need $5,125 by February 1st. The prayers for them when they are sick, the fees that are paid, the laptop computers we are trying to provide each one, the Life Application Bibles they use every Sunday at the Bible Study all make up the holistic approach.