Settling in a Safe Home

Every child deserves to have a happy and carefree life as they grow up. In this broken world, though, so many children face nightmares and grief.

The heart of World Challenge’s team members is to make space for God to come into children’s lives and redeem the sorrow and fear. The heavenly Father’s heart is broken for the children who have lost parents, who are afraid, who have been sold, who cry out in the night for rescue. He heals; he restores joy; he blesses life with new hope. Most often, he chooses to work through the church throughout the world to reach those in need.

Our teams in Myanmar have a care home for children whose parents have died or are not able to care for them. Whenever possible, they help restore connections between a child and their extended family. Most importantly, they introduce these precious little ones to God, the one who can heal them.

Esther’s parents divorced when she was 5 years old.

Her mother went to China for work, and the family lost contact with her. She has not reached out in all the years since to reunite with Esther. Her father remarried but did not want to take responsibility for his preschool daughter. She was shifted between extended family members’ homes.

Growing up in such an unstable environment and feeling abandoned by both parents, Esther was an anxious and uncertain little girl.

When World Challenge's partner ministry met her, they faced a particular challenge as they explained to Esther why they wanted to help her. Esther was born into a nominally Christian family, but biblical faith was not actively lived out in their home.

Esther prayed with one of the team members for Jesus to be her Savior.

Joining the children’s home brought security and peace to Esther’s life, but the team knew they would need to carefully model a life dedicated to God for her. She began to attend elementary school regularly and gained confidence as the team cared for her and showed her love. They told her Bible stories and prayed with her.

More than anything, they want Esther to feel the love of God in her home and through the adults who care for her. They want this for Esther and all the little children at the care home.

Recently, the team found another little boy who was being sold.

Kyamorkhar’s father had passed away, and his mother fell into addiction. In her desperation, she tried to sell her son to get money. A relative heard what was going to happen and went to rescue Kyamorkhar. They brought the little boy to World Challenge’s partners for care.

The team visited his mother and explained that they were looking after Kyamorkhar, and she agreed that this would protect him from her worst impulses in the grip of withdrawals. She asked them to pray for her, which of course they did.

Kyamorkhar has started going to school, and he is a sweet, obedient boy. The team wants their home to be a place where children like him and Esther can grow physically, emotionally, and spiritually.