C0311 Mercy Home

Country: DR Congo

Project #: C0311

Needed: $40,900 (USD)

Mercy Home provides shelter, education, healthcare and clothing to abandoned street children in Kinshasa, DR Congo. The goal is to reconnect the kids to their own parents or, failing that, to connect them with stable foster families. Younger children are taken into foster care by MB church members while older children live at the Mercy Home. Vocational training is provided for older children and teens as they strive to develop employable skills. Mercy Home needs to make urgent renovations to sanitation facilities and also has ongoing needs for food, clothing and school supplies.

Background: Mercy Home began in 2005 when local pastor Muller Ndunzi and MB Mission worker Elmer Adams set out on a mission to care for the abandoned children in their neighbourhood. At first, they were faced with opposition from people who saw street children as commodities to be used and abused.

By 2006, Muller's commitment to this ministry began to bear fruit. With the help of his Batela MB Church congregation, street kids began to move into foster care with Christian families. Just one year later, the ministry had outgrown the church so a house was rented for the growing number of rescued children.

In 2008, a larger piece of land was purchased and generous contributions from North American MB churches helped MB Mission construct a two-story building, providing beds for more than 15 children! What began as a part-time ministry for Muller has become a complete life-calling. Pastor Muller and his family adopted two of the children in 2009 and moved into the new building. His ultimate desire is to see these children transformed by a loving Father.

Meet some of the children at Mercy Home:

Plamedie (age 9): Plamedie's family believed that she was a witch and had caused her father's death. Her mother kicked her out of the house because of this. Plamedie moved in with her paternal grandmother. Although she was very young, she suffered daily at the hands of her extended family, who treated her like a witch.

A girl in Plamedie's neighbourhood knew of the Mercy Home and asked if they could help her friend. The Mercy Home began to care for Plamedie. She is grateful to God for providing her with the love, affection, and peace that she had to desperately searched for.

Gloire (age 14): When Gloire's parents both died, he was shuffled between family members until he ended up living with his older sister and her husband. Unfortunately, Gloire's brother-in-law did not like him, and beat him so badly that he had no choice but to run away.

Gloire spent two years living on the streets. He occasionally found food through working odd jobs, but he still slept in the streets. He met a friend whose parents knew about the Mercy Home. They brought Gloire to the Home to see if anyone could help. Gloire was accepted at the Home. Enjoying a life free from hunger and the fear of being beaten, Gloire is so grateful for a new life and a hopeful future in Jesus Christ.

Patricia: Watch a video about her online!

Please pray:

• For complete healing from the abuses that these children have suffered (abandonment, violence, sexual exploitation)
• That the children at Mercy Home would have a deep desire to know Jesus more and walk closely with Him
• For children in DR Congo who are still experiencing neglect and abuse

Photos

1. Pastor Mueller and Ike Bergen (MB Mission Board Chairman) with some of the older girls rescued from life on the streets.
2. View from the top window
3. Mercy Home children