jonas news

i spoke today with Eyob from Kingdom Vision International.  such a mixed bag of emotions i am....completely thankful to hear that Eyob successfully located Jonas based on the little information i'd been able to share.  so thankful he took the time to follow through with his promise made.  he interviewed Jonas and obtained a basic history on this dear child.  he fed him a meal.  yes he did...Eyob confesses to sharing the very same emotions toward this boy since their meeting.  he is burdened for his many needs.  near the end of our conversation he solemnly stated "Jonas is just one child, like so many others here in this country.  please pray and continue to help these children.  there is so much to be done...."  ......gulp....yah, we know.  the disparity between our two worlds is complete craziness.  how is it that i can stand on any given day, in my local grocery store, and choose between 18 different kinds of bread, or 27 types of salad dressing, when a basic loaf of bread and healthy green salad is so elusive to so many there.  i feel helpless until i'm reminded that one life changed is still one life changed....anyway, this is what we do know now about Jonas.  he is 13 and in grade 7.  he is orphaned, both parents are deceased.  his mother passed away when he was too young to remember, and his father when he was four years old.  he does have an uncle but he doesn't know where he is.  he lives with a friend of his father's, and his wife.  he is in a fairly dire economic state.  he sometimes has to walk to school when there is no money for transportation.  on those days he gets up and starts walking by 6 am, and reportedly walks three hours to school.  hard to believe, quite honestly.  i'm told many days he leaves without breakfast or a packed lunch.  just for a minute imagine sending your own son or daughter out the door in the morning with no food in their bellies, to make the long trek to school.  i can't do it....it sounds like the most sure meal for him is dinner when he returns home.  whether he is able to eat until he's full, i don't know.  sometimes he will receive some food from his friends during the day, and occasionally clothes from them as well.  he favours social studies in school currently, and Eyob admits he appears bright.  he wants to grow up and become a doctor.  he admits to having headaches on occasion and has gone to the clinic before and received medication for that.  he knows nothing else about his medical status, and Eyob agrees that a full medical screening would be necessary to determine any other internal issues that may or may not be there.  we still remember his yellow-tinged eyes.  Jonas shared with Eyob some of his other dreams and desires, and Eyob has promised to follow-up with Jonas' current guardians.  we're trying to establish if he is loved by them, or simply another mouth to feed.  i think we'd all agree that hunger pangs are one thing, certainly tragic and unfortunate, but a lonely and disconnected heart is a whole different story.  is Jonas ever hugged by them?  is he listened to~ asked how his day was?  does he laugh with them and feel secure in their home?  does he feel protected, and supported? we so hope so....
all this to say, Jonas' future is uncertain, sponsorship is a real possibility, and i'm beyond thankful that someone is involved and cares right there in Ethiopia.  we will know more in the coming weeks, but please continue to pray on his behalf.