I had a long talk with our far away son today. When I asked some probing questions, his answers broke my heart. He has a job, and that is a huge blessing in his country. It gives him a sense of accomplishment (most of his peers are still looking) He feels it is worth it each morning as he heads off to work before the rest of the orphanage has even had a chance to wake. The taxi ride to work takes the better part of an hour.
It gives him experience in the working world. He gets to work on some pretty cool things while there... parts for bone mills, honey compresses, soil block machines, car parts... the list goes on. What it doesn't give him makes me very sad.
It doesn't give him the ability to earn a living. We were excited to hear his salary at first. (He makes twice that of his older brother.) Then today, we learned the truth. It's not enough. It's not even close to enough to make it on his own, once he leaves the orphanage.
He spends 62% of his income just paying to get TO and FROM the job and for lunch. After working 160 hours last month, and buying himself a pair of pants, he had just 47 birr left to last him another month before he is paid again. To put that in perspective... my one dinner at the restaurant in Addis cost me roughly 80 birr. Clearly 47 birr will not go far, not even far enough to pay for his transportation for the next month until payday. He knows it... and he is scared. Rent and food will soon need to be paid for, but how???
Please pray for John and I as we walk with our boys through this. We want them to be independent. They need to feel like they can provide for themselves... but right now, both work so very hard, and yet they don't earn enough to survive on their own.
There is peace in knowing that God already knows the struggle. He already knows our son's fears. I believe he orchestrated today's conversation as part of the solution. Just maybe that is why these sweet young men are now our sons, and bear my husband's name as their own. For such a time as this... so that we can step in as Mom and Dad, to help.
And yet, still we pray...
Heavenly Father, if it be Your will, give our children better paying jobs. Provide for our boys in a way that only You can. Give them Your peace about their circumstances. Just as You gave the Israelites manna in the wilderness, feed our sons and keep them safe and in Your care. May Your name be praised and glorified in and through their lives..... Amen.
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Psalm 59:16 ~ But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
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