Luhende Kama Somanla - Transformation
In August 2005 we met Lunhende in Domanga Village. We had come with a small team to present drama, stories and provide some much needed food. Luhende stood alone, he had a severe cleft palate; he had been abandoned by his parents because the people thought they were cursed for giving birth to this little boy. An old lady in the village took the abandoned baby into her home and somehow fed him for eight years. Our hearts were full of compassion for him believing God had a plan for his life. Within a few days, we miraculously found that a doctor from Norway would be coming to the hospital in nearby Haydom (1-2 hour dirve) and we made plans for Luhende to have surgery. Normally this type surgery could not be done in all of Tanzania! Mary Ernest, Carol's Mother, had sent her $100.00 for such a time as this - it covered the cost completely. In July 2006 we returned to find Luhende looking amazingly changed. This was truly a moment where the joy of the Lord swelled in our hearts as we put our arms around him and heard the stories from his village. His parents had abandoned him at birth because of this deformity and he was not wanted by others because they thought he was cursed. Now the people all say God has truly visited their village and brought a miracle to Luhende. God has brought his great love to the people of Domanga. God has given Luhende a new face, honored him in his village and given him a pastor to teach him about the One who sent the miracle.
Next, we began to work on getting him into school. Because of his deformity he could not speak well. He had not been allowed in school, because they viewed him as cursed; therefore he could not read or write. Since he was so far behind children his age, the school we thought would be perfect turned him down. God had a plan, a better plan! Pastor Andrew took Luhende into his home, now he has a father, mother, brother, and sisters. And Jack and Mary Ernest and the people of Valley Oaks Apartments support Luhende financially. He has a new big family that love him and care for him.
Luhende has advanced quickly in school, now in level 3 he is #1 in his class. He speaks both English and Swahili. Each time we see him we see transformation. Once his eyes never looked up, there was saddness and now his eyes shine bright. Every time we visit he comes running with a big smile full of love and joy. He is a delight and full of hope for the future.
