One of the ministries at Heal Africa is a school for vulnerable children who are hospitalized, have lost a parent, or have endured trauma. Many of these are from far away villages and come with little support.

Occasionally we break the cycle of classes at the school and take field trips to offer the children new perspectives.    Last week we went to the Goma airport. The officials were delighted to see the children and proceeded to take them through the actual process of checking in, security screening and immigration. A special surprise was for the children to actually board a commercial plane after the passengers disembarked. They were greeted at the door by the flight attendant, took their seats, buckled in, and listened to the safety announcements, getting a taste of what few will ever have the chance to do in life. Even their teachers were delighted (none of them had ever flown before).

After they disembarked, one of the older girls, a long-term hospital patient at HEAL Africa was crying. When asked why, she kept saying, “Thank you, thank you, thank you. Who would ever imagine that a poor girl from a rural village in Congo would ever sit on a real airplane?” She was overwhelmed (and so was I.)

Now every time I see Nadine, she runs up, holds my hand, and walks me to wherever I am going. She sits beside me in church services. She knows that she is important…but more so, is loved, by the One who cherishes especially children and has even provided the likes of angels to guard their every step … and flight.

See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.    Matthew 18:10