Shirley and I have had the privilege of visiting Newstart Children’s Home in Harare and will always be astounded at the dedication of the staff to the lives of the children in their care. Specifically, we are in awe of the parental love that Dr. Saleem and Mrs. Grace Farag have lived out over many years, nurturing their family of more than sixty precious lives. Many of these children have arrived there as abandoned babies and are thriving young people today, with a firm sense of belonging to family. As they mature, some have returned to serve their Newstart home needs. To name a few:

Tonderai came as an 11-year-old who now has an electronic engineering qualification.

Nyasha (meaning “Mercy”), orphaned and brought by a Catholic priest to Newstart has qualified with a Bachelor’s degree.

Shephard, a fragile little abandoned day-old baby, had to be dropper-fed. Prayed for and loved he has become a thriving child belonging in his home, Newstart.

And then there is Hilton, Christina, Ricky, Elijah, Anna, Beauty, Grace … each life a miracle.

We will long remember our stay there, residing in a guest room that was a part of a girl’s dormitory and waking each morning to the sound of singing as a group of children started their day with worship. As we spent a few days on this campus we became aware that something very special was going on. Jesus was active growing lives for an eternal Family. I am so grateful to the Farags, their own family around them and the many, many donors who faithfully give to make a difference in each life at Newstart, children who know that they belong to a special family and to Jesus for eternity.
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Dave and Shirley Allen, Portland, Oregon