a triple-braided cord

Zipo, Mdu, and Sbonele are three brothers who live in Inanda. Their mother died two years ago and their father has never been in the picture. Zipo is in third grade; he's the youngest. Mdu and Sbonele are in grade seven and eight respectively. These three brothers are the strongest, most purpose-driven, persevering, and hopeful kids I know. They live on their own in a little tin shack, caring for each other and trying to make it through one day at a time. Each morning they wake each other up, get ready, walk each other to school and come home. Their lives are simple yet their needs are great. Pastor Prince, who works with us at Ukukanya, visits the kids and checks up on them at school every now and then. The other day, Pastor Prince and I went to the boys' schools together. We spoke to the teachers to see how their performance and social interactions were going. My heart broke as each of the teachers expressed their concerns. "These boys cannot continue living on their own. They struggle to learn because nobody is at home to help with their homework. They come to school with dirty and wrinkled uniforms because nobody teaches them how to wash. They are failing their subjects. They have a hard time concentrating because they are so hungry. We try to help them as teachers, but it is no good if there is no help at home. They are our sweetest, most compassionate students. They try very hard..but they are still struggling." Each month, we deliver a food package to the three brothers to last them the whole month. We are trying our best to teach them life skills like washing clothes, bathing, cooking, and brushing their teeth. But the teachers are right. They need caretakers. Unfortunately, we can only do so much and legally things are very hard because these boys have no written identity. No birth certificate, no picture with their name, no record of their family...nothing. We went to a Social Services office the other day to help get these children on a waiting list for care. They are still in process, but please, please pray for God's sovereignty to reign over the situation. I barely know these boys, but I love them dearly. And I love them this much, I can't imagine the love our Father has for them. It may take a while, and it may be a rough road..but I know these boys will make it. As it says in Ecclesiastes, "A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." God has made these brothers a triple-braided cord. They are young and may only have a little, but they are rich in faith. And I know the Lord's loving hand is holding onto them tightly and blessing their hearts abundantly. For it says, "Blessed are those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. And blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." O Lord, bless these three boys. For theirs, is the Kingdom of Heaven!