Teenage Boys Don't Eat. They Pray.

Hi Friends,

If I've you've had time to catch up with me in the last couple of weeks, then you know that you're going to get sick of hearing me talk about a group of orphans in Sierra Leone. The good news is you can now have a break from hearing about the pregnancy center in Norman.

I am now working with 4HIM ministries to expand higher education opportunities for the older children that enable entrepreneurship. All of the children have a desire to be leaders and rebuild their country. The pastor who runs the orphanage is working with 4HIM to lead agricultural, healthcare and education projects that are creating incredible economic opportunities across Sierra Leone.

To launch our education initiative we are working hard to bring three of the boys to Oklahoma to pursue an education that enables them to play a leadership role in 4HIM's efforts. Our focus will likely be construction management, agriculture and hotel management. I wanted to share a quick story about how remarkable these children are.

There is a cell phone at the orphanage paid for with calling cards, so yesterday I was able to talk with some of them. They couldn't wait to tell me their news. They are so excited for the three older boys, who are very much the "respected older brothers" at the orphanage, that all of the boys have started a seven-day fast on Monday. No rice, no porridge for seven days - period. They are praying the Lord will make it possible for the three to come. If teenage boys fasting for seven days isn't remarkable enough - they are also holding all night prayer vigils for their brothers.

I asked Bakarr if he was hungry. He laughed, "Akay, Akay yes I am Creestol! But it is good to hunger for the Lawd."