MY BOY

I had to share with you all someone that has change my life completely. It's my son Birhane Kero:) I first met Birhane in the Post office area. The day before I started teaching classes, I went to gather up the boys I would be teaching. I had notice Birhane right away out of the group because he was loudest and caused trouble. I remember telling Leti "He is going to be my trouble maker.", not knowing what God had in store for me. In time I found out that Birhane was one of my nicest kids. Birhane starting walking me home at night to make sure I was safe. I blogged about this story before, but I had only been with the boys for two days and we went to the zoo and on our way back to YFC and man had harassed me and Birhane was the first person to start beating on this man. Birhane and I became close friends.God was showing me one of the reasons he brought me here. 
One week before Birhane's birthday he would remind everyday that it was going to be his birthday. I would always ask him what he wanted for his birthday and he would say, " All I want for my birthday is you, Mom." Mom!! He was calling me mom. This is when I realized how much this child really cared for me. I had became hope and love to him in his life:) For Birhane's Birthday I decided to buy a cake and bring it to the YFC (Youth for Christ Center) and it ended up being a surprise party. We had decorations, cake, cookies, popcorn and soda. It was great!! He never in his life had a birthday party and he all his friends were there. It was a very great day for him. I believe this day I adopted Birhane in my heart as my son. I always wanted to be there to protect him, to make him happy , show him unconditional love and hope. I remember watching Birhane cutting his cake and saying to God "Whatever it takes I will always take care of him."

I have to say this has been the most challenging thing. I have know idea how to be a mom and especially to a 15 year old street kid. Birhane has never had any kind of discipline before in his life. He has made his own choices most of his life. My son has shown me where him an his mom slept on the streets for many years begging. He has shown me his home. His home so dark and small. a leaky roof, a twin size bed where 3 people sleep. Birhane's birth mom works so hard. She works sun up to sun down washing clothes 7 day a week. Most of the time she doesn't come home for days. Birhane's mother makes 200 birr a month (14 dollars) and rent is 300 birr (20 dollars) Birhane's mother works so hard but can't even make rent or buy food. So its Birhane's responsiblity to pay rent and buy food at home. What a huge weight to carry for a young child. I cant image what my son has seen and has gone through in his short life. I ask God everyday am I the right person for this job. He reminds me that he know what is best for his children and tells me " I know that you can love him and give him hope for a better future." " I have great plans for him." "I need you to teach him about me and the love I have for him."
I have done everything in my power to show him Gods CRAZY love that he has for him. Now, this leads me to my next story. After being there for two months Birhane become distant and really being disobidenant towards me, He would walk with me home. He started lying and telling people lies about me. It really hurt me. I was so confused I began to distant myself from him for a time. After a couple of weeks I finally got a translator to help really talk to Birhane and find out what was going on. So, after talking for awhile it came down to that Birhane was scared. He said that he loves me so much that he just doesnt know how to love. Thats when I realized, these kids dont know love. They have experinced everything BUT love. How do you love someone when you have never been shown real love. How do you explain Jesus's love when they haven't felt a CRAZY kind of love. A love thats never failing, unconditonal and full of hope. I told Birhane I am here to show you the love of Christ. I told him it was a new beginning for us. He put out his had and said " what is your name?" and I said "My name is Rebecca." "What is your name?" He said " Hi, I'm your son." Everytime I tell this story I always cry. This a calling for me and everyone in the world is to show love. My mission and ministry is to love and to love CRAZY!!  
Birhane and I have had many great adventures. It was the hardest thing to do to leave him. I remember 2 days before I left we were sitting in a taxi waiting and we werent saying much to each other,but I looked over at him and and there where tears streaming down his face. He looked at me and said "Mom, where will I eat when you are gone?" As I could feel my heart breaking into thousands of peices I said " I dont know, honey." My sons fears where coming back. A life not knowing where your next meal is coming from, not knowing if his mom would come home, would he be beaten by the police again for no reason. Leaving the airport was hard! We just cried in each others arms. I told him that God has a plan and I must go for awhile. I wish I could of told him a date I was coming back but I couldnt give him any hope of my return but to fully rely on God to bring me back:) I call him once a week and he asks everytime " When are you coming Mom?" It was cute the other day he said " Mom, you and me in heaven together forever."
I am so very blessed by Birhane in my life. I am so excited the adventures that God is going to show me in motherhood. There is so much to learn but I so glad to share this with my Savior. He will give me the strength and wisdom.