The word “oasis” draws a picture of someone crawling over
the scorched sand towards shade and cool water quivering in the distance. That image is repeated daily at the Oasis of
Hope mission. Trees and vegetation
planted during the rainy season have exploded, spreading a swath of green on
the baked, ruddy soil of West Africa.
Women bearing bundled babies arrive as yellow beams pierce
the dust of the morning air. They each gladly
give their charges into the hands of people who weigh, measure, and assess
their child’s health and nutrition.
Babies once on the brink are brought back by good food and caring hands
at the “Oasis.”
Women marginalized by culture or circumstance learn to make
soap to sell or practice sewing straight seams to avoid a life of begging, or
worse. They drink cool water in shaded
breezes as they chat and laugh as is central to the African culture. They rest in the sound of a bubbling fountain
at the Oasis.
We thank God for gracing us with Becky Schroeder from St.
Louis who with a heart as big as the sunrise lives to rescue and embrace frail children
in need of advanced care. We celebrate
the welcome arrival of Jacqueline van Ingen from Holland who is returning to
her roots as a previous “missionary kid” to translate, partner with local
churches, plan devotionals, and to simply share the love of Jesus.
The “Oasis” is not a mirage. It is the cool, living water of
Jesus.
