When Love Casts Out Fear

By Lydia Schaeffer
TOA Program Director

September 2008

Lydia and Rukia Rukia came to us on August 10, 2007. I remember that day vividly. Rukia’s sick aunt was holding her as we stood at the front gate of the orphanage. Rukia made it clear she was in no mood to have anything to do with us. She would not let any white person touch her, so we had one of our Tanzanian staff members carry her inside.

For more than eight months Rukia kept her distance from all white people except Steve, a short term missionary who was volunteering here at the time. She was cautious with Steve but she did allow him to interact with her. Jodie and I didn’t force our attention on Rukia but we didn’t ignore her either. When we spent time around the babies we’d smile and talk to her yet she remained aloof.

A year has passed since Rukia came to live at TOA. To say she has changed toward us is putting it mildly. As soon as I enter the room I can hear her calling out to me. She loves it when I pick her up and we go outside and I hold her hand as she braves going down the slide.

There is not a single thread of fear in her towards either Jodie or myself. She has a strong personality and can hold her own with Jeremia and Awadhi, the boys she spends most of her time with.

I am always amazed at how the children are changing. There are big changes over time and small ones everyday. God is doing good things in the precious children of TOA.