Our magic sauce, our raison d’être, our why, at Loom International is to stand with people of power and wonder. We are often astounded at what our partners set out to do and accomplish. But then there is a whole other level of how they live and follow Jesus, with no thought that this is exceptional. Let me tell you a story.
We have shared about Bartelemy and Miriam in Bukavu, Congo. As we write, they are still under curfew, the conflict rages around them, and they, their family, and their community remain unsafe. Their food supply is fragile, and as internally displaced individuals surround them, tension and fear run high.
In the midst of this, Miriam continues to work with the deaf children. Four deaf children, who were living in the most critical conditions, now live with them. Every Wednesday and Saturday, Miriam also gathers with deaf ladies for prayer and Bible studies. I ponder what it must be like to be deaf in a war zone—to not hear what is coming or how close the gunshots are.
While the conflict is ongoing and no one can go about their everyday business, some mutual friends of Bartelemy and Loom send food money every month. Over the last year, Bartelemy has lost siblings and has taken in their children. Amidst all that was going on, we were trying to ascertain from among the many they cared for, who his own children were. Our friends asked him to send the names of his children, as we have a family photo with their children and wanted to connect names and faces.
Bartelemy sent through a list of 120 children. He answered our question, “Who are your children?”, revealing his heart. He serves all of the children—the street children, the war refugee children, and the forgotten children. At the end of his list, he added that he hadn’t yet written up the names of the deaf children with whom Miriam works. He thinks so differently from how I think. He answers with such simplicity and honesty.
Bartelemy and Miriam are people of power and wonder because of this thinking. They are just a normal couple. They don’t have a big organization behind them. They are themselves economically fragile. They are ordinary followers of Jesus, living in a city and region embroiled in conflict. And they love children. They understand Jesus’ commitment to children. Bart doesn’t answer by listing his biological children. He also doesn’t answer by listing his biological kids, and adding on his nephews and nieces. He answers by listing all the children with whom he is involved. He didn’t reflect on his answer. He simply responded to a question. His power in loving children astounds me. I wonder what would happen if I or we started to think differently about the children in our communities and our world.
We still don’t know how many children he and Miriam have, or their names. We don’t want to ask again because his answer is like holy ground. We lack detailed information, but we have seen this man’s heart and purity. It remains an honor for us to stand with Bartelemy and Miriam, people of power and wonder.
