It's a season to remember and celebrate the birth of Christ, our first glimpse of hope. Christ's birth set the stage for His liberating victory over death...and our invitation to experience beauty from ashes and somehow, life from death. In short, restoration.
Do you remember?
Take a minute and be reminded of His transformational power and our hope of new life. This is the story of Noleen and Jomei written by Naomi Zacharias, founder of Wellspring International. Two months ago I was able to meet Noleen and Jomei, and enjoyed the chance to see a glimpse of Christ's restorative power through the eyes a 10 year old. I had front row seats to see one of his dreams come true...this is amazing.
From the Streets of South Africa to Disneyland! A Story of Redemption & Celebration...
By Naomi Zacharias
"Noleen was living on the streets and working for a drug dealer when her son, Jomei, was born. The drug dealer took Jomei and Noleen couldn't get him back. She was powerless. With no home and no income she had no way of supporting herself, let alone her son...Noleen had no recourse to get Jomei back. She wandered the streets completely devastated having lost everything.Months before Noleen met a woman who was witnessing to people on the streets sharing about the story of Christ. She saw her again, and the woman said Noleen could stay with her. Noleen completed a rehabilitation program there, but ended up back on the streets again. This happened several times until she returned for the eighth time. This is when I met her. It was 2004, and I was visiting several organizations in Cape Town.
When I met Noleen I instantly like her. Our conversation was easy and natural, and when I asked her about her dreams and what she would do if she had nothing holding her back, she instantly said she wanted to be a chef. I came back to the US and we researched culinary schools for Noleen. We identified one in particular, and told her that she had to apply and get in on her own. But I told Noleen that if she was accepted to culinary school Wellspring would provide a full scholarship. Shortly afterwards Noleen wrote and asked if we could help provide support so she could take care of her so, Jomei. We said absolutely! At this point, Jomei was still living in the drug house - neglected and alone.
When Noleen was finally living in a stable home, attending school, and financially stable, she was able to develop a foundation of life to care for Jomei. Through a series of events, Jomei and Noleen were finally reunited. Jomei was 5 years old when he was able to come home and has been in school ever since. He is dramatically different today and is actually able to enjoy life as a young boy...safe, with his mom.
Eighteen months later Noleen graduated #1 in her class and was hired as a chef at a 4 star hotel in Cape Town. I took Jomei to have lunch there on Mothers day this year. When she walked out of the kitchen in her full chefs uniform, it was a beautiful site. Noleen has since taken a nutrition course, and her dream is to one day open her own restaurant...a dream that will take shape in April 2010! :)
Not every story is promised to take such positive turns...life is too complicated and some traumas run so incredibly deep. But we celebrate how the Lord has already allowed for so much restoration. Noleen is a truly special person with enormous faith - in God and in herself through Him. She said that it's hard to share her story, but her life is only remarkable if people know this story, God's story, and how He continues to bring redemption."-Naomi
This fall Naomi invited Noleen and Jomei to the United States, and when Naomi asked Jomei what he would want to experience when during his first visit to the U.S. he said, "Disneyland!" Naomi asked me if I would help. On Monday, November 2nd, I had the chance to spend the day with Noleen and Jomei at Disneyland; never before have I been so amazed at the joy of someone experiencing so much fun! Disneyland truly is the happiest place on earth...and became the site of a 10 year old's dream come true.
This video highlights our Disneyland experience. Watch closely - you will see a shy & reserved boy slowly emerge into free celebration...something I pray is true for him in the deepest areas of his heart! This was a special day. (huge thanks to Kyle Zimmerman and his family for joining us...you will see them on this video.)
Celebration Video
Jomei conquers Indiana Jones, Splash Mountain, Soarin', and more...
