Visiting Provisions

Bereje in his cart with his new horse!

Yeshak and Yakob Bereje, two young brothers in the BCI sponsorship program, live with their mother, Almas and father, Bereje. Both parents are HIV positive and struggle to support their sons. Although neither parent complains of being sick, they are often tired and worn out. The boys’ father, Bereje, was working on his church compound as a farmer but the church had to take the land back, leaving Bereje no means to support his family.

After this happened, Bereje knew he needed to do something to provide for his family. He applied for a loan from the government so he could purchase his own horse and cart, which would allow him to make a living transporting people, without having to worry about it being taken away at a moment’s notice. Bereje was doing well and paying back his loan to the government until his horse got sick and died of unknown causes.

This was a devastating blow for the family. The horse and cart being their only source of income, Bereje had no way to support his family or pay back his loan to the government.  A visiting missionary family heard Bereje’s story and felt led to purchase a new horse for Bereje, costing around $180 USD. This huge blessing allowed Bereje to continue his business, support his family and pay back his loan.  Bereje and his family are doing well and praising God for his faithfulness.

Yeshak, age 9

Yakob, age 6