Samuel is fortunate, and not just for having caterpillars in his jars. He's made a friend in local schoolgirl Hannah (not her real name). Hannah helps support her mother by selling fruit and vegetables, and often walks past the Eldreds' home.
Samuel's friend
One afternoon during the rainy season, a particularly bad downpour meant Hannah had to seek shelter on the Eldreds' patio. She played with Samuel while waiting for the rains to subside. Ever since, she has returned to see Samuel and his parents regularly and, over the months, the family have built up a strong friendship with her.
Hannah's home life is strained. Her father, a diamond miner, has three families scattered across Guinea. Her mother lives the life of a single mum, with four children and a baby to care for. Hannah takes the brunt of her mother's emotions when life proves too difficult, taking on responsibilities and acting as a target for her mother's pent-up aggression. Yet she still manages her chores and finds time to visit with the Eldreds.
Tough work
Gen often feels that God sets us tasks where, to our eyes, all the preparation seems to be for nothing. Being a mum on mission can sometimes feel like looking for caterpillars.
Her witness is seen in the way she looks after her son, the smile she shares with the fish lady at the market, in the empty jars and cans she gives the local children or in painting the toenails of the girl who sells bananas. But it can all seem like the seeds that land amongst the thistles or on the hard ground.
Gen compares her frustration to the caterpillar search, "There are times when we can't even find the caterpillars, let alone the butterflies. Some days, no matter how hard I strain my eyes, all I can see is a lifeless clump of leaves".
Diamond in the rough
"Each time I look at my son's leafy caterpillar haven on our kitchen table, God is showing me that all caterpillars, regardless of size, turn into butterflies, and that it is often the smallest, grubbiest-looking ones that make the most remarkable transformation."
Gen watches Hannah playing with Samuel and comments, "We are regularly moved by her gentleness, her love and her joy. It would be easy to believe there was no turmoil in her home life. Our prayer is that she would learn about the genuine friendship, acceptance and refuge that Jesus offers those who chose to follow him and that, in turn, her life could be a witness of hope to her mother."