Church gains and gives on trip to help African orphans
When Lynn Nuzzo, of River Glen Presbyterian Church in Naperville, agreed to involve the congregation with orphaned children in Africa, she never could have envisioned the deep relationship that would result during her personal visit to Zimbabwe in July.
A contingent of nine people, including Nuzzo, led a summer camp/vacation Bible school program for 50 African children ages 9 to 13. All of the children have been orphaned due to AIDS.
"A few years ago, someone came to me and asked if we could just help out these children by collecting some items for them," said Nuzzo, director of children's ministries.
"It was just a side mission for us, collecting clothes, school supplies and books."
Little did Nuzzo realize that the collection program would eventually lead to this summer's emotional visit.
The trip began with the River Glen representatives visiting crowded homes, where children from extended families are cared for by a few surviving relatives -- usually an aunt or grandmother.
"Zimbabwe is in dire straits, with very little fuel, water and hardly any food," Nuzzo said.
"With several families living together, it's a very rough life. And unfortunately, we also know that some of these children have abusive situations in their homes."
The four-day camp operated by the River Glen volunteers offered a needed dose of fun and social time for the youngsters.
"The goals were very simple: love, hope and joy," she said.
"Everyone was a little hesitant at first, but once we crossed the cultural barriers, we experienced such joy."
The effort to help the children is under the direction of a missionary couple named Janelle and Allen Avery. They began an organization to serve the AIDS orphans and find financial support for them.
The collection of items for the children was the first step, but as the members of River Glen learned more about the children's needs, they began helping with a monthly sponsorship program. Individuals in the congregation now support 64 of the children with monthly stipends of $25 each. The funds go to school fees, uniforms and other needs.
While in Zimbabwe, Nuzzo tried to find the child that she supports, but learned that the girl had been pulled from school to baby-sit a relative's children. Nuzzo ended up visiting the girl's aunt in a hospital, where the aunt is dying of AIDS.
It was an experience Nuzzo didn't anticipate but will never forget.
"You wonder why you were sent to do this, but then you realize you have to understand what the situation really is," she said.
The experience of running the camp was "incredible," and plans are in the works to expand the opportunity to reach more children next summer, added Nuzzo.
"It exceeded my expectations, because the children not only experienced joy, but so did we," said Nuzzo.
"These children just need to know that there are adults in this world who love them."
For more details, call the church at (630) 357-5104.