"I've Got You." Love, God

In the heart of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, is an orphanage called the Queen Elizabeth Adventist Children's Home (QUEACH). One day, the director of QUEACH began looking for simple ways to help the children become more conscious of their environment, their belongings, and their home. She wanted to teach them that caring for their bodies, caring for their property, working hard at school, and, perhaps most importantly, being kind to one another were all part of growing into responsible young people.

So she came up with a little reward system.

At the end of each month, the children who had worked hard would be treated to something special: an ice cream cone.

It may sound like a small thing, but to the children, it was enormous.

They became excited about their goals. They worked hard and encouraged one another. And at the end of the month, they would celebrate together with an ice cream cone!

And after being excited about receiving ice cream, the children asked if they could go somewhere else.

“Auntie! We've never ever been anywhere like that!”

They were talking about Spur, a popular family restaurant.

Their excitement impacted the director deeply, but her heart sank at the same time. She knew that taking all of the children to a restaurant was simply beyond what she could afford. The ice cream was something she could provide from her personal money, but a restaurant meal for everyone was another matter entirely.

That night, she was heartbroken.

She thought about how easy it can be for many children to experience something as ordinary as going out for a meal with family. Yet these children had never had that opportunity.

She thought about how unfair life can sometimes feel.

And she cried.

Then, the very next day, something unexpected happened.

The director was in the process of receiving a donated piano, which is a story for another time, when she noticed a group of people who were standing nearby.

As she talked to the strangers, she discovered that they had been looking through a directory, searching for a children's home to support.

QUEACH was the very first orphanage that appeared in their search.

They began asking about the children. Then came a question our director never could have anticipated.

Would she and the children be willing to be the guests of honor at a milestone birthday celebration for their company?

She explained that the children would be in school until a certain time and asked whether that would work for the event.

They said yes.

Then they asked if she would be available the following Thursday.

She agreed, still not knowing exactly who was inviting them.

And then she found out.

The company celebrating its milestone birthday was Spur Restaurant.

The emotion was overwhelming.

She had been crying the night before because she couldn't afford to give the children the experience they were longing for. She had been asking herself why something so ordinary for other children had to feel so out of reach for hers.

And now, seemingly out of nowhere, an invitation had arrived.

Not just to visit a restaurant.

They were being invited as guests of honor.

The Kids from QUEACH

The children arrived at the celebration and were welcomed with an incredible meal, a cake made especially for them, and balloons that they could take home. They laughed and experienced something they had never experienced before.

And, of course, there was one more special surprise.

Every child left with an ice cream cone.

For the children, it was a joyful and unforgettable day.

For the director, it was something even more. It felt like a quiet reminder from God: “I’ve got you.”

A reminder that the things we may consider small are not small to Him.

That the hopes and dreams of these children matter.

That even when we don't see a way forward, God can open a door we never expected.

And sometimes, an ice cream cone can become a reminder that prayers are heard.

This story is one of the reasons we continue to believe that caring for these children is about so much more than providing food, shelter, and education.

Several QUEACH Staff Enjoying the Event

It is about teaching them that they are valued, loved, and worthy of beautiful experiences.

You can help us create more moments like this.

Your generosity can provide meals, school supplies, clothing, educational opportunities, special outings, and the everyday necessities that help these children grow and thrive.

And perhaps, most importantly, your support can help us give them something every child deserves: the chance to experience joy, hope, and the simple things that make childhood special.