Under a Mango Tree

There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.
Hebrews 4:9-10.

Only when her stepmother is away can Hadiza rest. She spends her days working in the fields, tending to the gardens, fetching water, mending mosquito nets, and doing laundry in between prepping for the next meal. 

But on days when her stepmother is out to visit relatives, Hadiza will sit in the shade of her favorite mango tree and rest. She rests until she sees her stepmother in the distance when she'll run inside to grab a broom, pretending to sweep the already clean house so her stepmother will be pleased that Hadiza's kept busy. 

If a busy daughter is a good daughter, then Hadiza is the best of the best. But this lifestyle of all work and no rest or play has taken a toll on Hadiza's self esteem. She doesn't like to learn or talk in groups or do activities, always sneaking to the back of a group and hoping to go unnoticed. When RiverCross Kids' Club first came to Hadiza's school she would sit silent and stay out of the way, as if the activities were meant for everyone except her. 

But praise be to God that Hadiza has slowly come out of her shell, not only participating in activities, but sharing her story with RiverCross Champions who are now helping her define her worth not by the things she does, but by who Jesus says she is. 

*Although the stories we share are true, identifying details have been changed.