Rodney

Rodney Kayandu, age 15

So that I'm not repeating myself, you can read about Rodney and Shantel's younger years on Shantel's post. 

After Gideon and Jennifer miraculously found them, Rodney had a pretty difficult time adapting back to "normal" life. Now, he is a bright, quiet, and insightful young man. He is especially gifted in English, math, and computers. Rodney is definitely a "wallflower" (that sounds funny when it's referring to a male...). He is never first to answer a question or volunteer to translate or lead a song. He is SUPER camera-shy...this is the only picture anyone on the team has of him from our trip. He would literally run away if you were taking pictures around him! He is also an incredible protector, especially of Shantel. He was embarrassed to admit that she is his sister, but you could tell that there is a special bond between them. While we found his shyness and embarrassement about everything to be endearing, I fear that there is more going on than meets the eye - the remnants of a lot of trauma, fear, and heartache. 

Pray for Rodney. Pray that he will always be true to who he is. Pray that he will continue to be close with Shantel. Pray that he will do very well in school and go on to further education, if he wants to. Pray that he will know his Maker intimately and never feel forsaken. Pray that the right people will be placed in his life to help him be healed of his past.