I Found the Orphan in Me

By Carolyn Belshe

I Found the Orphan in Me is the story of Rev. Carolyn Belshe who was a missionary to African families and children in Mozambique. Her story demonstrates the contributions made by one White female to serve the thousands of children made orphans by 500 yrs of Portugal colonial rule, civil war and the scourge of HIV AIDS and sex trafficiking. Ultimately, this is a story of hope as Rev. Belshe, a victim herself of American Patriarchy, now a Hospice resident, seeks to raise awareness and funds for the creation of more orphanges in the land and people she loves.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dr. Donald H. Matthews, PhD
• Release date: Jun 30, 2018
• ISBN: 9781721736430

Book preview

Published by PARE-People Against Racist Education, Tacoma, WA donhmatt@yahoo,com 

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Acknowledgment...

Precious in life is that window of opportunity where one says genuinely, sincerely and graciously a few words of gratitude. Many faces and names are scribbled on notes in wordless books, dresser drawers, laptop files, cell phones and—embedded in the very being of who I am—toward Finding the Orphan in Me. Images of my maternal Grandfather W.T. Stavely and his fourth son, Uncle Charley, and his mentoring that empowered my determination. 

Versa Neely taught me to write in those early academic years and believed in my worth as a human. Her letter reached me in Portugal language school telling me to keep going forward as she was facing her own demise was untouchable empowerment. Justin as he lived with Lupus yet, said to go, you will be doing some good and a few of his choice words. A brilliant mind, a son stands tall in stature and in respect—  my challenger, I thank you.

Mama Nocia Mucambe Machado called me out with another challenge—to establish an orphanage and the mothers of the church would manage it—then to raise my last adopted son when I was medically evacuated.

Pastor Larry Williams and I met under military protection as I guided his delegation to the Homoine

Massacre site. His spiritual guidance buoys me in life-decisions alongside Saint Bruno, the Carthusian 10th Century saint. Octarian Catherine Royalty serves as a surrogate mother—  I know she loves me unconditionally. Angela Sims, Saint Paul School of Theology, listened as I confessed my generational pain of KKK's scar on humanity and horrific pains of secretive disguise. 

Bishops Handy, Machado, Nhanala, Norris, Schol and all where I have served in their episcopal areas, in various commissionings, ordination, and leadership roles—thank you for being good shepherds in pastures where I grazed your nourishings—searching for the orphan.

And to summarize, capture the vision, and to tie this story together, my gratitude and respect and deep appreciation goes to my editor, Don H. Matthews, PhD, and his able assistants, Linda, his wife; and Faith, his daughter and illustrator. He simply, kindly and pointedly counseled that I must find the orphan in me first in order to serve the orphans that I love and respect so deeply; that I see them as prophetic voices to humanity.

My appreciation, my gratitude.

Rev. Carolyn Belshe

Introduction

Rev. Dr. Donald H. Matthews, PhD

I Found the  Orphan in Me

Rev. Carolyn Belshe is a retired United Methodist Missionary who was called by God to use her extensive knowledge of healthcare administration to serve African people of Mozambique. Mozambique is a beautiful country on the South Eastern coast of the African continent where centuries of Portuguese colonial oppression and local wars had taken a great toll on children and families. However, there was a deeper reality that was guiding her steps that would direct her that was greater than social oppression.  A reality in which the call of the Orphan would take center stage as she became the founder of an orphanage for these young casualties of War.

It was a long journey from her growing up in the pre-Civil Rights Southern United States to her travels to war torn Mozambique. Her life was a journey fraught with dangers, delights, blessings and curses. When you read her narrative, you will recognize a person with deep spiritual conviction and a wisdom that is only gained by surviving the hardships in a world not tailored to easily accommodate her presence as a female in the midst of a racist, male dominated culture. Yet, Carolyn was able to