A Deeper Understanding

The first week of orientation has finally come to a close and what a week it has been. A week full of learning and digging deeper to understand to the fullest Hands at Work. We got to experience three very different communities and their CBO's (community based organization) within them. Coming from Zambia to South Africa has taken a bit of adjustment. There are things here in South Africa that are much more stigmatized then they are in Zambia, in terms of health care and a male presence. Male care workers are typically non-exsistent here in South Africa in comparison to Zambia where there are at least 2-3 in every community.

The second day we were in a community that is in the Bushbuck Ridge region. There we went on holy home visits in the community. Holy Home Visits are the chance for the care workers to go into the community to visit the children in their homes, and just check up on them and have that opportunity to catch up with the children on what is going on in their lives and the chance to make sure that they are doing okay.  I was with 3 of the care workers, Mary*, Doris*, and Ntombi*. The first home we visited was that of Simon*. He is a 15 year old boy who lives with his sister, and brother, and his mother lives next door. We spent a good half an hour just sitting with Simons* brother and sister talking with them and building relationships with them. One thing that struck me to my core was when his brother said how thankful he was for Hands at Work. That Hands at Work was the reason that they have a door on their house, and that their brother can go to school and when he needs a new uniform, they can have  help in getting a new one. In the three times that I have been to Africa and experienced community, I have never heard someone in community express and appreciate the work that  hands is trying to do more then this gentleman did. This community understands the importance of caring for and loving the most vulnerable, the poorest of the poor. In all simplicity the care workers understand this verse from Isaiah 61: 1-3 "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has appointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness fro the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning and a garnet of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor." These care workers and the community surrounding them and supporting them in their work, understand this call. They understand that we need to set the captives free and care for the most vulnerable children amongst us. This man that I talked with understood what Hands, along with the care workers are trying to do. He got it.

The second home that we visited was the home of mom Anna* that was caring for her ten children along with a grandchild. Her daughter Zinhle* was the mother of this baby girl. She is 17 years old. Thankfully, the gogo (grand mother) takes care of her child during the day, so that Zinhle* can have the opportunity to go to school. In Africa, South Africa in particular girls get pregnant very young, whether it is their choice to be intimate or not. In many of the communities in South Africa it is not the safest place to be, especially for young women after dark, when they most likely do not have a lock on the door. This breaks my heart, imagining that if I was in that position that I would have a 3 or 4 year old by this point. Imagining that, that could easily be one of my sisters, or my cousins. After the home visits we went back to the care point, and I sat in the shade with some of the children. I noticed one little girl standing there just looking at me. I invited her to come sit on my lap and she came and snuggled in. I sang worship songs to her and within minutes she was fast asleep. She was snuggled into my shoulder,  resting and enjoying the feeling of having someone love on her. Her name was Precious* and she was about 3 years old. She is such a beautiful little girl.

The rest of the days this week have been filled with a mix of being in community, as well as being back at the Hub and learning from some of the key leaders of Hands at Work. I consider it an absolute privilege to sit with the leaders of Hands and hear from them in deeper depth about what Hands is about and the work that God is doing across Africa. It is amazing to sit with them and hear about the work that is being done. Yesterday we were in community again, and once again I had a child fall asleep on me. A little boy, who was so desperate for a nap, but was fighting it with every ounce of strength that he had. He was so adorable. Messy nose and face but beautiful. Precious child of the God most high.

This week has been a full week, full of learning and growth and developing a deeper understanding of the love that God has for us. One of the key things that has stuck out for me this week, is that God choose us, not because of our skill or abilities, but  because wanted us. He doesn't care about our abilities, he cares about our heart and our willingness to follow him and serve him in everything that we do.


* - names have been changed to protect the individuals identity