47 days in...

So we are right back into the thick of things here with work and although it can be difficult at times, we have peace that this is where we are supposed to be. That said, there is no denying that we are now seeing that this is another season of learning and growing for us personally, spiritually and emotionally. Each day we are being stretched as we find our way living in a community with people of many cultures and backgrounds as well as doing work that is nothing like what we do at home. At times this is overwhelming and emotional, but we have realized that those are the times we draw closer to God and remember why it is that we are here in Africa. It is no mystery that we could never do this on our own strength. Even if we tried, we would fail. There are too many children alone and suffering; crying out for compassion, love and care. If we just looked at the situation facing us here in South Africa and across the continent with our own eyes, we would feel hopeless. But when we see it through God’s eyes, we see something completely different. We see HOPE. We see him working through the old grannies and the care workers, who by our standards have nothing to give, but by HIS standards have everything to give. He works through their humility and willing hearts to bring love and transformation to those who are rejected, abused and forgotten. And WE have the honour to work alongside these incredible men and women. Even if it means being stuck behind a computer struggling with excel budgets or trying to make a program for a team that is visiting. WE are part of a bigger picture. And this picture is one which reflects God’s faithful and endless love for His children.

For that we are thankful.

friday fotos - time with friends

Busie and Emily
Supper out with good girl friends

Tawonga - grumpy from being woken up from her nap

Tawonga and her mama Pragcidence

how beautiful are the feet

This week I have had the privilege of attending a course with 14 care workers from the rural community of Bushbuckridge. This particular training teaches care workers how to develop an intense level of trust with the child, how to recognize signs of abuse, as well as the importance of allowing a child to tell her story in her own way. This process centers almost entirely on building a relationship with a child and equips care workers with counselling tools. These tools enable them to walk a child through any sufferings or losses she has experienced which in turn helps her start recovering from the emotional wounds she has.
Each day I have been humbled and quieted by the stories told by the care workers. Stories of abuse, rejection, loss and pain. Some, their own stories and some, the stories of the children they care for. I am quieted because I can now see clearly how raw and real their wounds are; I am humbled because I know that everyday each one of these men and woman make the choice to walk the dusty roads of their communities and carry the burdens of hundreds of children on top of their own.
It is these men and woman who demonstrate what it really means to serve...they are the “beautiful feet who bring good news and proclaim peace.” How blessed I feel to learn from them each day; how honored I felt to kneel in front of them and wash their feet. And as I enter the last week of this course, I am both encouraged about the healing that is taking place in the hearts of the care workers and expectant of the healing that will take place in the hearts of the children they care for.

- a

friday fotos - kruger park