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“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” - Matthew 25:40 “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10 Monday surely was a day of highs and lows that came so quickly. We were almost too numb to respond. After breakfast and good-hearted teasing and much laughter with La Casa team members, we joined Michelle and Mike at the church to meet the Helping Hands staff. We were inspired by the passion, compassion, and respect demonstrated as each staff member was introduced. Helping Hands in Africa is a well organized, dynamic ministry in the face of unbelievable poverty, pain, and human suffering. We were amazed at the joyful energy that radiated from the staff. Tears welled in many eyes as we learned some of their life stories. We met Cedrick, a young man in mid-twenties who is raising his two younger brothers since his parents died six years ago. We also met Mr. Manere, the Deputy Headman of Top Village who rode his bicycle to the meeting. Mr. Monere is in his late 70’s and a strong supporter of HHIA.
Cedrick served as our interpreter as Mr. Monere welcomed us with great warmth and dignity. After meeting staff, we traveled a short distance to Molewane Village. Our goal was to visit five of the 115 AIDS patients the staff serves. However, two patients died over the weekend and one patient died just an hour before we reached the home. The reality of death and rock-bottom poverty is stunning. We felt so helpless, humbled, ashamed and overwhelmed. We were welcomed into a two room block house where we found an elderly woman lying on the cement floor covered in blankets. She was almost blind and so weak, she could not move. Her daughter stood quietly beside her as Pastor Jeff prayed. The room had no furniture and no heat, but was spotlessly clean. This house also had no water and no electricity. The daughter graciously shook each of our hands as we left their tiny home.
The reality of death is with the village constantly. Cedrick, our guide and interpreter, explained how the villages respond to each others tragedies. The community gathers with the grieving family for two weeks each evening for a time of prayer. Burials are on Saturday mornings after an all night prayer vigil at the family’s home. Pastor Mike said as many as eight people are buried each Saturday in the village. We were impressed by the support these people give to each other in the face of such loss. As our bus driver drove out of the village, he drove into a low hanging electrical line. The power line caught on the top of our bus and we held our breath as he climbed out of the window to loosen the line. He slowly backed the bus out from under the line, which drooped even lower than before. It is somehow ironic to have had our bus stopped by an electrical line that passes through a village where the people do not have electricity.
After the home visits we went onto the Beadwork Project in Top Village. HHIA developed this small business with village women to help them earn a small income. It was a tiny workshop which our team quickly overcrowded. The men “patiently” waited outside while the ladies selected beadwork. The bracelets and necklaces were colorful and well done. Orders were given while Pastor Jeff encouraged the team to “get on the bus” so we could return to our South African home for lunch and VBS preparations. We all looked forward to the opportunity to spend time with the village children. ****************
The day has been an emotional roller coaster. From the sorrow of death, we moved to the joy we find in the children. In spite of their circumstances, the children are loving. Like children everywhere, they love to have fun. Our Bible lesson was Jesus and the children. The team worked together to make the experience fun and memorable. Some of the team helped the kids make tile crosses (many thanks to the La Casa Sunday School staff). Others did the Bible story. The Bible story got some team members “out of the box” acting out the story with the children. Ray Heilman played Jesus and when the story called for Jesus to skip with the children, Ray was up to the challenge as he skipped around the yard with the kids hanging on to him and laughing.
The theme of the day was “God loves us.” Our experience during the day showed us the many ways in which we experience His love. From the loving and caring staff of Helping Hands in Africa, the kindness and graciousness of our hosts the Tessendorfs, the grieving of the village over the death of a loved one, the camaraderie of the team as we supported each other, to the loving hugs that were both given to and received from the children. All are examples of how God’s love comes to us through the actions of others.
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