La Casa Mission to South Africa Team -- Our "God Moments"

Your Team has spent time each night sharing "God Moments" ... ways in which our ministry and mission have impacted us. We hope that sharing them with you will have as much impact as they have had sharing them with each other.

  • Michelle’s introduction of her HHIA and church staff was so powerful that many in our group were in tears.  Never have we seen such a passionate, compassionate, loving and respectful team.

  • Meeting Mr. Monere, Deputy Headman for Top Village, was a special honor.  This is a wonderful man in his seventies who obviously struggles to walk, yet rode his bicycle miles to be with us.  And, as we learned, he rides many miles each day as he carries out his mission to serve those in need.

  • The children provide so many “God Moments”.  Many in the group were touched by the amazing, huge, loving hugs from kids as they joined us for the first day of Vacation Bible School.

  • Nobody was left untouched by the graciousness of the elderly AIDS patient we visited in her home.  How amazing for someone to welcome strangers into her home as she lie silently on (and under) blankets on the floor – clearly suffering from a disease that has claimed so many lives and left her unable to sit up and almost completely blind.  These are the people served daily by the dedicated and caring staff of HHIA.

  • After praying with and for the elderly AIDS patient, our breath was taken away by the gracious and humble thanks we received from her daughter.  Suddenly it was clear that what had been a very special time for us was also a special time for her and her mother. 

  • It is so hard to describe the powerful impact that being here has had on our understanding and connection with the stories (realities) of South Africa.  What we had read or heard did so little to prepare us for what we are experiencing here first hand.

  • You can’t help but be struck here by the realization that there is more that we take for granted than most of these people will ever even dream of.  

  • Mike touched many with his description of the attention and support that villagers provide to each other when one of their family members dies.  In a time when we seem to find less and less time to “be there” for others in need in our “village”, these are people who visit each day for as much as a week during the traditional prayer vigil. 

  • Our second, and last, visit to the home of an AIDS patient was a moment that none of us are likely to forget.  The elderly woman we were coming to visit died just hours before our arrival.  The reality of what it means to be Helping Hands volunteer became more clear as we observed the impact this death had on the HHIA team member who had been coming to take care of her for months or years.  Unfortunately, villager deaths from AIDS is happening at a rate of 3 to 4 per week – per village.

  • There are no words sufficient to describe the depth of love, pride, respect and admiration in Mike’s eyes as he watched Michelle and listened to a member of her staff speak about how much Michelle has meant to them all. 

  • The smiles on little faces here are simply amazing. 

  • Many have been struck by how grateful everyone here is for what seems to be the smallest of things. 

  • Seeing Jesus (Ray in costume) skipping with the children as they all acted out Bible stories – a true “God Moment”.

  • Each day provides a “roller coaster” experience as we move from the pure joy of being with these amazing kids to the heart breaking sadness of the suffering and death that is so much a part of life here in South Africa.

  • Coaxing smiles for photographs can be a joy.  While so many are quick to smile, others seem reluctant or unable.  And that is where the fun begins – especially when Cassie is around.

  • Thousands of miles and centuries of tradition may separate us – but all who stood outside the home of the AIDS patient who had just died shared the same emotions. 

  • Hearing the stories of each member of the HHIA Team was very touching.  Especially memorable was Cedrick’s story.  After losing his mother and father, this young man raised his two younger brothers on his own.  A teenager himself when he took on this awesome responsibility, he has successfully nurtured one brother from infancy to school age and the other through the teen years.  What a very special young man.  Thank God there are many like him here give so selflessly to care for the many, many young orphans of South Africa.

  • Hearing the children singing “we are weak but he is strong” – it touched us in so many ways.

  • It was such a wonderful surprise to see that, amidst the dust and poverty, the care being provided by HHIA is second to none.  The home of the AIDS patient we visited may have been quite humble, but it was also spotless.  And the HHIA Team Members were greeted like members of the family.  This is care that goes well beyond what many of our elderly experience back in America.

  • It’s been a blessing to watch our own team come together.  Everyone has been gracious, giving, flexible and selfless.  We have such a great example to follow in the HHIA Team.

  • We are often struck by the impact these children are having on members of the La Casa Team.  Melody provided one of those special moments for another team member today as she cradled a sensitive and sad young boy.   Patsy was touched as she watched Cassie caring for another young boy for almost two hours. 

  • It was awesome to be there when Cedrick (our constant companion from HHIA) saw his teacher from elementary school.  He was so proud to be able to tell her about completing school and getting his job at Helping Hands in Africa.

  • Learning that Lesego (lay-SAY-ho)(the young teacher we’ve been working with) has been honored for her work and will be going to Johannesburg to represent her Province in a national event.

  • Seeing the children’s excitement as they bounded in for their second day of VBS.  It’s hard to believe that we met them only one day ago – and that we will be leaving them so soon. 

  • The kids’ were so excited to see photos of Jerry’s grandchildren.  It was great to watch their reaction – and Jerry’s.

  • It was such an honor to be the first group that HHIA brought to Areaganeng School – where the performance (by nearly 700 students) put on for us at the school was simply indescribable.  The kids were so proud and beautiful.  The poem (of great hope) had even more impact when we heard that the teacher who taught it to these children had learned it herself when she was in primary school.  The Principal of the school shared that our presence alone brought them great hope.  Just think what we can accomplish with a thoughtful, sustained presence of some kind here in Mafikeng.

  • Ray was equally honored to spend time with Pastor Mike as he shared his vision for saving lives with Provincial Health Officials.  It is inspiring to see such commitment and clarity of purpose for serving others.

  • Pastor Jeff was grateful for Michelle’s patience as he tried to learn and remember the words he used to greet the Areaganeng students.  We feel guilty at times for the demands that we put on Pastor Mike and Michelle – just by being here.  They reassure us daily that our being here is a huge blessing.

  • As each day passes we become more aware of the tremendous challenges that Pastor Mike and Michelle have faced, and continue to face, in their 16+ year struggle to bring hope and health to the people of Mafikeng through HHIA. 

  • The “haunted” looks on such young faces is hard to describe.  We hope that some of our photos (to be posted when we get back) will help us remember and help others understand. 

  • “He prayeth best who loveth best” – we went for a walk with Pastor Mike before dinner and were amazed to see a herd of Spring Bucks roaming the neighborhood.  This is truly a special place.

  • Melody was reminded of her Irish heritage as she watched the traditional African dance.

  • Our focus has been on the kids – but the few adults we’ve encountered have made a huge impact on us as well.  Patsy’s best moments of the day were those she spent taking and sharing Polaroid photos with the mothers of the children who had come to visit us in the village.  They were shy, excited and amazed as they watched their images appear.

  • The wave – yes, we taught the children “the wave”!