Cebo

The kids were out of school today because it was a public holiday (they seem to have a lot of those... we should too!) so they joined us for our morning worship.  Baba Yan starts the devotion out by saying, "John 3:16."  And Cebo looks at me with the biggest grin and quotes it immediately and perfectly.  A couple of minutes later, Yan asks the children if they have accepted Jesus into their hearts and lives and Cebo says, again with the biggest grin, "YES!"  Then he grabs my hand for prayer time, holds on so tight and doesn't let go until it is over.  Everything about Cebo just warms my heart.  I love him so!

Sweet Prayers

Yesterday I had the sweetest moment that I just have to share.  Kwanele is a girl that lived here and passed away last summer.  I never had the priviledge of meeting her, but I have seen many pictures and heard many stories about her.  I am not sure of the specific details but this is what I do know:  "Nelly" was about 8 years old and she was HIV+.  She came down with an ear infection last year which is so normal and harmless for most of us.  Unfortunately, that ear infection led to Nelly's unexpected death. 
     I came across some pictures of Nelly on the computer and had all the children sitting around looking as I scrolled through them.  They absolutely LOVED it!  They would scream with excitement every time I changed the picture.  Several of the kids made comments about Nelly and how she is in Heaven with Jesus.
   Later that night I was saying prayers with the girls as they got into bed and Lulu said one that nearly took my breath away.  She listed several things that she was thankful for: caregivers, the other children, etc. and then she says, "Lord, thank You for making Nelly an angel!"  Precious!

His Ways - Update

**Update… By the way, I do know all the names and faces now of those that are HIV+.  And I have administered the meds.  Even though it is heartbreaking that these children are infected, now I realize how fortunate these children are to live in this place.  They are blessed to have people who love them, take care of them, meet their needs, and they have daily ARV medication.  These things are blessings straight from above.  The week I arrived Gail said that they know of at least 90 children in the community that NEED to be here, but there is obviously no space or capability to take on more children at this time.  Those are the names and faces that are truly heartbreaking.

Zuma

        I know this should not be my first mention of this but having time (and internet access) is very hard to come by some days.  That being said, I apologize for not allowing you all to be part of Zuma’s prayer team.  Precious Zuma has been extremely ill for the past two weeks.  I can now say that I believe the majority of us thought he was going to die.  He has had SEVERE allergic reactions on top of tonsillitis, flu, cold sores in his mouth that you would not believe, severe dehydration, constant vomiting, and two more conditions that started it all but I cannot even think of them now.  I am attaching pictures of this beautiful baby boy below so you can see him.   Looking back, Gail and I regret not taking a picture when he was at his worst for everyone to see how dire his situation truly was.  There was literally no life in Zuma’s eyes.  They were completely sunken in and just blank.

        The Lord is so good!  This boy has had prayers lifted up on his behalf all over the world.  Today was the first day he has spoken a single word, played with a toy, or ate solid food in two weeks.  My heart absolutely melted in awe of Jesus when I saw him this morning.   The first time he spoke my name, I could not contain the tears!  I was afraid I would never hear that sweet voice again.  He is almost 100% back to himself and SO quickly!  What a miracle!  He is already fighting off the other kids for his space in Amanda’s lap and if anyone comes within a foot of us he starts swinging!  Ha!  LOVE this baby!!!  My little Zoom Zoom!<3<3<3  Thank the Lord he is back!!

Fitting In

      I am so blessed for God to have given me two new families here.  Both ministries I am working with have the most amazing people that I have come to love so much.  Every week, but especially this past week, He has really shown me love through both of them.  Issie, one of the managers/foster moms (I’m not sure of her official title??) here at Tabitha has invited me to have dinner at her place which is HUGE!  She said she has never invited visitors into her home so I feel very fortunate and loved.
       Also, I went and spent the day in Sweetwaters with a few members of my iThemba family which I absolutely loved!!  I had lunch with Wendy; I walked around, visited families, sat in the grass and talked with friends for hours with Lindelani; and I had an amazing chat with Skhu.   Now first you must understand… it is very uncommon for white people to be in the community.  Especially just “hanging out.”  The looks and comments I get are hilarious.  I may not understand what they are saying but their tone says it all.  Ha!  I sat with three of Lindelani’s friends and we laughed, talked, danced and had a great time.  Afterwards, their “review” of me was that I was different from any other white person they have ever met.  Almost every day I am here I wonder, “God, what is your purpose for me today?”  So after Lindelani told me that, I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe breaking the mold of how they think of white people may have had something to do with God’s plan for that day.  I dunno… maybe not.  But I do believe that is one of the cool ways that God works.  We may never know some of the seemingly small things that God uses us for.  But those are the ripples we will see when we get to Heaven.

        And last but not least!  Skhumbuzo and Lindelani told me that they think I am only white on the outside and truly Zulu on the inside.  That is a pretty awesome compliment in my book!!    :)

Girl Talk

I had an eye opening chat with one of the new caretakers here.  She and I were having a “get to know you” chat and of course the usual questions include husband, kids, boyfriend, interests, etc.  So I find out she has no kids, no husband and no boyfriend.  So being a single girl myself the joke always comes that men are too much trouble and we laugh and move on to the next topic.  Except this time, she added a new reason that I was not expecting.  Instead of the usual “trouble” that men cause, she says in her broken English “too much HIV positive.”    Wow… wrapping my mind around the thought of half the guys (or people for that matter…) I know being HIV+ is nearly impossible for me.  It is definitely a different world here.

Updates from iThemba

We are getting ready for camp this week and the team and I are so pumped!!!  We will be taking 50 children from Sweetwaters to the beach -some have NEVER seen the ocean before- to have an amazing time and mentor them on how to have a closer walk with our Lord!  iThemba has such an amazing group of young people that God has blessed with the unbelievable gift of reaching kids in this community!  I am so blessed to be able to walk along side these wonderful people and be a part of what God is doing in their organization and within the Sweetwaters community!  Please pray for the kids and the staff over the next week that everything at camp will go smoothly and that the children's hearts will be opened to the Lord's work within them!  And pray that each team member will keep God first on their hearts, minds, and lips while mentoring these children.  Please pray for safe travels and a safe and happy camp experience!  This clip is the video from last year's camp.  It gives you an idea of what camp will be like!! :)  ---Amazing!!---

http://vimeo.com/user3575424/ithemba-camp2011


Also, iThemba's newest newsletter just came out and I am in it!!! :)  Check it out too!

http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1109510327718-5/junementoring.pdf