She's Clever!

I was reminded of this story this week...I don't think I have shared it yet.

The last morning when I was staying with Nombelalo in the community we were waiting at the main road for my ride to pick me up. As we were standing there all the kids were walking to school in their school uniforms and many people stood on the roadside waiting to catch a taxi. I stood there holding 3 year old Samkelo in my arms (in the picture above). Suddenly as Numbelalo and I stood there chatting a taxi pulled up in front of us. Nombelalo motioned for me to put Samkelo in the taxi. I quickly said, “where is she going? By herself?” As Nombelalo gave the taxi driver money the others in the taxi adjusted to make a seat for the youngest passenger. As the door closed I said goodbye to Samkelo and waved. She smiled back at me, waving and gave me a thumbs up. I stood there stunned. I said to Nombelelo, “She goes to school by herself? How does she know when to get off?” Nombelelo nonchalantly looked at me and responded, “It’s okay. She’s clever!”

The other day when Laura and I were talking about how it will feel when we get on the bus to go to Mozambique we thought of this situation. We may look a bit like Samekelo. Like her, we'll be okay, “We’re clever!” :)

Pure Joy!

Sunday Lacey, Laura and I took "our girls" and their families- (that we stayed with in the community) out to do some site-seeing. We picked them up at their homes and drove just away from where they live. For the first time we all enjoyed these beautiful waterfalls (Lisbon falls) and natural pot-holes. None of us had ever been there. It is pure joy to see others soaking up new experiences and in awe of nature. It was such a blessed day.
After the site-seeing we took them to a popular (Afrikaans influenced) pancake restaurant. That was NOT their favorite part of the day as they weren't comfortable using silverware and they were missing their usual "pop" (maize meal porridge that they usually eat for every meal). Most of them were good sports and at least tried the savory pancakes that we ordered. I spoke to Nombulelo today and she told me she was just "so excited Sunday after she got back home." It was a great day for all of us!
As I look at the clock on my computer you are all in the middle of your day and I am off to bed...Take care- tomorrow will be another wonderful day!

As we entered the yard there were 2 children sitting on a crate watching us carefully as we entered their space. A Gogo comes from the house to greet us. With her was a small child- about 3 years old. In just the few steps that I took towards her her chin began to quiver. Her breathing deepened and fat tears slowly rolled down her cheeks. She started to cry. She was terrified. Had she ever seen a white person this close? Her Gogo tired to console her and then encouraged her to come a welcome the visitors. So, with all her might she walked toward the 3 visiting white people. She stopped in front of each of us and rigidly extended her little hand. We all gently bent to her level to shake her sweet little hand.
We then entered the home of the patient. It was quite cluttered, it didn’t smell nice. Elizabeth lives with her son who is gone during the day and returns at inconsistent times in the evening. As we entered the bedroom I noticed the neatly made, empty, queen size bed. Instead of occupying this bed Elizabeth was lying on a mattress on the floor. She was covered in blankets and when she peeked her head out, through her fatigue, she opened her right eye to view her visitors. She was unable to open her left eye as it (and the surrounding area) was an open sore from shingles. She was pleased to see the home-care team visiting her again. She was eager to have her bath but she was hungry and she wanted to eat first. Her friend (a faithful neighbor who cares for Elizabeth and 8 orphans) prepared her some porridge. When Elizabeth finished her breakfast Laura and I bathed her frail body. She didn’t have the strength to help at all. I feared hurting her as I assisted her to sit up so we could put clean clothes on her. As we changed her soiled sheets Laura started humming her favorite Seswati song, I joined in and soon the 3 of us were singing in Seswati what translates to be “You are the Only One.” It was in that moment that I realize…this is what life is all about! This is why I am here!
When we finished the bed bath we headed to the river to join the others to wash (by hand in small basins) her soiled clothes and bedding. After over an hour of bending and scrubbing the wash we head back up the hill with heavy, wet blankets and clothes ready to dry on the line. Thankfully it is sunny today with a bit of a breeze. The clothes will dry well today.
One visit, one bath, one load of laundry and I am exhausted. Then I think about what the rest of the day holds for Elizabeth and this Gogo. She’ll have to change Elizabeth soon and the children will soon be hungry. How fortunate Elizabeth is to have this Gogo caring for her. What a desperate situation. Elizabeth needs antiretroviral medication along with her TB treatment but who will monitor that she takes the tablets? Where do we go from here I wonder? What can be done?
Today we showed Elizabeth and the Gogo neighbor that they aren’t alone. Today Gogo doesn’t have to give Elizabeth a bath or do the wash. After she tucks her children in tonight she’ll sleep well. Then, she’ll wake to do it all again tomorrow…

Refinement

This morning I am sitting in the main building here at ASM working on putting together a "country portfolio" about Mozambique. As I gather information and anticipate the next 9 months of my life I hear a group of people singing praises- they must be having a meeting upstairs. It would be unusual to start off a meeting without prayer and praise to God. I have been reminded lately of how God is surely the provider of all things. It is Him alone who has the power to do all things. Like they say here, "without Him I am rubbish!"
Yesterday at our weekly Hands at Work meeting we heard a message about being honest with others and ourselves- really humbling ourselves and admitting our shortcomings. I also want to be honest with my experience here. It has been wonderful, absolutely wonderful but not always easy! Last week I had a bit of a shake up as I was in a car accident. PRAISE GOD no one was hurt. Myself and the 8 others that were in the car I was driving walked away, unharmed. GOD WAS WITH US! Our God of provision watched over me then and also reminded me that I need to ask for His protection in everything, everyday!
As things have settled down from last week I have gotten a glimpse of what is to come. I will be challenged beyond comfort over the next 9 months. Last night as I went to bed I wanted to whine and complain- I was homesick and wanted to talk to my friends and family back home- anyone who really KNOWS me (but the phone lines haven't been working here for about a week). Instead God gently reminded me that He has called me here. He is with me just waiting for me to cry out to Him and find the comfort I am looking for in Him. God's taking care of me here as much as He ever has when I am at "home".
Over the next 2 1/2 weeks I will be focusing more on the nursing aspects of being here. I will be going to a few different clinics, doing a number of home-visits and going to a couple different hospice centers. Please pray for me to have the strength I will need when I hear sad stories and see desperate situations. Also if you can remember to pray for the people of Zimbabwe- we have been praying desperately for them.
I don't write any of this to cause anyone to worry. It's me being honest. I am truly doing wonderful! Still overjoyed to be here- I am encouraged by something everyday. Even my bad days here are great (Deanna, you were right?:).
To conclude, an encouraging Word that was shared with me last week:

For the eyes of the Lord search throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9

May you wake this morning to a joyful day!

Thanks

Hi- This is just a quick message to thank all of you for your faithful prayers. I ask that you keep on praying and even pray more! God is sure faithful and I am confident that the joy and protection I am receiving here is due to the faithfulness of prayer that I know is going on for me. Thank you!
This is a picture of me and some of the "Young Moms" that we have worked with a bit.

On a Lighter Note....

This week Hands at Work is having its Africa Conference here at ASM. The project directors from all over Africa are here with us. It has been great to meet all of these faithful ones who are really on the front lines of serving (day after day, year after year!). The week has been filled with brainstorming and vision planning for Hands at Work and strategizing as to how the organization can effectively care for 100,000 orphans by 2010. Not an easy task. None of this has any easy answers. It has really showed me the immensity of the problems here and depth of what needs to be done and the complexity of doing it!
As is expected when there are many different cultures together there will be some good laughs with cultural misunderstandings.
One evening when we were singing praise and worship being led by a Nigerian man we had quite a misunderstanding. Most African songs are simple, short phrases repeated over and over. We all joyously sang this song, “Lord, lift me higher (sounding like “higha”), lift me higha…” As we repeated the verses he would shout out the phrase for the next verse and repeat that one for a while. Well…when he shouted out one verse, there was an immediate muffled chuckle when all of us (who don’t speak Nigerian English) heard him say, “Lord, give me sausage!” It took some time before our minds translated the phrase and we realized that we were not actual asking for sausage but for success! We have been laughing about sausage all week!
Next, (this is just the start of our first Mozambiquen Portugese misunderstanding I am afraid) a group of us were sitting visiting with the 2 men from Mozambique. Laura asked Carlos what the biggest challenge he faces in Mozambique is. Then she added a second question and said, “what is the word for challenge in Portuguese?” To Laura’s ears she heard Carlos respond “Dares a few (there’s a few with a Mozambiquen accent)”. So Laura responded, “Oh, I just need to hear one.” Then again Carlos says, “Dares a few.” Laura was still confused and she asked again- “Oh, no, I just need to hear 1 of the challenges.” Finally the rest of use realized what was going on and clarified to her that the word for challenges in Portuguese is desafio, sounding like “dares a few.” Oh, we all laughed!
My embarrassing language stories are to come! I am surely no natural at speaking anything but English so continued prayers that I can learn to communicate in Portuguese are very welcomed! Also, I have now learned that at the hospital we will work at 1 day/week there is no English spoken and a few of the doctors speak French! Oh, Mom, I pray your French education genes step up and help me out!
It’s been a great week and the time is going quickly. About a month from now I will be packing my bags and Laura and I will be heading off to Mozambique. After meeting and talking with Carlos and Santos we are very excited to go be part of Rubatano Home-based care near Chimoio, Mozambique.