My normal routine has changed slightly these past two weeks because the schools have been on holiday. Our friend, Brenda, works for a home-based care organization designed to serve and help individuals with HIV/AIDS as well as orphans. We had the opportunity to spend a day with her to visit a few orphans suffering from HIV and an older man suffering from AIDS. Chelsea, one of the FUGE volunteers donated money to help buy them groceries. We were told that there are over 500 orphans in this one area, and the government can only afford to feed 100 of them every month. It is heartbreaking to see the conditions in which they live and really makes me even more thankful for what I have been blessed with. Pray that God will continue to provide for these children and make His presence know throughout this community.
Last week, our whole cluster met together for a large meeting. It was encouraging to hear how God was working in South Africa, Swaziland and Madagascar. It’s amazing that no matter where you live in the world, we all have the ability to worship the same God. First Baptist Church, Orlando led worship all week and reminded us of the personal God we serve who is continually active in each of our lives. After the meeting, I was able to accompany a small group from the church on a tour of Soweto. I learned this week about the Door of Hope. There is a drop off spot in Johannesburg for mothers to take their babies if they don’t feel like they can or want to take care of them. By dropping them off at this church, they can be sure that someone will take care of their child. There is no place like this in Soweto, so some mothers have decided that there is no other way out except by tossing their babies into a river. The picture below is of the Klip River where many of these babies are thrown. Pray for a location and funds to build a Door of Hope in Soweto. Pray for the young women who feel like their best option is to watch their own children drown in a river because they have no hope.
It’s very easy to get discouraged when you’re around so much sadness and despair. So, sometimes it’s good to get away to refocus your attention back on God. Stephanie, Zach and I all took a day trip to the Magaliesburg Mountains where we hiked through rocks and hills for a few hours.
Then Rachel and I took a three day vacation to a Bed and Breakfast in a nature reserve. We were able to see Zebras, Kudu and Wilderbeast as we hiked through the trails. Most of our time, though, was spent sitting by the river talking, reading and just relaxing. It’s important that we take time to praise God for time to be still in His presence and find rest in Him alone.
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