Day 4 Cork
We arrived at the centre at a much better time today. On the schedule was much like yesterday, finishing off the swings for the kids, and visitation for the ladies.
We had some singing – singing a song that Keith knew, so he sang it with gusto, and Keith had a short talk about Deuteronomy 4 – what nation has a god who is so near to us. I read also from 1 Peter 1:8 – though we have not seen him, we trust him.
Simon came a little bit later, and mum had forgotten her video camera, so he and I went back to get it (actually hers didn’t even make it to the bus, so we used ours instead).
We chatted about his life. Where he lives doesn’t have power, so he doesn’t watch a lot of TV. He told me about building, and how he had some training before hands, but because of Sal, he now is very accomplished in all areas of building, inside and out. He built the place in cork, and told about the inside and outside of it, and how it had been architecturally designed by Sal. He told me that his girlfriend was American, and that he is around 6th in the family, but with others under him. He is an accomplished soccer player, and is passionate about sport. He wants to go to university ultimately to do sports administration.
We got back in 35 minutes, and then set about doing what we could for the new play equipment. The kids loved already playing on the rope part, and by lunch we had the cross pieces ready, and we had put the tires on the swings, and they were already getting plenty of use.
The ladies had returned and reported a great contact. Vicki was mainly just taking in the situations, (and we talked later about the condition of the kids – particularly that not many of them had the appearance of malnourishment – and the seemingly great condition of their teeth, do they use toothpaste and brush, or is it just that they have food like apples and no sugar), and Sharon was there supporting mum, who was telling stories interpreted through Agnes – the main English speaker in the group along with Susan. She told the parables that Jesus told – like the lost coin – through the interpreter and with Sharon doing the actions. They had a very positive time.
Lunch was the problem. We had lunch to eat, and there was another function for mothers that was running in the centre, and they had lunch of bread and a reddish fruit juice on the table. It was confusing for who this was for, but it was for the other function.
Mum, bless her heart, was committed to doing something about it. She gave some money (around $16) to buy some bread. It bought 15 loaves and some margarine for the kids. Simon, who is a works co-ordinator, didn’t hesitate to get the loaves, and before I had a chance to talk with him about it, had already left. This went against the guidelines that we had been given by Kristal, but mum was really concerned that these ladies had walked for hours with them on their home visits above. So mum wanted to feed both them and the kids. She spent a significant time with the ladies, talking to them about how it was their responsibility to see that the kids had enough to eat at the end of the month. In retrospect it was great experience to show the problems of Africa and how best to allow the African culture to help itself, instead of imposing solutions on it that hinder rather than help.
It raises though the follwing counter points:
• The ladies might be encouraged that they did the right thing in feeding more through the month, because the shortfall was provided by God
• It might make Kristal’s job of managing things harder, particularly as Cork struggles more with feeding their kids for the whole month
• The challenge of being emotionally involved, and following the emotional responses through to action, vs the larger picture of how to help the larger group.
One of the great challenges here, that we discussed in the briefing, was for us to deal with the issue of eating ourselves, while the others weren’t eating. Sharon made the comment that these ladies served the community, while at the same time were volunteers, being paid nothing. This was a common thread, the idea of fairness. . . .
The other group, at Belfast, had also run out of food. The ladies there bought their own food and they ate, but the kids did not have any food. The issue for our guys there was regarding eating. What should they do? Should they eat inside the office, should they eat in the bus, should they drive the bus away? Should they not eat? As it was they decided to move away on the bus, which in retrospect was a bad decision as they then lost more than half the kids before they came back.
We kicked these ideas around the table, and really found ourselves pulled in different directions about what should and shouldn’t have been done.
Exhausted, most people went to bed, but Pat, Leyton, Jared, Steve and Jenny & I played take two, which was fun, until we went to bed around 9:15
Day 5 Cork and Belfast.
Had a great morning with the Hands Staff and their meeting.
Up at 3:40am and spent half an hour outside from 4:12 – 4:45 until I
Not really as good a day. Went to Belfast (half of us), but there was not a clear path for what we should do. I had an upset stomach so sat it out in the back. We ended up going to Cork. Found out that group 2 missed their early shuttle – no seats, so they had to wait for the 12:45 from J-burg. We mixed up the groups. Steven was with Leyton, Sharni, Sharon, mum, Vicki. Jenny, Clinton, Jared, Geoff, Keith & patricia.
We had our lunch, but after yesterday decided to have it when we got back home.
Patricia’s Diary
2/7
Went to Belfast today – went on HBC with Nancy and Annie. Visited lots of people. A kokwana (grandma) who had diabetes and her daughter was caring for her (went with Jenny and Leyton – which was really good having another woman to pray with) went to see Joseph and his mum who were both laying on their stomachs. – Annie was the lady who was excited to see that our birthdays were so similar – (she was 21/12/53 and mine just days later).
Joseph was on a bed and mum on a mat outside. As they couldn’t lay on their backs or sit – one young person (19) was looking after her sister’s 3 children as the parents had died 1 year before. Quite a few other people as well who were so grateful for our prayers – what a humbling experience! Jenny and I found it hard that we had nothing to provide physically such as food etc) but we could provide what they wanted and satisfied and that was prayer! I have learnt that it is more important and a truly valuable gift to be able to give! Thankyou God – Jehovah Jireh – our Provider – His grace is sufficient for me.
When we went back down there was no food to give to the children who we gave them the Macadamia nuts we were going to do a treasure hut with. The children are quite happy to play with whatever is available or not (eg a stone in a sock for a throwing game or a squashed can for a throwing game. We played skipping and soccer. We then went back to Cork and waited till the others were ready to go. The swings had tyres on them and were being used by the children with such enjoyment. Some of the boys, whilst we were waiting, treated us to some amazing dancing! It was really lovely to see Susan and the others again. Had a good trip home and lovely meal and debrief. Then “The Woods” Steve and I played Take 2. Good fun and lots of laughs.
Keith’s notes
Monday 29/6
Home visits at Belfast. I went out with Leyton with three others including Daniel, the team leader and interpreter.
First home was an elderly grandmother confined to rear bedroom of a reasonably affluent family. 7 bedroom house!
Second home prayed for Joseph and advanced cancer sufferer – very advanced – ‘smell of death’ noticeable in the room (possible discharge while I was prayer). Note that Daniel had buried his mother last week and his stepfather this weekend just passed. Had travelled 250km by public transport that morning – and went without breakfast – to be with us. I shared my lunch with him. Graciously God had provided an extra portion in our ration pack. We shared that also.
Third home greeted in the courtyard, grandmother / mother had surgery on her knees, but she was still suffering. Said she felt improvement in knees as I was praying for her. Daniel felt they may have simply been because she had been prayed for by a white man. However, she and her two sons were visibly encouraged by the visit.
Fourth home an aunt bringing up her (deceased ) sisters children. The aunt was clearly ill but fulfilling her duty.
Fifth home – mother was out visiting so we talked with two sons (14 and 1q2). Encouraged them in their schooling. Special word of encouragement to the younger sibling not to stay behind his brother. God wants two big men, not one big man and one small man. (I was a younger brother, so we clicked – got a big handshake from him)
Sixth home – mother was out but kids were everywhere. Father had two wives and a de-facto. I counted 7 kids under 10 and about the same 12-15.
Houses are of concrete brick (besser brick) type construction often with an outside wood-fired ‘kitchen’. Not uncommon for people to occupy rooms even though not finished. Many houses have a small, round hut with a thatched roof just nearby – this is for them ancestors. Anc. Worship is common, even among professing Christians. Mangy dogs, goats and chickens are very common running around.
Today: we are doing the touristy thing – Blyde River Canyon Lisbon Falls – etc. Wish us luck!
We have more people with us! Tim and the girls have arrived in one piece!
Ciao
Clinton