Sunday - Day Off - Kaapschoep

A new day dawns and already it's Sunday... we've been here now for a whole full week.  Up early again  but not as early as yesterday(!) so we can leave at 8.00 for Church in White River, led there by Cat who is one of the Youth/Sunday school leaders.  We were warmly welcomed at St George's, the Anglican Parish Church which has a lovely village feel to it, and which, along with a smaller group from the African School of Mission, we helped to fill. We had a good sing with some lovely modern hymns and really enjoyed the connections the readings and sermon made with our mission.

 We all felt that the whole service spoke to us individually and as a group; the readings and the sermon were so apposite. The preacher focussed on the importance of relationships, illustrating it by referring to himself as a wilful child increasingly ignoring the well meant advice of his loving parents

Hosea chapter 11 (verses 1-11) was the first passage:
"When Israel was a child I loved him and I called my son out of Egypt.
"But the more I called him the further he moved from me..."
such a move away from God leading to disastrous results both then and now. Hosea goes on to recount God's drawing back from punishment, stressing forgiveness and the chance to start again. We are given that chance again and again... and have it now here in our work to support the most vulnerable children and their carers.

The psalm was 107 (verses 1-9 & verse 43).
"Some wandered in the wilderness lost and homeless. 
"Hungry and thirsty they nearly died...
"For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things...
"Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord.

The gospel reading, from Luke 12 (verses 13-21), was the parable of the rich fool and his storage of worldly goods .
"Beware! guard against any kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own...
So the preacher encouraged us to focus more firmly on what is really important. Often we are over concerned not only with our own worldly needs, but also allow these to lead to an inappropriate use of power, even in the church; he then extended this to include the dangers of corruption and linked it to forthcoming elections.
"Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."

The final prayers included the following:
    God bless Africa
    Protect our children
    Transform our leaders
    Heal our communities
    Restore our dignity
    And give us peace
    For the sake of Jesus Christ, Amen

After this wonderful time of worship and further prayer and reflection, we set off to replenish supplies and then head towards the nearest 'mountain' to climb... at Kaapschoep, reaching there about 11:30. Half an hour or so to purchase souvenirs was followed by a substantial lunch of both savoury and sweet pancakes.

A short hike was then suggested, so we walked through a pavement of sandstone boulders and shrub land, which led to an escarpment with extensive views over the surrounding countryside. Vaughan was given a free geological tutorial by Christine as they clambered up the occasionally steep pathways. This chance to learn from each other is another great aspect of the teamwork.

To complete our day of rest we enjoyed a super home-made meal of chicken korma followed by meringue nests and fruit salad. We then embarked on a reflective discussion to allow us to refocus on the challenges of the week to come. This included thinking about the surprises, the challenges, the things we had learnt and the things we are looking forward to. We then summarised by thinking about the things that we may take home from our time here and in the communities.


On completion of the refocus session we prayed for:

Our last few days in the community, for a successful and happy week; that we can be helpful and bring support to the care workers and care givers in the communities that we are visiting, seeing and working with...

For Africa and all its vulnerable children...the children that we have met, that they will learn to grow into independent and successful adults and that they may have a brighter future...

The faith of the care workers and the care givers and give them the strength to continue with their wonderful work...

For our continuing health, strength and understanding to be able to give of our best in the week to come, so that we can do our best for the really needy...

For all the communities that we have visited and will visit. We pray for a cohesive team that will be supportive and encouraging to all. We pray that our experiences and challenges will help us to grow as people and that we are able to share these with others back home. We thank you for our team leaders and that you will give them the strength to continue to lead us effectively...

We pray that God will give guidance to each of us, challenge us, and give us greater emotional strength and understanding, for less frustration and more ability to let some things go more easily.

Blogged by Clive and Vaughan

Saturday - Day Off - Kruger National Park

4am and with the moon still in the sky we stirred from our beds and following a quick cup of tea, we made our way to the mini-bus with an air of excitement. We were off to Kruger Park for our "day off".

The journey took about 40 minutes and we were first into the queue to enter the park at 5.30am. As the sun started to rise we entered the park and within only a few minutes we were greeted by a pack of Hyenas, very close to the road. The cameras were out and rotation patterns worked out so that every one got chance to snap a few shots.

We were soon on our way and turned off the main road  towards the service area at Afsool. The road was long and rough and fairly stark of animals, but we did see giraffes and Zebra, just to wet our appetite.

We were just about to turn into the service area and we saw at the top of the hill a few cars stopped by the side of the road, this is always an indication of animals being "on view", so we rushed up the hill and watched a troop of water buffalo crossing the road in a neat straight line.

Arriving at Afsool we hired a barbeque and were soon cooking bacon and eggs for breakfast. The service centre served coffee and so breakfast was complete.



We now had the pleasure of a Tarmac road for the next leg of our journey north wards towards Skukuza visitor centre.  Not far up the road and we saw elephants, black rhino, and Impala, and Impala and more Impala. Suddenly there was a group of elephants in the distance and as we all tried to get a glimpse we, well some of us, caught a glimpse of a Leopard, unfortunately it wasn't waiting around and shrank back into bush. See if you can spot it in this picture!

As we continued northward, we had the opportunity to leave the Tarmac road and drive up a large rock formation and get out of the bus to enjoy the brilliant panoramic views.

After a time of group photo's, family photo's and just photos we were back on the road again and heading for the swimming pool at Skukuza. Yes you can swim in Kruger Park. The temperature outside was 27, but unlike the uk the air was very very fresh. The weather was hot, but the water was cold, very cold at first, but we all swam and enjoyed the peace and relaxation. We even had a cup of tea with our swim.

Time for an ice cream before we were back in the bus and heading for lake placid, I don't think it's quite called that but it certainly sounds like it. At Lake Panic there is a watering hole with an hide at the side of it and slits to look through. The water had several hippo's wallowing in whilst a heron and an egret looked on. A lone iguana wandered along the shore of the lake.

Our time in the park was coming to an end and we started to make our way back towards the Numbi gate where we had entered the park some 10 hours earlier. Our last view of the day was an elderly giraffe being illuminated by the setting sun strolling majestically through the brush parallel to the road. It had been a peaceful and relaxing day, the sun had shone and we had had time to have fun together as a team. As we left the park the sun was just going down behind the hills and the day was over.

Blogged by Chris

Friday - Share

I woke up this morning to the sound of monkeys on the roof, so not only was I woken by Chris snoring during the night I had a early wake up call from this too!  We also found that during the night the monkeys had eaten our rusks, tea bags, sugar and milk! Chris had to chase the monkeys away to get what was left of our tea bag supply. I'm use to mine and AJ dog Charlie eating our food but not monkeys..

Kat shared with us about the background to the community of Share. Lots of people move to South Africa from Mozambique so therefore have no SA ID. They are not able to receive any until their parents die. The challenges that they face are completely different to those at Siyathuthka.

At breakfast Chris asked Cat to pray for us before we went back into the community. Cat spoke briefly to us about a verse from Isaiah chapter 43 vs 16

" For I’m going to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Don’t you see it? I will make a road through the wilderness of the world for my people to go home, and create rivers for them in the desert!"

Cat reflected that us going into the communities was like a river rushing into a desert. She said that the encouragement that we gave to the Care Workers was so important and it is on that love and encouragement that the communities grow. She then prayed for our second day in Share.

Once we had had our tea and breakfast we set off back to the community. It was about a hours drive from where we were, 90% being in the dusty dirt road.  These roads are very bumpy and rough so by the time we got there we where ready to get off the bus! 

The day started by greeting the Care Givers, it was great to see them again as even though we had only met them the day before it felt like we where saying hello to friends we had know long time.  A couple of us started to prepare the food, cutting cabbage, tomatoes, chicken and beat root.  All of this is cooked over one single open fire, which every time I see what they have prepared it amazes me, I struggle too make a meal at home with the oven and microwave (AJ does the cooking) let alone over a fire..

The others that weren't preparing food carried on repairing the outside shelter which is a basic shelter but with green netting as the roof to create some shade. This had ripped causing it to hang free. So with climbing on chairs, shoulders and stacks of tyres we managed to repair it and create some much needed shade for the kids.

We then went on some Holy Home Visits - we went with our Care Worker Promotion, Mark, Sarah, Vivienne, and Bethwell, one of the Service Centre Team.  The house we visited was about a 15 minute walk away, and along the journey we where greeted by many children coming out of the local school, some goats and couple of cars with people waving. 

We arrived at the GoGo's house. Bethwell had explained to us on the way that the GoGo looked after 3 children. Two of the children's mother and father worked away on farms and visited sometimes and the other childs parents had passed away.   In his words he also explained that she was 'mentally disturbed', so I really didn't know what to expect when we got there but I then found out that Vivienne was a mental health nurse and Mark was a counsellor so I thought that between them two and their skills we would be ok!

We spoke to GoGo with the help of Bethwell, who translated our English to Siswati while Promotion translated it to Tsonga, so how much she understood of what we where saying I don't know but you could see the happiness it bought her with us coming to visit.  We told her about ourselves and asked about her and the grandchildren. We then sang some songs and tried to tell some jokes but the punch lines where lost in the translations.. But we all had a great time getting to know her and  the grandchildren.  One of the grandchildren Precious was shy to begin with and she was sat in the dirt playing with a stick so I went over to her to say hello.  She gave me a look to say who are you? why are you here? I held my hand out and she then squeezed my finger and came over to the rest of the group.  We continued to sit and chat, sing songs and we all had a nice time. It felt like they were all happy that we were there and we weren't intruding on their space. 

When it was time to leave, the vulnerable child came with us to the feeding point. This meant leaving the other two children with the GoGo as these children weren't to be seen as 'vulnerable' children as there parents where still alive.  Precious was sat on my knee and as I stood up to leave with the others she started to cry, I tried to comfort her but what ever I did or said just made her cry more, she clung on tighter and tighter.  The GoGo came over to take her but that made her scream even more,  I had massive feelings of guilt having to leave this child whilst the other came for food. I wondered would she eat tonight? Did she eat yesterday? But then Bethwell came and said if she comes there will be an even more vunerable child that doesn't eat, a child with no mother of father. I still feel guilty, what would you of done?

Blogged by DJ!

Thursday - Share

The day started with breakfast and prayer on the veranda in the hot heat that has finally arrived. After breakfast several of us had to visit the porcupine that Herman had caught.

We left at 9am to travel to our next community of Share with Kat from the "Hands at Work" team via the Hazyview Service Centre where Audrey, Floyd and Bethwell work. After the three hour journey it was lovely to be greeted at Share by some familiar faces and we were put straight to work grating the largest cabbage ever!

Whilst the ladies were hard at work cutting and shredding vegetables the boys decided to fix the sun shelter as it had broken in the wind. Vaughan led the team in using wire, string and other pieces of material that was found on the floor.

At Share today there was a Primary Care Givers (PCG) support group meeting that happens once a month. We also sat with the Care Workers and Care Givers inside the Care Point ready for worship, which was very long! The meeting started with introductions, followed by worship and then a message from Floyd around Psalm 23 and John 3 v 16 about how we should love our neighbours as God loves us. The Care Givers led us in worship which put smiles on all of our faces. Sometimes it is easy to forget that the Care Workers are volunteers and need guidance no matter on how experienced they are e.g. Audrey had to remind them that it was important to set a time for the support group so that everyone arrives at the same time.



Sophie (one of the Care Workers) then asked the Care Givers what we need to do to care for the vulnerable children in our care. After this the Care Givers shared their worries and concerns and we prayed for them. In particular we prayed for Primrose's mum, Katherine's Son and Blessing's mum. Then we served the Care Givers their lunch which was Pap, Soya Mince, Gravy and Cabbage!

After we had eaten we divided into 3 groups to go on our Holy Home Visits. Today we visited three of the Care Givers Homes that had been at the support meeting. We visited Blessing's home. In Blessing's home lived her Grandma Betty, Mum (Thelma), Her brother Mark and Blessing and her two children  Maria aged 10 and Peter aged 7. Her mum was poorly with TB and was refusing treatment which is quite often the case in this community. She had been to hospital on Monday and even though she looked unwell it was not serious enough for her to be admitted. The hospital was an hour away and her children were really worried about her health. Blessing is the main Care Giver in the house and it is her children that attend the Care Point. Blessing is 27 and nearly finished her Matric.  In South Africa you are able to take a break from school when you have children and then finish your exams at college later on. We admired her commitment to finishing her exams at 27 in order to create a better future for herself and her family.  

Whilst Claire, Susan and Chris encouraged and prayed with the Care Giver and her family, Alice played with her neighbours child. On the way to the home the little boy had picked up broken bricks and given them to her to carry. When we arrived at the home, he had already started a pile of broken bricks. Alice and the little boy then played trains, cars and built towers! He enjoyed making the different noises!

When we arrived back at the Care Point there were lots of children were already there. We played with the balls and parachute that we had brought with us until all the other groups returned. Then it was time for dinner which we served to them. We only served half of the children because the older children finished school later. It was encouraging to see that the Care Workers had decided amongst themselves to stay late and feed the older children instead of sending food home in a box.

At 4:30 we said our goodbyes and left for Wits knowing that we had to drop Floyd off on the way. On arrival at Wits we checked in and enjoyed a dinner of Lamb Stew, Rice, Exotic salad and desert of meringues! We debriefed with Kat from Hands!

Blogged by Claire and Alice

Wednesday - Siyathuthuka

Day 3

The day started with Service Centre Orientation led by Audrey giving us a further opportunity to understand the work of Hands at Work when in the communities and the roles of the workers, We then travelled to Siyathuthuka for our third visit. It was Care Worker Encouragement Day. We participated in a group circle where we were treated to some traditional African singing and dancing led by the Care Workers. Vivienne and Vaughan then led a prayer session bringing their own personal thoughts and feelings to support the work of the Care Workers. This included giving the Care Workers the opportunity for prayer requests; one of the Care Workers requested that we pray for her daughters to succeed at school. This part of the day was another opportunity to get to know each other and build relationships.

The Care Workers were treated to a manicure and massage by some of our team as a sign of appreciation for all their hard work.

There was another opportunity to spend some more quality time with the children who appear to love the attention and affection we, as visitors, offer. With no toys to play with Mark, Clive and Vaughan set about building a house with whatever they could find from the surrounding area. The children embraced this time and got stuck in.

As more children arrived at the Care Point we were given further opportunities to engage and play with them. Clive showed a small group of children a dice game which provided much fun along with the opportunity to share their maths skills.

Later, Alice introduced the children to various parachute games which created much fun and laughter for the children and adults alike.

A meal of pap, chicken feet and sauce was served and gratefully received by all even some of the more apprehensive of us sampled the chicken feet.

As we travelled back to the Hands 'village' we reflected on our own relative wealth compared to he people we have met and how we often take this for granted when others have so little.

We are looking forward to tomorrows visit to another community.

Tuesday - Siyathuthuka

    The day started with Ladies Prayer which was in the chapel, we talked about how sometimes we make the wrong choices, and had we waited we may have chosen differently. We then joined the men who had prepared our breakfast on the veranda, which we enjoyed together.

    We then set off to Siyathuthuka, our partner community, where the plan to start the day by joining the care workers for a worship session, was delayed due to thunder, lightening and much- welcomed rain.






The time was not wasted as the mobile clinic had come for it's monthly visit and we got to experience the encouraging sight of a seemingly unending line of  Mums, babies and toddlers awaiting their turn.





As the weather cleared we joined together for our worship session, led by Floyd and Audrey the Coordinators, which included introductions, prayers, singing and dancing (Suzie, Chris, Claire, Alice and Vaughan!!!)

Now it was time for our first Home Visit! This involves visiting those who care for vulnerable people within their community. Floyd took us to visit Gina, who together with her 3 year old twin sons and an older son, shares the house with eight others. One of these is a sixteen year old boy with TB whose situation was causing particular concern to the care workers. They listened to the issues and have put an action plan in place.

On our return the children were arriving at the Care Point and while Suzie helped with the plating of the pap, boiled cabbage, and shredded beetroot (made by Alice), Vivienne joined in with the children's worship session. The children enjoyed generous portions and we got to try the food, which everyone agreed was very tasty.

All too soon it was time for us to leave and return to the Hub where our delicious evening meal was ready for us.

By Suzie and Vivienne

                            

Monday 25th - Siyathuthuka

The day started very early for the male members of the team with a seven o'clock  discussion based meeting centred on the first few verses of Genesis. The ladies were allowed a lie in.
We were then treated to some magnificent singing when the team along with a team from Germany and all of the Hands volunteers met together for prayers and worship.

Following a late breakfast we readied ourselves for our trip to the community of Siyathuthuka.
Some of us were feeling anxious, but were soon put at ease when we were launched into the life of the care centre by helping out with watering the salad crop in the vegetable plot.

Soon the pre-school children realised that they had some new playmates and made the most of the willing volunteers; balancing on tyres, throwing and catching and kicking tennis balls. This left the care workers to concentrate on cooking the meal for the older children, when they returned from school.

Gradually the numbers increased as first of all the younger school children and then the high school pupils arrived at the centre. Suddenly there were over seventy children who joined in with adhoc activities whilst waiting to be fed.

Today's meal consisted of a kind of cassoulet made from mixed beans and yam. Like growing children every where the plates were soon empty. We thoroughly enjoyed our small portions and were reminded of scout camp with the layer of dried beans that still clung to the sides of the pot, when all had been served.

Sadly we then had to leave to journey back to the Hands centre to reflect on the day.

Blogged by Chris and Clive.

Sunday - Arrivals

So here we are, not only in South Africa, but actually in White River and more precisely and unexpectedly in the Hands village itself two days early! How's that for ahead of schedule! The flight was good, arrival OK, and onward journey by promptly arriving minibus reasonably smooth.  On the way we noticed the contrasting housing close to the airport and then on the outskirts of Johannesburg, the huge areas of mining, logging, some horticulture with irrigation but generally a very parched landscape.

Stopping briefly by this oasis... actually a service station, we appreciated the (captive) wild-life and welcome food/drinks. 

Our arrival about 13:00 at the African School of Mission was something of a surprise to them... so after some discussions and phone calls we discovered that, Hands could, after all manage to take us in early... Our briefing a few minutes ago just confirmed the hand of God in guiding those here to prepare our rooms yesterday instead of, as originally planned, tomorrow, so all was in place for us to be able to come straight here and avoid further packing and unpacking.

We were able to unpack, freshen up and do a walk round led by our experienced team members, culminating in a brief but moving prayer session in the chapel.  We've had a wonderfully warm welcome from all the team members here who, as we proceeded rushed out of their homes to welcome us all.  What a super start.

We were then (in my case only just!) able to walk down to ASM where we were treated to a delicious meal... then back here for the welcome and first orientation session... now early to bed for some and we'll follow soon. 

Blogged by Vaughan

And we're off!

We all met at Church at 11:30 for the weighing of the bags and to distribute various items and gifts for Siyathuthka. We posed for a last minute picture and after saying our goodbyes we jumped into the cars. Thanks so much to Gavin, Dan and David for driving us and our luggage! After a slow journey to Terminal 5 we have taken up residence awaiting check-in! Thank you to all those that came to our commissioning service yesterday and you will hear from us again from South Africa!

Introduction to the 2016 Team

Alice Parker


Hi, my name is Alice Parker and I currently live and work in London as a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator and Inclusion Teacher. I have been a member of Kings Cross Church in the heart of London for the last five years where I lead a small group and kids church. The vision of my Church is... 

'to recklessly give ourselves away to God, each other and the people of King's Cross and beyond.' 

I think for me this vision is not only that of Kings Cross Church but of how I want to live my life...I want to be able to love recklessly, give my time recklessly and to share God's love recklessly and to build a community around me that shares this vision. 

The above vision for me sums up what going to Africa at the end of the month is about -although it would be lovely to, it isn't about trying to provide homes for the 53 million orphans across the continent nor is it about building a well and ensuring that people have clean water to drink. These are essential and vitally important but it is about me/us giving time and encouragement to local African communities working on the front-line day in and day out and supporting what they are already doing. It is about stepping out of our comfort zone and being challenged to look beyond our front doorstep!  

For those of you that know me well, will know that South Africa holds a particular space in my heart and has done for a while. I had the privilege of visiting the charity "Hands at Work" last year with 'The Room' and was blown away by the love and joy for God and each other that every person we encountered radiated! 

I am looking forward to being able to share God's Love and Grace with the different people we meet in South Africa and having the opportunity to walk alongside and pray for them. I have no doubt that I am going to find it challenging and difficult at times and my faith will be tested but then if we are going to love recklessly and share God's love recklessly then I also know that God will be there every step of the way cheering us all on!! 

There is so much more to experience, be challenged by and to fall in love with... Let the adventure begin!!!! 

Introduction to the 2016 Team

Claire McDonnell

Hi my name is Claire and along with some other members of this years team I attend St Andrews Church, Biggleswade and will be travelling the  to South Africa.

I currently work as a music teacher at Northampton School for Boys.

This will be my second trip to South Africa with Hands at Work. Last years trip with 'The Room' was so rewarding and helped me to grow and develop my own faith as well as helping our young people along their journey of faith.

I wanted to do more to help, we became advocates of Hands within our church and the wide community. We also volunteered to Hands Uk to help spread the message of Hands in the UK, and were asked to join the Core Team.

This year I am excited to be embarking on this new adventure together with a new team and again sharing God's love with the communities that we will meet. I hope and pray that our team will again learn so much from these communities and that we can make a difference to there lives, even by the tiniest amount, by the care and compassion we are all prepared to give, and by the love that God has taught us.

Introduction to the 2016 Team

Chris Parker

Hi, this will be my 2nd trip to South Africa with Hands at Work. I am looking forward to returning with Claire and Alice and DJ and I am looking forward to returning to some of the African villages that we visited last year, in particular to the community of Siyathuthuka with whom St Andrew's have now established a partnership and hope to build closer links with. One thing that stuck with me from last year was the joy that these people have, especially when they are singing and praising God.

Before I went to Africa the first time, I thought that we in Britain were the fortunate ones, that we were going to 'give' something to the vulnerable people that we meet, and hopefully we will, but you very quickly come to realise that they have so much to teach us, they have so much of Gods love to give to us, I pray for our group going out to Africa in July, I pray that they will see God in everyone they meet, and that they will allow God to speak to each of them through the wonderful people of Africa.