Thursday 27th July
Another beautiful day dawned, before we had prayers and an
alfresco breakfast at the late hour of 8.00am!
Our day in Zwelisha included some gardening and maintenance;
therefore the minibus had to be loaded with tools before our fairly prompt
departure shortly after 9.00am. Being our second trip to Zwelisha, we looked
forward to renewing acquaintances made on Monday with Care Workers and the
children. Initial plans to excavate foundations for a new building were aborted
when we discovered the job had already been completed. Needless to say, Chris
soon encouraged us to go for Plan B which included removing a massive load of
rocky debris which was blocking the damp proof course on the new building.
Armed with shovels, pick axe and eventually a well-received, borrowed wheelbarrow
the pile was soon moved and re-landscaped with a twig-broom adjacent to the
potato plants. Meanwhile construction was occurring as Bethwell and Chris
busily mixed mortar to add another layer of concrete blocks to surround the huge
water tank to delimit the possibility of the precious resource being stolen by
local inhabitants! The tank, almost three metres high, is replenished by a
visiting water tanker approximately twice a month.
Our prayers with the Care Workers included some local worship
songs, and Rob shared Psalm 84 with us, giving his reasons for his choice and
highlighting the fact that swallows summer in the UK and then during the autumn
migrate more than 8000 miles south to the delights of the South African summer –
a poignant reminder of the friendship, love and prayers which are communicated
between our two countries, communities of faith and Hands at Work. This was truly
a message of encouragement for all present which will be treasured by the Care
Workers, in particular.
It was then another opportunity for Two Holy Home Visits.
One group set off locally to visit Sadie, a Care Worker with a knee problem
which hopefully will soon improve with rest and medication from the clinic. The
second group, led by Bethwell, walked further down the valley from the Care
Point to a very spacious house inhabited by a widowed mother and her four
children. The primary reason for the visit was to enquire about the health of
the eldest son who had been absent from school for two days; thankfully,
following a church visit with his grandmother, healing was progressing well. Widowed
in 2014, the mother considered herself to be fortunate to have inherited the house
from her husband; and to have 4 delightful children despite finances being a
concern. Unfortunately her work in the health service was uncertain because of
her commitments at home, but with state benefit for the children and her
aspirations to embark on study to enable her to set up her own crèche she is
beginning to feel more positive about the future. The on-going support provided by HaW for all the family has proven
invaluable since interventions began to be put in place in 2015. Whilst home
visits took place, the trusty cooks for the day in our team battled with
extreme heat in the ‘igloo’, preparing chicken feet, cabbage and ever present
pap for the children’s lunch.
In the meantime our resident mechanic DJ returned to the
centre of town for a tyre refit for our trusty minibus to ensure further safe
travels over the next 10 days, not unexpectedly returning back in time for
lunch. Once all back at the Care Point the lunch was speedily served to all the
children and adults once prayer s had capably been led by some confident and
sincere youngsters, one being just or 7
years old. After the usual efficient washing up procedure supervised by the
older children, the local teenagers supported by ‘Hands’ met with our younger
team members to discuss the important role they have to play as leaders and
encouragers within the Care Point community. Verses from Ecclesiastes 3.1-12
and other texts in the Bible were read and discussed in relation to the
opportunities available to them to flourish, to grow, to become role models and
lead by example. They were advised that such responsibilities should not be a
burden but considered a gift to the community, to each other, and to God. We pray
that the positive meeting will augur well for the future, both at the Care
Point and for the young people individually.
All too soon it was time to say our goodbyes, and to pile
into our newly wheeled bus after many hugs and fond exchanges of good wishes
and continuing prayers. After an uneventful journey back to the hub a dinner of
homemade burgers, potato wedges and corn on the cob was most welcome after
another fulfilling and insightful day.
Lisa and Rosemary
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