Day 10 - Mafambisa Community Day

Day 10 - Mafambisa Community Day

The morning began with Ladies’ Prayer in the chapel for the girls, and a bit of a lie in for the boys, although Chris did get up and make us a wonderful range of eggs on toast! This week’s meeting was led by Audrey, the leader of the Hazyview Service Centre team, and we began with discussing ‘praise’ and ‘prayer’ points for the week ahead, a chance for the members of Hands to talk about their own pains and troubles, as well as to give thanks for their joys and successes. Audrey then shared from Judges 6: 12-16, which talks about the angel of the Lord appearing to Gideon and asking him to go and save Israel from the Midianites. However, Gideon is scared to do this alone, but God reassures him and says that, as long as God is there, fighting the Midianites will only feel like fighting one man. Audrey discussed with us how this story spoke to her; she used her own experiences to help explain how anything is possible with God, particularly her recent experiences in addressing the threat of strikes in her local area. We all have troubles and pains, that at many times can feel like a huge mountain to climb, but with the guidance and support of our loving Father, this mountain will no longer feel so big. God sees us not as we see ourselves in human form and from this, mountains are not as high, and battles are not as hard. This all encouraged us to accept our own struggles, and to never be afraid to ask for help, as God will be there to walk alongside us and carry us when we are feeling strained and troubled. “And the Lord said to him, ‘But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.”

We packed the bus and headed out for our second day at Mafambisa, we were greeted by the care workers who seemed to be in a great mood. We were pleased to see Emma, who some of us had met last year and Tenby, who both the Alices had met 2 years ago. Also we met Evelyn, whom none of us had met previously. We got stuck into chopping cabbage, peeling potatoes, and getting the food ready to be cooked. With the big pan on the fire heating the water it was soon time to add the “Pap” which is made from maze. Once into the water much stirring is required to get the Pap mixed and into a smooth consistency. It amused the care workers as we each took turns to try and wield the 4 ft spoon through the ever thickening substance. The food was then all put onto cook and we sat alongside service centre members and care workers in a circle under the shade of some trees. Audrey explained that we are all broken in our own way but by sharing our brokenness we can find love through Christ. We spent a while, each one of us sharing what caused us hurt in our lives. This was a very moving time and one we were privileged to share in. For one, it was the loss of one of her children as a baby, for another the loss of her husband. One of the care workers shared about her mother, who lived in a neighbouring country, who was going blind but had nobody to care for her.One by one each of us shared something that had or was causing us pain in our lives. Audrey reiterated the importance of sharing our hurt with those around and in doing so find love. We divided our team up into three, with Alice staying behind to help the care workers cook.

Alice and Clarrie visited the home of a new member of the local community, Emma. She lives on the edge of the community in a house which she and her family are currently boarders... they have no ownership or fixed place of abode as they have travelled and moved from Mozambique. Emma lives in a two room house on a steep piece of land with her five children. They, as a family, are not eligible for Government support (R400 per child) as they are from Mozambique and have no official papers and presence in the country. All should attend the Care Point, but the eldest, Ann who is 15, has not been attending recently. This was the reason for the visit, and Prudence from Hands was gentle but clear in the reason for our visit. We explained that for each child that is supported, our support and love stretches to their families. This was of great comfort to Emma as she begins to realise the great importance and impact that the Care Point and Care Workers are having on her and her family. It was lovely to meet two of her children on our walk, chatting and playing with them on our walk to the house. Three of the children attend local schools and are doing well, but for the youngest two who are 6 and 7, they do not have papers so are not eligible to access any education. This was difficult to hear, but we took some comfort in Emma’s care and commitment, and her older children’s enthusiasm for learning. The main issues facing this family is their immigrant status and lack of formal paperwork following their arrival from Mozambique, the limited opportunity for work for Emma, and the absence/abandonment of Emma’s husband and father of the children. Following prayer requests and further questions, Alice closed in prayer and Emma was overwhelmed with the visit, holding each in long hugs of goodbye. We then headed back to the Care Point with two of the children, collecting some of the others on the way, and also bumping into Moses from previous years. 

Oliver and Sophie went on a Holy Home Visit with Betheul to visit GoGo Maria. GoGo Maria cares for 4 grandchildren as sadly their mother has passed away. There are two boys and two girls living in the family split between two rooms. The buildings are furnished but unfortunately due to an attempted break-in there are no doors meaning that the family’s safety is at risk. Of GoGo Maria’s grandchildren, most attend the Care Point except for the youngest, Maggie. She attends a crèche so is too young and tired afterwards to make the journey by herself. When we were there, Betheul gifted some shoes and clothes for the children - much to GoGo’s delight! GoGo also suffers from epilepsy- thought this is treated with medication - and high blood pressure. She will often fall down so will have to call an ambulance meaning the grandchildren are left to fend for themselves. During the visit we also learnt that GoGo and her grandchildren do not have the legal papers needed to receive financial support therefore they struggle each month to make ends meet. To supplement their income, GoGo makes her own alcohol to sell. We finished the visit by praying for GoGo’s requests - that she and her family would be safe and happy and that they will complete their education. 

Lucy and Chris went with Audrey and Emma to visit a man called David. We made our way along one of the green lanes of Mafambisa and were soon joined by Pastor Buwani who was joining us for the visit. A few yards further on and another care worker, who had not been at the care point today, Veronica also joined us. We walked further into the community, away from the tar road, to a small house with three lines of newly washed clothes.David lived on his own with four children, but was very much struggling due to the fact that he was not receiving the grant money (family allowance) from the government. David's wife had become very ill and her family took his wife away to care for her in their home, some short way away. In doing this the family also took with them David’s Family allowance card, which meant that he was unable to claim the grant from the government and to make things worse the money is being claimed and used fraudulently by David’s wife family. David also is unable to find work, and so is finding it very hard to afford even the essentials. The care workers gave David some washing powder yesterday, and hence the full lines of washing. There is another issue in that David’s two eldest children are shying away from coming to the care point, as they think they are too old. Audrey was trying to pursued David that he should push them to come along. We prayed for David and his family and left. 

As the children arrived at the care point we decided to get the parachute out (Thanks Mary) and had great fun exploring it with children... Alice even managed to find one of the older children to translate the rules! After a few games it was time to worship and for the children’s meal! As this was wrapping up it was fine for “Shine” to come out and it was lovely to see he children from last year remembering the actions and singing along! Sister Audrey even got into the groove too! 

Before long it was time to say our goodbyes but only till tomorrow! After dinner we decided to hold our debrief up by the fire pit - it was a lovely atmosphere and focal point for taking about our day, sharing the stories we had heard on our home visits and reflecting on our time in the community so far.