Thursday Morning

Today began with breakfast on the veranda in bright sunshine, a warm addition from the last couple of days. Just before 9:00 am, after we had eaten and cleared away, we made our way to the chapel for communion. A different communion than we are used to, the bread and individual cups had all been prepared beforehand, and everyone on site was welcome to come between 8:00 and 9:00 to spend some time, pray and take the bread and cup as they wished. 

We went as a team, and were alone in the beautiful chapel, as we stood in a semicircle around the table. We said prayers, remembering Jesus’ sacrifice, and how he had shared bread and wine around the table with his disciples on the night before he was crucified; we then ministered to one another, giving the bread and the cups. Giving thanks for this special celebration, we sang together a song that had been on my heart for a few days “Father We Adore You” before leaving the chapel.

After the communion we walked up the hill a short way and across the site towards the fire pit for a very special moment for all of us and the Hands at Work team. We had spoken with Hands during the planning of our visit about how we all together could celebrate and remember Chris while we were here. Chris loved the outdoors, and it was felt a fitting tribute would be to plant a tree close to the fire pit, a place at the Hub that Chris often drew teams to towards to share stories.

The whole Hands contingent gathered with us, as we stood around the hole which had already been prepared. Prag, in her St Andrew’s Team hoodie from four years ago, opened by sharing some thoughts; and we then heard Psalm 121, which had been read at Chris’s funeral and celebration of life service. It’s amazing how God works through us, Prag began to sing, leading us in “Father We Adore You”, the very song that our team had sung in the chapel a few minutes before. He knows our every action and thought, and plans our every deed.

Levi spoke about a tree full of new life and growth grows to provide shelter, stability and a home for birds and creatures; he then led us in prayer before the tree, a Wild Mango tree, was placed in the hole. Those who wished to each took turns returning a spade full of soil to the hole to secure the tree in place. It was a fitting tribute to a man who meant a great deal to Hands at Work, to Mafambisa, and to all those he led in teams to South Africa over the last decade.

It was another rollercoaster of emotions, but a beautiful morning; we felt exhausted and exhilarated - and it hadn’t even got to 10:00am.

Blogged by John 

Wednesday - Mafambisa - Kids Day

​This morning after breakfast we reflected on our time here and wrote about how we have seen God in our trip, challenges we’ve had and words to describe our trip. We then had a talk about our challenges which was emotional but well-needed. 

We then headed off to mafambisa where Freya, Ben and Jack almost immediately got started on filling the holes so the rain water was flowing onto the road whilst the rest of the team talked about how they and the careworkers were.

We then split into groups and went on holy home visits. 

Alice stayed behind with the little children and helped the Care Workers. Whilst we were away a food delivery man arrived on a  motorbike (a little like Deliveroo!). He was bringing off cuts of pizza from a local chain. We were informed that this is something that happens once a month! The children were very excited! 

As the team arrived back from their home visits, we got the craft and colouring out. It started off very organized but then as more children arrived it became chaotic in a fun way as they were so excited! The children all enjoyed doing their craft and colouring. 

The children then all congregated in the shelter, danced, prayed. 

Freya and Jack then read 1 Timothy 4 11:13 as their words of encouragement for the kids. The children listened so beautifully! 

After lunch, we got all the children together outside the church to get a photo with everyone. The young ones made it like herding sheep. After about 10 minutes we finally all the children in one place and took the photo! 

Whilst all the kids were out and together we took the opportunity to do dancing! Everyone was much more excited today to do dancing as they were disappointed they missed it due to the weather yesterday.

Once we had played all the songs and “Shine”twice, we sat all the children down on the wall and as it was kids day we had made little gift bags yesterday for them. We handed them out to the kids. They all went quiet looking at everything they got and seeing who had the same bracelets and matching. The children enjoyed reading the postcards from Edward Peake and Sunday School and also finding themselves in a picture from a previous year. 

The team then had to say their goodbyes and see you tomorrows. 

When we got home we had a little down time and had tea n biscuits which was well needed due to the busy day. 

For dinner we had beef stew and rice, then Freya, Alice, Ben and Jack played a game of rage and headed off to bed.

Blogged by Freya 

Wednesday - Home Visits - Mafambisa

​Holy Home Visit 1: Carolyn, Lesley, Rachel, Sally

We set out for today’s home visit heading up the hill from the care point. Looking back as we walked gave us a new perspective on the community with a view over the valley.

On the way Prudence explained that the parents have four children who attend the care point. The children and the father are South African but the mother is from Eswatini and so the grant for the children is paid to the father. Neither of the parents are working. The father does get piece work from time to time but often spends the money from this and the grant on liquor. 

The care workers wanted to visit the family as one of the children has not been attending the care point. He has been telling his mother that he will attend but then going off to a friends house instead. While they were discussing this with the mother the children started arriving home. Khetiwe had a chat with the boy and both she and Prudence encouraged him to start attending regularly so that he could have a hot meal at lunchtime each day. With the limited resources the family have this is particularly important. The conversation was a great example of the collaboration between the care point and parents to care for and support the children. 

We were able to ask questions about the family’s home and situation. I had noticed that there were several pairs of trainers on the wall that they were clearly trying to dry out after the heavy rain yesterday. I asked about whether the rain had caused any issues inside the house and they said that water does come in during wet weather. Lesley asked about how the family afford school uniform, shoes, laundry detergent etc and Prudence advised that the care point provide support with all of these when needed. 

At the end of our visit Carolyn prayed for the family and we had a photo with the mother and three of the children. The children then joined us for the walk back to the care point (including the one who has not been attending). 

Blogged by Sally 

Holy Home Visit 2: Ben, Freya, Jack, John and Lucy 

After our relationship group and worship, we were asked if we would like to go on a Holy Home Visit. There was a choice of 2, a long walk away one or a short walk away one. Freya, Jack, Mum, Dad and I went on the longer one, which eventually became further than expected, as the family we were going to visit weren’t at home. 

So we carried on to Gogo Joanna’s house, which we later learned was the farthest house that Mafambisa care for, right on the outskirts of the community. She is the grandmother of six, only four of which go to the Care Point, as the other two are too young. The family are all from Mozambique so have very little opportunity and money, therefore Hands helped to build and fund their house. 

The Gogo has 2 daughters and a son, one daughter lives with them and has piece work regularly which a small source of income but very little. The other daughter doesn’t live there and is still in education so has very little income to support the family with. Her son, father of the youngest grandchild, is also still at school. 

As we were talking to Gogo, the youngest fell asleep; I took the chance to play with the other child. There was a small football so we started playing and his face lit up which was a joy to see. Despite their limited conditions and resources, the Gogo has a positive and joyful outlook. She felt honoured to have us visit, welcomed us warmly to her home, and was especially pleased that we wanted to pray for her and her family. We prayed for their safety, security and wellbeing, that all the children would continue their education, find work and boost the income of the household. As we said our goodbyes we admired her small vegetable garden, her papaya trees and her sugar cane; she replied that she was hoping for no more windy weather as it had blown some of the papaya from her trees. She walked a little way back with us as we returned to the Care Point.

Blogged by Ben 

Tuesday- Home Visit - Mafambisa

When we got back to the hub after the weekend. I was really excited to go back and see a young 18 year old girl whose baby had been due on the 5th and we had heard she was delivered.

She was very anxious on our first visit like any 1st time mum and a little confused about what was to happen to her or her due date. 

The weather had been awful in the night and continued to rain as we negotiated a pathway. 

This time we were inside the house and all greeted and congratulated her. We were overjoyed to see this beautiful baby snuggled up in his mothers arms. She was being watched over by others in the absence of her mother who was working at the Care Point. 

We asked her some questions on how the baby was doing. Both mother and baby looked fine. We were told via an interpreter that she was bottle feeding and breast feeding at night. 

She had free medical care and milk powder for baby. 

They had kept her in hospital for 2 days till baby was feeding better. 

I learnt that ambulances are not provided for those in labour so taxi's  are taken to the hospital from the main road.

It seems she had everything she needed and certainly people were on hand to help. She was just a little sore but well. I was told she was planning to return to school in a week! Most women would have 6 weeks or maternity leave from work of 6-12 months in UK. 

One of Service Centre Team also went to congratulate her later. 

I wondered what papers / birth certicate this baby would have as many are excuded from graduating education without one. 

We had the great privilege to see her and hold her special 'gift' called “Our Gift” in English. It was a special thing to happen on what had been a day that started on a low. 

It may be possible to see her again before we leave…

Blogged by Lesley