Day 5 - Mluti Community

Travelling today, in cloudy conditions to the Care Point at Mluti, we were joined by Charissa, Audres, Loneck, Virginia, Eunice, Prudence and Rosie, along with a Canadian couple, Adrian and Kirsten and their three young children, who are at Hands as short term volunteers. 

Alice and Chris had visited Mluti on their first trip in 2015, and had described its confined space and limitations, but on arrival much work had happened in the past nine years - the cooking shelter had been renewed; a new shelter constructed; and a large climbing frame had been installed at the top of the site, with a long slide down to the lower level. (It wasn’t only the children who enjoyed first climbing up and then sliding down to the bottom!)

After taking in the development of the Care Point we were welcomed by the Care Workers - Rachel, Angel, Thabile, and Cassilla - and got involved in chopping vegetables and washing plates in readiness for lunch later. 

Then we all sat for Relationship Group; we introduced ourselves; we sang songs and prayed for the day ahead and one another; and Mark led a beautiful reflection based on verses from Isaiah 41:10 and Psalm 56:8, giving encouragement to all of us, but especially the Care Workers.

After splitting into three groups most of us left the Care Point to go on Holy Home Visits (more of that in the next blog) walking through much greener vegetation than the previous day in Mafambisa.

On returning about an hour or so later we found a local school class had arrived with a project to help poorer people in their community.  They helped tidy the Care Point, wash dishes and dig a new pit behind the cooking shelter for the rubbish. 

But their endeavours were brought to an abrupt halt when we turned the speaker on and began blasting out our sing-along/dance-along tunes. Pippa and Ben, accompanied by Rosie led the enthusiastic dancing to favourites such as Shine, Be Happy, Our God Is A Great Big God, Great Great Brill Brill and Be Bold. This coincided with the older children from the local school walking past on their way home - they soon stopped and, attracted by the sounds and sights, joined us in our praise, making the Care Point appear to be the place to be in Mluti today.

Once we had settled back down from the exuberant singing and dancing, the children sang their song of gratitude and gave thanks for their food before we served their meal of pap, cabbage and beans; all too soon it was again time to say farewell and leave for the day.

On arriving back at the Hands Village, it seemed that someone had left the kitchen window open and the monkeys had been in to spread the sugar across the oven and worktop! Quickly clearing up the mess we sat down and relaxed with a cup of tea and rusks before devouring our prepared meal of burgers, wedges, salad, corn on the cob, and the remainder of last night’s pasta. Another day full of energy, life, joy and laughter, alongside the heartwarming and heartbreaking stories and situations we have encountered.

Blogged by John