Thursday - Mafambisa - Care Worker Fellowship Day

​So after communion and tree 🌴 planting we headed off to Mafambisa, Carolyn driving us . On the way Prudence asked us to share how we were feeling and anything we would like the group to pray 🙏for. 

As we arrived the care workers were busy sweeping and doing some tidying . We soon got into vegetable preparation, today it was cabbage chopping and carrot 🥕 peeling, to go with the beans and pap. 

Lesley then led the words of encouragement, from Psalm 139 vs 1-18; as a retired midwife she called it her midwife prayer .. reminding us that God is with us wherever we are, and whatever season we are in and not to forget this. This was all translated in to Siswati for the care workers to understand. 

We then gave the care workers their goodie bags which we had created for each of them and the bespoke 3D printed Angel ( thanks Dan) which has taken pride of place in the cooking shelter store room alongside the Olive Hands that Mark kindly had commissioned. 

Then we began the practical time to show and demonstrate our thanks to the care workers and all that they do to care for the children. Whether it was washing feet 👣, moisturising and massaging feet or painting  finger or toe nails 💅 we all played our part, alongside serving coke and cookies for them to enjoy whilst being pampered. I washed and moisturised 2 ladies feet ( and Virginia , both ladies I have made special connection with) as have previously done. On my previous 2 trips my foot washing colleague was Chris so I knew would be emotional, also remember fondly this years Maundy Thursday service and the sermon that evening …. an act of servant hood like our Lord showed us . The ladies were all given their colour varnish to keep too which they greatly appreciated and loved showing off to their fellow care workers. 

Children then arrived, played with some toys … gorgeous bubbles as usual. They then sang some songs which was great and one of the young adults kindly said Thank You to us all for coming and supporting them; I then thanked them for the very warm welcome, their hospitality and kindnesses to us, and specifically to the care workers for their amazing work they do in caring for the children in their community. 

Lunch was then served, beans, cabbage 🥬 and pap. 

The final rendition of the songs took place , with many children joining in on the stage! Then numerous photos taken of the whole carepoint community. 

Time for our final goodbyes 👋 and lots of hugging 💕 and comments “ see you next year “ ! 

A minibus full of exhausted people made its way back to the hub for a coffee and cake 🍰. 

An hour later off, after a freshen up and change  we went for a meal out at Gumtrees …the usual place to dine for us. Gorgeous meal , many of us had the traditional Bunny Chow. On the way back there was some raucous singing going on … mostly out of tune 🎵 although were church songs . Arrived back at the hub quite late so met briefly to discuss our plans to present back to all those at the hub at their Friday meeting . 

Blogged by Lucy