Tuesday: We started by playing with the kids (of course) and then got started on the world map wall mural! We outlined all the countries and then got to write John 3:16 in isiZulu, which was fun for me because I was actually able to pick out a couple words :) Woo hoo! We also got to play some games with the older kids in the afternoon, which was fun. After a morning full of pre-school children, as joyful and adorable as they are, it’s always nice to interact with a different age group. At the end of the day, they even taught us the “Diski dance” which is a dance that everyone in South Africa will do during halftime of the first game of the World Cup! Apparently, everyone here is learning it! It was awesome having them teach us. They thoroughly enjoyed laughing at what bad dancers us white people are and we just enjoyed being able to have them share something they love with us. I feel like it gave them a sense of pride and accomplishment, that they had something to teach us. Tuesday was a really neat day for me too, because when we left at 4pm, I felt so energized. The previous two days, as rewarding as they were, when we left Ethembeni I just felt exhausted and depleted. But yesterday, I felt so full. And it lasted for the rest of the night. I felt full of Christ’s love, full from the love of the children, full of joy….my cup was overflowing.
Today was a bit harder. Last night, I woke up 3 times in the middle of the night, feeling so sick again. :( I’m really not good at being sick. I don’t know how to do it. So I kept trying to sleep but it didn’t work. I went to Ethembeni this morning feeling pretty awful, but thankfully God has provided me with the most supportive team ever and they were so encouraging all morning. After some prayer and uplifting words from them, I started to feel a little better. Instead of the demanding task of playing with children however, I went with Claire (who I’m more in awe of and more thankful for every day) to buy some paint to finish our wall map. It was such a blessing because I got a chance to hear more of her story. This is what touched me the most though: She was talking about fundraising back at home in order for her to stay out here and how hard it can be sometimes. But she told a story about this amazing couple from her home. Claire was speaking to her church and said that if 50 people gave up 5 pounds (remember she’s from England) a month, that would be enough. But this one couple came to her and said that they wanted to both sacrifice their dinner for the entire 3 years she’s gone, and then send that money to her instead. Isn’t that amazing? Isn’t that just the most beautiful picture of the body of Christ??? I got chills when she said it. God provides, that’s all I have to say! AND! We finished the world map today! Pictures of that coming soon.
Something else that touched my heart today is the story of two sisters named Andizwa and Nakona. These girls are different than the ones I told you about before, but both come to Ethembeni everyday. Andizwa is older, I think about 7 years old, and Nakona is younger, 3 years old.
Yesterday, I was outside with all the kids and I was holding Andizwa. Somehow, amidst the sunshine and screaming kids and flying soccer balls, she fell asleep in my arms. And even though at this point I couldn’t even remember her name, I suddenly felt God putting her so strongly on my heart. It was this intense burden for her that just compelled me to pray. I prayed for about 10-15 minutes, just for her past, present, and future. I had no idea who this girl was and what her life was like, but God wanted me to pray for her. That I was sure of. Today, my friend Alyssa did a home visit and went to Andizwa and Nakona’s home. When she came back, she learned a lot about these girls. They live with their aunt because their mother died a few years ago and their father left, they don’t know where he is. Andizwa came to us with an injured ear, and we found out that it’s because her aunt abuses her. But the staff was saying there isn’t anything they can do about it because if they accuse the aunt and she gets mad, the kids might not have anywhere else to stay. So they basically have to choose the best of the worst situations. They have a home, but it’s not a healthy home. Also, Nakona is extremely malnourished. She is 3 years old, and is just now learning to walk because her legs are only now becoming strong enough. I can easily fit my thumb and index finger around her thigh. She is tiny. And Alyssa found out today that all growing up, Andizwa has had to take care of Nakona…get up with her in the middle of the night, comfort her, care for her…while looking a little malnourished herself. It is just the saddest situation. And it’s not just one thing: it’s abuse and malnutrition and the death of their parents. It’s a combination of things that no child should ever experience yet they have had all three. The only comfort I have been able to find in it is how strongly God put Andizwa on my heart yesterday. To me, that shows He cares. Before I showed up here and even before the staff knew these two precious girls, God knew them. He knew every hair on their cute little heads. He knows them and loves them infinitely more than I do. Praise the Lord for that.
If I could say any prayer requests right now, it would be to find time to do everything. Between service sites, isiZulu, my two other classes, homework, weekend trips, trying to catch up with people both here and at home, trying to process everything I’m experiencing….it’s rather overwhelming. I physically cannot do everything I need to. So just pray that I’ll have discernment in what is important each day. And for energy for my team, both physically and emotionally. We are only working here for a short amount of time and want Jesus to get as much out of us as He can! :) Thank you!!
With love from South Africa,
Alex
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