Last week on Thursday and Friday we were able to go on OVC (Orphan and Vulnerable Children) and HBC (Home Based Care) visits. These programs are both run by WHIZ and are really incredible programs. The first day we visited families who have multiple orphans and vulnerable children living in one poverty-stricken household. We made sure that they had clean water to drink, a toilet (more of a hole in the ground with a brick structure built up around it), and food for their children. We were able to provide them with some clothing and food – a bag of mealie meal, oil, sugar, salt and kapenta.
This is how one of the families gets their drinking water. This hole is about 3-4 feet in the ground and and is completely muddy.
On the second day, we were able to do home visits of patients who are HIV+. We were able to hear their incredible stories as well as give them words of encouragement and pray with them. We were also able to provide them with some food and clothing. This man was the second one we visited that day. He was so happy to have us there and said that he was praying just the day before that we would come visit him. He lost his wife about 5 years ago and has also lost 5 of his 8 children. I can’t even imagine – yet he was still happy and beyond thrilled that we came to see him!
This is a picture of the patient (in the middle) with his 2 caregivers who live in the community and visit him nearly every day.
The testimonies and experiences of these families are absolutely heartbreaking and raise so many questions in my mind. How can I be so fortunate while this family of 5 just lost their only cow to help them with all of their farming, which is their only source of income? Why should this family have to worry every day of their lives if they are going to have enough food to feed their children? How can I even begin to be a part of the solution? How can I effectively share the hope of Jesus Christ to these people in the midst of the most severe form of poverty I have ever seen?
God has definitely stretched me and I know that when I get home in one week, I will have so much to continue to think through, process, learn from and act on.
I’m sad to be leaving this beautiful place but am excited to see you all very soon!
Wow, Heather! I don't know if this space will hold all that I would like to say to you. I just finished reading your entire blog from start to finish along with all the comments. I am amazed by the experiences you have been afforded in your semester there...so varied and so authentic in your opportunities to really "be" with the people. Your heart for them is contagious and I know that God is probably not done with you there. I am so very proud of you for stepping out of your comfort zone and using your unique giftedness (even your smile) to bring hope and joy to people in need. Your writing is powerful, interesting and genuine and the pictures like many have said are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI will be anxious to hear more of those details that you referred to. Can't wait to see you in person.
Love, Aunt Cindi
Heather -- It's been absolutely amazing to hear about your adventures, your joys and even heartaches. But most of all, it's so exciting to see my niece grow from a darling, and rather shy, little girl, to a young woman whose upbringing and sense of discernment has led her to this defining moment in time.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you've experienced many epiphanies on this journey! God has a wonderful way of teaching us lessons about His ways by using the "least of these". I know when I came back from our mission trips we were on, it was always difficult to process what we saw and experienced once we were in the states. "What do I do with all this now?" was always the question. One way me and the kids keep it "alive" (because you don't want to lose that passion) is to pray consistently for that country, people who live there and the friends you made. Another way is to find ways in your local community to raise money for them -- awareness projects. And another thing we do is still support them in practical, tangible ways -- this year we're helping to gather over 800 blankets to send to the orphans this winter. You will find your own ways to help keep your experience in the now, not in the past.
Thanks for being the hands and feet of Christ for us these past 3 months; and my prayer for you is to not be too hardened by our society when you come back (it's easty to do!). There's so many rich people here who are starving for the same kind of love you extended to the poorest. It's not the same kind of suffering, but it's all around us if we have Christ's eyes to see it. One of my favorite songs ever is "Give Me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath. If every person could make this their theme song, what a much different world this would be. Thankfully, our hope lies in just that -- Heaven -- where those same beautiful children will once again run up to you and fill your heart with joy as you give them a huge hug and a piggy-back ride!
Love you dearly Heather!!
Aunt Norma
Wow girl! I can't tell you how excited I am for God's work in and through your life. You are beautiful and I'm so excited to see you!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Steph
Heather Cuz!
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear how God is molding you over in the Bush!! You are experiencing something that not many have, which will only make your heart bigger for people and stronger for God. SOOO proud of you! Keep wrestling with things when you get home and don't get sucked back into all the crap America likes to throw our way. Live simply.. Follow Christ.
Kory
wow. you are so loved : )
ReplyDeleteHeather! DO keep thinking, processing, reflecting....forever. This has changed you and will continue to, in great ways, especially if you give yourself the space and time to let it. I'm proud of you as well.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see you on Christmas. Happy Thanksgiving. Prayed for you the other day and am thankful you've had this experience!
Cuz Kyle