Mothers Day

The end of last week was welcoming...first full week back since school hoildays and I was getting tired lol. Drive to Katlehong Thursday and Friday. The oldest boy at Lambano(15 years) has been wanting to see his family, hasn't since he came here 2 years ago, We found his brother at a school and went Thursday to find out where the rest of his family lives, but the boy had already gone home. Friday just me and Martha went and we drove the boy home and he directed us like 30 minutes away turning and twisting through the township on dirt roads (if you would even call it a road lol) I was thinking how are we going to come back this way. Anyways Martha got the numbers of the family and they came to see him on Saturday. Oh and we did get a little turned around driving back but didnt get lost :)
Oh Thursday the oldest girl at hospice went with the social worker to another home. I took her to the shops to buy sweets before she left. She sang a song for me called "Mama" which I recorded. I'm sure that I will be keeping her in my prayers for quite a long time from now.
My camera is broken, don't know what happened to it but it completely just stopped working one night. I'm borrowing the Lambano camera for the rest of the time I'm here 5 weeks. It not as good as mine was..like th video I take are worthless but at least you can still here the song Tsitsi sang :)
So on Sunday it was Mothers Day of course and I got my first Mothers Day card from sweet Noma :) made me very happy because I wasn't even expecting it. Martha and I went to a Mothers Day concert at the Zoo and the weather was perfect! The Johannesburg Festival Orchestra was playing with Tamara Dey (love her voice) and the Bala Brothers sang! It was really fun and ended in doing the can-can around the gazebo haha.
Mothers Day is a day for honoring mothers, celebrating and thanking them for the love and sacrifices of raising us. They prayed in church about it...I was thinking about all the Lambano kids when they prayed this prayer, sitting in the front of the stage on kiddy chairs...their mothers aren't/weren't like that. Sure, some of them died and maybe some thought it would be giving them a better life, but not all the kids stories are like that. Children are a gift from God and what I don't understand is how can a mother abuse their own child and neglect them...I cannot comprehend it. With as much love as I have for these kids, I'd think, wouldn't it be increased if the child is your own flesh and blood?

Went to Katlehong today to take some baby clothes to a family and get some pictures to send the sponsors. The baby I'm holding belongs to a 14 year old girl. Her older sister who is 18 is due with a baby in September. The family lives in the township and there are 4 sisters living with there mother who is HIV+. She has went out to find a job since there is another person in the household and another on the way.

Yesterday was crazy...had to make a trip to Katlehong to take a dietitian who interviewed some of the kids at the schools and was following up on them since they have been on a food program. Got back to the office and then went to Fruit and Veg to buy for the 5 houses, right after that went on the school run. Was able to have a quick lunch then took Lambano's dog to the vet. After that I went to the mall and found a power cord for my computer since mine doesn't work anymore. Then I went home with a headache and went to bed!

Tuesday night our cell group (bible study) made gatsbys to eat which is a loaf of bread stuffed with chips (french fries) and fried hot dogs and boloney with tomato sauce (ketchup) and vinegar. Very nutritious haha. Then Kerry-Ann who been a professional dancer gave us all ballroom dancing lessons. We learned the cha-cha! It was super fun! 

This coming Saturday a company is taking Lambano to the zoo, I'm going as a driver. Should be fun!
The last few days have been hot which is quite a change from the weekend at the conference when it was cold and rainy! Hey, I'm not complaining :)

Week Reflections re: life hardships

Tuesday I woke up feeling awful. I managed to take a Reliv shake and start my day. School went well with the hospice kids. During our management meeting Lambano has every Tuesday at lunchtime many things came up about the government and healthcare here. Many stories disheartening. It's always interesting the type of topic talked about, but mostly about Lambano. I look forward to the meetings every week. Just to become less ignorant of the way of life here and also it is always encouraging when we pray together...for each other, the kids and this country.

In regards to driving I've become pretty comfortable and confident driving a manual and on the left side of the road and in kilometers. Have to always be wary of taxi drivers...they are crazy. Taxis here aren't like a small car like at home. They are as big as the Combi I drive, like a small bus a big van. They are crammed full of people and you won't catch someone like me one them either, not a good idea. Anyways they own the road expect them to do anything. Another thing is motorbikes. They speed in and out and between traffic. I think I've mentioned the massive speed bumps in residential areas...yeah if you don't slow down you might break your car.

Like I said I may have gotten to comfortable, I don't know, but picking up Nellie on the school run on Tuesday I was waiting for a group of kids to move out of the road so I could pull off to the side. So I didn't realize that I was too close to an already parked car which I hit in the process of moving off the road. Most all damage was done to her car unfortunately. She was quite cross at first, but then was asking me if I was okay and saying that it was just an accident. Didn't make me feel any better. When I got to the office, the stress of the day was building and I had to take a moment to collect myself before doing speech therapy with Thandazo and homework with Nellie.
Martha, Miriam, and I went out to the movies to see the King's Speech that night. It was so wonderful to go out and to such an excellent movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Wednesday I was woken up early because Uncle Philemon was sick and so I was asked to do the school run. When I got back to the hospice supervised the kids to make some little cakes. Biscuits (sweet crackers) crushed up and mixed with condensed milk, butter, and chocolate powder. Put a marshmellow in the middle each ball and roll in coconut. That was fun. Tshitsi, Nombolalo, Boutimelio, and Cina are very good bakers :)

Martha then asked me to drive her to Katlehong township to 2 schools there where she was to take some garbage bins to one of the school and take pictures of both for a report for a company in Germany that donates money for the school through Lambano. We planned it to get there for lunchtime. The first school Mogobeng Primary was a well kept school compared to the one we went to next. That one was even newer than Mogobeng and it was in worse shape. All the kids that go to these school are mostly poor. All students at all the schools in South Africa wear uniforms. For these kids there uniforms were probably the nicest clothes they had. We arrived at the last school right when the bell rang for lunch and kids poured out of the buildings running for food, maybe the only thing they get to eat all day. When the kids saw the cameras they would act all silly and goofy. Martha said they would probably act up anyways seeing how I was the only white person walking around.

When we got back I had a quick lunch and then off too pick up the kids from school. I've been doing speech and homework this week in the afternoons because Jenna is on holiday. Well I was falling asleep by the time I finished up with Nellie so I went back to my room for a nap before church that evening.

I was not feeling quite up to par for evening service that night and was debating with myself whether to go or not, especially since I was to get up at really early to go to the hospital the next morning. I did go and was so glad I did. Pastor Lance had a pair up with someone at least 15 years younger or older than our age and talk for 10 minutes to get to know each other than pray for the other person. I met the lady named Deidre. She became a Christain in her 40's...none of her 4 children are saved. Just to hear her story in the time that we had was a great blessing. Then we both prayed for each other and the needs that we shared. I was greatly blessed and thankful that I went!

  Thursday I woke up at 5am to go with Sibylle to take Tshtsi to Bara the biggest hospital in South Africa. She had a check-up at the HIV clinic. The way it works here is not by appointment but whoever get in the cheque (line) first. They open the doors at quarter to 7 and start checking people in at half past. We got there at half past 6 and were second in line. Didn't see the doctor until 10. Brought a book and finished it by that time lol. The waiting room was full up by 8...people sitting and standing. When we got into see the doctor just talked about the medications Tshtsi needs to continue to take. The doctor went over her story of how she got to Lambano. She is from Zimbabwe. Her parents died when she was young and she lived with her granny. She ran away from her home because of an abusive uncle and made her way to South Africa to find her older brother. She has been through a lot and the mood turned sober as they talked about it and a few tears as well. The doctor explained the importance of taking her medicine and how she shouldn't try to run away. Tshtsi is 17, but her emotional mentality is that of 10 because of what she has been through.

Thursday night was touch rugby again and Miriam came this time! Martha had a last minute meeting come up so she wasn't able to go. Had a great time again and played until it was too dark to see the ball. Had a collision with one of the guys that knocked to wind outta me for second lol, but other than that it was awesome!

The reason I went with Sibylle was to know the way to Bara so I can take Tshtsi to her counseling sessions this morning. We left about half past 9 and her session was at 10. But traffic was backed up on the highway because a semi truck had ran into the cement barrier and was blocking most of the road. It took an hour to get there and we were late, but it was okay because it turned out that she had someone at 10 and thought Tshtsi was to come at 11. I was able to sit in the room with them...I read a little and listened. It was interesting to her how the counselor approached the various topics that happened in Tshtsi's life. There were tears shed again about missing her family.

On the drive back I found and english pop music station and Tshtsi was able to experience the crazy side of me dancing while driving...which I say crazy because that is what my siblings think when I do that lol. It was hot so the windows were down which is ok on the highway for no fear of a getting car jacked going 100k. So windows down, radio up, we went...me a crazy white girl singing and dancing to the music. It was great to hear her laughing at me. An Usher song played and she freaked out because she really likes him I guess. She asked if I knew him since I lived in the USA and I said and that seemed to surprise her :)

Thinking back to the topics discussed at the Tuesday meeting and the things that Deidre and I encouraged each other with on Wednesday and now with Tshtsi's story...life is hard.

We live in a fallen world of sin and evil.

One thing that brings comfort is that...this is not all there is! I have hope in something more...an eternity with my Savior!

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavering to keep the unity of the Spirit  in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Ephesians 4:1-6

Second trip to Katlehong

March 2, 2011

I can't believe it's March! I will have been her 2 months already next week! It's starting to really cool down a lot at night and the leaves are starting to change color on some of the trees...autumn is on it's way.

Today felt like non-stop from 8 to 5. I did school with the hospice kids. Then went at 10:30 with Martha to a warehouse store, kinda like Costco. When we went to Katlehong last week (the township) we learned that one of the families that Lambano sponsors was having some family problems, and anyways the granny ended up leaving 2 kids without care of food. One of the neighbors that Lambano also sponsors was caring for them and here own kids. So we went and bought at least 3 months supply of food for all of them. Got back just in time for me to go on the school run and then right when I got back we drove out to Katlehong. They are doing construction on the highway so traffic was backed up for awhile.

When we got to the shacks to find out the granny had gone shopping so we took the 3 girls that were there with us to go find her so we could drop off all the food. We couldn't find her and the oldest girl of whose granny left told us that they had run out of toiletries so we went to the store to buy some things for them. Martha said you are in for an experience. Lol. Yeah, so we went to the shops and I was the only white person and got quote a lot of interesting looks. The store was super busy too. The 2 younger girls were holding onto me the whole time while the older girl and Martha shopped. It was interesting and I did enjoy it. I just smiled as some people stared...like why is this crazy white girl here!

When we got back to the shacks The other granny returned and we were able to unload all the food for them. So I was able to see inside the one room shacks. The sights and smells of this place where they live are hard to think that people live there lives there.

One of the mamas that works at Lambano lives at a squatter camp really close by to where I'm staying. We drove by it once and I was surprised that is was so close to where wealthy people live. I'm sure that that place is even worse then the place I saw today.

Well we were able to help 2 families today with what we could.

Katlehong

Mandla's 9th birthday was on Friday!

Some of the 82 kids: Noma, Junoir, Tshepiso, Mandla and Tebogo. And me with Martha and Mama Remi.

Also, Friday I went with Martha to Katlehong, which is where a township is in South Africa. 40 years ago they made these townships for black people to live separate from white people...it's better now so there are more black and white people coexisting now. But anyways Lambano used to sponsor some of the families at this place, but they lost funding a few years ago, but you know the shoeboxes that people wrap up for third world countries for kids...well Martha and I went to finally deliver them to some of the families. So it was my first time going to a township...I was the only white person ahhhh lol. I was driving too. The first house we went to was basically just a shack, no running water, no electricity. Some of the houses do have those things tho that we went to. I really did enjoy going to the township and am going back with Martha on Wednesday. My heart feels for those people, what can I do for them? I didn't take any pictures...I was too busy taking it all in. The pictures are in my head though. Martha told me some stories for each family. One was of a mother whose 4 year old daughter burned to death last year in a fire. Her son also has a kidney problem and needs a transplant. He was one of the boys we gave a shoe box to and his belly was so swollen. We learned that the other family we went to got in a fight with the 16 year old who ran out, then the granny left the other to girls in the shack and we don't know where she is...the girls have no way to get food. Most kids are raised by grandparents because the parents have died from AIDS. We went to a school too. There are lots of school more classes are 60+ students. One girl failed 2^nd grade 4 times and now the school won't take her...Martha said that they just push most of the students along barely passing them and leaving some behind. They need help with there homework. She used to go to Katlehong 4 times a week, before Lambano lost funding for these specific families.