Sorry this post is late in getting on the blog, we ran into some technical problems at the hotel and only now got to a hotspot in the Jo'burg airport (which means we're just hours from heading back home, can't hardly wait!). The story of our last day in Mhlosheni follows...

On our final day in Mhlosheni we had the privilege of meeting our sponsored child, Siphesihle (sip-a-see-la), and her family. It was a day filled with expectation and excitement as we were to be part of making her smile on a cold, rainy morning. Below you’ll see this wonderful little girl standing with us at the conclusion of our visit. More pictures will follow at the end of the post.

Before I talk about how we met and how it went, let me explain a little bit about World Vision and child sponsorship. On the way to her home I asked one of the staff about Siphesihle and how she was chosen to be one of the children who would be sponsored in the Mhlosheni ADP. The reply came quickly: “She was chosen by her own community; we don’t choose the children for the community, the community chooses those who are poorest and most at risk.” As has been the case throughout the entire trip, I was again impressed by World Vision’s model and how they seek to empower the community to make the changes the community sees a need for. They are truly teaching the community to care for the vulnerable, build up their own infrastructure, and progress to the point where they are self-sustaining. We are such a fortunate group to be partnering with both Mhlosheni and World Vision.

Still in the truck, we drove past places where Erin and I had already been. We moved past the World Vision office, past one school and then another, past the “unsafe teacher’s” house, past a bare dirt football field, and finally past the community of people living with HIV/AIDS. We were in new territory. Yet, we continued driving slowly down the rough two-lane road. After some time we turned from that onto a rough one lane road.

“She is so far out,” I thought, “how in the world does a barely seven-year-old girl make it to school and back over such a great distance?” But the distance was not yet even fully traveled. Eventually, we turned off the one-lane dirt road and into a field. It was then that our driver said that we were almost there. After driving very slowly for a minute or two (so as to avoid getting stuck) we eventually could go no further, the field was too wet and too rough for the truck. So we walked the final distance to her home.

Our meeting with Siphesihle was probably an hour long, though I don’t know for sure because watching the time was the last thing on my mind. Through our interpreter, we met with Siphesihle and her family. They were, as might be expected, shocked by the appearance of a few World Vision staff and two whites showing up at their home. The shock was not that World Vision was there, because they knew them. The shock was that we were there (in fact, we were there unannounced as there was a mix-up at the office and Siphesihle’s family wasn’t notified that she now had sponsors and that they were going to visit).

After brief introductions Erin broke the ice by giving lollypops to every child. From that point on we spent our time getting to know each child – there were seven of them altogether, Siphesihle, her four siblings, and two orphans the family had taken in. We met both mother and father, and Siphesihle’s paternal grandmother; they were all so grateful we were there.

Over the course of our time there we learned many things. We learned that Siphesihle loves her new teddy bear! We learned that the family works very hard but still can’t put enough maize away; their field simply doesn’t produce enough and so they run the risk of starvation each and every year. We learned that here is no work for the father. We learned that through all of this, they have the perspective of faith that God is near even in hunger and even in want.

When we were invited into the mud and rock built home, which was no more than 200 square feet in size, the faith that gets them through became apparent. On the wall beside a clock that no longer worked, was a chalk-drawn picture of a flower with the words: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” In this small dwelling mom had drawn a reminder of the faith and trust that would see God seeing them through.

“The Lord is my Shepherd…” The home was arrogant in its barrenness; it stood in opposition to the simple statement of faith drawn by hand on the wall. On one half there was a table and on the other half was a single bed and a few mats. The parents sleep together in the bed while the children lie on thin mats on the floor. There was no heat. That describes the entirety of their home. Yet, faith triumphs: “…I shall not want.”

In the moments we shared with Siphesihle and her family we learned so much about faith and trust. We learned that their faith was strong and that God does indeed answer prayers to provide, if even through strangers suddenly showing up on their “doorstep” to bring smiles and gifts and the commitment to see them through, month after month, through sponsorship. We also learned that God answers prayers, for we know they prayed for God’s help, and that we – you and me and our whole church – are that answer. We must be, for Siphesihle and her family, and others like her.

We will be arriving home soon and are so very excited to share more with you all at church this Saturday! Please make it a point of coming; you won’t want to miss what is shared! Not only that, but in the coming weeks, you’ll have opportunity to be for another child and family what we have become for Siphesihle and hers: the proof of a God who hears and the evidence of a God who has not forgotten.

Pastor Reed

The first picture you see is of Siphesihle and the two orphans (Nokulunga, 8 years old, and Sithembiso, his birthday is unknown, but he is likely five) that the family has taken in. In the second shot, you’ll see Siphesihle smiling brightly with one of her little sisters (Simphiwe, age five; one brother is in the background, his name is Sibonginkosi, age 18 months) – they were looking at some video I had taken. Next you’ll see Nokuthula with her two-month-old boy (Phiwayinkhosi) standing by her drawing. The penultimate picture is of the family maize drying crib. You’ll see the home in the background. Finally, you’ll see us all praying together for the family and their needs. Included in this picture is the whole family. The father’s Christian name is Solomon but we do not know his given name. One three year old sister, Nokwazi, is pictured nearest to the camera in the final picture. You will also see the grandmother standing beside her.