Baby Mary-Kate

On Wednesday, November 30th 2011, an absolutely beautiful baby girl entered the world, thus making me a "gogo" (grandmother). Ryan sent word that my Tenele-Bell had given birth to a stunning baby girl. I was so excited I could hardly contain myself! I called him early in the morning after receiving a text message that woke me up. He said he was with Tenele and that I should call. Despite my time running out before work, I held out as long as I could trying to get through to Swaziland. Finally, I was able to connect and miraculously heard umtfwana wami's tender voice on the other end. "Make!" I could hear Tenele smile as she heard my unmistakable voice. I asked her how she was feeling and I asked her about the baby. In a soft and deliberate voice she answered, "She's beauuuutiful!"

PRAISE GOD!

The best news was even yet to come. Tenele had mentioned naming the baby after me, but I thought she was joking. However, Ryan told me she literally named her Mary-Kate! "The very first Swazi M-K was born!" he had exclaimed. I wasn't sure what to feel in the moment. I could hardly make my way out the door to get to school; I was half in a daze, wanting to cry tears of joy and tears of heart-ache for not being able to hold that precious new life. I already love that baby so deeply and have never met her; I won't be surprised if I try to adopt her when I go this summer. So you shouldn't be surprised if I decide not to come back.

I cannot wait to meet my Mary-Kate!

Who's Face is on the Dollar?

It's been quite the whirlwind of emotions and events since I've stepped back onto home soil. Now back for a little over two months, you'd think I'd be in routine and settled back into culture. But that's the thing about a missions trip like this, we aren't meant to "settle back" but to push forward. So though I've settled in different ways, there are still things that don't settle, one being my stomach.

Well, aside from digestive issues, my stomach has a difficult time settling back into a culture that takes so many things for granted. And many things make me sick to my stomach sometimes. For instance, my family took a trip out to North Carolina to visit my brother. We went out to eat one night at a grill restaurant on the coast. In other circumstances (meaning before going to Swazi) the place would've been amusing, much like it is supposed to be for tourists, however, I did all I could to choke down the emotions of disgust as we sat down to eat.

The place was decorated with dollar bills. Real dollar bills, hundreds, no...thousands of dollar bills covered the walls and ceilings, all dollars people left behind or signed or wrote phrases on and pinned them up. I could feel my body heat up from the inside out. As my family members looked and talked about different dollar bills and funny sayings, I fumed with bitterness and disgust. When I saw the dollar bills, I didn't see Washington's face, instead I saw Johannes'. One dollar would cover Johannes' bus fare to school and back, a fare he can't otherwise afford to pay and sometimes couldn't get to school if a friend, sibling, or loving neighbor doesn't have a few rand to lend him. I saw Tenele's face, and Khanysile's and Tiny's...I saw the faces of the prostitute girls in Matsapa who sell their bodies over and over for five measly dollar bills. While this restaurant was filled with them, I couldn't help but voice my urge to rip down all the bills and take off running. I wanted to scream, "What a waste! Do you know you could save a life with all this money? Do you know you could send a child to school with these dollars bills? Do you know you could keep a 14 year old girl out of prostitution for one night with a handful of these bills?!" I wanted to scream, I wanted to cry, I felt like throwing up. To see dollar bills sitting there as decorations when there are children who would do ANYTHING, even sell their bodies, for a few off the wall.

People often forget and ask which president is on which bill or coin. I used to know this well...but not anymore. I don't see them or remember which bill has who's face; instead I see the faces of my children, and a brick drops to the bottom of my gut. I feel ashamed of our culture, our carelessness of money, and ashamed of myself, seeing how easily it was for me to point out how other people recklessly spend their money, but ignoring the fact that I do, too.

One dollar used to be just that...a dollar. Money for a soda, for something off McD's dollar menu or a 99 cent bottle of water. But now it's much more than that. One dollar is one face. one child. one heart. one hand I can help. One dollar is a face I will never forget.

Miracles -- His Power Made Perfect

Psalm 146:1-7

Praise the Lord my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; sing praise to my God while I live. Put no trust in princes, in mere mortals POWERLESS to save. When their spirit departs, they return to the earth and their planning comes to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is in the God of Jacob, whose HOPE is in the Lord their God.
He is the maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them--he remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord SETS prisoners FREE...

As hard and heartbreaking as it is for me to be away from my children, specifically Tenele, it has been truly amazing! I have been able to hear about God's work in her life while I'm gone and to know that His miracles go on! Like this passage from Psalm 147 (which is one I recited and prayed for Tenele over and over while I was in Swazi) I am a mere mortal POWERLESS to save. Though may prayer and ache for Tenele is for her to be set free, to be saved, loved, and cared for, it is also humbling to know that I CANNOT do these things for her. She cannot put her trust solely in me. Looking back at the year, I realize the biggest progress I made with Tenele was teaching her about love and teaching her to trust again. At one point, when I tried introducing another woman who could help her, Tenele said to me, "No, Mary-Kate, God gave me only you." She could only trust me. She didn't trust anyone else. But that won't help her when I'm gone. So I encouraged her to trust the Lord, not me, and know that He will bring her other help.

I prayed hard that Tenele would continue to seek help, to go to the volunteer house even though I had left, and to go to the clinic with Alex, a volunteer I put in charge of Tenele's clinic documents. June 2nd was her first appointment after I had gone. She didn't show up. When I had called Ayanda's cell phone through skype (another volunteer and I left our cell phones for the kids) I had spoken to Tenele once while she was crying. It shattered my heart, hearing her cry, something that was rare to begin with, but being so far away I could literally do NOTHING to help. She ran away from Mangwaneni. I was worried and I my heart was heavy. I prayed a lot. She didn't show up to her June 2nd appointment. When Alex tried to find her at Mangwaneni she was already gone.

I was helpless, but hopeful, and that's right where God wanted me...so He could show me his power, so He could show us all that He works through our weaknesses to show His strength, to remind me that apart from Him I can do nothing good (Ps 16:2) and that MY plans come to nothing if they are not of His. God used this perfect moment, the moment of helplessness but hopefulness in his grace and power, to work his miracles. And work he did!

Before I knew it, volunteers updated me on the amazing happenings of "umtfwana wami" my child, Tenele! She came back to Mangwaneni. Not only that, but she traveled BY HERSELF to seek help at the volunteer house. She NEVER did this while I was there. Sure, she came to the house and would come to meet me but NEVER alone! NEVER on her own! (She was always too scared to go anywhere alone, and rightly so, because men in town knew her and would mess with her.) So you know what she did? She took her neighbor's baby, and wrapped the baby around her back and walked all the way through town on her own to the volunteer house! She waited outside until one of the volunteers came. Hanna, the volunteer who saw her was shocked beyond belief. "Tenele?!" she squealed. Tenele smiled shyly and then Hanna invited her in.

Alex and Hanna and Eilidh all chatted with her for awhile. Alex told Tenele she missed her clinic appointment so they needed to go in sometime. Tenele nodded and arranged with Alex to meet her the following week for the appointment. Sure enough, Tenele was there and ready to go! After her appointment, Alex took her to the grocery store to buy food because she was still very, very skinny, her belly not showing anything and the doctor said she should've been showing 12 centemeters by then. So Alex bought her eggs and fruits. I was so thrilled! It feels like watching a movie -- watching God work in her life with having no hands in it at all. Watching God work in her hear to trust him, and therefore trust others for help!

Can it get any better?

Ayanda's birthday was in mid-July so the volunteers gave her a mini birthday party and told me when they would be hosting so I could call them and talk to the kids. So I called Alex and sure enough the kids were there! I sang happy birthday to Ayanda and asked who was there with her. Johannes...AND TENELE! I was shocked. It just happened to be perfect timing, too, because I had sent the volunteers a package weeks before and they had just gotten it! I included letters and my Fingerprints fundraiser t-shirts for the volunteers and my kids! So as they passed the phone around that day, I talked to Tenele and she was the first one to say, "Mama, thanks for the letter and t-shirt!" So precious!!!!!!!!

Alex and Hanna took pictures for me. And sure enough, by this point Tenele was showing and I could see her little baby belly! Alex said at first she was horrified and hated the idea of her stomach getting bigger. She hated it when Alex got excited that she started showing but now she is much more excited about it. In fact, I called Ayanda today and got to talk to Johannes and Tenele. One of the first things Tenele said to me was:

"Mama! I feel baby play in my stomach!"

And we laughed and giggled together. AND...I also found out just today that Tenele helped Ayanda at the soup kitchen when the volunteers gave out peanut butter bread! This is AMAZING news because she'd NEVER go up to the kitchen when I was there! Especially when other people were around! Not only did she go to the kitchen, but she also helped serve and Alex said, "You should have seen her! So proud and happy!!! Amazing!!!"

THIS IS TRULY AMAZING! TRULY A MIRACLE! Seeing God move in her heart is absolutely the most amazing experience I've ever been a part of. The best movie I could ever watch!

Though there is much to still work out in her life and much more to keep praying about, like the Psalm says, "PRAISE THE LORD, MY SOUL!"

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my POWER is made PERFECT in weakness."
- 2 Corinthians 12:9

There is no "I" in TEAM

Other GREAT news is that God is giving me a TEAM!!!!!!!!!!

I had been very frustrated with plans for the girls home and dreams of what I wanted to help do in Swazi, but didn't have the help I needed. Throwing my hands up in disappointment, I said, "What do you want me to do, God?" It has been SOOOO difficult and painful being burdened with things that people here do not understand and cannot understand and therefore don't show the support and effort I need. But God has been working this whole time behind the scenes, gathering up a TEAM! I am SO excited for what God will do through us! (And YOU if you're interested... :])

I met a high school friend for coffee one morning a few days ago and was BLOWN away at what we covered in a simple hour. God had put one thing on each of our hearts and we unpacked it with awe and excitement. God had been putting the girls home on Chris' heart for a long time and he had some dreams and ideas of his own in supporting this home. When he told me about it, he said a few times, "Kate, don't feel any pressure to go along with any of this, I just want you to know that the offer is here." I could barely contain myself. "Chris, this is what I have been praying and WAITING for all along...a team!"
"Good! Because that's exactly what we want to be: a team!" He was referring to his four siblings.

Moreover, he donated the first VERY LARGE chunk of money for the fundraising efforts, to kick it off with "no strings attached." I cannot thank him enough, because that was another frustration about being here. I don't have money to start anything and even to fundraise you need a chunk of money to get going. With his donation (and knowledge) our next step is to contact a lawyer and get an official non-profit org set up.

In Swaziland, as volunteers we went to some leadership training sessions and during some sessions we talked about teams and different leadership styles, and how a team works best. A team is most successfull when there are numerous talents, or in Chris' business terms "assets" and each contributes something different. For example, I know my strength in a team is not organization or the business side of things. I am the creator, the planner, the encourager, the people person. I don't do finances, can hardly keep track of my own calendar, and am horrible on any side of the adminstrative gifts. And that's where God brought Chris in. He has the administrative skills I lack and the support I need. HOW GLORIOUS is God! I still am so excited about this because it's actually happening. This is something I could not do alone. Not only has God brought Chris and his family onto the team, but I had another divine appointment this past weekend.

I was at Haley's graduation party when I ran into a few friends. I had been Haley and Emma's camp counselor over four years ago but stayed in touch with them and their families. Emma's mom, Kris, has always been a big supporter and engaged in doing things for World Vision. When I ran into her at the party, she was thrilled to hear about the girls home. She invited me to come to her house in a few weeks and talk more about it. I have no doubt she is another teammate God is bringing into the picture. She is going to be a big part of the fundraising and has already said she is behind this 100%. She is going to speak to her church and get a presentation day set up to help start the fundraising! And she already has some great ideas!

Wow, God! He just never ceases to amaze me. :) I am so thankful for the team he is stirring up. And if you're reading this and your heart is stirred to help, too, PLEASE JOIN THE TEAM in any way you wish!

MORE TO COME...until then...

Salakahle! (Stay well!)

Litsemba Lemphilo

Litsemba Lemphilo -- Hope for Life

Plans for the girls home are up and running! Though adjusting to life back home has been a longer process than I had hoped, working on the girls home has been exciting and healing for me, knowing there are still things we can be doing here to help.

Litsemba Lemphilo home is projected to open this coming January 2012! We have big plans, goals, and hope for this home, and what a fitting name to match our dreams. Litsemba Lemphilo literally means hope for life. We want to focus on brining hope to the girls of Swaziland, that they may dream of a better future.


We already have a house that needs complete renovation, but at least we have a house and yard! The total cost of fundraising to renovate, refurbish, employ, and run (feed, support, accommodate, etc.) for ONE YEAR is $30,000. Not bad at all! But we want to raise more than just one year's worth. We aim to raise enough for a minimum five year plan of running the home.
















The home will accommodate up to 16 girls, with a target age of 8-14 years old. Sr. Judith, who is the committee director living in Swaziland, will be "interviewing" house mothers to help run the home. Once selected, the two Swazi house mothers will run the home as if it were their own, ensuring the youth of Swaziland are brought up in their own culture.

After starting to feel settled here at home, with a teaching job lined up for next year (yebo Jesu!), I was completely thrown off guard by a recent email from Fr. John, the director of MYC. He officially asked if I would come back next year to help run the girls home from a director stand-point. He said though he is MYC director, as a male (and since he has so much to try to run without the girls' home) he is not equipped to run such a project, though he will "oversee" it. I definitely did not see this coming. I of course am hoping to go back to Swazi someday to help with the home or the girls, etc. but I am not sure I am ready to take on such a responsibility. That means moving there for a solid few years, and quite frankly that scares me. There are pluses and minuses to both. For example, if I took the job and moved there next summer, I could be there for Tenele and help her raise her baby. How splendid that would be since my heart has wanted to adopt that baby the day I found out she was pregnant! Of course that means leaving my family and friends and comfort behind once again...which is too hard. So my answer? I told Fr. John I of course would love the opporunity but cannot say for sure if I can or cannot take the job. It's nice because there's no rush, and the only pressure is what I put on myself. So in the meantime, I will be praying about where God leads me in that direction.