On Friday, January 14th, I set out with one goal and one goal only: get Tenele into school. But God had other plans. At the end of the day, I, unfortunately, had not accomplished my goal; however, like Jesus multiplied the bread and fish, he multiplied the number of children that did get into school that day.
I had previously talked to the headmaster of Enjabulweni, where I teach, and negotiated with him to get Tenele a spot in school. He said as long as I take responsibility for her, I can get her in but she needs to meet with him so he can test her level of ability and place her accordingly. Plans were set to meet him at 9 a.m. on Friday morning. I had seen Tenele for the previous two days and had reminded her several times, just to make sure she would show up. I was pretty confident she would show up because she was very excited for the opportunity to get back into school.
So Friday morning rolled around, and at 8 a.m. there were voices outside the house as one young girl kept yelling, “Mahdi-Kate! Mahdi-Kate!” The voice was so loud I could hear her from the shower, and I was certain she was waking up our entire house. As I went out to meet them, I found Nomphilo, Bongiwe, and Khanyisile.
I had met the three girls the previous days as Bongiwe pleaded with me to help Nomphilo get back into school. I was beyond thrilled because I had been trying to tell the girls they needed to get back into school, but they never really gave much thought to it. Now, here they were for the second time and an hour early! I told them we had to wait for Tenele...so we waited...and waited... and she didn't come. I couldn't be late to meet the head teacher so we walked to the school. I sat down with the head teacher and explained that Tenele had not shown up today but hopefully would come tomorrow, but that I had another young girl who wanted a spot in the school. After some talking and convincing him that I knew Nomphilo well enough and would take responsiblity for her, too, he let her come in to register for the grade. The look on her face was a pure, childlike joy that I have never seen in her before. So, though we didn't get Tenele registered, we got Nomphilo back to school!
As we walked back, I was talking to the girls about school. Bongiwe was telling me about her situation and how she was attending Form II of high school but had to drop out because she did not have money. The more we talked, the more I wanted to help this young woman who helped Nomphilo get in school. So, I offered to help get a sponsor and pay for her school fees. We went back to my house and Ayanda and Johannes showed up. I had told Johannes I would also try to get a school for him as well.
So, the six of us kids and my friend Michael all traveled to find if there were any schools that still had room for the kids. Our first two spots were failures. But by this time, the girls and I had convinced Khanyisile (who had refused to go back to school) that education was a key to her future and that she should take adavantage of the opportunity.
So, at Manzini Central Primary school, it just so happens that we caught the secretary as she was about to close up. Though she was not happy to let us back into the school office, she was kind and by the grace of God registered Khanyisile into Grade 4 with no further questions about Khanyisile's background (she is not a Swazi, but was from Mozambique). Again, the look on her face was radiant.
Bongiwe first told me about the school she wanted to be enrolled in, but then told me how expensive it was and suggested another school that was much cheaper for me. We went to Polex Christian Private school and at the private schools, they don't ask questions, they don't really care who is being enrolled or why because they just want money. So, I registered Bongiwe without a problem; then I told Johannes about it. At first, he didn't want to go to school there, but at this point, it was the last day of registration and the other schools we had tried were already full. And Johannes was content telling me that he would wait to go to school until next year. But a year without school would be very damaging to him, especially because he was supposed to be entering high school now. So, Michael and I preached to Johannes about making the most of the opportunity, and even though it was a further way away from the center of Manzini, he should be willing to make the effort to attend. I told him that sometimes we have to do things in life that we don't want to do in order to do the things we do. He agreed and went inside to register as Ayanda lept from the vehicle saying, "me too, me too!" (Ayanda was in Form I last year but because she failed the finals, her mother was so upset she refused to pay for her to go back to school. And the reason Ayanda failed? Because he mother didn't have enough money to pay the transport for her to get to school, which was a LONG ways away, so Ayanda missed a lot of school days.)
So, five minutes later, we had all three registered in high school! I was thrilled! What started out as a disappointing day with Tenele's classic no-show, ended with not one but SIX kids in school! I cannot even begin to explain the thrill of that here. We take education for granted at home, without realizing how important it is for these childrens' futures and how many of them never get spots in school.
Now, the only problem was...I got them registered, I paid the deposits...but where do I get the money to pay the actual school year fees and uniform fees? I wasn't worried. If God, our multiplier of bread and fish, could multiply the number of students registered in school, I knew Jehovah-Jireh would provide the funds needed.
.
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Monday, January 31, 2011
The Maggot Infestation
My housemates have a running joke that I literally take on all the illnesses/bad things that happen for the team. Eilidh said I should start making a list of all the things that have happened; although that sounds amusing, I think I'd rather not make the list until I get home. But I will tell you the latest news...there's a dead, rotting frog stuck in my bedroom sink drain and I can't get it out until the mainenance man comes. Okay, that's not the worst...
So the bugs here are disgusting. I HATED spiders back home, like literally hated them and was scared of the tiniest little one. In fact, if I found a spider in my room I would yell throughout the house to my brothers to get them to dispose of the spider for me. Well, here, I actually enjoy spiders...that's how disgusting some of the bugs are here. Fleas, flies, bees, gigantic cockroaches...the list goes on. It's not abnormal to have bites consistently on our bodies, so the other day I had a itch on my bum and thought nothing of it. But the itch got more intense as the day went on. And it started spreading. Still, it's not abnormal, so I thought nothing of it. I put some after bite on to stop the itching.
The next day, the bites were worse, and they had multilplied. One was on my back, one on my side, and others on my bum. When I looked at the bite, it looked very strange; it looked like there was something inside the bite mark, like a dark dot. I asked the girls in my house for advice as to what to make of the bites and they suggested that I wait it out and see what happens before trying to break into one of them. But at the end of the day, when the bites were looking worse, we decided to open one up. Eilidh ("Dr. Duncan") broke into one and I nearly cried, not exactly because of the pain but because of her reaction, "Eww it's still alive!"
We found out that the bites were actually "maggots" living in my skin! It was so painful and DISGUSTING!!! There were 8 of them. Another guy in the house also had some in his back, so although it was also disgusting for him, I was glad I wasn't the only one.
Apparently, it's not abnormal for this to happen, especially at this season. So how do they get in the skin? I guess what happens is that when we hang our laundry out to dry, the flies lay eggs in our damp clothes and when we put them on, they get in our skin and basically use our skin as an incubator until they are full grown. Then they eat their way out of the skin. GROSS, ITCHY, and PAINFUL! So, obviously, it's good not to wait until they come out on their own, but to squeeze them out as soon as possible. Poor Eilidh was the lucky one to do the honors of getting them out of me. I will spare you the other details, but it is definitely the grossest thing I have EVER experienced!
So, for your enjoyment, I included a lovely picture of the larvae/fly that was in me and Ludger.
So the bugs here are disgusting. I HATED spiders back home, like literally hated them and was scared of the tiniest little one. In fact, if I found a spider in my room I would yell throughout the house to my brothers to get them to dispose of the spider for me. Well, here, I actually enjoy spiders...that's how disgusting some of the bugs are here. Fleas, flies, bees, gigantic cockroaches...the list goes on. It's not abnormal to have bites consistently on our bodies, so the other day I had a itch on my bum and thought nothing of it. But the itch got more intense as the day went on. And it started spreading. Still, it's not abnormal, so I thought nothing of it. I put some after bite on to stop the itching.
The next day, the bites were worse, and they had multilplied. One was on my back, one on my side, and others on my bum. When I looked at the bite, it looked very strange; it looked like there was something inside the bite mark, like a dark dot. I asked the girls in my house for advice as to what to make of the bites and they suggested that I wait it out and see what happens before trying to break into one of them. But at the end of the day, when the bites were looking worse, we decided to open one up. Eilidh ("Dr. Duncan") broke into one and I nearly cried, not exactly because of the pain but because of her reaction, "Eww it's still alive!"
We found out that the bites were actually "maggots" living in my skin! It was so painful and DISGUSTING!!! There were 8 of them. Another guy in the house also had some in his back, so although it was also disgusting for him, I was glad I wasn't the only one.
Apparently, it's not abnormal for this to happen, especially at this season. So how do they get in the skin? I guess what happens is that when we hang our laundry out to dry, the flies lay eggs in our damp clothes and when we put them on, they get in our skin and basically use our skin as an incubator until they are full grown. Then they eat their way out of the skin. GROSS, ITCHY, and PAINFUL! So, obviously, it's good not to wait until they come out on their own, but to squeeze them out as soon as possible. Poor Eilidh was the lucky one to do the honors of getting them out of me. I will spare you the other details, but it is definitely the grossest thing I have EVER experienced!
So, for your enjoyment, I included a lovely picture of the larvae/fly that was in me and Ludger.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Journal Entry
Journal Entry:
1-12-11
Ah, Father. What a wonderful sigh I breathe before you. Yebo Jesu. This is, again, one of the best days I’ve had so far. It’s a day I won’t forget!
It started with a soaking morning of basketball—my “drip-drips” as my old teammates had called them, are now back to full force. Oh how I love basketball! It was so much fun. I still need to reign in my competitive frustrations. But I love the people so much! I came back at 11 and showered. I didn’t think Tenele would really be here at 11, so I started to heat a pan for eggs and got out my Bible and the journal Ayanda wrote me messages in to write back to her. Not minutes later, there was noise outside and boys were calling. I smiled, greeted them from the kitchen window and asked, “what do you need?” when I saw a girl out of the corner of my eye. And there was Tenele! This was the FIRST time she came to me alone, and that is a huge step for her to walk past town to me alone. I gave her the bible Mom sent and took a picture of her beautiful smile and her hug of joy when she opened it.
Shortly after, Ayanda showed up! So the three of us sat for hours watching the Milwane video I made and going through old pictures of Gugu’s school and our team two years ago on my laptop. I made them fried eggs, fried ham, and toast, which they both gobbled up.
Then, Thulile (as teacher’s we are not supposed to have favorites, or at least admit that we have favorites, but one of mine is Thulile) came by with her friend just to say hello. It was so sweet. And she told me that she wasn’t going to be in my class anymore because she transferred schools, but said she would still come visit me.
Then three more visitors dropped by. Earlier that morning, I received a phone call from someone who claimed to be Nomphilo, but I was so confused because it didn’t sound like Nomphilo and the English was too good to be Nomphilo. She had asked me to meet her in Ka-Khoza but I said I couldn’t. She called me again from town but I was already with Tenele so I couldn’t leave. Then one of the other volunteers told me that people were at the door for me, so I went down and there was Nomphilo, Khanyisile and a third friend I hadn’t met before.
The third friend was the one called me and spoke with good English. Her name is Bongiwe, and she took the two girls to come into town with her so that she could help them get in school. She had encouraged both Nomphilo and Khanyi that it was so important to get back into school, and that it was "school not men" that would get them a good future. So, I secretly met with the girls as to not make Tenele jealous or upset that I was helping the girls. I told Nomphilo to come back on Friday and come with me to Enjabulweni to meet the head teacher because I was going there to meet him to enroll Tenele as well. They eagerly agreed, said they'd be back Friday, and left.
Later on, there was more noise at the gated door, so I went out to look and there was Siphilile and Sibonangaye! They came in and said they had a present for me. I had given Siphilile a phone for Christmas because I didn’t take her to Milwane with the other kids because I couldn’t get a hold of her. It was a gift for her, but also a helpful way for me to get a hold of her. I was thrilled about the present, thinking it was a thank you card or something they had taken from home. She handed me a black plastic bag and in it was the most beautiful jean skirt!! The tag was still on and they had just bought it that day. HOW PRECIOUS! And even better…it fits! How did she know my size? How THOUGHTFUL! Gifts like those are ones I won’t forget because it comes at a cost and is truly thoughtful. I love thoughtful.
AND THEN…Johannes and Pununu came, too! So, we all watched the movie Themba, which was about an African boy who played soccer. Then they made foam crosses from Brooke’s Christmas package she sent me! We also played some Uno. I baked a bunch of fries and when I brought them out no one ate any at first…I pulled Tenele aside to talk to her, and when I came back out the entire plate of fries was GONE. lol.
In the room with Tenele, I read a note that I wrote her. I wrote her to tell her that one day people will see her and say, ”Wow! That’s Tenele-Bell. She changed the world.” I wrote to tell her that one day she will change, one day she will choose to follow God with all her heart. One day she will leave her life of sin and be a light for others. One day, she will stop smoking, drinking, and sleeping with her boyfriend. I felt awkward actually saying all of this to her as I read it but she smiled with a bit of embarrassment but also understanding. I told her she will work hard and be a leader and minister to young girls, convincing them not to sell their bodies. I told her she would change her life first and then change her students’ lives. I told her that my love for her comes form God and that’s why it’s never ending…and it’s a love that should change her life, and a love to be shared. I told her that the reason I know these things will happen one day is because I am praying for them. I told her that I pray she will fall in love with Jesus and be satisfied with Him. She really seemed to be soaking it in the whole time and understood it! Oh glory! Oh Jesus! Oh Holy Spirit! You are good! She tucked it into her inner shirt and I told her she probably shouldn’t let her boyfriend see it. It was precious. Lord, use those words to penetrate deep! She wrote answers to my questions about her boyfriend…(I had found out through Ayanda and Johannes’ letters to me that they are much more willing to say personal things about themselves on paper than they are to my face, so I had written Tenele a letter of questions about her boyfriend. She answered the few questions, giving me his full name, sayng she was not planning on living with him for awhile, and said he was nice but that I couldn’t meet him. But I am just happy she is being truthful. [Actually, I am THRILLED that we are at this stage of truthfulness and hopefully we can still keep building on it.])
Oh, and it was so cute because Ayanda was crushing on Johannes and Tenele on Pununu and they were teasing each other about it. And when I walked them partyway home, I turned around about a hundred yards later and they were still right where I left them: the girls were yelling and laughing and running away from the boys. Teenage flirting…it was cute to see them like that.
Tenele is thrilled about school and is coming to meet the head teacher on Friday!
OH, it was such a splendid day! Thank you, Lord. You are amazing. Thank you for your goodness, faithfulness and answers to prayer. I love you!”
1-12-11
Ah, Father. What a wonderful sigh I breathe before you. Yebo Jesu. This is, again, one of the best days I’ve had so far. It’s a day I won’t forget!
It started with a soaking morning of basketball—my “drip-drips” as my old teammates had called them, are now back to full force. Oh how I love basketball! It was so much fun. I still need to reign in my competitive frustrations. But I love the people so much! I came back at 11 and showered. I didn’t think Tenele would really be here at 11, so I started to heat a pan for eggs and got out my Bible and the journal Ayanda wrote me messages in to write back to her. Not minutes later, there was noise outside and boys were calling. I smiled, greeted them from the kitchen window and asked, “what do you need?” when I saw a girl out of the corner of my eye. And there was Tenele! This was the FIRST time she came to me alone, and that is a huge step for her to walk past town to me alone. I gave her the bible Mom sent and took a picture of her beautiful smile and her hug of joy when she opened it.
Shortly after, Ayanda showed up! So the three of us sat for hours watching the Milwane video I made and going through old pictures of Gugu’s school and our team two years ago on my laptop. I made them fried eggs, fried ham, and toast, which they both gobbled up.
Then, Thulile (as teacher’s we are not supposed to have favorites, or at least admit that we have favorites, but one of mine is Thulile) came by with her friend just to say hello. It was so sweet. And she told me that she wasn’t going to be in my class anymore because she transferred schools, but said she would still come visit me.
Then three more visitors dropped by. Earlier that morning, I received a phone call from someone who claimed to be Nomphilo, but I was so confused because it didn’t sound like Nomphilo and the English was too good to be Nomphilo. She had asked me to meet her in Ka-Khoza but I said I couldn’t. She called me again from town but I was already with Tenele so I couldn’t leave. Then one of the other volunteers told me that people were at the door for me, so I went down and there was Nomphilo, Khanyisile and a third friend I hadn’t met before.
The third friend was the one called me and spoke with good English. Her name is Bongiwe, and she took the two girls to come into town with her so that she could help them get in school. She had encouraged both Nomphilo and Khanyi that it was so important to get back into school, and that it was "school not men" that would get them a good future. So, I secretly met with the girls as to not make Tenele jealous or upset that I was helping the girls. I told Nomphilo to come back on Friday and come with me to Enjabulweni to meet the head teacher because I was going there to meet him to enroll Tenele as well. They eagerly agreed, said they'd be back Friday, and left.
Later on, there was more noise at the gated door, so I went out to look and there was Siphilile and Sibonangaye! They came in and said they had a present for me. I had given Siphilile a phone for Christmas because I didn’t take her to Milwane with the other kids because I couldn’t get a hold of her. It was a gift for her, but also a helpful way for me to get a hold of her. I was thrilled about the present, thinking it was a thank you card or something they had taken from home. She handed me a black plastic bag and in it was the most beautiful jean skirt!! The tag was still on and they had just bought it that day. HOW PRECIOUS! And even better…it fits! How did she know my size? How THOUGHTFUL! Gifts like those are ones I won’t forget because it comes at a cost and is truly thoughtful. I love thoughtful.
AND THEN…Johannes and Pununu came, too! So, we all watched the movie Themba, which was about an African boy who played soccer. Then they made foam crosses from Brooke’s Christmas package she sent me! We also played some Uno. I baked a bunch of fries and when I brought them out no one ate any at first…I pulled Tenele aside to talk to her, and when I came back out the entire plate of fries was GONE. lol.
In the room with Tenele, I read a note that I wrote her. I wrote her to tell her that one day people will see her and say, ”Wow! That’s Tenele-Bell. She changed the world.” I wrote to tell her that one day she will change, one day she will choose to follow God with all her heart. One day she will leave her life of sin and be a light for others. One day, she will stop smoking, drinking, and sleeping with her boyfriend. I felt awkward actually saying all of this to her as I read it but she smiled with a bit of embarrassment but also understanding. I told her she will work hard and be a leader and minister to young girls, convincing them not to sell their bodies. I told her she would change her life first and then change her students’ lives. I told her that my love for her comes form God and that’s why it’s never ending…and it’s a love that should change her life, and a love to be shared. I told her that the reason I know these things will happen one day is because I am praying for them. I told her that I pray she will fall in love with Jesus and be satisfied with Him. She really seemed to be soaking it in the whole time and understood it! Oh glory! Oh Jesus! Oh Holy Spirit! You are good! She tucked it into her inner shirt and I told her she probably shouldn’t let her boyfriend see it. It was precious. Lord, use those words to penetrate deep! She wrote answers to my questions about her boyfriend…(I had found out through Ayanda and Johannes’ letters to me that they are much more willing to say personal things about themselves on paper than they are to my face, so I had written Tenele a letter of questions about her boyfriend. She answered the few questions, giving me his full name, sayng she was not planning on living with him for awhile, and said he was nice but that I couldn’t meet him. But I am just happy she is being truthful. [Actually, I am THRILLED that we are at this stage of truthfulness and hopefully we can still keep building on it.])
Oh, and it was so cute because Ayanda was crushing on Johannes and Tenele on Pununu and they were teasing each other about it. And when I walked them partyway home, I turned around about a hundred yards later and they were still right where I left them: the girls were yelling and laughing and running away from the boys. Teenage flirting…it was cute to see them like that.
Tenele is thrilled about school and is coming to meet the head teacher on Friday!
OH, it was such a splendid day! Thank you, Lord. You are amazing. Thank you for your goodness, faithfulness and answers to prayer. I love you!”
The Continuous Game of "Seek Tenele"
After the week at Cape Town, it was nice to be back “home.” Prior to leaving, I had arranged to meet Tenele and Nomphilo at church for Christmas, which of course they didn’t end up coming to. Once we were back, I tried to look for both her and Nomphilo at Mangwaneni without success. Someone had told me that Tenele was still around but that Nomphilo was gone.
So nearly three weeks after last seeing them, I went to Mangwaneni again to meet Johannes. After a mini game of “seek Tenele,” that seems to be the recurring game when I try to find her at Mangwaneni, she came out to meet me…voluntarily. I then spotted Nomphilo and Khanyisile walking away around the corner. I asked Tenele about Nomphilo and she told me that Nomphilo lives at her home now and doesn’t live with Tenele anymore. I thought that was strange, so I knew there was more to the story than she was telling me. I called after the girls and they stopped to let me catch up; Tenele followed. I exchanged greetings and saw that Nomphilo looked very sad. “Unani?” (What’s wrong?) I asked. Nomphilo just shook her head and wiped away the tears in her eyes. Khanyi was also very quiet and didn’t say much. They didn’t seem to want to stay and talk and as they continued on, I invited them to come by the house tomorrow with Tenele. They just nodded and disappeared. I turned to Tenele and asked if they were still friends and she gave me a quick, “No-o.”
I found out through Ayanda and Johannes later that day that there had been a fight between Tenele and Nomphilo. Nomphilo did something to make Tenele upset and Tenele started beating her and tried to get her boyfriend to do the same. So, Nomphilo ran away and went back to her home in Ka-Khoza, where her mother who is sick lives. I was extremely upset and saddened by the story (I got more details later) and asked Ayanda to tell Nomphilo that if she needs anything she can still come to me without Tenele (as long as Tenele doesn’t know about it because I didn’t want to make things worse between them). Tenele gets very jealous.
Later that day, Tenele walked with me back to the top of Mangweneni and was about to leave when Johannes told her they should walk me partway home. So Ayanda, Tenele, Johannes, and Pununu all walked me half-way, which was a pleasant surprise. Tenele told me she would come to me the following morning at 11 a.m. I just nodded, knowing there was no use believing her at the moment. However, 11 a.m. the following day proved to be a day I won’t forget…
So nearly three weeks after last seeing them, I went to Mangwaneni again to meet Johannes. After a mini game of “seek Tenele,” that seems to be the recurring game when I try to find her at Mangwaneni, she came out to meet me…voluntarily. I then spotted Nomphilo and Khanyisile walking away around the corner. I asked Tenele about Nomphilo and she told me that Nomphilo lives at her home now and doesn’t live with Tenele anymore. I thought that was strange, so I knew there was more to the story than she was telling me. I called after the girls and they stopped to let me catch up; Tenele followed. I exchanged greetings and saw that Nomphilo looked very sad. “Unani?” (What’s wrong?) I asked. Nomphilo just shook her head and wiped away the tears in her eyes. Khanyi was also very quiet and didn’t say much. They didn’t seem to want to stay and talk and as they continued on, I invited them to come by the house tomorrow with Tenele. They just nodded and disappeared. I turned to Tenele and asked if they were still friends and she gave me a quick, “No-o.”
I found out through Ayanda and Johannes later that day that there had been a fight between Tenele and Nomphilo. Nomphilo did something to make Tenele upset and Tenele started beating her and tried to get her boyfriend to do the same. So, Nomphilo ran away and went back to her home in Ka-Khoza, where her mother who is sick lives. I was extremely upset and saddened by the story (I got more details later) and asked Ayanda to tell Nomphilo that if she needs anything she can still come to me without Tenele (as long as Tenele doesn’t know about it because I didn’t want to make things worse between them). Tenele gets very jealous.
Later that day, Tenele walked with me back to the top of Mangweneni and was about to leave when Johannes told her they should walk me partway home. So Ayanda, Tenele, Johannes, and Pununu all walked me half-way, which was a pleasant surprise. Tenele told me she would come to me the following morning at 11 a.m. I just nodded, knowing there was no use believing her at the moment. However, 11 a.m. the following day proved to be a day I won’t forget…
Christmas Break
Christmas in Swazi hardly felt like a Christmas at all with the heat. It felt like a fake Christmas in July celebration. But we tried our best to make it feel like Christmas at home. A week prior to Christmas we spent every evening in one of the boys’ homes to do a Christmas prayer with them, full of singing, prayer, art activities, and the Christmas story. It was humbling to see the older boys take it the most seriously, as we had prejudged them to be the homes that were hardest to work with. On Christmas Eve, we had a volunteer family dinner of chili and bread rolls, which originally sounded amazing…until it was 100 degrees in the house and I literally sat at the dinner table sweating out of every pore as I tried to feed my hungry stomach with a hot meal that the rest of my body hated. After dinner we went to mass, only to find out that we were told the wrong time and had all walked in a solid half hour late. Woops. Later on, we indulged ourselves with a cool dessert of ice cream pancakes.
On Christmas morning a few of us went to mass again, and made the full service this time. Then we played “santas” and delivered presents to the boys’ homes. Each boy received a plastic bag from the grocery store filled with a bar of soap, a wash cloth, toothpaste, a tooth brush, some sweets, and a set of donated clothes. A bit different from the nicely wrapped and boxed and stuffed presents I am used to getting/giving, but these boys accepted them so joyfully and graciously.
After Christmas, four of my housemates and I took a one week vacation to Cape Town. We managed to pay off a kombi driver to take us early in the morning to Johannesburg. That was an adventure in itself…what usually takes over an hour to drive took literally 20 minutes. This guy was flying. It was nice to have the comfy kombi to ourselves, but we were jostled in our seats so much I thought it was a roller coaster. We were going so fast that at one point a bird hit our windshield and fell—no doubt—dead. The five of us exchanged worried glances, like “did that just really happen?” and then we saw the driver’s face and the rearview mirror and he was laughing. Apparently, he wasn’t supposed to take us early because he would miss his actual shift, but when we offered money, he wasn’t about to turn it down; instead he took the money and thought by driving at that speed he’d make it back for part of his shift. Eventually, we reached Johannesburg safely and tried to book the train, but the only seats left were in the third class (which is what my Swazi friends warned me not to take). We had no choice, so we booked the 28 hour train, which definitely was not as unsafe and people had thought, but definitely long and uncomfortable and I would not do that ever again.
Once we finally got to Cape Town, we stayed at a backpackers and had a lovely time. It was a relaxed and much needed vacation away from the demands of daily life in Swazi. We hiked up Table Mountain (AND down!), which was really beautiful. I discovered that even SPF 50 plus SPF 30 put on an hour later didn’t help my skin as partway through the hike white bubbles started forming on my arm and I had to keep covered. We went sight-seeing in the city, and the best part was on New Year’s Eve: we took a sunset boat cruise, and it was INCREDIBLE! The sights were some of the most amazing I have seen in my life.
On Christmas morning a few of us went to mass again, and made the full service this time. Then we played “santas” and delivered presents to the boys’ homes. Each boy received a plastic bag from the grocery store filled with a bar of soap, a wash cloth, toothpaste, a tooth brush, some sweets, and a set of donated clothes. A bit different from the nicely wrapped and boxed and stuffed presents I am used to getting/giving, but these boys accepted them so joyfully and graciously.
After Christmas, four of my housemates and I took a one week vacation to Cape Town. We managed to pay off a kombi driver to take us early in the morning to Johannesburg. That was an adventure in itself…what usually takes over an hour to drive took literally 20 minutes. This guy was flying. It was nice to have the comfy kombi to ourselves, but we were jostled in our seats so much I thought it was a roller coaster. We were going so fast that at one point a bird hit our windshield and fell—no doubt—dead. The five of us exchanged worried glances, like “did that just really happen?” and then we saw the driver’s face and the rearview mirror and he was laughing. Apparently, he wasn’t supposed to take us early because he would miss his actual shift, but when we offered money, he wasn’t about to turn it down; instead he took the money and thought by driving at that speed he’d make it back for part of his shift. Eventually, we reached Johannesburg safely and tried to book the train, but the only seats left were in the third class (which is what my Swazi friends warned me not to take). We had no choice, so we booked the 28 hour train, which definitely was not as unsafe and people had thought, but definitely long and uncomfortable and I would not do that ever again.
Once we finally got to Cape Town, we stayed at a backpackers and had a lovely time. It was a relaxed and much needed vacation away from the demands of daily life in Swazi. We hiked up Table Mountain (AND down!), which was really beautiful. I discovered that even SPF 50 plus SPF 30 put on an hour later didn’t help my skin as partway through the hike white bubbles started forming on my arm and I had to keep covered. We went sight-seeing in the city, and the best part was on New Year’s Eve: we took a sunset boat cruise, and it was INCREDIBLE! The sights were some of the most amazing I have seen in my life.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
My Kids
After Johannes’ letter to me (see blog post below), I felt it only fitting to title this as “my children”, so let me introduce you to these vibrant children of mine:
Johannes: 15 years old, starting high school, wants to be a pastor or doctor, lives with Auntie Gugu who is paying for his schooling, and is going to change the world one life at a time
Pununu: 15 years old, repeating grade 6, doesn’t know exactly what he wants to do yet, lives in Mangwaneni but if he applies himself can really have a bright future
Ayanda: 15 years old, repeating Form I of high school, is very smart and kind, lives in Mangwaneni but behaves like she was raised in a good home and environment (which is pretty amazing…sometimes I still wonder how in the world she turned out so well!)
Nomphilo: 16 years old, has a home and parents but doesn’t live with them, instead she lives with Tenele and their boyfriends in Mangwaneni, she is much smarter than she pretends to be, and she wants to go back to school
Tenele: 15 years old and you know her story
Temu: 14 years old, moving on to grade 5 and is a sweet, shy, but mischievous young woman, she lives in Mangwaneni and also can have a bright future
Sphilile: 15 or 16 years old, going to high school next year like Johannes and also is supported by Auntie Gugu, she is absolutely brilliant, wise, kind, and mature for her age, she lives with her family a ways away from here…I unfortunately haven’t seen her in awhile but will once school starts again
Aside from Sphilile, whom I couldn’t get a hold of, I took my kids out for an entire day for a Christmas celebration/present. I took them along with two other volunteers to Milwane Game Park, where we walked through the wildlife and looked at the animals.
In the center of the game park was a lovely and beautiful blue pool where we spent most of our time. In Swazi there are very few opportunities to get in water, so on hot days like this one, the pool was the most amazing refreshment ever! And the kids LOVED it! It brought me so much joy seeing them splashing and jumping and laughing and playing in the water all day. It was incredible to watch them because their backgrounds and problems and poverty, etc. completely disappeared and they became just normal teenagers you would see any where in the world. I have never seen so many smiles on their faces before. Even Tenele, who normally hides her smile because of her missing front tooth, couldn’t stop from beaming ear to ear! It was truly one of the best days I’ve had! And it only gets better…
We had a picnic lunch with bread and peanut butter, apples, bananas, chips, and juice boxes (totally American according to my two fellow British mates). Eilidh commented how cute it was to watch me with them, especially at lunch time because it was like I was a true mother. I never in my life thought that being called a mom would be such a splendid compliment, but I absolutely love it! So I was thrilled when Eilidh told me that she even felt like my daughter during the trip and loved seeing me like that with the kids, especially when I tried getting them all out of the water to leave (which was a bit of a chore, but definitely did it in a motherly fashion.)
After Milwane Game Park, we came back to the chapel across the lawn of the house I stay in. We had our own Christmas prayer with the Christmas story, a short inspirational talk, a prayer chain, and some singing. I was surprised when Tenele took the prayer chain the most seriously. I had talked to them about how Christmas time is when we receive the greatest gift: Jesus Christ as Savior and that it’s a gift that upon receiving it should change our hearts. So I asked them to write something that they will change this year. Tenele wrote how she wants to change her life and that she’s changing by going to school and starting to go to church!
After the chapel, they opened their presents filled with journals, pens, a Bible, soap, wash cloth, playing cards, toothbrush, toothpaste and some goodies. I wrote messages and a prayer in each of their journals, and it was priceless watching their faces as they read the messages.
Following the gifts, we headed back to our house for dinner. While I prepared a dinner of crumbed chicken breast and green bean casserole with rice, the kids sat on the couch and watched Step Up on my laptop! Now, I really felt like a mother when I paused the movie for dinner and they all whined and wanted to keep watching. And as soon as they were done eating they begged to go back to the movie to finish it.
The night was nearly perfect, except for the fact that Tenele and Nomphilo refused to stay for dinner. They left after the chapel and presents. Apparently, (I asked Johannes and Ayanda and Pununu) the girls were talking about getting cigarettes and alcohol and Johannes told them that they shouldn’t and they got mad, threatened to have their boyfriends beat them up, and left anyway. Sometimes I don’t understand that girl…she denied a free dinner to pay for smokes and alcohol, well maybe she didn’t have to pay for it, I don’t know, but either way… eish! She goes from writing a deep response during the chapel to that! Sometimes it’s like she’s two completely different people, which may be how she tries to cope with it all. But she wrote me an absolutely splendid letter the next day, thanking me for the Christmas gifts and taking her out all day.
The greatest present for me was seeing their faces and hearts so full of joy. It was an incredible day—by far the best day I’ve had here! Here’s to “motherhood.” The joys far outweigh the pain.
Johannes: 15 years old, starting high school, wants to be a pastor or doctor, lives with Auntie Gugu who is paying for his schooling, and is going to change the world one life at a time
Pununu: 15 years old, repeating grade 6, doesn’t know exactly what he wants to do yet, lives in Mangwaneni but if he applies himself can really have a bright future
Ayanda: 15 years old, repeating Form I of high school, is very smart and kind, lives in Mangwaneni but behaves like she was raised in a good home and environment (which is pretty amazing…sometimes I still wonder how in the world she turned out so well!)
Nomphilo: 16 years old, has a home and parents but doesn’t live with them, instead she lives with Tenele and their boyfriends in Mangwaneni, she is much smarter than she pretends to be, and she wants to go back to school
Tenele: 15 years old and you know her story
Temu: 14 years old, moving on to grade 5 and is a sweet, shy, but mischievous young woman, she lives in Mangwaneni and also can have a bright future
Sphilile: 15 or 16 years old, going to high school next year like Johannes and also is supported by Auntie Gugu, she is absolutely brilliant, wise, kind, and mature for her age, she lives with her family a ways away from here…I unfortunately haven’t seen her in awhile but will once school starts again
Aside from Sphilile, whom I couldn’t get a hold of, I took my kids out for an entire day for a Christmas celebration/present. I took them along with two other volunteers to Milwane Game Park, where we walked through the wildlife and looked at the animals.
In the center of the game park was a lovely and beautiful blue pool where we spent most of our time. In Swazi there are very few opportunities to get in water, so on hot days like this one, the pool was the most amazing refreshment ever! And the kids LOVED it! It brought me so much joy seeing them splashing and jumping and laughing and playing in the water all day. It was incredible to watch them because their backgrounds and problems and poverty, etc. completely disappeared and they became just normal teenagers you would see any where in the world. I have never seen so many smiles on their faces before. Even Tenele, who normally hides her smile because of her missing front tooth, couldn’t stop from beaming ear to ear! It was truly one of the best days I’ve had! And it only gets better…
We had a picnic lunch with bread and peanut butter, apples, bananas, chips, and juice boxes (totally American according to my two fellow British mates). Eilidh commented how cute it was to watch me with them, especially at lunch time because it was like I was a true mother. I never in my life thought that being called a mom would be such a splendid compliment, but I absolutely love it! So I was thrilled when Eilidh told me that she even felt like my daughter during the trip and loved seeing me like that with the kids, especially when I tried getting them all out of the water to leave (which was a bit of a chore, but definitely did it in a motherly fashion.)
After Milwane Game Park, we came back to the chapel across the lawn of the house I stay in. We had our own Christmas prayer with the Christmas story, a short inspirational talk, a prayer chain, and some singing. I was surprised when Tenele took the prayer chain the most seriously. I had talked to them about how Christmas time is when we receive the greatest gift: Jesus Christ as Savior and that it’s a gift that upon receiving it should change our hearts. So I asked them to write something that they will change this year. Tenele wrote how she wants to change her life and that she’s changing by going to school and starting to go to church!
After the chapel, they opened their presents filled with journals, pens, a Bible, soap, wash cloth, playing cards, toothbrush, toothpaste and some goodies. I wrote messages and a prayer in each of their journals, and it was priceless watching their faces as they read the messages.
Following the gifts, we headed back to our house for dinner. While I prepared a dinner of crumbed chicken breast and green bean casserole with rice, the kids sat on the couch and watched Step Up on my laptop! Now, I really felt like a mother when I paused the movie for dinner and they all whined and wanted to keep watching. And as soon as they were done eating they begged to go back to the movie to finish it.
The night was nearly perfect, except for the fact that Tenele and Nomphilo refused to stay for dinner. They left after the chapel and presents. Apparently, (I asked Johannes and Ayanda and Pununu) the girls were talking about getting cigarettes and alcohol and Johannes told them that they shouldn’t and they got mad, threatened to have their boyfriends beat them up, and left anyway. Sometimes I don’t understand that girl…she denied a free dinner to pay for smokes and alcohol, well maybe she didn’t have to pay for it, I don’t know, but either way… eish! She goes from writing a deep response during the chapel to that! Sometimes it’s like she’s two completely different people, which may be how she tries to cope with it all. But she wrote me an absolutely splendid letter the next day, thanking me for the Christmas gifts and taking her out all day.
The greatest present for me was seeing their faces and hearts so full of joy. It was an incredible day—by far the best day I’ve had here! Here’s to “motherhood.” The joys far outweigh the pain.
Letters from Johannes
My own words will not do Johannes justice, so instead I am going to show you the letter Johannes wrote me today. For Christmas, I had given all my kids new journals to write in, so he wrote this in that journal to thank me and then continued with one of the most moving letters I've ever recieved:
In the first page alone I was moved. Not only does this young boy appreciate me but he understands that it took sacrifice coming here, which is something that I RARELY encounter in the Swazis. Most people see me and see two things: 1) money or 2) meat. There is never a day when I can walk through town and not be asked for money or marriage. Literally. And it gets exhausting. And when you do give to people, you rarely get a thank you, instead you get asked for more. So this message from Johannes was like an encouragement from God himself saying, "Do not weary in doing good, my child." The other notable part of this first page is that he talks about my family. Recently, I have really battling with being away from my family and friends and specifically wrestling with God over not wanting to leave my family again...basically not wanting to come back to Swazi to build a girls' home or a school because I hate being away from my family for so long. But I haven't told a single person that I am having a hard time with this, so...again...incredible.
I'm getting to that age in life where being a mother is actually quite attractive. It may not have been on my forethoughts a year or two ago but it is quickly becoming a pressing desire of mine, and I'd be lying if I told you that I haven't wondered, "Okay, God...so where's the guy? Kinda want a husband before I have kids, so let's speed that up a bit, eh?" So, once again, it was like Johannes knew what was going on inside me. Though he didn’t actually know it, God was using him to speak again directly to me as He were saying, “You don’t need your own kids to be a mother. There are plenty of my children that need mothering."
The last part of the page shocked me. It is quite the turnaround from before when Johannes didn't want anything to do with Tenele. And now here he is telling me that he is going to team up with me in helping Tenele, which is also something I specifically prayed for! :)
Although Johannes acknowledges what everyone else has told me about helping Tenele ("It's too late"), he also knows that nothing is too late for God. And while I am getting antsy with wanting things to change right now, Johannes is well beyond me is saying that "He is the God who works with time."
Clearly, this boy has wisdom beyond himself. It's incredible how God uses the very people I think I am here to help to encourage and help me. God has used this simple letter--the Lord knows how much I cherish letters--to touch my heart, encourage and inspire me.
In the first page alone I was moved. Not only does this young boy appreciate me but he understands that it took sacrifice coming here, which is something that I RARELY encounter in the Swazis. Most people see me and see two things: 1) money or 2) meat. There is never a day when I can walk through town and not be asked for money or marriage. Literally. And it gets exhausting. And when you do give to people, you rarely get a thank you, instead you get asked for more. So this message from Johannes was like an encouragement from God himself saying, "Do not weary in doing good, my child." The other notable part of this first page is that he talks about my family. Recently, I have really battling with being away from my family and friends and specifically wrestling with God over not wanting to leave my family again...basically not wanting to come back to Swazi to build a girls' home or a school because I hate being away from my family for so long. But I haven't told a single person that I am having a hard time with this, so...again...incredible.
I'm getting to that age in life where being a mother is actually quite attractive. It may not have been on my forethoughts a year or two ago but it is quickly becoming a pressing desire of mine, and I'd be lying if I told you that I haven't wondered, "Okay, God...so where's the guy? Kinda want a husband before I have kids, so let's speed that up a bit, eh?" So, once again, it was like Johannes knew what was going on inside me. Though he didn’t actually know it, God was using him to speak again directly to me as He were saying, “You don’t need your own kids to be a mother. There are plenty of my children that need mothering."
The last part of the page shocked me. It is quite the turnaround from before when Johannes didn't want anything to do with Tenele. And now here he is telling me that he is going to team up with me in helping Tenele, which is also something I specifically prayed for! :)
Although Johannes acknowledges what everyone else has told me about helping Tenele ("It's too late"), he also knows that nothing is too late for God. And while I am getting antsy with wanting things to change right now, Johannes is well beyond me is saying that "He is the God who works with time."
Clearly, this boy has wisdom beyond himself. It's incredible how God uses the very people I think I am here to help to encourage and help me. God has used this simple letter--the Lord knows how much I cherish letters--to touch my heart, encourage and inspire me.
Torn Into Pieces
After the emotional encounter with Tenele as she poured out her tears, I was so encouraged and felt this was definitely a turning point in her life, which I still know that it was. But I also was a little weary as to whether or not she would let me see her after she showed this vulnerable and painful part of herself to me. Sure enough...no sign of Tenele for a week and a half. Meanwhile, Johannes had come to visit me several times and we had some really deep and wonderful conversations about life, about his past, about the pain he had been battling with, about his future, about Tenele, and about God. He wrote me some really powerful notes and messages. I made him some pancakes one day and he LOVED them! I walked back with him to Mangwaneni that day and he excitedly told Pununu about these interesting "pancakes" I made. :)
I had also prearranged the Christmas celebration with my kids on the 23rd so as I walked back with Johannes, he took me through Mangwaneni to find all the kids and tell them to meet me on the morning of the 23rd for a surprise celebration. We found Pununu, Ayanda, Nomphilo, Ayanda, and Temu, but no sign of Tenele. After tracking around camp looking for her, we finally found her back at her boyfriend’s house. I heard the man’s voice from inside, but didn’t see him…I have yet to see him or know anything about him really. As Pununu called Tenele out, Johannes pointed to the ground where there were tons of pieces of what looked to be ripped up paper. It’s not an unusual sight to have random garbage laying around the squatter camp, so I thought nothing of it until Johannes picked up a piece and handed it to me. It was a torn piece of a part of my and Tenele’s faces together. All along the ground were theses pieces. Someone had took the pictures I had given Tenele of the two of us and tore them to pieces. I took the torn piece in my hand and my heart sank with a bit of fear. I could only imagine how a fight happened or something where all the pictures would be torn like that…and I suddenly didn’t felt very uneasy and out of place.
When Tenele came out she wasn’t the same. She grabbed my hand and said, “hamba” which means “go.” She walked with us towards the top of Mangwaneni and we stopped and talked; I assumed she didn’t want to talk where her boyfriend could hear. I asked about the picture and she said a friend ripped it up, though Johannes told me it was her boyfriend. I asked about her boyfriend... and I asked her if he liked me and she changed the subject saying, "I like you."
I said, “I know you do, Tenele, but what about him?” and she just shook her head…and later tried to deny she had a boyfriend.
It's getting more and more scary trying to help this girl. It's getting more and more difficult and it hurts every time she denies my help. I asked her straight up that day if she wanted my help and she gave me a heartfelt, “yes.”
So, I said, “How? How Tenele? How can I help you?”
She replied with her eyes down, “I don't know..."
She honestly wants my help, I can see it, but then again she doesn’t know how much help; she doesn’t know what she really wants. I think she also might be doing this to try to protect me, especially after the torn pictures.
This is so much more than I can handle; but that’s the beauty of having strength come from Someone else. Though sometimes I am scared or tired or frustrated or broken, I won’t stop loving her or pursuing her. I can't. It's not my love to say whether or not she gets it...it's the Lord's. Though the path is sometimes lonely and full of burdens—and by far the most challenging path I’ve taken in my life—yet through it all God's grace and love is written all over it. His goodness and the protection is already set over me. While this is the most challenging path I’ve taken in my life, it is also the most I have seen of God's work, and it's incredible to be a part of it.
I had also prearranged the Christmas celebration with my kids on the 23rd so as I walked back with Johannes, he took me through Mangwaneni to find all the kids and tell them to meet me on the morning of the 23rd for a surprise celebration. We found Pununu, Ayanda, Nomphilo, Ayanda, and Temu, but no sign of Tenele. After tracking around camp looking for her, we finally found her back at her boyfriend’s house. I heard the man’s voice from inside, but didn’t see him…I have yet to see him or know anything about him really. As Pununu called Tenele out, Johannes pointed to the ground where there were tons of pieces of what looked to be ripped up paper. It’s not an unusual sight to have random garbage laying around the squatter camp, so I thought nothing of it until Johannes picked up a piece and handed it to me. It was a torn piece of a part of my and Tenele’s faces together. All along the ground were theses pieces. Someone had took the pictures I had given Tenele of the two of us and tore them to pieces. I took the torn piece in my hand and my heart sank with a bit of fear. I could only imagine how a fight happened or something where all the pictures would be torn like that…and I suddenly didn’t felt very uneasy and out of place.
When Tenele came out she wasn’t the same. She grabbed my hand and said, “hamba” which means “go.” She walked with us towards the top of Mangwaneni and we stopped and talked; I assumed she didn’t want to talk where her boyfriend could hear. I asked about the picture and she said a friend ripped it up, though Johannes told me it was her boyfriend. I asked about her boyfriend... and I asked her if he liked me and she changed the subject saying, "I like you."
I said, “I know you do, Tenele, but what about him?” and she just shook her head…and later tried to deny she had a boyfriend.
It's getting more and more scary trying to help this girl. It's getting more and more difficult and it hurts every time she denies my help. I asked her straight up that day if she wanted my help and she gave me a heartfelt, “yes.”
So, I said, “How? How Tenele? How can I help you?”
She replied with her eyes down, “I don't know..."
She honestly wants my help, I can see it, but then again she doesn’t know how much help; she doesn’t know what she really wants. I think she also might be doing this to try to protect me, especially after the torn pictures.
This is so much more than I can handle; but that’s the beauty of having strength come from Someone else. Though sometimes I am scared or tired or frustrated or broken, I won’t stop loving her or pursuing her. I can't. It's not my love to say whether or not she gets it...it's the Lord's. Though the path is sometimes lonely and full of burdens—and by far the most challenging path I’ve taken in my life—yet through it all God's grace and love is written all over it. His goodness and the protection is already set over me. While this is the most challenging path I’ve taken in my life, it is also the most I have seen of God's work, and it's incredible to be a part of it.
After all, there are no such things as torn up pieces that God Himself can’t put back together.
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