Saturday, April 18, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Wednesday & Thursday
WED. - Luke Commission
Our whole team joined The Luke Commission at one of the local primary schools. This team travels around to rural areas and brings "Compassionate Medicine" to the people there.
First we handed out clothing to the children who don't have enough money to pay school fees or are not yet school-aged. We put shoes on all of those children, they came with none, and clothes on ones who are called double-orphans. They have a few classifications here for children who are orphaned or vulnerable. If they have one parent they are considered a single orphan and if they have lost both their parents to death they are considered a double orphan. That in itself was eye opening.
When the children left the clothing room they were given a book or two with Bible stories in them.
After the clothing distribution our team split up around the school to help out. A few of the services offered were to have their eyes checked and receive glasses for reading or distance. They got their blood pressure, blood sugar and HIV status tested. They did have the option to refuse the HIV test. We only had 5 refuse being tested.
Everyone received vitamins, a prescription worms and also something for pain. This day was an amazing experience of being the hands and feet of Jesus among those in need. Our day started at 9am and ended at 10pm, so with that comes quite a bit of waiting. While we helped the Swazi people wait patiently; we played soccer, showed a movie and served food and punch.
THUR. - Back at work.
Today we went back to the preschool at Fontoge to give more clothes, take pictures and register the preschool children there to be sponsored. We are hoping to have each child sponsored to help provide the basic needs of food, clothing and medical attention. (Stay tuned for updates on how to sponsor a preschooler.)
While one team was at the Fontoge Care Point the other team went to help move a Care Point shelter across a busy highway. This Care Point was built in the past and it turned out that it was not in a safe location. So the people of this community rallied around our helpers and literally chipped away the cement that was there, picked up the whole structure and walked it across the highway. Dedication, for sure.
After lunch we were able to spend quite a bit of time with some of the women and children at the Fontoge preschool while another set of us continued work on one of the homesteads.
This evening before dinner our whole team was able to have a time of encouragement and appreciation with each other. It's amazing how sometimes we plan things and God makes them happen.
After dinner as a team we were able to celebrate Alex and her 18th birthday. Matt arranged a birthday cake for her. We all gave her a "special" gift from our back pack to remember this Africa trip.
Christina was champion and Erin was runner up in our evening festivities. (GO MOMS). Nuff said.
Please continue to pray for us as we are physically tired as well as beginning the process of preparing to say "so long" to these new found friends. Who knows when the Lord will reunite us again.
We are not sure if the blog will be available tomorrow so if not see you in the US.
HOPE RISES 2009
Our whole team joined The Luke Commission at one of the local primary schools. This team travels around to rural areas and brings "Compassionate Medicine" to the people there.
First we handed out clothing to the children who don't have enough money to pay school fees or are not yet school-aged. We put shoes on all of those children, they came with none, and clothes on ones who are called double-orphans. They have a few classifications here for children who are orphaned or vulnerable. If they have one parent they are considered a single orphan and if they have lost both their parents to death they are considered a double orphan. That in itself was eye opening.
When the children left the clothing room they were given a book or two with Bible stories in them.
After the clothing distribution our team split up around the school to help out. A few of the services offered were to have their eyes checked and receive glasses for reading or distance. They got their blood pressure, blood sugar and HIV status tested. They did have the option to refuse the HIV test. We only had 5 refuse being tested.
Everyone received vitamins, a prescription worms and also something for pain. This day was an amazing experience of being the hands and feet of Jesus among those in need. Our day started at 9am and ended at 10pm, so with that comes quite a bit of waiting. While we helped the Swazi people wait patiently; we played soccer, showed a movie and served food and punch.
THUR. - Back at work.
Today we went back to the preschool at Fontoge to give more clothes, take pictures and register the preschool children there to be sponsored. We are hoping to have each child sponsored to help provide the basic needs of food, clothing and medical attention. (Stay tuned for updates on how to sponsor a preschooler.)
While one team was at the Fontoge Care Point the other team went to help move a Care Point shelter across a busy highway. This Care Point was built in the past and it turned out that it was not in a safe location. So the people of this community rallied around our helpers and literally chipped away the cement that was there, picked up the whole structure and walked it across the highway. Dedication, for sure.
After lunch we were able to spend quite a bit of time with some of the women and children at the Fontoge preschool while another set of us continued work on one of the homesteads.
This evening before dinner our whole team was able to have a time of encouragement and appreciation with each other. It's amazing how sometimes we plan things and God makes them happen.
After dinner as a team we were able to celebrate Alex and her 18th birthday. Matt arranged a birthday cake for her. We all gave her a "special" gift from our back pack to remember this Africa trip.
Christina was champion and Erin was runner up in our evening festivities. (GO MOMS). Nuff said.
Please continue to pray for us as we are physically tired as well as beginning the process of preparing to say "so long" to these new found friends. Who knows when the Lord will reunite us again.
We are not sure if the blog will be available tomorrow so if not see you in the US.
HOPE RISES 2009
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