Mission Accomplished!

Hi from
South Africa for the last time… Like always, things here have been very busy.  We went up to ‘my village’ (i am very protective over that place and love it so much….it is my favorite place in all of
South Africa) and handed out xhosa bibles, tooth brushes and of course i followed up with some more sick people.  I visited the woman who is dying in her home again.  While i was seeing another family, a lady ran up to the door and said ‘can you come and see my sick friend? When she heard you were here, she began to cry’.  So of course i went up there and spent some time with her.  Her mouth was coved in thrush so i gave her medicine to stop that so she could eat.  I wrapped a scarf around her head and she began to cry again.  So did i. What a shame i can not see her again.  Down the hill the boys found some men ‘plucking’ a porcupine and they gave Joseph some of the quills.  They are very cool. 

 

While we were there, next to the pink shack where we had English classes, there was a three sided shack being built.  The man building it is named ‘wiseman’.  He is a pastor.  As God would have it, pastor Dave and Schaun were both with me and it looks as if now the group coming in October may have a new project.  Yippee, yeah God.  I am so pleased that this community is getting some attention.  Lord, thank you for showing us the ‘other’ side of life and for allowing such freedom to help. 

 

Yesterday…. That’s right, we bungeed off the highest bungee jump in the world.   It was so great.  We were tied at the ankles and we jumped off of a bridge.  It was a little scary at first but then as i hung upside down, i could hear the birds singing down below and i could see the river.  Joseph jumped too (like a champ)  but james was not old enough nor did he weigh enough.  He did the zip line instead.  It looked just as scary.   

 

Well, I don’t want to say it!  Mission Accomplished!  My family on a mission is about to come home.  Mom, is my washing machine fixed??? I hope so.  I have such mixed feelings as i prepare to leave.  I am meeting with all the kids tonight to let them all know how much i love them and what i see special in each of them.  I can’t imagine how it will feel when i see them for the last time not knowing when/if i will see them again.  the girls have all decided to not go to church in the morning and have somehow organized a ride for themselves to see me off at the airport.  I am so happy about that because they wouldn’t have a ride home if i drove…

 

Daniel left today with his dad for
Uganda.  Even as i sit and type this i am expecting him any moment to come in here and ask me ‘where are the keys’ or ‘let’s go get Phumlani from work’.  I miss you Daniel.  Thanks so much for being such an easy person to work with, be around and vent to.  It is quite an experience here (not always easy, in fact frequently difficult), so thanks for making me laugh every day and for allowing me to witness your caring heart.  You are great with the kids here and i know you will have the strength to continue.  So, stay strong and keep in touch.  Don’t forget phumlani’s dr.s appointment and don’t forget to turn the hot water off all the way…oh, wait, that was me…..

 

I have learned a lot here.  A lot about myself, about life, about my children, about people, about separation, about God, but mostly about the human spirit.  I can’t believe how some people can live in a place where the breeze comes through every nail hole, the rain flows across their floors, their families are destroyed by a miserable killer, their cupboards are bare, no running water, no electricity and yet, some how they can still manage a smile, a joke and a helping hand.  We were received in most places with a smile and an outstretched hand.  It has been amazing. 

 

Before i came, i had  visions of going places and taking care of people in their homes and being able to do it most anywhere i wanted to.  But you know how most things aren’t the way you envision it?  Well, this was.  I was a puppet with God working the strings and boy did he put me to work.  But i have loved every person i have treated and i hope one day to come back and do it again. 

 

This has been one of the hardest things i have done.  At the same time it is one of the most rewarding accomplishments as well.  I have learned so much.  Something mama said to me one time when i was thinking of coming home was ‘what God started in you, He will finish’.   How true.  He sure did.   I will take that with me always.  Thanks mama. 

 

Well, goodbye all of you.  Thanks so much for supporting us.  I can not tell you how it has felt to have you all behind us, every step of the way.  Your donations have changed an entire community here (there are plans to continue with the little village in the future), given hope to the kids ( they know their life is what they make it and not controlled by disease) and treated the sick, fed the hungry and so much more.

 

I might blog one more time when i get home just to say thanks again and to let you all know how it feels to start sorting through all that has happened.

 

The boys say hello and can’t wait to see you when they return.

 

We love you all.

 

Thank you and God Bless,

Jennifer, joseph and James