We Give and Take Away: Day Four (May 16, 2014)
First, we gave. On the hottest day yet, the whole team trotted down the dusty, dirt road to Mage Shongwe’s homestead. Four of her children are Mkhombokati regulars. They live in a round home made of mud and sticks with a thatched roof that is sinking in on itself. Because of the generosity of the Capital community, she is getting a new home and today it was time to sort the precious cinder blocks that will become beautiful, solid walls. Our job was simple -- move them to where they were needed to go. What takes one Swazi to do, takes fourteen Americans so we fell in line, gritted our teeth, set our dial on life to pause and passed those blocks on down.
We gave some muscle. (No major injuries sustained.)
In the early afternoon, I sat perched in the back of a pickup truck heading down a bumpy road to Make Simelane’s homestead. Again, because of your investment, her home is getting some much needed plaster and roof repairs.
You gave your resources.
Our VBS was held outside today – under that blazing African sun. Some songs, smiles and scripture.
We gave the Word.
And then, it was give-away day! Our philosophy is not to bring too much “stuff” to the kids, but we did bring a few things for each child. In a trick-or-treat style, the kids got a bag and filled it with shoes, a lunch box, water bottle, hygiene kit, hat, school kit, flashlight, mirror and “new” outfit. Quite the process for 200 kids, but in an hour it was done. What joy!
We gave things.
We then drove off into yet another impossibly gold, blue, purple, pink sunset setting fire to the sky.
We took away moments and memories.
Like when that shy little guy finally gave up a smile. When the child you were waiting to meet finally walked through that gate. When that little girl reached her arms up pleading to be hugged, loved and carried. When you made that sassy teenager laugh. When you saw an endless line of children excitedly waiting like it was Christmas morning to receive a small bag of basic necessities. When you see a child write that they are thankful for food, for school, for God. We took away the things money can’t buy – and experienced the simple and perfect beauty of building something not only for someone, but for the kingdom of God.
Tara R
We gave some muscle. (No major injuries sustained.)In the early afternoon, I sat perched in the back of a pickup truck heading down a bumpy road to Make Simelane’s homestead. Again, because of your investment, her home is getting some much needed plaster and roof repairs.
You gave your resources.
Our VBS was held outside today – under that blazing African sun. Some songs, smiles and scripture.
We gave the Word.
And then, it was give-away day! Our philosophy is not to bring too much “stuff” to the kids, but we did bring a few things for each child. In a trick-or-treat style, the kids got a bag and filled it with shoes, a lunch box, water bottle, hygiene kit, hat, school kit, flashlight, mirror and “new” outfit. Quite the process for 200 kids, but in an hour it was done. What joy!
We gave things. We then drove off into yet another impossibly gold, blue, purple, pink sunset setting fire to the sky.
We took away moments and memories.
Like when that shy little guy finally gave up a smile. When the child you were waiting to meet finally walked through that gate. When that little girl reached her arms up pleading to be hugged, loved and carried. When you made that sassy teenager laugh. When you saw an endless line of children excitedly waiting like it was Christmas morning to receive a small bag of basic necessities. When you see a child write that they are thankful for food, for school, for God. We took away the things money can’t buy – and experienced the simple and perfect beauty of building something not only for someone, but for the kingdom of God.
Tara R
