Posted by Heather Yourex:
Under a still, black, perfect sheet of stars... Next to a pretty little African farmhouse... I went, tonight to a South African braai (pronounced bry- like cry) good bye.
(A braai is a South African BBQ)
You know... People can really be amazing. The people I've met here... To say they are inspiring doesn't quite do them justice. Tonight's braai was a going away party for Dan.
Dan is a 24 year old Calgarian who at the moment resembles that guy from "into the wild". His red hair continues down his face into a bushy 6 month grown beard and mustache... He jokingly strokes when someone says something worth pondering. It takes about 10 seconds to decide you like Dan, and about 3 minutes of watching him interact with one of the local kids or a student in his forward education program to be inspired. Dan - like many of the hands staff (all of which are volunteers) walked away from the comfy Calgary life a year ago to "serve" here in Africa. Its easy to see his impact has been profound.
Guys... Its hard to describe. We owe a lot to the people here - like Dan. I'm filled up with so much energy and gratitude. Its this raw, potent "kindness" these people dish out... Kindness that is so much more infectious than any virus.
This is what its about.
If I get nothing else from my time here in Africa...I will have the incredible understanding that these people walk among us. Quiet heroes that radiate all kinds of awesome.
There are no words for how happy I am to be right here...right now.
When you see what we are truly capable of...this world is truly lovely and amazing.
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Our African Adventure
On June 5th, our team left for South Africa.
We're taking part in a short term mission through Westside Kings Church to help Hands at Work with its projects in Cork.
We're taking part in a short term mission through Westside Kings Church to help Hands at Work with its projects in Cork.
Cork is a community of about 40,000. It's home to an unnumbered community of Mozambique refugees who arrived 20 years ago to escape the war. Most arrived on foot, walking for days through the nearby Kruger National Park.
In the early days, the refugees were supported by international aid agencies providing food, medication and shelter but the support came to an end after 5 years.
In the early days, the refugees were supported by international aid agencies providing food, medication and shelter but the support came to an end after 5 years.
A few years ago another Westside Kings Church team discovered Cork and found a community that was sick. Young people were dying of AIDS. Older people were dying of hunger.
It was also a community without hope, with many feeling powerless to change their situation. Without identity cards, the people of Cork cannot return to a now peaceful Mozambique, neither can they work here in South Africa legally. They have no rights and suffer appalling prejudice.
And as with much of Africa, children are losing their parents to AIDS and are left to raise themselves. The difference being that these forgotten ones have no government to support them.
It was also a community without hope, with many feeling powerless to change their situation. Without identity cards, the people of Cork cannot return to a now peaceful Mozambique, neither can they work here in South Africa legally. They have no rights and suffer appalling prejudice.
And as with much of Africa, children are losing their parents to AIDS and are left to raise themselves. The difference being that these forgotten ones have no government to support them.
Meet the Team
South Africa
Cork
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