Saturday, December 27, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Meet Arthur
This is my friend, Arthur. Arthur is a patient at Living Hope’s health care center. He was admitted about two months ago with cancer. Upon his arrival, Arthur completed his first round of radiation. Just recently, however, he found out that treatment will not be continued as the cancer has spread too far into his body and is incurable.Although this begins as a sad story, there is hope in Arthur’s life. I received Arthur’s permission to share his story with you, as it is one of forgiveness and restoration …
Arthur’s pastor pays regular visits to the health care center to visit him. Against Arthur’s wishes, his pastor contacted his long lost family members to inform them of Arthur’s state. Arthur has an ex-wife and a daughter, whom he hasn’t seen in over 32 years. Arthur was married for approximately three years and had a baby girl, named Wendy. When Wendy was two years old Arthur left his family to live a life on the streets. Arthur’s life was consumed with drugs and alcohol. He spent his time in and out of various shelters, having absolutely no contact with his daughter.
To Arthur’s utter surprise, Wendy contacted Living Hope after hearing news about her father. Once Living Hope confirmed Arthur was a patient, she sent him an email - the first communication in over 32 years!
I sat with Arthur on the porch of Living Hope and listened as he tried to process everything that was going on. “I can’t believe this is happening after all of this time”, “I wonder what her life has been like”, “What do I say back to her?”. After hours upon hours of thinking, the only thing that Arthur could come up with was to start off his letter by saying, “There is not enough paper in the world for me to write how I feel.”
Arthur told me how he thought about his baby girl everyday for the past three decades. He just couldn’t find it in himself to contact her. What would she want to do with a man who left his own child? Wendy, however, had been trying to locate Arthur for years. Who was her father? What was he like? Was she like him?
Wendy’s initial email began a slew of correspondence between the two; with regular emails, letters and phone calls. Arthur has shared his letters with me as he proudly shows off the pictures of his beautiful daughter and granddaughter. He lights up when Wendy’s name is mentioned and he can’t wait to brag about the new happenings that are going on in her life. She is a school teacher, a published author, a mother and a wife. What I find most fascinating is that Wendy has no resentment towards Arthur. She had a blessed upbringing with a father who legally adopted her through marriage to her mother. Wendy has forgiven Arthur… and that is pretty powerful!
There is one thing, however, that Wendy asked Arthur to do for her. She sent him a blank birthday card and asked him to sign it and send it back to her on her birthday, acknowledging her life. He sent it back after sketching a few doodles and expressing her worth to him.
Being a part of this reunion was incredible. Here is a woman who has shown the most amazing example of forgiveness. Here is a man who has received a second chance at having a family. I pray for restoration to continue in Arthur’s live and that he finds peace, joy and abundant love in his last days here on earth.
Monday, November 24, 2008
DC4K - Comes to an end
Last Monday, November 17th, was our final get together with the DC4K team. I joined the three other leaders (pictured below) in hosting a "good-bye" celebration for the children and their parents. During the evening, we showcased a typical DC4K class. It looks a bit like this:
- Intro/Open discussion
- Exercise
- Exercise
- Game
- Intro to weekly topic (i.e. expressing feelings, family dynamics, etc.)
- "Kids Like Me" DVD
- Small group activities/Snack time
- Bible study
- Small group activities/Snack time
- Bible study
- Ending prayer
I've volunteered with DC4K for the past 14 weeks. DC4K is an amazing outreach that I think should be implemented in our local churches. In fact, I plan on discussing the curriculum with my home church as soon I return stateside. The class provides an outlet for the children to discuss personal issues in a safe, comfortable setting. They can connect with other kids their age who are going through similar experiences. DC4K also gives the parents an avenue to talk to their children about divorce and specific issues relating to their family.
I've volunteered with DC4K for the past 14 weeks. DC4K is an amazing outreach that I think should be implemented in our local churches. In fact, I plan on discussing the curriculum with my home church as soon I return stateside. The class provides an outlet for the children to discuss personal issues in a safe, comfortable setting. They can connect with other kids their age who are going through similar experiences. DC4K also gives the parents an avenue to talk to their children about divorce and specific issues relating to their family.
It's been a privilege teaching these precious babes and to see them blossom in their spiritual walk. I too, have learned many valuable lessons while participating in this course; both dealing with my own family hurts, as well as learning more about the art of teaching. What a fabulous experience DC4K has been. God is good!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Painful Realities
Some people say that missionaries experience heightened emotions while they are abroad. I think this was true for me when I first arrived in South Africa. However, as culture shock wore off and I settled in to a daily routine, my extreme highs and lows started to balance out a bit.
Today, however, is another story. It is a little past lunch time and I've already seen and heard things beyond my comprehension. My emotions have been rattled, to say the least. I began the morning at Living Hope's health care center, visiting patients. I usually spend my time in the males' ward (they tend to be more talkative than the females). I joined five men in the sun room (although all but two of the men were sleeping). I engaged in a very interesting conversation with a fellow that I will call "Will". He is in his mid-30s and is affected with AIDS and Tuberculosis. Although I know that the majority of the patients are HIV and AIDS stricken, I rarely have open and graphic conversations regarding their status with them (it can be a taboo and sensitive subject to some people). But this morning, my conversation with Will became quite intense, very quickly. Will had his left eye removed a few years back. He explained that the TB had spread to his eye so it had to be taken out. He informed me that TB is usually accompanied by HIV/AIDS. In fact, four out of the five guys in the sun room this morning are all infected with HIV/AIDS and TB. You would think this would startle me a bit, being so close to such a fatal disease, but it honestly had little affect on me. I see these patients as nothing else but my friends. Will went on to tell me about the day that he found out he was HIV positive. I asked him what his response was. With little emotion he said that he just accepted it (as though it was no big deal). He explained that he doesn't know how or where he contracted the virus. It could have been from any one of the several women that he slept with. He admitted that he never contacted them to share the news of his positive result (his reasoning? - why bother, it did him no good). He also admitted to having unprotected sex with other women since the knowledge of his status. Will's days are now spent in the health care center, where he has little energy to move from his bed to the sun room chair. He takes a handful of pills each day to fight off the viruses that are attacking his frail body. Although he can be engaging and personable, he has little, if any, hope for his future. This reality is shared amongst many of the patients in the center. I've been here for over 5 months. Since this time there have been many deaths. (48 patients have died in the center over the past year). HIV/AIDS is a harsh and vivid reality here.
My conversation with Will was interrupted as I was invited to join the Wednesday morning staff meeting in the health care center. The Wednesday morning meetings are a highlight of my week, as I join the staff members in sharing prayer requests, concerns over patients, issues in the center, etc. A box of tissues is usually on hand as our discussions can be quite intense. Today I joined eight other colleagues for a debriefing/sharing time. One of the workers (who I am very close to) shared that her son is struggling with drugs. She brought in an instrument that she found in her son's room. She met with a drug counselor this morning, and he confirmed the utensil is used to smoke tic (which is what we call "meth"). This mother was beside herself as she broke down and cried over her child's lifestyle. She was not alone in this painful reality. Two other mothers shared her similar struggle. Out of the eight people in attendance this morning, three were directly affected by their children using drugs. And this is a typical story. Although drugs exist in my community back home, they run rampant here in the townships of Cape Town. Drugs and alcohol hold entire communities in bondage. It is very easy for me to say that The Lord, Jesus Christ, is truly the only answer to hope and a future.
I am now preparing to go to Red Hill, a township that I volunteer in. It is very windy today, with down pouring of rain. I think about all of the people that live in shacks with wooden or tin roofs and mud and plastic flooring. :: Sigh :: Makes you reevaluate things, doesn't it...?
Today, however, is another story. It is a little past lunch time and I've already seen and heard things beyond my comprehension. My emotions have been rattled, to say the least. I began the morning at Living Hope's health care center, visiting patients. I usually spend my time in the males' ward (they tend to be more talkative than the females). I joined five men in the sun room (although all but two of the men were sleeping). I engaged in a very interesting conversation with a fellow that I will call "Will". He is in his mid-30s and is affected with AIDS and Tuberculosis. Although I know that the majority of the patients are HIV and AIDS stricken, I rarely have open and graphic conversations regarding their status with them (it can be a taboo and sensitive subject to some people). But this morning, my conversation with Will became quite intense, very quickly. Will had his left eye removed a few years back. He explained that the TB had spread to his eye so it had to be taken out. He informed me that TB is usually accompanied by HIV/AIDS. In fact, four out of the five guys in the sun room this morning are all infected with HIV/AIDS and TB. You would think this would startle me a bit, being so close to such a fatal disease, but it honestly had little affect on me. I see these patients as nothing else but my friends. Will went on to tell me about the day that he found out he was HIV positive. I asked him what his response was. With little emotion he said that he just accepted it (as though it was no big deal). He explained that he doesn't know how or where he contracted the virus. It could have been from any one of the several women that he slept with. He admitted that he never contacted them to share the news of his positive result (his reasoning? - why bother, it did him no good). He also admitted to having unprotected sex with other women since the knowledge of his status. Will's days are now spent in the health care center, where he has little energy to move from his bed to the sun room chair. He takes a handful of pills each day to fight off the viruses that are attacking his frail body. Although he can be engaging and personable, he has little, if any, hope for his future. This reality is shared amongst many of the patients in the center. I've been here for over 5 months. Since this time there have been many deaths. (48 patients have died in the center over the past year). HIV/AIDS is a harsh and vivid reality here.
My conversation with Will was interrupted as I was invited to join the Wednesday morning staff meeting in the health care center. The Wednesday morning meetings are a highlight of my week, as I join the staff members in sharing prayer requests, concerns over patients, issues in the center, etc. A box of tissues is usually on hand as our discussions can be quite intense. Today I joined eight other colleagues for a debriefing/sharing time. One of the workers (who I am very close to) shared that her son is struggling with drugs. She brought in an instrument that she found in her son's room. She met with a drug counselor this morning, and he confirmed the utensil is used to smoke tic (which is what we call "meth"). This mother was beside herself as she broke down and cried over her child's lifestyle. She was not alone in this painful reality. Two other mothers shared her similar struggle. Out of the eight people in attendance this morning, three were directly affected by their children using drugs. And this is a typical story. Although drugs exist in my community back home, they run rampant here in the townships of Cape Town. Drugs and alcohol hold entire communities in bondage. It is very easy for me to say that The Lord, Jesus Christ, is truly the only answer to hope and a future.
I am now preparing to go to Red Hill, a township that I volunteer in. It is very windy today, with down pouring of rain. I think about all of the people that live in shacks with wooden or tin roofs and mud and plastic flooring. :: Sigh :: Makes you reevaluate things, doesn't it...?
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
"The Eve Project" - Launched
"The Eve Project" has been launched! Just to refresh your memory - "The Eve Project" is an outreach initiative that I've been participating in through Living Hope (refer back to Oct. 5th blog). The aim of the project is to reach out to the young women in our community who regularly miss school due to lack of necessary feminine products. The need for adequate education is paramount to any long-term solution to the issues of poverty and changed behavior (AIDS and HIV are directly proportional to poverty). Therefore, we see an opportunity to reach out to these young women to make a change in their lives in an effort to effect a long-term change in their community.
"The Eve Project" was launched last week. An email announcement, along with a PDF flyer, was sent to several international churches requesting partnership. As a counterpart for our local efforts, volunteers will be delivering The Eve Project's message to schools, organizations and women's groups in the greater Cape Town area. We are asking for donations in kind with the "buy one, donate one" theme. (Buy a pack of tampons for you, donate one to our ministry.)
We are excited about the impact this effort will have in the community. Pray for us that we will be able to use this project as a means to share the gospel and that lives will be changed for eternity.
"The Eve Project" was launched last week. An email announcement, along with a PDF flyer, was sent to several international churches requesting partnership. As a counterpart for our local efforts, volunteers will be delivering The Eve Project's message to schools, organizations and women's groups in the greater Cape Town area. We are asking for donations in kind with the "buy one, donate one" theme. (Buy a pack of tampons for you, donate one to our ministry.)
We are excited about the impact this effort will have in the community. Pray for us that we will be able to use this project as a means to share the gospel and that lives will be changed for eternity.
Visiting Malcolm
Since arriving in June, I've spent a lot of time at Living Hope's health care center (what used to be called a "hospice"). I enjoy helping the staff members with their daily tasks, and visiting with the patients. One patient, named Malcolm, holds a special place in my heart. He has spent several months in the center with an amputated leg. He has had three surgeries. Each operation claims more of his limb as he is brought back to Living Hope to recover.
I've had the privilege of spending several hours getting to know Malcolm. As we shared life stories (his time in the war, living on the streets, the latest books that he's read, etc.) we developed a close friendship. About a month ago, however, Malcolm was released from the health care center and brought to a homeless shelter. It was an emotional day for me when Malcolm left because I was not around to say "good-bye". I tried to make it back to the center in time to give my friend a hug, but we had just missed each other. I cried on the phone as I told Malcolm that I would miss him and that I would try to visit him soon.
Luckily I was able to pay Malcolm a visit this past weekend. Without a way of getting ahold of him, I found directions to where he was staying and just showed up. He was so surprised! I vividly remember the expression on his face. What a wonderful image to imprint in my memory bank. He gladly exclaimed that I was his first visitor... ever!
That was probably the last time that I will see Malcolm. I pray that the Lord protects him and that he finds purpose in each day of his life. I pray for healing and restoration to come into his heart and that he finds peace with the Lord.
Although Malcolm doesn't have a relationship with the Lord, yet. I hold on to the truth that God doesn't wish for any to perish but for all to have His saving grace. I'm delighted that I had the opportunity to show Malcolm a piece of God's love. Even if it was by a simple visit.
How can you share God's love today? Who in your sphere of influence is in need of your attention? your kind words? your prayers?
I've had the privilege of spending several hours getting to know Malcolm. As we shared life stories (his time in the war, living on the streets, the latest books that he's read, etc.) we developed a close friendship. About a month ago, however, Malcolm was released from the health care center and brought to a homeless shelter. It was an emotional day for me when Malcolm left because I was not around to say "good-bye". I tried to make it back to the center in time to give my friend a hug, but we had just missed each other. I cried on the phone as I told Malcolm that I would miss him and that I would try to visit him soon.
Luckily I was able to pay Malcolm a visit this past weekend. Without a way of getting ahold of him, I found directions to where he was staying and just showed up. He was so surprised! I vividly remember the expression on his face. What a wonderful image to imprint in my memory bank. He gladly exclaimed that I was his first visitor... ever!
That was probably the last time that I will see Malcolm. I pray that the Lord protects him and that he finds purpose in each day of his life. I pray for healing and restoration to come into his heart and that he finds peace with the Lord.
Although Malcolm doesn't have a relationship with the Lord, yet. I hold on to the truth that God doesn't wish for any to perish but for all to have His saving grace. I'm delighted that I had the opportunity to show Malcolm a piece of God's love. Even if it was by a simple visit.
How can you share God's love today? Who in your sphere of influence is in need of your attention? your kind words? your prayers?
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Friday - Day O' Service
On Friday afternoons, I join the other individual volunteers in doing service work around the Living Hope communities. The past few weeks we have assisted in painting a new church plant, rebuilding a roof on a shack, and planting a garden. I've enjoyed the time of fellowship as we all come together for a central purpose. It's also great getting down and dirty with our hands (while simultaneously working on the good ol' farmers tan).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)