The Many Sides of Vulnerability

Over the past couple of weeks, as a family we have been blessed to spend time together in the communities we serve in South Africa. It is unusual for me to get to four different communities in one month, most of my time is spent in the office working with our local bookkeepers across Africa. It has been a real highlight for me this month to have lots of time getting to know kids and Care Workers behind the numbers I look at daily.

I have been reminded that vulnerability takes on many different forms.

Some can be very obvious like the Care Worker we met in the hills near Swaziland who had burnt her leg and had to walk over the mountain to get the clinic every other day to get her wound redressed. Other forms of vulnerability can be harder to see like the 17 year old girl in grade 10 who did not have a South African ID so when she completes school, she will not be able to graduate and have a chance to get a job because an ID is needed to write her final exams.

Sometimes, lessening the vulnerable was possible. Like when a plan was made for a young girl to no longer sleep in the same tiny room as all of her older brothers. Others times, it was not as straight forward. Like the man we met in his 30s, who struggled with mental illness and sat alone in the dark because that’s where he felt safe.

Some stories highlight the levels of vulnerability seen across our communities and are not unique to just one family. One of these is a pair of brothers we met last week and both had bad infections. An adult was needed to accompany them to the clinic but their mother refused to take them. Their Care Worker accompanied us as we went to the local clinic with them but the clinic workers at the lab were on strike that day. Now these boys will need to go back again next week to be treated. Transport will need to be organised and an adult will again need to be present. I witnessed the true love and commitment from our local Care Workers as they take responsibility where it is lacking.

It has been re-energising for me to be out so much in our communities. It gives me that boost that is so often needed in the middle of the year to keep pushing. Sometimes I can think I am vulnerable in my own situation but it is when I get the chance to spend time with those who struggle on a much greater level that I reminded why God called me to Africa.

July has been a very busy month. Morgan’s mom, dad, brother and brothers’ girlfriend visited us and joined on many community visits. Also, Finn had his first overnight stay in one of our local offices. We had quality family time together and many special memories were made. One of these was Finn’s baptism which was also attended by many of the Hands family.

Morgan is back at work this week and I am currently hosting one of our visiting teams from the UK.