Monday, 11 September 2017
Tuesday, 1 August 2017
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.
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.
Sunday, 2 July 2017
God Keep Our Land - Happy 150th Canada!
Happy 150th Canada!
A great day celerbating a beautiful nation from South Africa.
Friday, 30 June 2017
Finn's First Big Adventure
Today we made the two-and-a-half-hour journey towards to Swaziland border to visit the Community of Sthobela. Tommy was sharing at Community Prayer, and the whole family tagged along. It was Finn’s first time in the community, and he was very popular with the kids and Gogos. He had many kisses and cuddles! We had the opportunity to take him on a Holy Home visit in the afternoon. My heart was full with joy watching Finn in the community, here are just a few pictures from our day.
Update to follow about what the last few weeks have held for us.
-M
Update to follow about what the last few weeks have held for us.
-M
Monday, 22 May 2017
Our Little Man
It's been 6 weeks since our little man entered the world! It’s been a challenging but beautiful few weeks, beginning to figure out what it means to be parents to this amazing little human. Trying to create a loving, safe and nurturing environment for this little life to grow and flourish.
Despite some initial struggles with feeding and Finn not gaining weight, we are back on track and he is doing well! Tommy had three weeks’ paternity leave and we were grateful for that time to bond as a family. Papa and Gigi (my mom and dad) were here for 5 weeks, it was special to have them around during the first few weeks and they were a massive support to us.
Life is settling into a bit of a routine now. I am home with Finn until the end of July. In between feeding and diaper changing I have been reading different blogs and listen to podcasts. Wanting to learn and hear from others about their experiences with motherhood.
Recently I came across a post on website called The Fresh Exchange, talking about the journey of motherhood “ I thought in some way this whole journey would be about keeping my old self in tack. The misconception that the old self was the one that I would want to keep. For a while I did. I wanted to retain the parts of me that I didn’t realize were incredibly selfish. I wanted to hold on to the girl who saw the world as solely her’s to do with as she wished. I wanted to retain the girl (yes I say girl) who THOUGHT she knew what she wanted. Silly me.”
Although this journey for me is just beginning, I see a lot of myself in those words. Before having Finn, and even as I write this now, I wrestle with not losing myself in becoming a mother, some days I want to cling to that girl in me because she is familiar and comfortable and I know how to navigate her world. How do I balance being a wife and mother, with our calling to serve the most vulnerable? How do I not lose that passion and deep conviction through the sleep deprivation and endless loads of laundry? … The truth is I don’t know, but I do know that I am committed to embracing the journey. I am thankful for a God who will grant me grace and a community and family who loves and supports us.
Despite some initial struggles with feeding and Finn not gaining weight, we are back on track and he is doing well! Tommy had three weeks’ paternity leave and we were grateful for that time to bond as a family. Papa and Gigi (my mom and dad) were here for 5 weeks, it was special to have them around during the first few weeks and they were a massive support to us.
Life is settling into a bit of a routine now. I am home with Finn until the end of July. In between feeding and diaper changing I have been reading different blogs and listen to podcasts. Wanting to learn and hear from others about their experiences with motherhood.
Recently I came across a post on website called The Fresh Exchange, talking about the journey of motherhood “ I thought in some way this whole journey would be about keeping my old self in tack. The misconception that the old self was the one that I would want to keep. For a while I did. I wanted to retain the parts of me that I didn’t realize were incredibly selfish. I wanted to hold on to the girl who saw the world as solely her’s to do with as she wished. I wanted to retain the girl (yes I say girl) who THOUGHT she knew what she wanted. Silly me.”
Although this journey for me is just beginning, I see a lot of myself in those words. Before having Finn, and even as I write this now, I wrestle with not losing myself in becoming a mother, some days I want to cling to that girl in me because she is familiar and comfortable and I know how to navigate her world. How do I balance being a wife and mother, with our calling to serve the most vulnerable? How do I not lose that passion and deep conviction through the sleep deprivation and endless loads of laundry? … The truth is I don’t know, but I do know that I am committed to embracing the journey. I am thankful for a God who will grant me grace and a community and family who loves and supports us.
Thursday, 20 April 2017
Back to Nigeria
It is always a blessing and a privilege to be asked to spend time in Nigeria. Many people at Hands are hesitant to visit because of the environment and hectic nature of Lagos and the communities we work in. But for me, it really does have a special place in my heart, so when I was asked to go again I jumped at the chance (even with a 34 week pregnant wife). Some people thought it was a bit unwise to be travelling so close to the due date but I had faith that this was all part of God’s plan
It was a much shorter trip than usual (only about 9 days) because the visa was delayed and obviously I had a time commitment to keep, so had to be back for a specific date. My primary focus of this trip was to help the financial management and ensuring our bookkeeper (Vivian) was functioning well in her role. A highlight of my trip was actually to see just how well she was doing. It is often so difficult to asses from thousands of miles away just how well things are going. I was so impressed with how she was doing her work and encouraging others to also stay strong in the procedures we laid out.
Of course, another highlight was getting out into our communities. As I said before, our Nigeria communities are some of the ones where poverty hits you right in the face as soon as you step foot in them. But for me, this emphasises and confirms that we are in the right communities. Communities where no-one else wants be because they are seen as the least or not worthy of being cared for.
I spent most of my time in a community called Temitope, which means ‘worthy of gratitude and thanks.’ This is so apt for this community, where many of the kids we meet do not feel that worthiness. Our local Care Workers are breaking the mold in this community by showing that sense of self-worth to our kids. This specific Care Point is focused on the younger kids (pre-school age) and caring and preparing them for them to move to Eagles Wings, our other Care Point and fully functioning community school. It is still a very new Care Point, having only started caring for children in February, but there is huge potential.
Often when we do home visits in our communities, we visit those who are not currently part of the group of kids we are supporting. The reason for this is to be continually assessing the children in our community. Ensuring those who we are serving are the most vulnerable when looking at the circumstances of others. Things are often changing and sometimes children are taken in by other family members who do not live in the same community, sometimes they move away - just a few of many reason why a space may open up for a new child to be cared for. During my couple of days in Temitope, I went on one such home visit. I had the opportunity to visit the home of a young boy named Diola. He is 6 years old and lives with his mother, brother and sister. None of the kids have ever been to school. His mother tries to earn money by walking the local market and offering to carry people’s food they have purchased. She only gets 50 Naira (0.15 USD) per load for doing this and most people usually opt to use wheelbarrows to transport their food anyway. When we visited their home, there was very little in the wooden shack which was built on rubbish. It was very humid and it was even tougher when I thought about the four of them sleeping on the wooden floor in this heat at night with no lock on their door. Often Diola and his siblings wander the community looking for food because their mother will not have earned enough that day to get her family through the day let alone week. It is a story all too familiar in Nigeria and is why this community is exactly the place we need to be especially as we learn more and more about the stories of those who live here.
Please pray for Diola and his brother and sister. Pray that the mother will be able to find more work. Pray for this family as they continue to place their trust in God’s provision for them. Pray for our SC team in Nigeria as they have the difficult task of discerning the most vulnerable kids in a already very vulnerable community.
Since going to Nigeria, lots has changed in our little family. More about that in another post
-T
It was a much shorter trip than usual (only about 9 days) because the visa was delayed and obviously I had a time commitment to keep, so had to be back for a specific date. My primary focus of this trip was to help the financial management and ensuring our bookkeeper (Vivian) was functioning well in her role. A highlight of my trip was actually to see just how well she was doing. It is often so difficult to asses from thousands of miles away just how well things are going. I was so impressed with how she was doing her work and encouraging others to also stay strong in the procedures we laid out.
Of course, another highlight was getting out into our communities. As I said before, our Nigeria communities are some of the ones where poverty hits you right in the face as soon as you step foot in them. But for me, this emphasises and confirms that we are in the right communities. Communities where no-one else wants be because they are seen as the least or not worthy of being cared for.
I spent most of my time in a community called Temitope, which means ‘worthy of gratitude and thanks.’ This is so apt for this community, where many of the kids we meet do not feel that worthiness. Our local Care Workers are breaking the mold in this community by showing that sense of self-worth to our kids. This specific Care Point is focused on the younger kids (pre-school age) and caring and preparing them for them to move to Eagles Wings, our other Care Point and fully functioning community school. It is still a very new Care Point, having only started caring for children in February, but there is huge potential.
Often when we do home visits in our communities, we visit those who are not currently part of the group of kids we are supporting. The reason for this is to be continually assessing the children in our community. Ensuring those who we are serving are the most vulnerable when looking at the circumstances of others. Things are often changing and sometimes children are taken in by other family members who do not live in the same community, sometimes they move away - just a few of many reason why a space may open up for a new child to be cared for. During my couple of days in Temitope, I went on one such home visit. I had the opportunity to visit the home of a young boy named Diola. He is 6 years old and lives with his mother, brother and sister. None of the kids have ever been to school. His mother tries to earn money by walking the local market and offering to carry people’s food they have purchased. She only gets 50 Naira (0.15 USD) per load for doing this and most people usually opt to use wheelbarrows to transport their food anyway. When we visited their home, there was very little in the wooden shack which was built on rubbish. It was very humid and it was even tougher when I thought about the four of them sleeping on the wooden floor in this heat at night with no lock on their door. Often Diola and his siblings wander the community looking for food because their mother will not have earned enough that day to get her family through the day let alone week. It is a story all too familiar in Nigeria and is why this community is exactly the place we need to be especially as we learn more and more about the stories of those who live here.
Please pray for Diola and his brother and sister. Pray that the mother will be able to find more work. Pray for this family as they continue to place their trust in God’s provision for them. Pray for our SC team in Nigeria as they have the difficult task of discerning the most vulnerable kids in a already very vulnerable community.
Since going to Nigeria, lots has changed in our little family. More about that in another post
-T
Thursday, 2 March 2017
40 Days of Prayer
Join Us
March 1 - April 16
IN 40 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR AFRICA'S VULNERABLE CHILDREN & HANDS AT WORK
Join the Hands at Work family around the world as we pray for 40 Days on behalf of the most vulnerable children in Africa and our work to support them. As the body of Christ, we commit to coming together to intercede and to bring hope to the hopeless. Invite your church, friends and family to participate too!
Prayer Guide
Download our Prayer Guide + Child’s Activity Book
Prayer Points via WhatsApp
You can also sign up for our Daily Prayer Points via WhatsApp
This year we are excited to share prayer points with you daily via WhatsApp. From March 1st to April 16th you can receive the 40 Days of Prayer prayer point directly to your mobile device.
How Do I Join?
1) Add +27 72 4505562 to your phone’s contacts
2) Send '#40Days2017' and the country you live in via WhatsApp to us on the above number.
3) We will add you to our prayer list and send you prayer points daily from March 1 – April 16th.
(Please note this is a WhatsApp blast and not a group, you will not be able to communicate with other receiving prayer points)
At anytime if you wish to unsubscribe message “STOP” via WhatApp to the above number.
Thank you for praying with us!
----------
Morgan and her team had the opportunity to spend some time in Swaziland a few weeks back in preparation for 40 Days of Prayer.
Meet Thandeka, she represents one of thousands of children being cared for by volunteer Care Workers across the communities Hands at Work supports.
March 1 - April 16
IN 40 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR AFRICA'S VULNERABLE CHILDREN & HANDS AT WORK
Join the Hands at Work family around the world as we pray for 40 Days on behalf of the most vulnerable children in Africa and our work to support them. As the body of Christ, we commit to coming together to intercede and to bring hope to the hopeless. Invite your church, friends and family to participate too!
Prayer Guide
Download our Prayer Guide + Child’s Activity Book
Prayer Points via WhatsApp
You can also sign up for our Daily Prayer Points via WhatsApp
This year we are excited to share prayer points with you daily via WhatsApp. From March 1st to April 16th you can receive the 40 Days of Prayer prayer point directly to your mobile device.
How Do I Join?
1) Add +27 72 4505562 to your phone’s contacts
2) Send '#40Days2017' and the country you live in via WhatsApp to us on the above number.
3) We will add you to our prayer list and send you prayer points daily from March 1 – April 16th.
(Please note this is a WhatsApp blast and not a group, you will not be able to communicate with other receiving prayer points)
At anytime if you wish to unsubscribe message “STOP” via WhatApp to the above number.
Thank you for praying with us!
----------
Morgan and her team had the opportunity to spend some time in Swaziland a few weeks back in preparation for 40 Days of Prayer.
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