Joys and Sorrows

What an amazing couple of days we have had in Ntshongweni. So many emotions tugging at my skirt hem.  Yesterday's "walking with Pastor" brought us to the home of the Gumede boys.

Visiting these three brothers who have been without parents for several years makes my heart so happy.  Their home is immaculate - the beds made to military standards, floor clean and dinner on the hot plate (and no, they didn't know we were coming).  Outside the garden flourishes and plants grow landscape-style up against the house; the oldest brother is making his own concrete blocks so he can build a separate room apart from his brothers.

Then a sad dose of reality.  Pastor and the boys discuss the challenges of acquiring ID cards.
Without ID cards they cannot obtain postsecondary education or hold a job, among other things.  Forget that they don't have birth certificates, they don't even know their own birthdays!  They seem fairly sure about the years that they were born, but have no clue about a date.  Without ID cards, these wonderful young men with so much to offer don't even exist as far as the government is concerned.








Today was food delivery day and more "walking with Pastor".   There is so much joy in an old Baba who is moved to tears by the gift of flour, sugar, cornmeal, rice and a few other staples - and so much sorrow in the stories that are drawn on his face.  And his story is repeated over and over, not always the same, but everyone has a story.









It was so joyful today to see a smiling and laughing Gogo Busisiwe who just a few months ago had nothing but sorrow to share.  Perhaps the arrival of monthly food provisions has lifted enough of her burden that she is free to laugh again.  But sadly again, the lack of documentation provides another stumbling block to the ID process for one of the many girls in her care, Sindisiwe.  At least in this instance, Sindisiwe has a birth certificate.  However there are other hurdles - Pastor Thwala will assist on her behalf as well.



Alas, the Lord has done great things for these beautiful souls and "those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting."  (Psalm 126:5).  The story isn't over yet...