This morning we received a call from a local YWAM (Youth With A Mission) missionary, Rebecca. She had just acquired about 40 boxes of clothes and was in need of assistance with sorting and distributing it to local orphans. Brienna and Ryan stayed back to work on painting, but Josh, Tim, and I could not pass up the opportunity or the break from the painting job.
Rebecca drove us to a rather large two roomed home owned by Martha. The cheerful, quiet woman lost two children in a car accident several years ago. After the loss Martha went to a local counseling service that helped her so much that she eventually became a counselor. Through volunteering two days a week as a counselor she came to know of many orphaned children in the area in need of assistance (A child is considered an orphan when they have experienced the loss of one parent). Martha started preparing one meal a day and invited about 30 orphans to come to her home as a safe, nurturing place. Martha’s group of children grew to over 80 children that visited her home for help with school work, for a stable environment, and for the nutritious meal. Martha has one biological child, but considers all of the children that come to her home, “her children.”
Once inside the house we went into Martha’s bedroom to find boxes and boxes of clothing and shoes. The children were eagerly awaiting their new clothes and shoes outside of Martha’s house, so we hurriedly opened the boxes and organized sizes. The collection was the best assortment of donated clothing and shoes I have ever seen. Almost all of the shoes were new and there were boxes of wind suits that still had tags. On several occasions during the past few months I have sorted clothing and some of the articles are in horrible condition. So, it was nice to have new things to hand out.
The first group of young girls came into the room timidly and quietly. We handed each one a wind suit, shirt, and then helped them to find new shoes. Their faces lit up and smiles grew as they put on their new digs. Each group responded in a similar manner with joy and thanks. The teen girls complained about the wind suits, “We are all going to match.” But, they loved the high-heeled boots they found, so I think they were content. Almost every child was able to find new shoes that fit, but a number of the smallest children did not receive shoes. Outside everyone was very willing to strike a pose in their new outfits.
As we were cleaning up I found a card, “I hope you like your new shoes. I love you and so does Jesus.” The card was written in crayon and signed by the hand of an elementary aged kid. I thought about the time, money, and volunteers getting the clothing and shoes to South Africa must have required. The goods had arrived on a container from a ship all packaged and marked in boxes. I don’t know what group was behind the donation, but I am thankful they got involved and I know there are about 50 kids that are thankful too. I wish they could have been there today to see the look on the faces of the recipients of their work.
Rebecca gathered the children and told them that the clothes came from people who love Jesus and as a result love them, “Every time you put on your shoes or your pants or your jacket say a little prayer to thank God and ask him to bless the people who gave these things to you.”
Martha and Her Many Children
