Hi there!
Finally, a blog! I won’t go into the details of how challenging it was to finally post this but here it is! 🙂
My last blog was when we were leaving Swaziland and my blind friend Timbalayhe and headed to Durban for a homeless ministry. Here is the recap:
Durban was amazing and wonderful! We worked at a base in Tongaat, a place in the middle of seemingly nowhere, about 30 minutes from Durban and the Indian Ocean.
The name of the organization is Missions Ablaze and they are about 20 people strong working to feed the poor and give a good home to orphans.
Everyday we would unload a truck full of food that local grocery stores didn’t want anymore, stock it up in their storage area and the next day deliver it to the homeless around the city. The beautiful Indian women made soup and we had thousands of loaves of bread to hand out. When we delivered the food we sat on the dirty floor of “miracle” vans (a miracle that they still ran.) and had the amazing opportunity to minister to the homeless. They stood in lines and happily received the food. Most smiled others grumbled. I remember one man who had a half of a two liter bottle that he wanted us to rinse out before we filled it with soup. It reeked of gasoline!!! (Apparently not used for his nonexistent vehicle…) We exchanged it for a clean container. It is so interesting how people think so differently.
Another goal for the visit was to make bunk beds for the orphans. Among the 3 of us, (others worked on painting at the orphanage) we trimmed, sanded and re-sanded, sawed, drilled, glued, varnished, lifted and shifted 50 beds! It was an amazing sense of accomplishment. But even greater was to listen to God speak to my heart as I worked with my hands. I felt His Love there. He told me to Love people wholeheartedly as I have been Loved, show others Grace with Joy and Serve, Serve, Serve! I found so much peace and strength in focusing on these truths. It encouraged me to give unconditionally to others. Especially those on the base and those who are not so lovable.
Because of this, I formed some deep and loving friendships! Every day they would amaze me with new selfless acts of kindness as I also put their needs before mine. It was a beautiful exchange and a great lesson to me to be the first to step out and give love instead of waiting to receive it first. It is a much better return on investment!!!
The day we left they poured out their hearts to us of how they were blessed by our service and kindness. With tears and in hopes of seeing each other again, we said, “Good bye”. Part of my heart will always be with them.
Average Day:
6:30 am Prayer and devotions with the crew
7:00 am Breakfast of oatmeal and possibly yogurt
8:00 am Work on Beds
10:00 am Tea Time! (My new favorite tradition!!!)
10:30 am Back to work on beds OR go out and feed the poor.
12 noon Lunch. – The biggest meal of the day and so tasty. A lot of lamb, rice, salad, potatoes.
1-5 Work/ Feeding
5:00 Dinner – Bread only
5:30 Unload the truck full of food
7ish Team meeting
Overall a fulfilling time in Durban!
