Izulu orphan party

Have you ever been in the situtation where you feel truly honored to just be there to witness and see?

Well, that is what the izulu orphan christmas party was like. I was overwhelmed...it seemed almost surreal that all these little children were orphaned, and that this was the most exciting day of the year where they would receive a present each, something to eat and drink and to have some fun with balloons and face painting.

There was close to a thousand children with their go-gos (care takers) there (each day, as this was on both a saturday and a sunday)...waiting their turn to be escorted to get their gifts and to ensure they are registered and their school results recorded.

There were songs being sung in Zulu. We had a grand time, jumping and clapping with the kids and seeing the smiles on their faces and taking some beautiful pictures of them.

They were so fascinated to see the pictures of themsleves after you had taken them of them. I am still at a loss of what to say. To express what an honor it has been to even meet them. To say thank you for still striving each day to live life to the fullest. I pray so much that they will get the support they need to live a good life. To get an education. If one of these children does not have a uniform, they don't get to go to school. They don't have so many of the privileges that we have in North America.

Some of them have over 12 children in one small place where they live together with their go-go.

When i was there, I was exhausted with very little sleep, and volunteering the whole day (on both days)...but I wouldn't have wanted to be any other place...because it really makes you realize how important human life is and that we shouldn't take it for granted.

Please take a moment and say a prayer for them. And in some small way...if you can make a difference in someone's life take that time to reach out. Say hello. Donate. Just do something that will make a difference and brighten up their day.

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True Heroes - The lovely staff of ikhaya

After meeting with the wonderful staff of Ikhaya (Tholie, Patience, Happy, Thembi, Glory), it made me think truly of who those heroes we have in our lives. These women are exactly that...ones with servant hearts to work with the orphans at Ikhaya, and are my heroes.

They may not know it, but they are so very special and do amazing work with the children. At the staff party that Wendy, Janet and Debbie arranged...it was so heart warming when they broke out in song and sang "Thank you Jesus"

Their voices came from deep within their hearts...lilting in the air with such sweetness, humbleness and beauty. It was such a moving moment...and I was so honored to be there to witness it. Their gratefulness for a simple Christmas staff lunch. For their smiles. For their gentleness and humbleness.

I was so honored to be at their table and to serve in some small way. To see the glory of God through these amazing women. May God increase His love in them bountifully.

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A darling boy

What a lovley and sweet boy. I couldn't resist but to take a picture of him as he was fascinated with what was on the little tv showing winnie the pooh and tigger.

He truly is a gift from God. He has his moments when his face can be lit with such joy, but then there are moments when he doesn't realize that anyone is watching and his face is filled with such sadness and sorrow. It makes my heart ache, because a little boy only the age of 3 years old should not have to feel that pain and sadness.

I feel so blessed to be in his presence and to go seek new adventures with him hand in hand. Sometimes he throws his little tantrums when he wants a sweetie...but it makes it all the more precious because he is just a little boy, like any other normal little kid...and he has a chance at new life which i'm so thankful for.

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Church Family Day filled with so much fun

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Today was a sunny and fun filled day..the kids loved it! (young and old alike!!) There is so much love in this church. Everyone is warm and friendly. The day started off with the little kids climbing on top of Anne and I on the trampoline....but then we got them dressed in their swimming costumes. there was a water slide that they were tentative at first but then went full speed ahead on their little bums down the slide. and yes....ahem we did join in on the fun and got very wet in the process.... there even was a photo session which u can see above with the gang....so much fun!! there was a braai ..yum!! then of course folks headed off to watch the rugby game and u could here the cheers when they had a good play. awesome memories!!!

Trampoline time with Jabu!

Had a blast on the trampoline with Jabu!

Boy did she ever get me to work out my abs lifting our legs up and down. Thankfully we decided to rest and look at the sky and take a little break when we took this picture together!

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The children's nativity play to find the true meaning of christmas

We went nearby to watch the local children's school nativity play.


They went through all the children's stories:
Goldilocks
Snow white and the seven dwarfs
Cinderella
Three little pigs
Little red riding good
Santa and his reindeer
Itsy bitsy spider

They kept searching and searching to look into their hearts to find the Christmas story

They sang a song: Christmas is the time for love.

And then they went through the nativity play with the angels and wise men offering gifts to the baby Jesus.

Then they sang silent night....with baby Jesus.

They finally found the Christmas story!!!!

Merry Christmas to all!

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Unless you become like a child, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven

The first time I really heard God speak to me was with the verse: Luke 18:16.

I was being stubborn and sitting in my university chapel where I told God that I refused to leave until He spoke to me. He spoke to other people...or so they told me...:).... and thus I decided that God loved me just as much and so He should also speak to me.

So I sat my little bum down in front of the alter in St. Jeromes and waited. And just closed my eyes and said Im not leaving until you speak to me.

Well - what happened when i closed my eyes was that i saw words in my mind's eye...that were floating into my ear: Luke 18:16.

I had no idea what verse that was and so i looked it up in the bible sitting next to me:

Unless you become like a child, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

And so I start today's blog with this, because it is so apparent during me first 3 days here at iKhaya that God is teaching me again....

What it is like to be a child again and to love like a child.

I see this love everywhere.

I see it in Wendy

I see it in the staff

I see it in the volunteers

And so much so in the orphans that are so sweet and little darlings.

I didn't realize that I had forgotten what that purity and innocent love felt like until I arrived here. There was a rowdy bunch of lovely people who welcomed me with wide smiles and even bigger hugs and their love just flowed. I thought to myself...WOW. There is nothing to worry about here...this is going to an amazing experience.

So here I am in iKhaya LikaBaba....staying in the little volunteer house filled with young adults ranging from 18-22 years old... and wow, i had forgotten how awesome it is to be around light hearted young adults just starting out and have so much passion and love in their hearts.

It reminded me of how overly bubbly and happy I was all the time when I was back in university

Then there are the beautiful children...that truly...when they take a hold of your hand and start walking with you...or ask you to play or pick them up....you think to yourself...How beautiful are these children.

It tears a little bit at your heart to think that anyone could abandon them. And you think to yourself...why is it a that I have been so blessed, yet these children were left alone with no one and nothing.

I'm so thankful and honored to even be here and see how hard everyone works here. From the staff, to Wendy to the volunteers that are here from international places, to the local volunteers who come in multiple times a week out of their busy schedule to help out.

There is so much paper work in order to get the children properly registered and court hearings. There is so much behind the scenes that you never really realize goes on when you sit on the other side of the world.

I am truly blessed to be apart of this experience and to have this opportunity.

It opens your eyes. It makes you realize that there is so much more out there than what we are used to in our usual routine. Especially when you come from a culture where you are taught to live to work your life away instead of just enjoying the small things.