Bck in the Act

Hello again friends and family. I just got home for the night, and I can see on my computer clock that your days are just beginning. I thought now was just as good a time as any to send you an update on life here.

 Justice ACT’s

In the last email I mentioned the Rural Woman’s Day that Justice ACT’s was going to be presenting at. There were supposed to be about 2,000 women there. This event actually got cancelled two days before it was supposed to happen. Apparently there weren’t enough funds at the moment (TIA). Crazy, I know. There is still a possibility, though, that it may happen in the future.

 

Concerning Justice ACT’s and our fight against modern day slavery (human trafficking), I received an email with this warning in it that was sent by the police. This warning was actually sent to many schools in our area and throughout South Africa. Here is a clip:

 

“Please be warned that a group of men are busy kidnapping girls from school. They are particularly targeting schools and young girls aged 9 years and older. This group of men is kidnapping children for the purpose of using them as prostitutes during the 2010 Soccer World Cup…. They are targeting little ones to prepare them for 2010.”

 

Emails like this remind me of why we are doing what we do. The children that we speak to in the schools are some of the most vulnerable and at risk for being trafficked throughout the world. This email gave me even more of a sense of urgency to get into as many schools as possible in order to make them Traffick Proofed. These little ones need us.

 Masiphumelele

Getting back into Masiphumelele has been a joy. The girls Bible Study is going great and growing at the moment. A while back I mentioned a girl, Bongoza, who was in my Bible Study but had to move across town because her mom kicked her out. Well, I was happy to find out when I got back that she is living in Masiphumelele again. I spoke with her yesterday and her living conditions seem to be okay at the moment. I am so relieved to have her back in Masi. I loved having her in Bible Study again on Tuesday. I could tell she was happy to be there as well.

 

I also recently made some new friends in Masi. One of them is a young girl around the age of 24 named Angela. She is very sick with AIDS and is probably one of the worst cases I have seen. She is very brittle and fragile because she has lost so much weight. If I had to guess, I would say she doesn’t weigh more than 70lbs. She is bedridden, but she is so determined to walk again. I have been doing some stretches with her on the days that I visit, as her muscles seem to be shutting down or effected by lack of use. I have to say that seeing her and getting to know her better has had such an effect on me. She is so joyful and pleasant to be around. She never complains and is so happy with anything I do for her, yet death is constantly knocking at her door. I cannot imagine what that feels like. She is such a brave soul. How dare I complain about anything in my life. I know God has grace for me, but I cannot help but be a bit hard on myself. I feel helpless yet so compelled. I am praying and believing for her health to take a turn for the better.

Well there is always so much more, but we would be here all day. I love you guys and I am truly thankful for all of you. And of course I have a recent thankfulness for the health of all of my loved ones. Life is such a gift. AND as always...please feel free to email me and let me know what is going on your lives!

Talk soon-

Christina