Chasing after the lost

"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish." Matthew 18:12-14 NIV

This month I was able to go back to the mountain region where I stayed with Gogo Tara and her grandchildren (Blogpost March 15). I stayed for three nights at the Service Centre where Hands at Work volunteers are based to support the five Care Points in the area. Mark is the young man pictured who I met at the Service Centre. He is also one of Gogo Tara's grandchildren but sadly his story shines a light on how vulnerable young people can be, beyond simply being poor. Mark had been caring for his younger siblings and cousins when Gogo Tara chased him out of the house. It is not clear why she did so and it is not likely Mark did anything wrong. Forced out, he was on his own and looking for somewhere to stay. He disappeared into the Kingdom of Eswatini nearby where he is originally from. That could have been the end of the story and those who knew him, including Hands volunteers, may have simply mourned his loss and the difficult family dynamic that caused it. I am so impressed, however, that Hands at Work has a deeply held commitment to run towards the problem and to never lose a child or young person that belongs to the community at a Care Point. Every child is known by name and visited in their home so that their life situation is clearly understood. This is the only way to really be there for a child when things get tough or fall apart.

Mark was found by Hands at Work volunteers who went to search for him in Eswatini and brought back him to his community. He now lives at the Service Centre with other volunteers. I have worked alongside Mark at a Care Point and observed him chop wood, haul water, chop vegetables and serve children with enthusiasm and energy. I have also witnessed him share a new bible story he has just learned with fervour to encourage other community volunteers with God's love and provision. Mark was also once a child at a Care Point being swerved by others and supported in his role as Care Giver within his family. Now, he serves others in the same way and is being mentored to grow spiritually and develop leadership skills.

South Africa moves to level 3 of lockdown restrictions on the 1st of June. This means most, if not all, businesses and retail will open and some students will start to return to school. Everybody has to continue to wear a mask as soon as they leave their home. This includes the children coming to Care Points. I am still able to visit and assist at a Care Point in the community at least two to three times a week. I continue to garden and I am now replanting garden beds around the office where I live. I have bought some Bird of Paradise plants because I love them and they are South African! I am also still part of the COVID-19 protocol working group. We continue to keep abreast of government guidelines and what we need to do as an organisation to be compliant and protect our people. This means one of my tasks is to take my turn in the morning with a COVID-19 health check, which includes taking temperatures of volunteers/staff coming into work and going out into community. So, my days have variety even if my locations are restricted!

Please Pray for...

• Mark to be strengthened in faith, relationship and purpose as he is mentored by the Hands at Work family. He has vulnerable health, so please pray he remains well and can continue to access his daily medication.

• For Gogo Tara and the grandchildren she still cares for. Pray she continues to do so and that she softens her heart towards Mark and others she has rejected. She is still a hard working woman doing the best she can but people carry burdens and wounds that can harm others. Pray for God to transform her heart with grace and healing.

• Hands at Work to lose none of its children and that we chase after them no matter the restrictions and challenges set before us at this time.

• our communities to remain free of the virus and all Care Points to remain open. The two Care Points I mentioned last blog are still closed. The same government official has hardened his heart and won't shift his position though we have permission to operate. Let's pray level 3 will make him change his mind, as most businesses will start to reopen.

• South Africa and the African continent to be prepared for the pandemic and not sink into a catastrophic human disaster.

• Thank you for your prayers for my community sharing accommodation in lockdown. There has been some great breakthroughs in living better all together. Keep praying as we could all still be together for many weeks or months yet!

Names have been changed.