Let My People Go

'I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.' Leviticus 26:13 NIV

Glory to God but the two CarePoints, Zwelisha and Mluti, that were not open in South Africa have opened and the Care Workers are cooking for the children. Thank you for your prayers. You may remember that I mentioned the local authority, the Councillor who would not give permission for the Care Points to open though Hands at Work is registered as an essential service. Pride would not enable him to change his mind or he might look weak or have to admit that he had made a mistake. Fear caused him to shut everything down so that he would not be blamed should COVID-19 take hold in his community. Like Pharaoh he hardened his heart and would not let the people go. Hands volunteers for weeks faithfully visited the most vulnerable families in their homes and delivered food parcels.

On one such visit children were found all alone at home hungry with a food parcel sitting in the house but with no-one to cook something for them to eat. The volunteers immediately set to cooking the children a meal. Whilst definitely a help, food parcels are not enough, as a child can still starve. A Care Point makes sure a child is fed once a day, is known by name and missed when they don't show up. A Holy Home Visit means that child can be followed-up and the circumstances of their situation addressed. So, the communities of Zwelisha and Multi were suffering and wondering why Hands at Work wasn't running the Care Points. Bravely, our African volunteers continued to meet with and call the Councillor to try and get him to give his permission. A difficult prospect, as by all reports he was formidably angry and aggressive. So, we all prayed that Pharaoh would change his heart.

He didn't, instead the Care Workers concerned for the suffering in their communities started cooking at the Care Points despite what the Councillor might do. They took a stand and overcame their fear to walk in faith for the sake of the children. It is at this point that you recognise God's wisdom and purpose to work his good through all circumstances. It seems this was never about the Councillor, despite many prayers to soften his heart, it was in truth about the Care Workers, that they would find their faith and courage. Stories like this remind us that we must pause and give God glory, praise and thanks. I wrote a story to celebrate what God had done and how he keeps delivering his people. I read it out in the Monday prayer gathering for the Hands at Work community and there was thanksgiving with singing and dancing, as is the blessing of Africa. I have attached the story as a document to read on this post.

I was able to visit Mluti and Zwelisha for the first time this week since lockdown. There were new Care Workers present ready to serve. Praise God for his faithfulness.

Please Pray for:

• the South African Government to have the wisdom to manage the COVID-19 pandemic as it begins to open up employment and the economy.

• all Care Points to remain open even as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the country.

• people full of fear of the virus and the police who they believe will arrest them if they should gather together though restrictions have eased in this area. Some Care Givers have been frightened to come to a Care Giver support meeting at the Care Point for fear of the police.

• children who are vulnerable to abuse, neglect and ill health.

• peace and patience to continue to live in lockdown, as many of us are in a holding pattern and not able to move forward in our roles as would have been the opportunity of any usual year.

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Let My People Go.docx

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