At the Care point the kids were as cute and precious as ever. The same we had been with all week. We did a bible study with the younger and older kids. They both went really well. It was cool to see the team step up into leadership roles with the kids. I enjoyed getting to see them flourish, step out and see what they are capable of and have it “click.” It was a great time.
Shortly after, a little girl came to the carepoint that day. She had her little sister on her back. She was too young to have to be carrying her sister. Heartbreaking. Her little sister had no underwear on, nose running, wheezing, eyes glazed, blank stare. What do I do? There had to be something right? The Mage(pronounced ma-gay, means mother in Si Swati) just said, “oh she is just needy.” Needy? That’s it? I had no cold medicine at the time, my cell wasn’t working to call Tonya to bring some. All I could do was look in my purse, all I saw was this colorful hankerchief, pink, yellow and white for my hair. I tied it around her to make some kind of underwear. One of the girls helped me give her cold medicine that someone else had on them. She just stood there and drank it. It was probably the best thing she tasted in awhile. I just sat there and stroked her hair and held her hand. There was nothing else I could really do. My heart sank as she got on her sister’s back again and they walked back home.
I remember that day that I got away for a second where no one was at and just cried. I felt so helpless. The reality of this place sank deep. But God quickly showed me that sometimes that is all that is needed. Someone to hold them and to love them. To just show them love right where they are at and allow Him to use me in whatever capacity for that moment in time. After traviling and so much walking barefoot down rough roads they need rest. Just needed somone to love on them in some way. It was so hard, I wanted to go into my fix it mode and bring all the “American solutions” let’s clothe her and feed her and take her to the doctor. But those are all just physical things. Where does she live? Does she have a family? What happens after she leaves? Really I don’t know if I came to any resolution or if I ever really do. I think I just become ok with the fact that I loved the one in front of me the best I could and even if for just a moment was Jesus to that girl.
