As a result of a program I went through at our Church, La
Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, Arizona, entitled PHD (Preparing His Disciples), I learned that I had a successful life, but perhaps not a significant life.
The following week, I attended a Men’s Breakfast at our church, and listened to a presentation about Helping Hands in Africa and an opportunity to travel to
Mafikeng, South Africa on an evaluation team to determine if
HHIA was a ministry that La
Casa could add to our outreach ministry. It took less than one minute to decide to go…God works in many ways in our lives.
The longest plane ride in our lives (26 hours aboard a plane in a coach seat!) brought us to Johannesburg, S.A. a four hour bus ride later, we arrived at a small house where 16 Americans began an incredible adventure that would change our lives forever.
Morning brought a sense of excitement and some concern as we prepared to travel to the first village we would visit. It is impossible to describe what we saw and experienced at this village of 5000 people (insert picture of village). We were instantly surrounded by over 100 children, many of whom had never seen so many white people. They welcomed our visit and enjoyed interacting with us, fascinated by our cameras, sun glasses and other things we brought with us.
What was most impacting to me was a boy of about 12 years old, carrying his brother on his back for over two hours (insert picture). While some of the children were all smiles, others never smiled. Some had tears, but did not cry or wail. Further into the visit we visited one of the mud and metal huts with a woman who died the next day from Aids. Further on down the dirt path, we came upon a second hut, where a mother died just before we approached her house. We all felt a sadness never experienced before. This village has an average of 8 funerals every Saturday, every week.
My understanding is that the middle aged population in S.A. will cease to exist in the next several years, leaving behind millions of orphans. Approximately 30% of children will be born with Aids and will die before the age of 15. Children are not permitted in school because they have no birth record and no parent to advocate for them. Without an education there is no hope for the future. Without medical care there is no future. Without Aids education the pandemic will continue and could literally wipe out an entire country. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE.
I am extremely proud of our team, our congregation and pastoral leaders for stepping up and doing something to help South Africa’s children and people. As of this writing we have accomplished the following:
Congregation pledged $50K per year to support our adopted village,
Molewane.
We have built and dedicated a church in the village which serves as a community center/feeding and learning center for the children.
We have sent a second team to conduct a vacation bible school in
Molewane.
We have supported
HHIA financially through a first annual
walkathon at the Phoenix Arizona Zoo, and have two more fund raisers planned for 2009, another Zoo walk and A Music Under The Stars fundraiser.
Ron
Meister of our church has volunteered as the U.S. Coordinator for
HHIA. Many of us are on various teams to help
HHIA deal with the challenges faced by South Africa’s children. Ron also sits on the
HHIA Board of Directors.
We regularly pray for
HHIA and the Children of South Africa as we are just instruments of our Lord, trying to do what Jesus would do.
The most important thing we all can do for the Children of South Africa is to spend out time with them, and to share some of our treasures. A little U.S. money can go a long way in
Mafikeng, S.A.
As for me, personally, this work is the most significant thing I have ever done, and will continue to do, by the grace of God.
Yours in Christ,
Jerry Houston
