Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Beautiful People

Today I witnessed love shown in such sweet and tender ways and tonight I am in awe of what God can do when we love the one in front of us.

One friend has formed a ladies social club with 7 women whom every month will give R1000 (currently that's about $150) towards a project one of them chooses. R1000 towards any project or charity is a great donation, but R7000 can get a lot done and will be a huge blessing to countless ministries and charities this year. Amazing idea!

Another friend has started collecting donations of cash and products for the specific purpose of providing young women monthly toiletry needs to allow them to play sports without embarrassment. Derek once broke down in the mall as our young orphan girls asked him to buy feminine products and he was struck with the realization of how many months they go without. My friend had the same realization and is now working to make a difference in what seems a small way, but shows such love and compassion.

Two women I met today during a prayer meeting had scrounged their homes looking for any money they could find after hearing of a family nearby that lost their father two years ago and whose mother recently had a stroke. The children have been without food or support and these women, being complete strangers immediately set out to do something about it. After our prayer meeting (where our hostess also scrounged her cupboards pulling out whatever she could give) they were heading to the children's home to give food and see what they could do about helping.

And lastly another sweet friend learned today that her domestic worker (maid) and dear friend Lerato (not her real name) has been diagnosed with TB and HIV. My friend called me and was sobbing as she shared the news in shock and heartache. Where so many people would immediately think of how to dismiss Lerato or find a new maid, my friend was asking what we can do to help her. I phoned Dr. Neil who we worked with at the Lighthouse Shelter and with his help and the Lord's favor tomorrow at the government hospital we can get Lerato moved into the amazing Tapologo clinic to receive her care.

I know this has been a long post, but each of the women I've mentioned are our sisters in the Lord and they have beautifully demonstrated what it means to love the one in front of you. I can just see God cheering His girls on! Thank you Lord for moving in their hearts and for the blessings that will keep trickling down because of the love and kindness shown in these beautiful people of South Africa.

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