Adventures in South Africa
I would like to take a little of your time and share with you some of the experiences that I had on our mission trip to Southern Africa this year [2014].
We took off on the big bird in the sky on Feb. 27 and returned on the 22nd of March. The first two weeks were spent on missions in an area called Ntabamhlope it is right out of the city of Estcourt about 2 hours Northwest of Durban. Then the last week we went on vacation in game reserves, watching and listening for animals and birds, in which we
found lots. It was quite exciting, especially sharing the street with hippo’s. We were in a Land Rover but I can say I was just a little scared.
The mission trip was the best ever. I am so happy to say that adding the talking bibles to Global Cane Outreach turned out to be a wonderful thing. Now not only do we get to serve the blind but also those who want to know about the Bible and cannot read. In going hut-to-hut we came across a little 6 year-old blind boy that no one knew about. This little one captured and broke my heart all at the same time. He lives in a house with over ten children and he just sat alone with his head hung down. The only response he had
with anyone was when he heard that I was blind also; we hugged for a long time. Sure did want to take him home with me.
On March 24th he was taken to the hospital and it was told he is totally blind and it is due to gonorrhea that he was born with. Had it been treated this would have not happened. A small blind school an hour away in Pietermaritzburg has agreed to take him. He was most excited when he found out that he would get food every day. There are more problems though. He does not have any papers as the dad is unknown and the mom has been missing for 5 years so the government will not pay for him. It is going to cost $300 a Quarter plus the cost of uniforms (unknown) to keep him there. If you can help in any way, with prayer, money, spreading the word to friends and family all would be appreciated.
Another thing that happened is that we were able to go to a blind school in Durban. I took canes and talking bibles and a few other little things. What I found out is they too are really in need, they make and sell baskets and make furniture, etc. to help keep going but they need some things. The preschoolers stay here and the older ones come during the day. Here is a list of some of the things they could use: Picture books for blind children, Braille items to learn by, talking watches, talking clocks, calculators, liquid level indicators, canes, puzzles, basically any universal items for ages children to adults. If you have any extras of these things that you do not use anymore or have too many of, it would be wonderful for you to send them to us and we will get them to the school. Also if you can spread the word about this it would be greatly appreciated.
Well, there were lots more experiences but these are the ones I especially wanted to share with all of you. Thank you so much for your prayers , help and support!