Today we delivered food to one of the widows in our community. There are four homesteads in and around Nsoko that our family has 'adopted'...we've decided that if nothing else we do here makes a difference then we will make sure we do our best to bring change to these four! This woman, who we visited today, is among the four. She has buried all six of her adult children. She has buried grandchildren. She cares for (at least) six little ones on her homestead. Certainly there are others who know that if they wander into her yard, they will find a smile, a soft lap to rest upon and probably something warm to eat. This woman reads her Bible, sings hymns, prays continually and always gives us more blessing then we bring to her.

Today, however, when we arrived at her humble home (a one room, mud and brick dwelling with a dirt floor and little else) she was nowhere to be found. There were several little children, including a sweet toddler girl with no pants and one shoe...crying...frightened....alone. As we started to unload the food, (enough to feed this dear woman and the wee ones she cares for for approximately one month) a few other folks started to appear on the property. Strong, able-bodied, healthy young men. We ask: "Where is go go?"  (go go is "grandmother" in SiSwati...also a term referring to any woman who is a caregiver...especially to young children)

We found out this woman was out in the bush...collecting firewood.

Now, just so you know, this dear saint walks with a cane. She has almost no strength in her left hand due to an un-treated sprain from years ago. She is  probably in her mid- to late 70's. Yeah...nobody who should be under the hot sun, bending and lifting to collect firewood in the African bush. Especially when there are other capable adults hanging around.

We drove down the road hoping to find her. Sure enough, there she was, bent over under the weight of several large branches balancing on her shoulders. At her feet, two little boys also carrying twigs and sticks in their arms. We did what we could to help get the firewood, go go and her young grandsons home. Eric sat and visited with this precious go go. He asked directly why these other young men who seemed to be ready to eat whatever this woman prepared, over the fire that was burning because of her efforts, why weren't they helping??  She really didn't have an answer for this.

This is the ongoing struggle in our ministry here in Swaziland. Are we actually helping? Are we just enabling a generation of people to turn their backs on their responsibilites? Are we actually hurting? Are we adding to the problem?

Well....maybe...

But, what is the alternative? Widows starve on the only homestead they have ever known? Women who are left to care for their grandchildren and great grandchildren watch these babies die? We, who are able to help....just...don't??

 

These are the words that echo in our heads and hearts as we leave one widow this afternoon.  These are her words, her plea to Eric as he left. She is convinced that even though it may seem there are others who should take responsibility for her and the little ones, that they have proven less than reliable...

She is convinced that somehow the Lord has put us here and given us a heart to bring food and soap and candles and other supplies.

She is convinced that if we forget about her...well...then...what?

We are convinced that, at least for now, our family is responsible for this amazing, strong and beautiful woman, and others just like her.  Because of the Lord's faithful care and keeping of us we are more than able to meet her basic needs.

A very humbling place to be tonight.

Please don't forget...