Sunday Lunch

The ministry of Restoring Hope Village reaches beyond the walls of the property and into the community. #7 is a nearby squatter camp that contains around 50 shacks. We have been ministering to these people, especially the children since arriving in 2006. Two of the boys, Sabanka and Doompy often come to play at The Village with the children, especially when school is on break. They also help with small jobs around the property when the are visiting. If they come to visit it is usually for the entire day. It is heartbreaking to know that these boys stay away from their home all day and no one is concerned for their whereabouts. Occasionally we see them roaming around town.

Sabanka and Doompy have been coming to church with us on a regular basis and we praise the Lord for this. We've known Sabanka the longest so he has heard the Bible stories many times and has been exposed to The Word more than Doompy. After church we give them lunch before they head out.

Doompy showed up for church on Christmas Day and then spent the rest of the day with us. He enjoyed lunch and the flurry of activities that day. Before school started in January, we gave them each a new school bag with school supplies. We know that their grannies won't give them money for such items.

Please keep Sabanka and Doompy in your prayers that they may soon come to know Jesus as their Savior.

Coats to Hospice Patients

Through a generous donation from a friend and supporter in the States we were able to purchase a variety of coats and blankets to give to those who needed them the most. On Monday, July 26th, we went throughout Thabong and Hani Park with 4 caregivers from Hospice and visited patients who were in great need of some extra warmth.

The O'Tools took 2 caregivers and covered the west side of Thabong and we took 2 caregivers covering the east side of Thabong. Hospice cares for many people, young and old. The majority of the patients are sick with HIV/AIDS but they also care for those with cancer and other terminal illnesses. We visited some of the oldest grannies we've ever met and also many, many young patients-some in their teens and twenties.

We gave coats and blankets to patients and family members. This old granny was so thankful for her new blanket. We also gave her a coat for her granddaughter who is 14 yrs old. This granny is the main caregiver for her granddaughter.

We also visited a few patient who are completely bed bound, no ability to get out of bed and home all alone. One very old man was all alone, laying in bed with no clothes, just a blanket and unable to talk because of his condition. A family member left him a orange next to his pillow for his food for the day. This sickly man isn't even strong enough to sit up, let alone peel an orange. The caregivers shared many similar stories with us. The sadness they see on a daily basis is overwhelming. These caregivers are real saints, they are trained in their job but do not receive any pay. They receive a stipend to cover their transport to work everyday but nothing above that. Each caregiver visits 2 or 3 patients a day and after spending a few hours with them I now understand why they are only able to seem a few people a day. They walk to each house and some houses are far apart. Many of the patients they provide total care for; a bed bath, washing of the linens by hand, making of the bed, straightening of the house, check on their food supply, ask about their medications and giving them some personal attention and company.

(hospice caregivers)

I am so thankful that we have been able to build a relationship with the hospice association. We hope that we will have many more opportunities to bless them and continue our work along side their people.

Hospice Outreach in Thabong

We are at a time of transition in our lives. Returning to South Africa to establish Restoring Hope Village has been an awesome adventure, and its only begun! As we wade through the construction phase of The Village, I find myself desiring to remain connected with the community. The need around us is unmeasurable and we can't wait until the first house at The Village is filled with children. Until that day comes we are reaching out to those around us.

One place we have started helping is the local hospice association. On Tuesdays and Thursdays the hospice in Thabong cares for 10 preschool aged children. These children come from the homes of patients being cared for by the hospice. To clarify a few things-if you are in the States reading this- the type of hospice care you are envisioning is completely different then here. The hospice program here offers end of life comfort but is very limited. They have no doctor working directly with them. The majority of services they offer include in home visits with very basic care for those who can't walk to the center, support group for those who can walk to their center, counseling, food parcels to those in the greatest need, daycare for a few children and a few other resources. Most of the caregivers are trained volunteers who have no transportation, they walk to the houses of the patients. I will share more about the hospices services as I learn more.

One reason we desired to get involved with hospice is because of their staff, they are so kind, helpful and sincere. They desire to help so many people with limited resources. Since returning, I been thinking about different avenues of how Amber and I could get more involved. Another reasons this is going to hopefully work out well is because our own children can be part of it with us.

We have committed to helping on Tuesday mornings--we share a Bible Story on flannel graph or other pictures, sing songs, plan and provide a craft and play games. Their retired, volunteer preschool teacher translates for us, which is a HUGE help. She is very funny and personable.

Last week we took each child a hat, scarf and mitten set that was hand made by a group of ladies in Iowa. We are in the middle of winter, so it was a perfect time to give these kids something warm. As you can see they sure loved receiving a gift.