Kayamandi, meeting people in the village and learning more about who they are
and how we can come along side them. Today, we asked many questions about
the people, the need and the culture of Africa and of Kayamandi.
We began Vacation Bible School today with some 90 children. They had attended
the last VBS in July and were so excited that they arrived two hours ahead of
schedule. We played games, sang songs and shared a Bible story with them.
One thin, barefoot girl in the group stood out. Maybe eight or nine years old, she
stood with her hip jutting out to the side, holding a baby. When we sang “Head,
Shouders, Knees and Toes”, the girl used her free hand to show the baby how to
touch her head, shoulders, knees and toes. When the children stood in a line and
passed a ball overhead to the person standing behind, the girl and the baby both
reached out one hand and passed the ball over their heads together. When the
children sat for the Bible story, the baby curled up in the girl’s arms and fell asleep.
Who looks after these children? Does this little girl watch her brother and baby sister all day while her mom works?
Is the girl an orphan caring for her younger siblings alone?
and photographing them, continuing the Photo Legacy Project. One team told
us about an experience they had.
The team found a tiny shack with walls of cardboard squeezed in among the
other homes. The woman who lived there invited the team into her home. A
black plastic garbage bag was spread on the floor with a baby sitting in the
middle. As the team photographer talked with her, the lady told them she had no
paraffin to use for cooking and she had no food to cook for her family. The
photographer later told the team, “She looked me in the eye and said, ‘We are
hungry. Do you care?’ ”
should the money go to educating children and enabling women to start small businesses while a baby dies of hunger? If the
woman is given a handout, will she become dependent on others for her next meal? If one woman is given food and
paraffin, will her neighbors become angry and want the same?
We realize how much we have to learn about the culture, the government and God’s plan in Kayamandi. We don’t have the
answers, but we trust that He does. We know God is holding these people close to His heart, just like that little girl held her
baby sister as she slept. God loves these people dearly and He has called us to be His hands and feet in this village this
day. We appreciate your continuing prayers for wisdom and direction.
Laura Adams, for the Fall 2005 Africa Team
