Women's Abuse Prevention Event ... under the tent

 Usually it's all fun and games under the big top. Today was different in Ntshongweni, South Africa.  I rented a tent/ 80 chairs/ tables for 670 Rand = $75.

Hauling all the necessary supplies to the tent... from the car we hired...which we used to go to the creche to get the necessary supplies.

These items were necessary to hold our Women's Abuse Prevention Event.  Sadly, rape, physical and emotional abuse is rampant here.  Above our speaker Nozipho (L) and her daughter Sne (R) getting their name tags.

The posters placed around the township stated that this event would begin at 9am.  At 9:30am the only people around were the little boys whom Jessica entertained by reading the Zulu children's Bible with them.

This event was held at 'the site'. The Lutheran church build 38 houses for caregivers to raise orphans the locals call it the site.  The past two women's events were held at the church and we wanted to reach out to these people living in these homes... as well as the rest of the township.

Ever so slowly people began to arrive.

And the reading and Bible story telling continued. 

Big brother caring for little brother.

Magugu was our first speaker.  She began at 10:45am with singing and prayer.  She gave the devotion based on Isaiah 43:18-19

“Forget the former things;
    do not dwell on the past.
 See, I am doing a new thing!
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland.

Gogo Ginger Taff, my ministry partner playing with the precious children.

Children, children everywhere. We were on the dirt next to the main - busy street.  A man was weed-whacking the weeds.  Very loud but it didn't disturb anyone.

After the first speaker, I greeted everyone, introducing Jessica, Ginger and myself and explained that it was time for the boys to come forward for message on abuse and for the women to go to the back of the tent for manicures & pedicures, tea and biscuits. 

This Gogo (grandmother) was the first to arrive with her baby grandson who has Down Syndrome.

We had four large tubs for the feet soaking.

Nozipho speaking to the boys about this very serious subject.  This is the age when this message must be taught.

The only man who came.  He too was one of the first to arrive.  He is the Baba (grandfather) of one of my best friends here and lives across the dirt road from the creche where I work everyday.

The women totally enjoying the pampering.

The boys enjoyed the lecture and role playing... plus the biscuits.

This sweet child was perfect the whole entire day!  It is rare to see anyone with a disability in Ntshongweni, so glad his Gogo felt comfortable bringing this angel out in public.

It was a rather hot day, but by the Grace of God we had a wonderful breeze.  No matter the weather, these folks love their tea... with sugar and milk.

The fun continues

Jessica and Ginger jump into the middle to trim toe nails, wash feet and massage with lotion.  Such an example of servanthood.  Me?  What was I doing?  I walked to the closest tuck shop for more biscuits.  None!  I had to use the car to drive to my friends tuck shop to purchase more sweets.

Awwwwwwwwww feels so good

The crowd grew and grew and grew

Okay, sorry but I had to take a picture of his girl and her nametag on her skin.

Obviously Ginger and Jessica couldn't rub everyone's feet so Jessica suggest they rub each others.

Besides, what are friends for?

Mother and daughter before Nozipho began her speech with the women and girls.  Sne has the most magnificent singing voice of all the fabulous Zulu singers that I've ever heard.

They painted their fingernails at the table.  At one point the table was packed.

Pass the bottle of lotion please.

So many new faces.  I know quite a lot of people in Ntshongweni but not so many at the site.

Nozipho begins her 45 minute message of rape and abuse - both of which she has personally experience and the reason she has dedicated her life to making sure it doesn't happen to anyone else.

Nozipho has been given an office at the municipality, Pastor Thwala, my pastor gave her a lap top computer and Ginger and I help as much as we can but Nozipho receives no salary for her full time job at educating about this horror.

So beautiful and confident.  

Sadly, many people left after the 'fun', missing the important message.  Plenty of people stayed and we were all very happy with the attendance numbers overall.

Sweet little boy who played around the event under the tent all day is finally resting.

The tent when we first arrived and before we removed the sides.

Every time I hold a little preschool girl at the creche I always pray over her that a hedge of protection be placed around her for her whole life that rape and abuse NEVER touch her.  

So thankful for people like Nozipho who speaks out about this problem and so grateful that I have the humble privilege to be a part of making this ministry happen.