I've always wanted to carry a baby on my back or now I'm a real Zulu woman!

CHRIST GOES BEFORE US

The sight of a woman with a baby tied with a blanket to her back is as common a sight in Ntshongweni, South Africa as strollers in Disneyland.  From the time babies can hold their head up until the they are too big to carry (4 - 5 years) they are tied on and carried in this fashion. What a beautiful reminder of God our loving, heavenly Father who calls us His children and who goes before us, carrying,protecting and keeping us close.

My two friends, plus Ginger, my ministry partner and I were walking to visit more friends.  I asked the 17 year old mother of the four month old baby, Laredo (Zeal's pronunciation of her Zulu name) if I could carry him on my back just the way I see Zulu women doing every single day.

I’m so enthralled with women always having a baby tied to them and I began to wonder how does the tiny baby get positioned and then stays so still without any fussing for what can be hours. So many Biblical lessons to be learned from a child. Ah, the women bends forward, then puts the baby on her back and it knows instinctively to hold on until the blanket is secured. What would our lives be like if we all clung to God? If we truly realized that we would fall and get hurt if we didn’t hold tightly to God. Everyday!

Laredo tying the thin blanket very tightly.

Each time this precious baby boy breathed or moved I could feel him and it reminded me of being pregnant 25 & 27 years ago... somethings mothers never forget.

Next time I'm invited to a baby shower, the mother-to-be is getting one little blanket from me with directions on how to tie the tot to her back.  Who the heck needs expensive strollers or baby carriers?

 This is awesome.Off we go.

With no toys or anything to simulate, the child is calm. “Be still, and know that I am God...” Psalm 46:10

Walking down the road.

 How often are we distracted by all that is surrounding us and get fussy? Fussy with each other, fussy with unmet expectations, fussy with God. Personally, being a missionary and having almost everything eliminated from my life, suddenly what is important and what is unimportant is very clear to me. With little to distract me and focused on my ministry, I have had to learn to hold on to Christ Jesus and be still in His presences. As I am carried in His love I rest knowing that Christ goes before me.

In the beginning I kept my hands on this sweet baby.

We reached our destination and I just got to hold him.  The worst part of going back to America will be not holding babies and children all day, everyday. 

After school tutoring

Jessica Harrison, an American who has made three short term mission trips to South Africa had a dream to offer the children of Ntshongweni tutoring to advance their education. 

Today, it began! Slowly with three children they began to read the books.

Here is our dear friend, Lucky (above) reading a children's Bible.

New friend, Godfred. His reading level wasn't as high as his friends so he chose younger books.  I was so thrilled that we had a variety of books for them to pick from.

Everyone found a book they could read and enjoy.

Here are friends Lucky (L) & Joe (R).

As more children arrived they chose to work through various wipe-board worksheet that covered all areas of basic "American" education.

Some the pictures were culturally inappropriate for Ntshongweni, South Africa.

For example, these children do not know what a wagon or a rocket are.

Then Lucky got ahold of my camera and began to play around.

This sweet girl enjoying the workbooks.

Everyone working.

I'm explaining some of the pictures that they are to circle the beginning letter of that word.

Ginger, my ministry partner and Joe.

So many workbooks to choose from.

What began as a dream is now an every Friday reality for two missionaries and the many awesome children in my new home of Ntshongweni.

Friday of Bible Camp October Fifth

Galatians 3:26-27

 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

The wonderful week of Bible Camp quickly came to a close and Friday was here.

Today was the day we gave the children the tie-dyed shirts they had made on Wednesday.

We had to have some control over this process...

Everyone had to wait outside and we allowed one child at a time inside the church to get their shirt.

They were so very patience.

Jessica Harrison and her friend.

Each shirt was in alphabetical order.

We wanted the children to wear their shirt.

They were so excited.  A thumbs up means 'awesome'.

The craft of the day was making a visor.

So happy to be learning about Jesus.

They looked so cute with them all wearing their visors.  Here the older boys are playing UNO.

Friends

Wearing the necklace from Monday.  Slippers, tie-dye shirt & Visor.

For children who don't have any toys or much to do at home, Bible Camp is three hours of pure joy.

The day included games, music and of course a lesson on the love of Jesus and how we are clothed in His love and righteousness.

Thank you God for a marvelous week of serving You by leading the children of Ntshongweni into Your Word.