Today I listened to a young woman whom I shall call Hazel share with me some of the responsibilities she has. Herself a single mother, she works to care for her mother, her aunt, sister and sister's children. She has no choice as they are unemployed and as the firstborn, this is her duty. It is a burden she can hardly bear. She is but one of so many in her position. Inside I screamed unfair but what I think does not matter. I am outside her culture and should not judge. This is part of her African tribal culture and even though she lives in the Western Cape which is far more influenced by European and Western thinking, she is still a part of her people. The encouraging part for me is that through Evangeline Ministries we help her earn some money through her skills and she is grateful for this.
I also encouraged her to look up and trust God and give those burdens to the Lord. This is why I am here to listen and try to understand and then offer hope. Cape Town is a magnet for people from around the world who come to enjoy its beauty. Daily we work with people who come to find a job, whatever they can find, people who are on the margins of life here. Sometimes the contrast is more than I can bear, but always, I am o thankful I am here.
