A surprise visit

A surprise visit
No one in our class knew who she was but everyone was delighted to receive a visit from Dana Perino, Press Secretary to President George W. Bush. Dana and her husband Peter were in Cape Town on the last leg of their South African visit to see the work done by Living Hope and Living Way. She explained that after several whirwind trips with the President to countries in Africa, she wanted to return and take a longer time to not only see the effect of work done by faith-based agencies, but also volunteer in any way while she was here. One one hot afternoon-the temperatures are scorching-she stopped by with bottles of water for the class. She is a warm-hearted person and I enjoyed meeting her. Once she heard about the sewing classes and the bags made by Khumi and her team, she was a most enthusiastic supporter. As I reflected on her visit, I was happy that the women could meet someone who told them just how special they are. Some of them live with HIV and AIDS, and three of them sell wood at the side of the street. Another woman came with a husband, one child and no income. One just had a baby boy and the other is soon to deliver. When I asked her if she would continue the class she said, " Oh yes I just need one week and I'll be back." Sometimes I hesitate to share their stories because they are sensitive to the way in which they could be portrayed. Poor they may be but not unaware or stupid about the destructive ways in which their photographs can be used. I told them what an impact the visit had on Dana and how much they change my life. I enjoy seeing them learn, sometimes sitting at their sewing machines, other times grouped by two's or three's or all gathered around Namgamso at the cutting table. This class laughs more easily than others, maybe because I have learned a little bit more how to reach them. At tea time, they are as relaxed as ever and I am pleased that the women from Sweet home farms have made friends with the others from Masiphumelele. We also have a class of helpers who understand it is their class and they have pride in it. Every day I thank God for the chance I have here to work with them, some of whom have great faith and others who are open to change through Jesus Christ. We use the Bible because this is the foundation on which they must build if their lives are to have real purpose in the uphill fight they face socially and economically.