Today is Freedom Day here in South Africa. It commemorates the fall of apartheid and the first democratic elections held in this country in 1994. This day follows the election last week,April 22 ,that was won by The African National Congress in a landslide. In all of the rejoicing though, there is a national sense, and something I hear from the students, that the challenges of housing, jobs and education must be addressed and patience is short on the part of those who, like my students, suffer the most. I spent some time today at the beside of one of my students in the shack in which she lives. I inwardly marvelled again at how people could live in such cramped quarters with no windows and my student does not like it at all. There are though some beautiful things about shack life. When I arrived for the visit, there were six other women who were there to care for her and look after the children. When I asked her to pray, she invited them all and the shack was filled with loud prayer as we called on God to help and heal her. Over the last month I have been so burdened for the women to be encouraged by other people from their own culture and language who can reach their hearts in a way I cannot. Rose Mbulawa stopped by last week. Zimbabwean born she speaks several languages and when she spoke to the women, they were enthralled by her. One student described Rose's talk as "powerful and encouraging." There are others now who are willing to come and speak to the women from the Bible and about their life's experiences to encourage them that God cares and with His help and the skills we give they can begin to think of a life bigger than the shacks. They have dreams and with faith and hope these dreams for themselves and their children can come true. My heart if filled with praises for this ministry and for your help and support that makes this possible. Please pray for us and for a cure to HIV and AIDS and for all of the women who live with this disease.
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