A Letter from George

Tuesday December 10, 2013

Family,

Looking back at 2013 for Hands at Work on the very day of Nelson Mandela’s funeral is very emotional and yet a rewarding experience for me as an African and a South African. Today I am so proud to belong to the global Hands at Work family fighting injustice by reaching out to the most vulnerable children in Africa.

I see some characteristics in Mandela’s life that we hold dear to in the Hands family. He had an amazing ability to cross cultural barriers. His whole life reflected sacrificial giving. Not only did he spend most of his adult life in prison, but once he was released he continued to live a sacrificial lifestyle. During his time as President of South Africa he gave his full salary every month towards those in poverty. After he completed his career as a politician he started the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. He never stopped living a life of giving! He believed in and encouraged others all the time that an individual can make a difference in this world. Each one should just do what he or she can do.

Care Workers together in a Maranatha Workshop in ZimbabweIn the beginning of 2013, Hands at Work leaders across Africa came together in Zambia. After a time of prayer and deep introspection, a renewed commitment was made to accept full responsibility for Hands and the vision we believe God gave us to live out. Part of our time together was living in one of the poorest communities with the children and grandmothers we care for. It was a time of deep impact and out of it we developed Maranatha Workshops. Maranatha means, “Come Lord”. These workshops are an invitation for Jesus to come and reveal His Father's heart to the Care Worker. In this time, Care Workers begin to recognise the wounds that are deep within themselves. That due to the wounds they carry, they have often wounded others out of that pain. Now the realisation is being awakened to the One true healer. The One who came to pour His life into their hearts and bring restoration to their lives. The workshops have clarified the different role players in the Hands model and how we can support and encourage each other to reach the children and their Care Workers in the best possible way. Our commitment is to do this workshop in every one of our communities before the end of June 2014. As we end 2013 we have already reached many communities in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. The stories from the workshops are encouraging and we have discovered just how much pain and brokenness exists within the communities.

A highlight this year was to see how individuals and families not only visited us in Africa, but how they went home and mobilised their international communities to adopt the African communities they visited on the ground. We also saw short-term volunteers return home and then bring teams to Africa. They refused to just carry on living their lives as they had before coming to Africa. They became advocates among their circles of influence. I stayed in the homes of families all over the world where they would show me photos of our children in Africa and tell me those children’s names. They were praying for them every day!

In 2013 we had our first advocacy day in Chicago and friends of Hands came from all over the US to join us. A number of people with professional careers have cut back their working hours so they can volunteer their time to support Hands. Their skill and time will make such a difference in the countries where they live, and for us in Africa this is such an encouragement to see people accepting our vision with us and committing themselves to it.

Carolyn and George speaking to the Hands at Work family at the Hub in South AfricaAs I mentioned, this is the day of Mandela’s funeral. But this is also the day when Carolyn and I celebrate our 30^th wedding anniversary. Early this morning, as we prayed together we had such a sense of overwhelming gratefulness. God is so good to us! He kept us together, He provided for our daily needs, He blessed us with children, grandchildren, and many amazing friends. He gave us a heart and dream to serve others. He showed us His heart! We raise an Ebenezer today declaring loud and clear that we serve a great and faithful God. Right from the start of our marriage, Carolyn and I agreed what our core values would be and we never negotiated away from them. We held to Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

We want to give that verse to everyone who is part of the Hands family and who believes in the dream of a better life for those we are serving. Hold to a dream bigger than yourself, commit to core values, and be held accountable. Today we stand as living testimonies that once you start to live for others and not yourself, you will always look back and say, “I received undeserving favor!”

George.

GIVE this Christmas

This Christmas, Hands at Work has an opportunity for you to give to the most vulnerable children in Africa. Your gift will bless a child with access to education, basic health care, and one nutritious meal per day. A child like Chibesa…

Chibesa (middle, yellow shirt) waits in line for his daily nutritious mealChibesa is a six-year-old boy who lives in Chibote, one of the poorest communities in Zambia. Abandoned by his parents, Chibesa has been raised by his aunt, Peggy, who has struggled to provide for her household of 12. She could not send Chibesa to school, and most days he went to sleep without eating. Fortunately, Ruth began visiting Peggy and quickly realised how desperate her family was for even basic support. Ruth is one of many local volunteer Care Workers who are caring for the most vulnerable in their community. She arranged for Chibesa to receive a free daily meal, access to education and basic health care. In love and compassion, Ruth has taken Peggy and her family into her heart. And Peggy, wanting to be a blessing in return, has become a Care Worker!  She walks alongside Ruth ensuring many more children are able to survive, and know they are loved.

Chibesa is receiving love through Ruth and Peggy, and because of this, he has hope.  Through your giving, you can support Care Workers across Africa who desire to be able to provide for the children they care for physically, emotionally and spiritually.  Your generosity will not only bless others, but we believe you too will be blessed as you witness the transformation your support can make in the life of a child.

If you want to give and support the transformation of a child this Christmas, please learn more about the giving options for your country:

Australia | Canada | South Africa | UK | US | Other

You may want to give on behalf of someone else. Download & Print the Gift Cards and distribute to your friends and family. With four cards to choose from, these gift cards tell the stories of Chibesa and three other children who now have hope for life and life abundantly. Through your giving, people in your life can read and share these stories, becoming a voice for the voiceless as well. 

This season, may we all reflect on the birth of Jesus. He came down from heaven to be with us on earth as a human. And like so many children today, he was born into vulnerability. "And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn."-Luke 2:7

George in the UK

Hands at Work Founder and CEO, George Snyman, will be in the UK in November! We hope you can come out to one of the following events to hear him speak.  If you would like to know more about Hands at Work, volunteering on the ground in Africa, or God’s calling for His people to serve the poor, these events are an opportunity for you to learn more. 

Saturday November 9^th

4:00 – 9:00pm

Great Wyrley, Staffordshire

St Andrew’s Church, Hilton Lane, Great Wyrley  Walsall WS6 6DS

George will be speaking to supporters and friends of Hands at Work and a team who visited Africa in 2013 will be sharing their stories. A shared meal will follow.  Please contact rose@uk.handsatwork.org for details.

www.link4lifeproject.blogspot.co.uk

Sunday November 10^th

10:30am

Greenfinch Church

Gusford Primary School, Sheldrake Drive, Ipswich, IP2 9LQ

Phone Jan Bedford on 07977027999 for more details, or visit www.greenfinchchurch.org.uk 

4:00-6:00pm

Battisford Free Church

Straight Road, Battisford, Stowmarket, IP14 2LZ

www.battisfordfreechurch.com 

Tuesday November 12th

London

Wednesday November 13th

Birmingham

George Snyman, Founder and CEO, Hands at WorkThursday November 14^th – 7:30pm

Swaziland Fundraiser - £10 per ticket, includes meal

Wade Street Church, Lichfield. WS13 6HL

An evening about the country of Swaziland: the need of the most vulnerable children and the opportunity for Hands at Work supporters in the UK to be a voice for the voiceless in this country. 

Contact 01543254110 for more details.

Friday November 15^th

Bristol

Sunday November 17^th

10:00am

Family Church (formerly Eternity Church)
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Millbrook, Guildford, Surrey GU1 3UX 

www.eternitychurch.co.uk

Monday November 18th

London

We hope to see you at one of the events mentioned above! However, if you are unable to attend but would like to meet George, it may be possible to arrange a meeting that suits you better.  Please note his location on each day and contact Rose at rose@uk.handsatwork.org and Nick at nick@uk.handsatwork.org to potentially arrange another meeting.

Given Freely

The vision of Hands at Work is to see the local Church in Africa effectively caring for the most vulnerable, and unified in this mission with the Church outside Africa. The second part is just as vital as the first. Outside of Africa, support comes from churches, volunteers, advocates, prayer warriors, businesses and more. When people give, and give sacrificially, to the most vulnerable children in Africa, there is transformation happening on both sides: the giver and the receiver. And when people understand that they are blessed to be a blessing, they give freely.

A Church Story

Daphne with a Care Worker in Oshoek, South AfricaIn Australia, Daphne has been a friend of Hands for over 10 years. She has supported our work and been a voice for the children of Africa in her community, even when she was often the sole voice. But her endurance has been honoured by God. Daphne came to Africa to serve with Hands on the Short Team Service Team in July 2013. When she returned to her church in Perth, and having invited George Snyman to speak to her congregation, they began to support a community. Heart City Church is now supporting 25 children in Welverdiend, South Africa, with the hope to increase this number even further in the future. Heart City Church joins the Sunbury group, also from Australia, who support a further 75 children in Welverdiend at Pfunani Community Based Organisation. Heart City Church is now hoping to send their first team in September 2014 to experience Africa as Daphne has. We praise God for her dedication and His work in the hearts of so many people in Australia.

A Business Story

We are often inspired by how one person’s story of Africa can create a ripple effect. In the US, Lauren Lee, who works as part of the Hands US International Office, shared her passion for the children of Africa with her friend Bill. Bill works for Microsoft and this company has a program where they will potentially match funding for charities. Lauren encouraged Bill to apply to this matching program and his application was successful! Bill contributed 5,000 USD and Microsoft matched this funding, allowing 10,000 USD to be donated to Hands at Work, specifically to the Malawi Service Centre! This support is an amazing example of how we can each use our influence and voice to advocate for the most vulnerable children. 

An Advocate Story

Jacob Erick with new friends in AfricaIn September 2010, Todd and Katie Wells served in the Democratic Republic of Congo for 7 months, living with Pastor Erick, our Hands at Work Congolese leader. As they returned to Canada, they knew their hearts would never be the same. When they gave birth to their son, they named him Jacob Erick, after the pastor whose life had inspired them. They also decided to raise funds for the community of Kitabataba in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where children were receiving home visits from Care Workers, but had no food security, access to education, or basic health care. In the beginning it was quite difficult. People who had not been to Africa did not understand the level of urgency. But in His mighty faithfulness, God gave Todd and Katie the strength to persevere, and they secured support for 50 children. In September 2013, Todd and Katie returned to the Congo and visited Kitabataba where they witnessed the transformation that has happened over the past couple of years. They could see the part that their support had played, but what impacted them more deeply was seeing the servant hearts of the Care Workers who had become like parents to the 50 children of Nyota Community Based Organisation. They could see Erick’s influence everywhere as the Care Workers displayed his same compassion and love. Also, Erick had the opportunity to meet baby Jacob in Zambia for the first time! Todd and Katie and their friends and family are now increasing the number of children they support to 75 children. This commitment requires sacrifice, but it is a sacrifice that is building God’s kingdom.

As the lives of the children we give to are changed, our own hearts experience a deeper understanding of how God has given everything to us. He gave us His son. “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

This Christmas, may we give thanks with a grateful heart.

Significant Moments

At Hands at Work we have many volunteers, from Africa and all over the world, who have had experiences in Africa that have changed their lives.  Most volunteers have a moment, or a series of moments that defined their understanding of God’s heart for the poor.  At Hands we encourage all volunteers to focus on relationships, and the real moments God blesses them with as they meet Care Workers and children across Africa.  Often these moments become a memory, but sometimes they are captured on camera.  Photos have a powerful way of evoking memories and the feelings experienced in the moment.  We asked our volunteers for one photo that is really significant to them and to describe why.  The most significant photos to us are not always necessarily the most professional or even most beautiful images.  They are the ones, however, that take us back to a moment that changed our lives.

Bernard Eßmann

Care Worker Mama Esther in Kambove, DRC
Bernard took it in 2011 when visiting her home
"Nothing to live for herself but so much to give for others"

Community Based Organisation Coordinator Rhoda in Racecourse, Zambia
Julia took it in 2012
"She does not need words to head the CBO"

Sheila Green

In the end, being strict with myself, I have today decided to select one from this past visit to KaPhunga.
It's one that reminds me of lots of things ~ the new centre can be seen in the background ~ there is wonderfully caring baba Vusi, who shows such love to every child and family he meets ~ including this little family that we met on our way back from visiting the 'field' that Nomsa (Community Based Organisation Coordinator) has been given by the community to grow maize for the children of Swaziland. It shows me how Hands at Work has assisted Nomsa to encourage a community in her country to care for the widows and orphans, and bringing us all together from all around the world, walking side by side to be the hands, feet and heart of Jesus.

Marj Miller

Annie - Mcheneke, Malawi
Photo taken by Marj Miller, November, 2012

Annie is a disabled teenaged girl who lives with incredible challenges. Orphaned, neglected and rejected, her incredible smile encourages me to hang on to hope in hopeless situations and trust God for breakthroughs.

Christa Roby

The reason I love this photo: it represents the unity of working together and the main source of the day; food! A lifeline to unite the culture.
I took this photo in Bushbuck Ridge, South Africa (Belfast Community)

Sara Waldvogel

Photographer: Morgan Malster 
Location: Amlew (Kitwe, Zambia)
Subject: Memory and Kelvin
Description:  The first time I visited Memory and Kelvin and their siblings in their home was the first time I felt strongly that there was no hope for one of our children.  I saw the Care Workers pour love out on them and that was when I realized that the love of the Care Workers is what brings hope.  I have this picture up in my room and it reminds me to pray for them by name.

Catherine Clarkson

Name: Catherine Clarkson
Photographer: Alicia Ralph
Subject: Dayo
Location: Elekuru village, Nigeria
Description: After riding motorbikes through the jungle to a remote village, we came across children who had not yet been ‘found’ and brought under the care of the Community Based Organisation. Dayo was one of the most broken and traumatised children I have ever met, having been abandoned by his mother as a new-born. He now attends school with his older brother, eats at the Care Point each day and receives regular and loving home visits from the Elekuru Care Workers.

Melissa Warren

Photographer: Melissa Warren
Location: Mngwere Community, Malawi
Subject: Henry the Care Worker with Mandris (child)
Your short description: We visited Madris in his home.  When asked where he slept we were directed to a kitchen hut no more than 1.5m in diameter – half filled with cooking equipment, the other half he would share to sleep in with his older brother.  It was heart wrenching to see the squalid and unsafe conditions he slept in every night.  The only reason I could walk away from this situation was knowing Madris has a Care Worker Henry, who visits Mandris almost every day, and cares for Mandris as if he was his own son. For me, this photo captures the beautiful relationship between Care Worker and child that is so foundational to who we are as Hands at Work.

Adam Bedford

Location: Mcheneke community, Malawi

Description: This 15 year old girl is named Annie. She has no family
apart from a granny who doesn't care for her and a physically abusive
alcoholic brother. People often come to her home to tell her she is
cursed, and this makes Annie suicidal. She has no food at all, so she
spends every day under a mango tree eating whatever falls. This photo
is meaningful to me because when I met her she had constant pain on
her face. I took this picture when I said something funny and for a
passing moment a smile broke across her face.

Philip McLaughlin

This photo was sent to us by Fortunate and is taken at Siyathathuka Community Based Organisation in Clau Clau, South Africa.
It is of 5 families who take home fresh spinach from the garden Fortunate made.
The Care Workers and children there now have a large garden and I believe more children are taking home fresh vegetables which will help their health.
The reason that it means so much is that while our team were there we were able to replace the pump in the borehole so that they have water to enable their garden to grow.
It has just shown me the difference that water can make to a community in so many ways.
Our God is so good and provides - it was great to see them recognize this and to be so thankful to God for it.

Dave Rowe

This picture brings me hope. Tanazio is teaching children in the morning at the Care Point in Maonde community, Malawi.  It brings hope for the future, hope for these children, and to me represents how the Care Workers serve vulnerable children across our communities.

Ashley Humphreys

Location: Home, Mandlesive, Clau Clau, South Africa  

Subject: Senty (name changed), 4
 
I stayed with Senty and her family just weeks after coming to Africa for the first time.  Her mother is 19 and was taking care of their household because her own parents have passed away.  Their family is one of the poorest and most vulnerable in South Africa.  But meeting Senty made me realise that a child in the most dire situation in Africa is not that different from a child in Canada. Their souls are the same.  Senty is creative, bright, spunky, naughty, loud, beautiful, and has the biggest imagination.  When I asked her what she wants to be when she grows up, she said a frog.  I feel every bit of her spirit when I see this photo and it’s second best to being with her in person.

The Church outside Africa: Canada

Hands at Work envisions the local church in Africa effectively caring for the most vulnerable, and unified in this mission with the church outside Africa.  

The vision of Hands at Work has spread to many countries around the world.  In Australia, Canada, Germany, the UK and USA a Hands at Work office has been created by passionate individuals who want to make a difference to Africa’s most vulnerable people.  These volunteers and their International Office serve as a bridge between the local church in Africa, and the church in their country.  They communicate with and coordinate the volunteers, churches, and advocates who partner with Hands at Work in Africa.  

Hands Canada volunteers serve as the body of God’s people joined as a family of believers.  They are working with churches in Canada: congregations and pastors who have a specific church they call home.  Together, the church in Canada is supporting 1,100 children (increasing to 1,410 by mid-2014) throughout DR Congo, Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Hands Canada volunteers and friends worshiping together at the Hands Canada CelebrationsIn August 2013, Hands at Work Canada came together for a one day celebration to worship God, to learn from one another, and to stand together in support of the most vulnerable people in Africa.  Approximately 50 past and present volunteers, supporters, and advocates travelled from across Canada to meet in Calgary, Alberta at Westside King’s Church.  For one day, the Hands Canada community was able to be together:  to eat together, and fellowship in the way that is so vital to the community in Africa.  Many Canadian volunteers work alone or in small groups in each city, often living hours and hours away from other volunteers in other cities.  Also, many are unable to travel to Africa to see the work on the ground and yet, they give their time to help further the Hands at Work mission because they want to do what they can to serve the most vulnerable.

Throughout the day, multiple sessions were held.  “The Jesus We Know” reminded us that Jesus chose to seek out and love the oppressed, and that while saying ‘yes’ to his call to care for the most vulnerable is hard, it will bring us closer to God.  “The Wall” presented the wall of protection Hands at Work is striving to build around the most vulnerable children, with Christ as the foundation, and holy home visits as an essential layer.  Other sessions discussed teams and volunteers, and gave an opportunity for those who had recently been in Africa to share about their experience.  The last session, “Living It Out”, challenged us to live out the life Jesus has called us to, not just in Africa, but in Canada.  We want to have holy home visits in Canada where we visit one another to be with those we love as the local volunteers do when visiting children in Africa. 

Participants in the "Beautiful Feet" Fundraiser walk in chitenge wraps and with buckets of water to raise awareness of the children and Care Workers who walk long distances each day to survive After the sessions concluded, the first “Beautiful Feet” Fundraiser was held.  “Beautiful Feet: Walking for the vulnerable children of Africa” is a fundraiser started by Hands Australia.  Funds were raised in support of our vulnerable children, who walk many hours every day to get water or get to school, and for our Care Workers, who walk huge distances to visit children in their homes.   Participants walked three laps (2.5km) around the church property, on the third lap even wearing chitenges (traditional African wrap around skirts) and carrying buckets of water.

 This celebration reflected the unity that is vital to Hands at Work volunteers around the world and on the ground in Africa.  We are together.  We value relationships and the calling of God to love and support one another and serve the most vulnerable no matter where we call home. 

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common – Acts 4:32 ESV

Ashley Humphreys is a volunteer with Hands at Work in South Africa.  Serving from May 2012 - May 2013, she returned to Canada for a few months where she was blessed to attend the Hands Canada Celebrations and connect with the Hands Canada family.  She is now serving in Africa long-term, currently with the Communications Team.  

George in the US

George Snyman, Founder and CEO of Hands at Work in Africa will be visiting many churches and advocate groups in the U.S. from October 4th through the 20th. Here is a breakdown of his schedule. If you are in the area, we would love for you to come out and connect with George. If you would like more detailed information, please contact Lauren at lauren@us.handsatwork.org

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

October 5: Artist Showcase at Christ Church http://www.handsatworkbenefit.com/

October 6: Sunset Church http://sunsetchurchsf.org/

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

October 7

MINNEAPOLIS

October 8 – 11

October 10: St. Leonard's Church http://www.stleonardmn.org/

CHICAGO REGION

October 11- 17

October 12: Event for Hands at Work U.S. Advocates

October 13: Grace Church http://graceinracine.com/

NEW YORK CITY

October 17 - 20

Because I understand that love is not expressed in words but in deeds

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Today I want to do something dangerous. I want to try to define short-term missions, or teams coming to visit Hands.  Why are we doing it? What does it actually mean?  Maybe I should just say what it does not mean.  It's not a missional experience that we are trying to create, or a sort of short-term outreach that is good for a team to go on as an experience and say "I can tick the box of being in Africa". Rather it's a sacrificial, well planned commitment in friendship through servanthood.  It is ongoing, bringing healing and maturity and encouragement to both those going and those receiving.  Those going are saying, “Because I understand that love is not expressed in words but in deeds.”  Those receiving are saying "I am blessed because I am not forgotten. I'm known by name and I have hope. Many people are coming here to help me, encourage me, and they receive healing themselves."

Initially when we come to Africa it is difficult for us to understand that “me” and “my time” are actually the best gift I could give Africa.  Me, as a person, and my time. It's so hard for us to believe this is really the best we can give when meeting all the amazing people in Africa and experience the pain and suffering in the villages where we work. 

I was recently told a story about one of our Care Workers in one of the communities where we work.  I was told how the words of Jesus in Matthew 25 came alive to her.  The words, "I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. Whenever you give even a cup of water to one of these little ones …" It revolutionized her whole life and the way she cared.  She confessed that now when she gets up in the morning she gets up and she looks for opportunities to have an impact.  She looks for opportunities to reach out,  even if it is only a cup of water to one of the most vulnerable children.  It went further.  One night, late, there was somebody knocking at the door.  Initially she thought she could never open it up and put herself at risk.  Again the scripture came to her.  What if it is somebody that you could help, somebody that is in need?  She opened the door and it was a vulnerable and orphaned girl from one of our communities who was kicked out of the house where she stayed.  She had nowhere to go that night. This young lady who had this wonderful revelation of the word of God, took her into her house and she kept her there. In the morning she went to the hut where this young girl was staying.  She dealt with the dispute that there was and why she wasn't welcome there anymore. She said it changed everything between her and this girl. This girl now trusted her at such a deep level. There was such a strong bond between the two of them that it gave her a beautiful opportunity to become deeply involved in her life.

Yes.  These are stories that we hear at Hands at Work very often.  It's beautiful. Of course we all know these stories are contagious.  We've seen through the years that relationships are the core ingredients that change everything.  We see people coming together from different cultures, different educational backgrounds, different thinking.  And as they knit their hearts together in the dusty roads in Africa, and they meet the children, there's something beautiful and lasting in both their lives.

A part of the Hands Vision has always been that we want to serve the body of Christ. We believe in the body. We believe in the church. We especially believe in the young people coming to Africa and sending them back to take their rightful place as upcoming leaders in their communities and churches.  The volunteers who have been with us from years ago, and a bit more recently, I have met on my journeys when I go to their countries and speak. Some of them come back to Hands and they share their lives with us.  Their voices become tender and soft when they start sharing how grateful they are.  They don't take things for granted anymore. They came to understand and ask “What is the difference between me and the people in Africa?”  That's a humbling experience. It's also liberating. It sets you free and gives you a purpose to live a life that's continually blessing people around you, not just in Africa, but even in their own community. You are compelled to get involved in the lives of broken people around you.

I was recently in Australia with one of our church partners who has been with us for more than 10 years.  The fire is still burning so high in that church. I asked the pastor, “How do you do this? How do you keep the flame alive? You are so compassionate about Africa. Every year teams are coming. Your involvement is amazing. Young people come to serve. It's incredible and it doesn't slow down its actually growing.” The pastor looked at me at that moment and very clearly said to me, "George, we are not good for Africa. Africa is good for us.  Africa's impact in our church is so big.  All of us know that it has played a huge defining role in helping us grow to maturity - to go and see and to go and learn - going to meet people by name.  When they come back it brings purpose, it brings maturity, and it brings life."

Missions don’t exist because there's a church. Churches exist because there are missions and because all of us live to worship our Father and to make His name known. What an incredible privilege to do that in the place where the pain and brokenness and the suffering is at its worst. Surely, surely that is getting very close to our Father.

Whoever embraces one of these children as I do embraces me

Hands at Work’s vision is to see the local Church in Africa effectively caring for the dying, orphaned and widowed, and unified in this mission with the Church outside Africa.

Greenfinch Church in Ipswich, UK has been partnering with Hands at Work for four years. Chris Bedford, the pastor of Greenfinch, shares his story about a special young boy who broke his heart and transformed his life – and that of his church.

“I guess there are just a few moments in life when something strikes you so hard that you feel totally powerless and useless. 

Back in 2011, on our sA sullen three year old Chatty during Chris' 2011 visit. econd day of home visits in the community of Chilabula, the harsh realities of everyday Zambian life hit me like a runaway freight train.

Several homes had been visited the previous day and already it was clearly noticeable was that there was a distinct lack of young men everywhere we went. All the families visited were led by women and the 20 to 45 year old men were simply missing. There was talk about how many had been lost to illness (no-one ever mentioned “HIV”).  It had the potential to be overwhelmingly sad and yet somehow, it didn’t hit home too hard. 

But then it happened. Having walked quite some way through the bush, we arrived at a clearing where a typical African house was located - straw roof, mud walls, surrounded by a sandy, barren area. On the ground lay an older man, unkempt and distinct, wearing a huge thick coat despite us sweltering in the 33 degree heat. He sat up but wasn’t for talking much. This old grandfather had been left to bring up four children, despite his struggle to even look after himself.  His two youngest children; Chatty, 3, and Cosmas, 6, where adopted by the Chilabula Community Based Organisation. The children were not at home, so their Care Worker set off to find them.  Soon, the two boys came out of the bushes into the clearing.  That same morning we had played with kids who looked just the same as these children - no shoes, ragged clothes, but who played with great joy and gusto and huge smiles.  However, these two were different - shoulders slumped under deadpan faces. They sat down and we tried to engage them in a game. Eventually, there was the merest flicker of a smile from Cosmas - no more than a flicker - and yet enough to stir hope in me for him.  Chatty, however, was a different story. His face never changed. It was sullen, fearful and confused. I feared that there was nothing that would make him smile.

Then the harsh truth emerged. His mother had died just three months previously, leaving him with his three older siblings and a grandfather.  How does a child so young even begin to comprehend where his mother is, or who will take care of him, or where his next meal is coming from? Perhaps even worse than this, where does he get hugs from and who kisses him goodnight?

This one child, Chatty, broke my heart.

Can we stand by and simply watch this happen? As Matt Redman wrote “there must be more than this”.

Mark 9:37 (Jesus speaking): “Whoever embraces one of these children as I do embraces me, and far more than me – God who sent me.” (The Message)

I walked away from that situation and for over two years, this little child haunted my thoughts. Why didn’t I embrace the boy? Why didn’t I just grab him and hug him? Has my own culture knocked out of me the sense to love a lonely child? Why didn’t I try harder with him? What made me sit around and simply watch?

Now in 2013, we went back to the rural village of Chilabula. We arrived at a house that I did not immediately recognize, but Burton, a local Care Worker told me that it was Chatty’s house. I was immediately both excited, and apprehensive.  This time, however, I was determined not to miss the opportunity to move beyond just seeing him. I would embrace him.

We walked up to the house and I spotted Chatty, sat on the floor with his twenty year old big sister, who is also looking after her own child. This time, Chatty seemed more comfortable to visit with us.

Chatty still looks a little serious, even sullen, but things are definitely different now. Just like many other Zambian boys, he was happy to play with us and showed us his plastic bag ball, neatly banded together.  Burton spoke to Chatty and asked him “Do you remember this man” at which he nodded his head in affirmation. I was blown away that he could remember me. But why should he? We did nothing out of the ordinary to help last time, and yet he remembered.

I tried to do what Dads do and I put my arm around him and tried to make him smile.  It worked, and suddenly everything made a little more sense and felt worthwhile. Of course, this child was depressed and confused two years previously when his mother had so recently passed away, but today, we could see change in his life. The love, support and care that Burton and the local Care Workers have shown Chatty, along with the support of his older sister have transformed this little boy.  Chatty still has a long way to go in his life and it takes a bit of time to see a smile, but the life in him is slowly emerging.

This year, Chatty bro"I tried to do what Dads do and I put my arm around him and tried to make him smile".ke my heart once again, but not in a hopeless, despairing way. He makes me cry, not because I do not know what to do but because I see hope in the eyes of this child and because I see love being poured into his life. I see that I can be part of making a difference for one boy, living 5000 miles away on the other side of the world.”

Chris and his church consider the community of Chilabula as part of their family, congregation and ministry. Every week, they pray for the community and the children they know by name and they look forward to the next opportunity to visit them. 

To find out how you and your church can be a part of reaching vulnerable children across Africa, contact your local Hands at Work office. 

Australia: info@au.handsatwork.org

Canada:  info@ca.handsatwork.org

UK: info@uk.handsatwork.org

US: info@us.handsatwork.org

For other countries please contact partnerships@handsatwork.org

An Advocate Story - Sara Waldvogel

Sara Waldvogel joined Hands at Work as a short term volunteer in September 2011. She now works as part of the Hands at Work US International Office, raising up and supporting advocates who partner with vulnerable communities in Africa.

I had the privilege of coming to South Africa, along with 11 others from around the globe in September 2011.  We spent our first five weeks walking together in South African communities and learning from other Hands at Work long term volunteers.  Following orientation, I was fortunate to go to Kitwe, in Zambia to work with and learn from local Hands at Work leaders like Blessings Sambo and Towela Lungu.

During my time in Africa, I met children who broke my heart.  I became friends with Care Workers who were giving all they had and wished they could give more.  I lived with Hands at Work local leaders in Zambia who took me into their homes as family.  I stayed with a fourteen-year-old girl who gave me her own plate of food which was almost all she had left.  I walked through communities alongside servant-hearted leaders in whom I saw an exhibition of the love of Christ to a degree I hadn’t known was possible.  I was inspired to love in the same way.

By mid-December, I was back home in New York.  There was no denying that I had changed, but I wondered what was next.  I had returned to a culture that seems to prioritize self-advancement with little time to devote to the poor.  Except that there is need in every part of the world.  I realized that it takes a lot of effort to live a life of service to the poor in a place where it is easy to ignore that there is need.  Many people in New York feel that the poor just aren’t trying hard enough to survive and thrive.  Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus devoting His life to people who others said didn’t deserve help.  Walking with Care Workers in Africa opened my eyes to the truth that we are all called to do the same.

While I had a new passion for the poor and vulnerable in New York, I would never forget the children I met in South Africa and Zambia.  But knowing how to help them from so far away was difficult, but I knew I had to find a way. I decided to become an Advocate for Hands at Work.  An advocate is someone who pleads on behalf of another. I felt like this was what I could do for the children I had met – speak up on their behalf.  I believe an advocate is someone who lives out what is written in Proverbs 31:8-9, which says, ‘Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.  Open your mouth, judge righteously; defend the rights of the poor and needy.’ 

I also wanted to encourage others to join me in advocating for Africa’s poorest children by finding sponsors for a specific community and beginning a long term partnership of support, prayers and funding for that community.  

In truth, I find it difficult to ask people to give money to my cause.  Even though there are children in Zambia who I would say are ‘my children’, it is very hard for me to ask people to sponsor them.  Some people have a gift for fundraising; I feel like I don’t!  I have asked myself the question, ‘so how do I advocate for these children if I don’t directly ask people for money?’ 

Hands at Work has a saying, "We are before we do".  Over the last two years, many people have asked me why I do what I do, or they ask me about Africa, or they ask me why I waste time on people from whom I may never see the fruit of my investment.  I see these as great opportunities to talk about Hands at Work and our vision.  People see how much I love Hands, and in turn, they want to be a part of it. 

Being an advocate is not always easy.  I often want to get results quickly and it doesn’t always happen.  I want to be supporting multiple communities, and it’s not happening just yet.  People in cities like New York have plenty of money to give to needy children in Africa, but God doesn’t want them to give money because they can; He wants them to give money because they are filled with His love and can’t help but give to the poor.  Isaiah 58:10 says that ‘if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.’ 

God wants us to pour ourselves out for the hungry and the afflicted. I can testify to the truth that is found in this verse.  God has changed my life and I’ve never been happier.  As an advocate, I feel that my main role is to live this out in front of people in New York and pray that God uses that to further His kingdom.  If it results in sponsorship money for Hands at Work, I’m thrilled, but more than that, I pray that it results in people around me wanting to pour themselves out for the poor, whether it’s in Africa or New York.