Recently a team from Church Unlimited in #SouthAfrica came to spend time in the community of Oshoek, which is one of the communities that they support in partnership with Hands at Work. While they were in Oshoek, they spent time making #HolyHomeVisits, getting to know the most vulnerable children and the Care Workers, and helping to paint the Oshoek #LifeCentre building. It was a great opportunity for the team members to gain a deeper understanding of the vulnerability that exists within South Africa.

Kamakonde Communiy, #Zambia. ⠀ ⠀ One day, eight-year-old Pauline’s* mother came home and began to make a meal. She struggled to light the fire. She sent Pauline to fetch some petrol from a container. Pauline did so, but accidentally spilt some of the fuel on herself. When Pauline’s mother tried to light the fire, Pauline’s clothes ignited. Pauline and her mother experienced severe burns, and 80% of Pauline’s little body is scarred from the incident. ⠀ ⠀ Despite pain and scars, Pauline has been healing well and at school she is a cheerful girl. Her #CareWorker, Bertha, is also her teacher at the community school. Bertha visits Pauline regularly at home, and the love between them is obvious. Bertha, along with the other Care Workers, continues to provide Pauline with a place of care and safety: a place where she can simply be a child and play with her friends.⠀

Ruth*, from the community of Chibuli, #Zambia, was accused of witchcraft by her husband’s family and members of the community after he passed away. These accusations left Ruth feeling bitter towards the people around her, especially towards her late husband’s family.⠀ ⠀ In May 2018 Ruth heard about the Relationship Group that was held for the #PrimaryCaregivers in Chibuli and facilitated by Sylvia, a member of the local Hands at Work team in Luanshya. They gather together to read the word of God, share their challenges and pray with one another. One of the key themes shared is forgiveness and how God can bring restoration. Recently, Ruth was able to share about how much she has benefitted from joining the group and has learnt how to forgive those who have hurt her. She is beginning to heal and knows that God is restoring her.⠀

“When teams come, they bring a huge encouragement to the #CareWorkers and the children. When they see that people from outside Africa, often from very far, come to personally visit them in their homes, and show love to them, they are encouraged. ⁣ ⁣ When team members share their stories, humble themselves and push themselves to fetch water, or eat maize meal with us, we know this is not easy for them. They are not used to these things, but people are encouraged when they humble themselves and meet them where they’re at.”⁣ ⁣ – Michael Mwila (second left), African Volunteer (#Zambia), coordinator of the local Hands at Work team in Luanshya, reflects on the value of teams coming to Africa.

Jackie Okindah is one of our African volunteers from #Kenya who has been serving with Hands at Work for many years. She spends the majority of her time supporting the Regional Support Team in #Zimbabwe, who also support the work that is happening in #Mozambique. ⁣ ⁣ Thank God for our African leaders, like Jackie, who sacrificially give their time and energy to serve the most vulnerable. ⁣ ⁣ #ServingTheMostVulnerable

"The ‘where’ and the ‘how’ may be unknown for the time being, but the ‘what’ – God’s call to go – has been clear from the beginning. Going to Zambia with Hands at Work showed me that though it will be far from easy or comfortable, there is still an overwhelming joy to be had in responding to this call. It is said, ‘Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’. I can think of no greater way to honour our God than by imitating Him in serving the least of these."⁣ ⁣ – Taylor Lee, past team member from Sunset Church in the #US, reflects on how coming to Africa impacted his life.

Tanazio and Butwell, members of the local Hands at Work team in Dedza, #Malawi, are committed to caring for the most vulnerable. In 2018, a Primary Caregiver who lives in the community of Maonde, lost her son to malaria. When they were visiting her earlier this year, she shared, “It was very difficult to lose my son but out of that, I realised how much we are loved. When my son was sick, Tanazio and Butwell took him to the clinic and when he died, they were there. They couldn’t save my son, but I know that my son died in the hands of people who loved him and that gives me comfort.”⁣ ⁣ #ServingTheMostVulnerable

Prior to becoming a #CareWorker in the community of Matsinho A, #Mozambique, Rebecca* lost one of her seven children. She was married to a man who struggled with the abuse of alcohol and was very aggressive towards Rebecca, often, shamefully, outside in front of her neighbours. ⁣ ⁣ One day, Maria, another Care Worker, invited Rebecca to join her in a fast for seven days to pray about the situation. On the sixth day of the fast, by the grace of God, Rebecca’s husband stopped drinking and has not been physically aggressive towards her since. Praise God! Shortly afterwards, Maria asked Rebecca to become a Care Worker. Rebecca agreed, saying that God didn’t ask for anything in return but delivered her, so that she could volunteer to help others. This was how she could serve and thank Him.⁣ ⁣ #ServingTheMostVulnerable

Nissi Community, #Zambia ⁣ ⁣ Sadly, eight-year-old Noras's* parents passed away due to illness several years ago. Thankfully, her mother’s sister Jean*, acting with compassion, brought Noras to live in her home. The family relies on the kindness of the people in her community to survive. ⁣ ⁣ When #CareWorkers found Noras and saw her vulnerability, they brought her to the Care Point where she receives a hot and nutritious meal daily and support with her education and health care which helps to ease the burden that her aunt carries in providing for her family. With the help of Anna, one of the Care Workers in Nissi, Noras has been enrolled in school and started grade 1 in January 2019. Noras is so excited!⁣ ⁣ #ServingTheMostVulnerable

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:31 ⁣ ⁣ #Scripture

“Often people have the misconception that if we are called to something, that everything will work out smoothly. God doesn’t say that things are going to be easy, nor does He call us to an easy life. There are going to be sacrifices that need to be made and challenges that we have to face.” - Kristi and Daytona Swarbrick, International Volunteers (#Canada) Click the link in our bio to learn more about the journey that lead Kristi and Daytona to serve the most vulnerable children in Africa.

Across Africa, African Leaders like Xolani Makwakwa are dedicated to fighting on behalf of the most vulnerable children in their communities.⁣ ⁣ #ServingTheMostVulnerable

One component of a healthy and holistic Life Centre vision is the provision of basic facilities. These include toilets, cooking shelters and spaces for our children and Care Workers to gather within. Our dream is to see these physical spaces transformed into welcoming, colourful and attractive facilities which reflect values of life and care. Throughout 2018, several Life Centres were painted, bringing together Hands at Work, the children, Care Workers and International teams. Our dream for 2019 is to continue to create welcoming facilities where the most vulnerable children can come and experience life.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30⁣ ⁣ #Scripture

Chinyausunzi Community, #Zimbabwe⁣ ⁣ Often twelve-year-old Silu’s uncle goes to the side of the road where he begs for food and other basic necessities. It was during one of these times by the road that Maria, a volunteer #CareWorker from the Chinyausunzi Community Based Organisation (CBO), met Silu’s uncle. Acting with the love and compassion of Christ, Maria visited Silu and his family in their home and was compelled to fight for this family. When the Chinyausunzi CBO was looking to increasing the number of children under their care in 2018, Maria and the other Care Workers knew that they needed to invite Silu to the Care Point, where he could be holistically cared for.⁣ ⁣ #ServingTheMostVulnerable #ChristOurFoundation

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