Wednesdays in Burlington.

Every Wednesday we do what's called feeding scheme. We put a program together and minister to the kids in the township here (the name of the township is Burlington). But after we do the program we feed them. They eat rice and stew. We have usually around 60 kids from the ages of about 2-12. So here's kinda what happens: We walk about 20 minutes into the township. The kids are usually ready and waiting on us. We show them how to wash their hands and then when everyone's done getting washed up, we present a little message to them, we sing songs, play games, do dramas and that sort of thing. Here's one of our biggest challenges: they speak Zulu... we do not. Usually we have a translator, but there are occassions when we don't. These children are at times completely defiant. They are starving physically and emotionally. They are so hungry for love and affection. So even in the moments of meltdown and frustration because we cannot communicate or the kids just DO NOT listen... we know that we are making a huge impact in their lives. When we smile at them or wink at them, when we hug them and hold their hands, when we give them a high five or thumbs up, when we tell them we love them... we're showing them Jesus.

They absolutely love cameras. They love taking pictures and then looking at themselves. They're normal children. They're silly and curious. The sad thing is though, that it's typical to see a 6 year old child carrying around her baby brother. So many of the children in Burlington are orphans. There's a huge problem with HIV/AIDS in Burlington, also TB is very common. No matter what age these kids are, if a parent dies, they rise up and take on the role as the parent. They're robbed of their childhood and their identity.

I read an extremely sad statistic that stated this: It's a sad but true fact that it is more likely for a South African woman to be raped than to learn how to read. That makes my heart ache. What a horrible reality.

I love you guys. Goodnight.