So one of the things we would do is half of our team would help do physical work like paint, and help build stuff. And the other half would go do house visits for people with Hiv/Aids, people who were dying, disabled people, etc.
This was really hard for me, especially because I hate to see poverty and suffering.
There were two people that we prayed for that got to me.
The Girl with HIv, and the boy who couldn't move.
The Girl with Hiv:
We had to go down a really steep makeshift driveway to the first patient we were praying for. All we knew was that it was a girl with Hiv. When I stepped out of the van and saw who she was, well how young she was. I was shocked. She was only about 16-18 years old and lived in a hut with the rest of her family. I kept myself from tears while we were praying and afterwards she was near tears, and my grandpa went up and hugged her (my grandpa came with me to South Africa).
I remember she had an yellow shirt, a striped hat, and a pretty shirt made out of a scarf of something.
I knew she was going to die an young age, anywhere from 1-10 years. I hurt for the years she would miss, the dreams she wouldn't be able to fulfill.
When my grandpa hugged her, she was shocked. Shocked that this man cared about her so much as to give her a hug. (hugs aren't used a lot in South Africa, but are loved).
I pray for her a lot, that she will be able to fight her Hiv and live to fulfill her dreams one day.
The boy who couldn't move.
While we were driving all we knew was that the next person we were seeing was a little boy.
When we got there I saw a little boy in a wheelchair on the porch.
But once I got closer, I had to keep from sobbing.
He was about 8-10 years old.
He was in a makeshift wheelchair (a baby stroller) that was way to small for him.
He was strapped in with like a bungee cord so he wouldn't fall out.
He was in the blazing outdoors.
He was falling out of his makeshift wheelchair.
He had flies going into his mouth and into his nose, but he couldn't shoo them away.
He couldn't talk or move.
When he saw us his eyes filled with joy and he let out happy screeches.
I was holding in tears.
The first thing we did was help him back into his makeshift wheelchair.
He had the most beautiful smile in the world.
He acted like us being there with him for just a couple minutes was the best thing that has ever happened to him.
During the time we were praying for him I was sobbing, because even though he was in this situation, he was smiling and being more grateful for his life than I ever was of mine.
This special little boy is embedded in my heart.
And because of that I have contacted Horizon International (the group I went with) to see if I can send him personalized wheel chair for him.
I don't know your name, but I want you to know that I love you and will always be praying for you. I will do everything I can to send you that wheelchair, and stuff to make your precious life better. I love you and you will always have a special place in my heart. I will try to visit you next time I come to South Africa. I love you bud.
Helping him into his wheelchair. Isn't his smile the most beautiful one you have seen?! ^
His beautiful smile. ^
I caught him in the middle of an sneeze in this photo. But he is still so precious.
Thanks for reading,
I will be posting more stories soon.
