Flexibility: The name of the game.

One thing I have definitely realized is that flexibility is essential to functioning at the family center. We may come in with all our schedules for the day laid out, and have to totally wipe the slate clean. This has been the case of the past two days. Wednesday morning we visited, prayed and sang with the patients and staff at the Mpophomeni Clinic at around 8. From there we returned to the family center. (who's main room now has this beautiful world map painted on it, along with John 3:16 in isiZulu!)

Next came school visits with my mentor Zwelihle, Eli and his Nhlakanipho.

(This is truly a rare photo of my mentor Zwe, he has one of the most contagious smiles so this intense portrait is out of the norm)
They monthly visit teachers of their "mentees" to check up on grades and relationships between the child and their parents, and also their relationship with the teacher. This took us an hour or so, then we made our way back to the community center. Both Zwe and Nhlaka seem to love going around in the community, so much of Eli and my time looks to be spent on home/school visits.
Later that afternoon we delivered two beds and frames to homes on the hillside. We also stopped by the home of a highschool age boy nick-named "Church." (because of his want to be a pastor in the future)

He has been sick, missing the past three days of school with some sort of respiratory sickness that the doctors could not diagnose. His home consists of one bedroom and a kitchen/sitting area with concrete floors. He lives with his little brothers, and older sister who has taken on the mother role to the little ones, since his parents have passed. There was a distinct heaviness over this home. Eli and I had the privilege of praying over them. Our final stop of the day on Wednesday was at a "Go-go's" home. She has got to be in her late sixties and is losing her sight, (much older here in comparison to back home) but yet is taking care of two of her grandchildren since their mother has passed away and the father has no involvement. It is incredible to see the amount of sacrifice she makes for these children. She has no income besides her pension, yet she funds their tuition to school and scrounges up food for them. (with help of the center) Our time with her ended with her singing and praying fervently for us in isiZulu. Definitely a humbling day,and incredible selflessness to witness.
As for today, I am still processing. Most certainly the most heavy day yet. I will write more on this when it isn't past midnight, which is two hours past my ideal bed time ;) Goodnight friends, until tomorrow, Shalom!