Orphaned & Vulnerable Children's Camp

OVC Camp is coming soon...

help bring a light in the darkness

Ukukhanya Life Care Centre is sponsoring this outreach to the community of Ntuzuma, a township in Durban, South Africa

June 13 - 17

the 2010 outreach will be from May 28th through June 19th with the OVC Camp the last week. The estimated cost is $3500.

commit now so we can book flights as it is the World Cup in South Africa. If flights go higher we might need to raise the price.

if you need more information contact: pennydu@juno.com

Ukukhanya Life Care Centre

Well, I believe it has been about 6 months since I last blogged. So again I don't know where to begin to share what all we are seeing happen here at Ukukhanay Life Care Centre. Since the last blog we began working on the facility and have remodelled the 7 rooms for patients, we added two bathrooms right outside the old sactuary, we have converted the sactuary into our "everything" lounge, we have the offices up and running and the kitchen is in full operation. By Princes room and the old bathroom we have a laundry room and we are only now preparing to work on the last 7 rooms and the existing bathrooms.

We opened the facility 3 weeks before I returned to states and over the period I was gone (Nov-Jan) they only had a total of 7 people max and only one baby with her mom. Upon my return with my friend Faith from Newton (for 3 weeks) and Rachel Griffis from Andover for 3 months. We have grown in leaps and bounds.

We had hired 4 caregivers, and 2 cooks and 2 security guards before I left. The Lord was so faithful to send some caregivers doing their practicals to fill and we hired them the end of February....by March we were so overwhelmed with patients we just hired 4 more caregivers, brought Trevor and Welcome on Staff, and 2 more cooks and one more guard....I'm sure the Lord knows our grown and our needs....things are quite tight.....but He has always been faithful.

We got two more babies in February a 4 month old and History the orphan we have helped with his Gogo for l8 months now. When the babies arrived we added the additional workers. Then we filled up all the beds. We now have the babies in the lounge. We have a mom with her l4 year old daughter and we have the 3 orphan boys we have been helping for almost two years. They were not making it at home with their brother....their mud house washed away during a rain storm and they were not eating even though they were now granted. The said they wanted to stay with us and well, it just seemed right. They are doing well. So that gives us 7 men 5 women and one is a l6 year old mom of the 4 month old, and 7 children. 19 in all. With the staff the kitchen cooks for about 32! that is a lot of food.

For those of you who have been here you won't recognize the place. We are up and running and daily people from the community come in to report cases. We actually have a waiting list.

Now a typical day is Rachel and I leave our place about 6:45 to get to Ntuzuma. By 7:l5 Prince and I are taking the girl to Inanda to school and the boys to lindelani to school. Then we have to pick up about 2:30 and 3:00. When we get back we are usually taking people to the clinic and dropping off with a caregiver. We have prayer and worship in the morning at 9:00 am when the office staff get in. Sometimes the patients join us and usually by then the singing is putting the babies to sleep as they have started their day very early. Since opening the babies started crawling especially History who was so underdeveloped with muscle tone. Trevor and Welcome love the kids so much....welcome got History to take his first steps this week and we were all cheering. For being and orphan he is blessed with many people who love him! His Gogo still comes over and goes to the Dr. with us and stays with him when he has to go to the hospital.

We have some very sick people, and some are actually getting stronger. We see them live better, with nutrition and people to care for them and they are beginning to thrive. We see people crying about coming in and now not ever wanting to leave. Many have come back to their faith and are receiving hope.

So usually we have l2 hour days....if we get out of there before dark, rachel and I call it a holiday!
We celebrate birthdays for the month. Prince and I are usually driving all over, it is good he can now drive the car without me so we can divide and conquer. I would say my worst day is grocery shopping day. It freaks me out to buy so much food. We go to the butchery and buy a freezer full of meat, and to Makro (like Sam's) and by bulk the other things. Then we go to fruits and vegetable stands for that part. Weekly we go to the store and fruits and veggies.

Baby formula and nappies (diapers) are a huge expense for us....we find many of the gogo's giving their babies waterd down porridge and tea to drink, so we supply those in our care with formula til they get granted.

We are building relationship with Welfare and they now come to us to see our patients. Welcome is really like a social worker and escorts the babies and patients to the Dr. Pretty does the medication and overseas the caregivers. Hillary manages the office, Trevor, does our forms, and helps with our building stuff, and we see him moving into our human resource part.

We serve several Gogo's and their positive grandkids in the community, when we go to Mccords hospital where are children are treated, Welcome packs sandwiches for about 6-8, and juice and yogert for the babies, the leave early in the morning and return in the afternoon. The good news is that won't be monthly now but 3 months soon. History goes with Rachel and Welcome and sometimes his Gogo, Luanda goes with his aunty sometimes and sometimes just with us, he is 9, sarah and her mom go, sphe the tiny baby goes with Rachel, we have another Gogo and her baby that goes. It is a full vehicle. But all the children are doing well and we thank God for this.

Recently we had a mom die and she had an l8 month old, and we had several others who had children to be tested, we went to their house and tested and all 5 tests were negative....we just pray first and everytime has been negative.

After school welcome has about 40 boys that come and play soccer and he and one of guards take them to the beach to jog in the sand and train. It is amazing. HMMMM, I guess when God told us to call it a Life Care Centre He knew why. We see life happening, we see church happening and it is all so natural and day to day. nothing spectacular in the natural, but we are seeing people helped, receiving hope, seeing them believe in the power of prayer, seeing them respond to a little Love and dignity.

Sometimes we labor and labor and think....Is God ever going to move, but when He does....it just comes into being before you know what has hit you and you just look back and stand amazed. His Love is Amazing, His Grace is Amazing, and His Faithfulness is Amazing. What and Amazing God we serve. Thanks to all of you who help support this work.....your support is needed and if any others are looking to sow into His kingdom here in Ntuzuma, it is needed as I only see us getting bigger and bigger.

I know His Grace is Sufficient.

Breakthrough!

Wow, how long has it been since I blogged? May 30th.......sorry, it has been a whirlwind. Seems that is when the outreach team began to arrive. two girls joined me first Kensi and Lizbeth and mid June 3 more joined us for the Orphans Camp...then 3 more from S.Africa friends who have helped us in the past. It was truly the nations at work. :) I love that. Also Campus Crusade had just helped on the hospice for two weeks and we have 3 longer term staff helping every thursday....it has been great.

God was faithful! Surprise, and Orphans camp where 82 children from Ntuzuma received the "extravagant love of the Father".... frankly I have been speechless, it is too hard to begin to share, except God blessed them with new shoes, new clothes, blankets, towels, a game drive, wonderful teaching and loving volunteers to love them and encourage them. They played, the ate well, they travelled to the camp first class. Then the moment God led us to pray a blessing over them, me standing in the gap and praying a mothers blessing over her child, and pastor prince as a fathers blessing. Wow.. tears flowed, words were proclaimed and His love extended, later I looked around and the children had been held and prayed for, time of ministry was about 3 hours and they all waited for their blessings....God is amazing!!! We had extremely grateful hearts, YWAM Durban, helped with the camp as well as our outreach team, staff, and friends of Ukukhanya Life Care Centre. Thanks to all who gave of themselves and finances. (of course they are hoping to go again next year).

One little boy got sick the last day and after settling the others at the game park, we raced him home to the clinic. He was diagnosed HIV+ and we are starting to get him situated with medical care and talking to the aunt. I never expected to find a 9 year old just now getting his diagnosis. We have so much to learn......

i had a great trip back to the states, but in 6 weeks stayed in 5 different states, and saw lots of you, it was great...but fast, and it is great to be back and digging in to the work here......I guess what made me want to write today was to tell you the importance of extending Hope and importance of prayer.

I feel I want to encourage the body of Christ to not dispise the dark times that come before a breakthrough. We have a real adversary....who loves to discourage us....after a huge experience that you can do nothing more than thank God for his goodness, and blessing for the children, then to return to discouragement.... the enemy whispering lies....that we are not making an impact, doing everything to distract, and discourage. Well, he looses....we are seeing the vision unfold and we give God all the glory!

The first 7 rooms are almost painted as is the meeting room "sactuary". The new bathrooms are walled up and plumbing to be placed this weekend. Fans and electrical things hopefully done this weekend. God has provided a stipend again for the current caregivers, and encouraged all involved in ukukhanya life care centre.

The more I see the staff reach out, the more I see God move. Recently we met a girl very sick with tb and AIDS in fact 2 CD4 cells. Ginger was with us and insisted we pray right away.... she was so right as we picked the girl up to transport to the welfare department to get her a grant for her and her children, she said, "It was the prayer...everything turned around after the prayer" Encouraged us to start a service so people could testify of what God was doing.

Then Fundi led me to a lady across from our offices, raising her 9 year old nephew, but so sick...oh I wish we could have done more for them, but we bought some food, arranged to take her specimen to the clinic and her to the dr in the morning, her boyfriend had just left (as he was not helping her as she got sick), he took her money and left her, very sick....she lost her boyfriend one day, found out she was positive the next, and her mom had to return to the rural area to care for the kids living out there. We prayed, and blessed and are hoping to see the same turn around the last two girls have had. Please pray Jesus becomes so real for her during the night and comforts the boy.

We had a day at welfare, where after a year our orphan boys (child headed household,) still don't have a grant, and actually now the one is l4 he won't qualify nor will the l6 year old. How do they expect kids to finish school when they can't eat and have nobody at home for them. We need wisdom and we will continue to keep buying food for the boys as the Lord has been faithful to provide.

Well..... I just wanted to share what we have been up to,, what we are seeing, what we are learning and that the hospice hopes to open the 10 of October... alot to do in a few short weeks.
keep us in your prayers and know He is Faithful to complete the good work He has started!

Trusting and Loving Him more than ever as He reveals more of His amazing Love and Character.

The goodness of the Lord is great. This is my favorit time of year in S.Africa. the township with it's block homes come alive with the big bright yellow flowers amidst them to give them life. In the middle of the poverty you see life.

Well, that is what I am beginning to see and I believe God to see more. Nomusa the mom of the baby who passed away a few weeks back is out of the hospital and doing so much better. Sometimes I feel I only write about sad things, but seeing her home and moving around reminds me of His ability to heal. Her two boys were with her, and the oldest son who was having trouble stealing and not going to school has agreed to come to chance, I think He just needs to know the goodness of our Lord.

About 21 students from america have come with campus crusade for an outreach....they decended on Ukukhanya only a week after receiving our funds, they are prepping the building for painting from the roof, to the exterior to the hospital beds, sorting clothes brought over for our orphans camp, and books for some local schools. Monday we start visitng the orphans and sick. Prior to coming to us they have been working on the University Campus with studetns. So I am asking God to prepare them for the things they will see.

Two girls came early to outreach here and arrived last night. Pray for Lizbeths lost luggage.
I guess I just wanted to write and ask for your prayers for this season of young people coming to help with our orphan camp, for God to provide for all the needs so all 76 kids can come! He will I am confident... He Loves them and is wild about each one.

RAINBOWS for Nothando

Greetings, this will be short as it is quite late again. This morning I was awakend by a call, I THOUGHT our caregiver for Nomusa (Grace) now in the government hospital, Fikile, I thought she was sick. I was worried about Nothando getting her TB meds, she had been released Friday from McCords the Christian Hospital after a 5 day stay, and appeared to be doing much better. I was a bit worried as she was in a home with about 8 small children but they were caring neighbors.

I called Prince to tell him I thought Fikile was sick throwing up and running stomach, but he was just dialing me. He said she figured I didn't understand her, as the news was that the baby had passed away. I was shocked! We had taken her to the other hospital where her mom was and we wheeled the mom out to see for herself how Nothando was doing. Both mom and baby seemed good, I hope to attach a picture taken in the lobby of the two of them.

Have you ever been so glad you did something? Well taking the time to take the baby there was the best thing we did. I actually sat there and thanking the Lord and thinking this was going to be a happy ending both would recover for a bit longer.

But now on this cool and cloudy and rainy day, I made my drive up to the township, embraced Fikile, she is such a great caregiver, we greeted the neighbors and waited for her brother to come. Then we went in to see the baby. I have seen lots of death in this line of work, but never a three month old little girl. I was grateful it was dark and there was no electricity.

Prince went to a church where the Pastor is a mortician and negotiated the rate (you see they have no funeral policy and no job even the brother is without a job, so no money to bury the baby). Rl000 a bit over a $l00 US. Phew! We left the brother to wait with the body for the hurst, and the neighbors went to town getting the house in order and the yard trimmed so with a sickle so the hurst could come in.

Prince, Fikile and I loaded into the car to go to the hospital to tell the mom. I was DREADING IT, When we got there, the nurse said, not to tell her. She was so weak, they were afraid she couldn't handle it now and her mourning would upset the ward. Well it was different, but honestly I was relieved...we will go back Tuesday and she will get a pass to go home and we will tell her then, and the funeral will be Wed. We think she might sense it in her spirit as she was so good Friday and today so sick again.

It was hard...we then drove the brother to inform a few relatives.
But through it all, I sensed the presense of the Lord so strong.
We couldn't promise to pay the funeral, but we got a break.
The neighbors were so grateful for the medical help they both got,
I was amazed at the neighbors pitching in and serving...it spoke so much to me of community and what that looks like.

As we drove the brother and an aunt back to the "shack", we saw a HUGE rainbow over Ntuzuma.... then a double one, whenever we turned a curve there it was. Always in front of us. I think I know what "chasing rainbows is". I said... maybe Nothando is learning to color! They were the biggest rainbows I'd ever seen and vibrant.

I guess all I can say tonight is Thank You Lord for loving us, Thank you for life, no matter how long, you gave that little girl life, and you knew she probably couldn't have handled all the strong ARV's she would start come Monday morning. She is with you Lord and you Love the Little Children. We trust you to comfort those that mourn and be with Nomusa...give her the Grace, she is named for. Thank you for your Promises and the beauty you create around us when we can be in the darkest storms, you Shine Through!

Amazing Grace!

I guess this is more of prayer request, asking you to pray for this family. Oops! I just typed pay first. Okay! If anyone wants to send support!? I am thinking of starting a "Gifts for Grace," that allows me to do the things I am already doing, like stepping out in faith to take someone to the hospital. When you put yourself in their place, you can't help but be like Jesus, "moved by compassion." Trust me I know the difference between emotion and pity, and "compassion."

I just read an article in last years, “Bodylife,” by Wayne Jacobsen, (there is something about those paper copies still ministering long after we turn off our computers). It was entitled "the power of living in love." In the June 2008 issue, he writes:

"The meaning of compassion is right in the word itself: ‘come to passion.’ Passion in the old English meant suffering. Thus compassion means “to run to suffering" to be there at the worst moment because someone we love needs us." - I will add, because someone GOD loves needs us. (I love that too Wayne).

Here is my "Amazing Grace" story:

I was taken again to a shack; but, it was the cleanest shack I have ever seen. The walls are built with timbers and cardboard. The tin and thin pieces of wood are tacked around to create the walls. There was a refrigerator, but no electricity. (Is it hopeful thinking?) I saw some wires and asked if they buy their electricity with cards like airtime for phones. I thought maybe we could have power in the house. There was an extension cord used to borrow from a neighbors, but the neighbor couldn't afford to supplement them.

The shack had two rooms: a "lounge" and a sleeping room. On a big bed lay a thin woman of 33. She was very pale. I would say yellowish in color. In the middle of a heap of blankets there was a small, about the size of History (see pic from previous blog), three month old baby with a head of dark curly hair. The Mom, Nomusa, which means "Grace," was coughing and had labored breathing. Fikile, an amazing home-based caregiver, told us of this family. We bought formula and porridge for the family. (Thanks to Amy and Mark, we have designated your monthly gift to a fund that allows us to have formula and disposable diapers for sick babies with no food and diarrhea.) After we saw the need Deb and I had two new requests. We took another financial gift that had come in and went to buy groceries.

Wednesday, we took a large box to Grace and her baby because they both were in need of diapers. (Remember one has to haul water in a big plastic bucket that is filled at a tap down the road.) I carried in a smaller parcel with the diapers, a few baby pampers, formula, porridge, and wipes. A little squeal of gratitude came from Grace when the other four carried in the food, oil, rice, mealy meal, beans, long life milk, butter, etc. You'd have thought she had received a million dollars.

By this time it was about 4:oo p.m. and it was starting to get dark. While the others were bringing in the food, I asked her how she was. She spoke in fairly good English, with bouts of coughing. She explained the coughing doesn’t stop and that she has been on TB medication for 3 months. A caring neighbor was giving the baby a bath next door. It was then "Auntie Fundi," a woman who works with us at Ukukhanya, stopped by because she needed a ride somewhere. Before we left I asked Welcome, another Zulu volunteer, to ask her if it was okay to pray, because I wasn’t sure how much English she understood. There was a hesitancy, so I asked her, "Do you know Jesus?" She ducked her head as if she was embarrassed. I didn't know if it was because of the question, or her circumstances. She said we could pray for her, but “What do you pray?” You invite Jesus into the room and the situation. You speak of who He is and How well YOU know His Love for us and you ask Him to show her, Grace, His love. Then you believe He will. You don't feel eloquent sometimes you even feel awkward and rushed, but you speak and believe - it is by faith.

I thought about Grace all next day. That Friday I was determined to talk to Fikile about placing her in a hospice. My heart was aching because we couldn’t take her immediately.

Friday at the caregivers meeting I asked about hospice for Grace and her baby. Fikile said, something had to be done she was "too sick." In addition, she has a 13 year old son, who has been stealing from neighbors, not going to school and out of desperation. (Hmm! Makes me think differently about my own robbery.) Anyhow the son told Fikile he would go to school if he had the fees, uniforms and shoes. (Shoes you guys?) Friday afternoon I was "moved with compassion." We went to the house and gathered Grace and her baby.

The Folks.....the scene...first community.

Fikile goes in to tell Grace we’ve come and helps her to a sitting position. A neighbor is in the living room trying to calm the crying baby. I take the child and Fikile begins dispatching. One neighbor comes in washes her hands from a bucket, pouring a small portion of water into a basin and using the dish detergent we had brought. After she washes her hands, covers the basin and takes the baby from me to prepare her to go to the clinic. Fikilie walks over to another older lady, who comes in with a mask on her face and towel around her waist. The older lady just came, leaving her own agenda, and begins to help dress grace. As Fikile draws water from the tap I am in the car with Prince making a plan; but, I don't miss the community effort to ready this family (might I say - an opportunity for help)?

We load them in the car. Grace is so weak you almost hate to move her. Fikile carries the little pink bundle (I think they keep their babies too warm. The Zulu would freak out at how we let kids just lay in T shirts in the open). Our Dr. friend, says the mom needs to go to the hospital. In my mind, the two options for hospital is McCords or Ghandi. Ghandi is where they wait hours, almost days at times and don’t get much treatment and usually die there. McCords is quicker and efficient but, you pay up front for your services. My mind is made up we are going to McCords. The Dr. tells us the baby probably won't be admitted but is likely to be positive and needs ARV's, AIDS medication, and a chest x-ray to detect if she has TB. Grace is diagnosed with TB and AIDS. I think her CD4 count is around 40 at last count. She’s not on ARV's but very jaundiced. So her liver is either reacting to her disease or the TB medication. The baby gets a shot of antibiotic and we go back to their house. We pack diapers, formula and Grace's blanket. We tell the neighbor and Grace’s son we are going to the hospital.

I wanted to tell the Grace to speak or hug her son, knowing she might not come home. Instead she instructs him to bring something, he is shy around us, but obeys. There is no way I could have left my l3 year old alone for a weekend in the house with no electricity, and fearing for what remains of his family. Again, I am moved with compassion for this young man that I don't know YET.

On the way to the hospital Grace asks why McCords? Why not Addington, another government hospital? They tell her she wasn’t referred to Addington and it would take to long. She knows this will cost her money and can’t understand why we are doing this.

We arrived at McCords, I take Baby to the pediatrician side, and Fikile goes with Grace. Meanwhile, you pay everything up front. I knew I had a support check coming in; but, Mike, the NJM staff handling my accounts state-side, hadn't deposited it until that afternoon - it was still A.M. in Kansas. Deb, the volunteer from Switzerland, pitched in as we paid the $70 for both to be in the ER and get the chest x-ray. Baby was treated and released with medicine. We are to bring her back for tests to get her on ARV's. We wait with Grace, it’s about 3 hours and still no word on admittance and it is 8:00 p.m. We pray and feel certain she will stay, so I write a note and take Fikile and baby back to the township. A neighbor volunteers to care for the baby. It is late on a Friday night so if we are brining Grace back, I would need Prince to go back with us for security. If not I can go back and pay for her admittance. Fortunately, the call came while I was dropping off Prince - she was being admitted. We go back to McCords and pay the R4700, about $500 USD, for her to stay in the hospital. If something happens, or she gets discharged they refund the balance. The doctors want to find out why she isn't responding to TB treatment.

I’m reminded of Someplace Else, the group home I worked in Kansas, knowing this is what I am created for - to show His Love as best I can. Earlier, the baby had thrown up on her clothes. I sent Prince and Deb to buy a blanket and dry outfit. Deb went wild and bought 3 outfits, a lovely blanket and some shoes and outfit for Dana, the 2 year old sister of History. When Fikile, proudly beaming, showed Grace her baby, she giggled and said she looks lovely. She thanked them for doing this.

Again, I said, “Jesus loves you and your baby.” Grace said, "I know... it is ONLY HIM." By this time she was so hungry. We got her a toasted cheese sandwich and orange juice which she immediately scarfed up. This was a good sign. The doctor’s hydrated her with two units of fluid and she was ready to chat. I squatted by the gurney and we talked in good English. She asked how much this is going to cost. I told her don't worry, God always takes care of it. I explained that we pray, and if God says to bring someone to the hospital we do, and trust Him for the rest. I expressed concern for her boy. I told her I would ask someone for uniform money to get him back in school. She asked, who told you? I told her Fikile shared. She was beaming, it’s amazing that food, water, and clean environment, can bring such hope to a sick person. I told her we took her baby back home and came back to admit her and that we'd visit over the weekend while they ran tests. She looked better, like her color was coming back. I can't tell you of the gratitude...

It is God's amazing grace that allows us to move beyond our own desires, comforts and sacrifice. I know for myself I don't always do it. It was around 10 p.m. as Deb and I drove home. We were feeling exhausted (I guess with the emotions and the decision-making it drains you - and the DRIVING, so much DRIVING). The peace we had, knowing we'd prayed God's peace for her and she was in a dignified place being cared for, gave our exhaustion purpose. I am reminded that His Grace is sufficient for us, and He is the Peace that surpasses ALL understanding.

Bless you this weekend and may you pray for Grace, her baby girl and teenage son when the Lord puts them on your heart! We are THE BODY bringing LIFE!

The Cross

I found myself last Sunday about a week after my intruder had come into my home, scared me to death and robbed me. I was looking over my calendar and wondering, is this normal? One day you are at a lovely game park seeing amazing scenery and animals. and the next day you have people in the ER.

Then you are starting a baby on TB medicine, and next day you are giving a tour to a friend at a traditional restuarant... good, tragic, fun, frantic....praises and victory, frustration and warfare.... amazing the ups and downs. Then I remembered we are to identify with Jesus....how must He have felt.....Sunday Praises and Welcome, Friday the Cross,..... ahhhh but Sunday. He OVERCAME IT ALL so we could have LIFE....eternal, beautiful, and with HIM. that is Victory, that is extreme ups and downs, why should I expect any less. I wish you all a joyous Easter weekend. Be blessed and Loved,
Penny

History the baby is doing much better on tb medicine and starts ARV's in a week, and his sister (2) got her results today.... Negative we are thanking God.