this week

This week we have been working in an AIDS hopice center doing manual labor and playing with the orphans that have been left there after their parents have passed away. The center is located in a township, which is basically a community of government built shacks. The name of the hospice is UKUKHANYA, which means "light". And it most definitely is a light in the midst of all the poverty in that community. This particular township is around 50% HIV positive. so, that means most of the 500,000 people have the disease.
UKUKHANYA can serve around 28 people at a time. It is completely funded by donations from the States and was founded by an American lady who partnered with an African guy who knew the area and the need. People come there in their last days to be cared for. there are also people who come there to be treated and leave strengthed. they told us 50% of their patience die.
Our job is to help fix broken bathrooms, paint the exterior, clean up trash, and love on the orphan kids, who, I must add, are all HIV positive but most likely dont know it yet. It's a sad reality we are facing.
Our hope is that we can share the gospel with the people who are staying at this center. It has been so great to see how the Lord has worked in so many ways to bring this center into operation and provide willing workers, who have literally set their life to the side in order to work at this hospice center.
People who have nothing that are praising the Lord for saving them...what an amazing sight to see! I have such little faith, and yet these people have the faith to move mountains. I am learnig so much about the Lord from the people of Africa.
Until next time,
k.

Let me say this first: this was not premeditated, i don't have spell check, and I only have ten minutes!
Durban is amazing!!! The past week we have been coaching a soccer league for local boys...school was let out for four weeks because of the World Cup, so many of the kids have nothing to do during the day. The crime rate is so bad here that many churches have been providing activities for the kids, so they will stay occupied during the day. My team is the Play Makers. We are seven strong with an amazing goal keeper named Akash (he's my favorite). These kids bring so much happiness to my life, it's unreal. They dont need me at all - they love soccer and have all the tools necessary to play. I am the one who benefits from being the coach because i get to be in their world for the day. we have been playing all week and today is the championship. we have made it to the quarterfinals! Today is the big challenge, can we beat the Big Green!!? It's going to be so hard saying goodbye today. We have been able to teach a lesson each day- we take a topic that relates to soccer and life and tie it into the gospel. most of the boys know who God is and could tell you all about Christianity....it's been great to hear their questions and be able to encourage them to succeed in life...
Next week we will be working in an AIDS hospice clinic...i cant' imagine how hard but rewarding that will be!
Our team here has meshed very well! we have around 27 people in total. the biggest challenge is having freedom. Because Durban is so dangerous, we are not allowed to go out in groups less than 4 or 3, if we have a guy with us... I'm pretty independant, so it's difficult for me to let that go. we are so fortunate that we have amazing guys on this trip who look out for us though!
OH! i went to the world cup!!! we were planning on walking to the stadium, which is a 5 minute walk from the place we are staying, to tailgate and then watch the game on the beach..but, when we got there i caught the world cup fever and decided to scalp a ticket! luckily, i was able to find a ticket for about $50 Us dollars, which is unheard of! It was amazing!! I was soo excited when Spain headed the ball into the goal and eventually beat Germany to go on to the finals!!!

Until next time,
k.