Lunch in Malanda

Yesterday, Aileen and Vickie returned to the US while Jane, Rosemary, Barb and Becky are here for another week in Bulembu. We are staying with Lee-Ann and Freddy Mc Farlane for the remaining week in a wonderfully inviting home near the edge of town.

Lee-Ann is the director of Enduduzweni Childcare centre in the heart of the town. The children who attend the centre are mainly children of workers of the sawmill in town and the other enterprises of Bulembu Ministries Swaziland (BMS). It is independent of BMS in it's funding and receives funds from other limited sources.

The families of the centre mostly come from the neighboring town of Malanda, up the hill from Bulembu. Again, it is another very poor, rural community and the people come to Bulembu because this is where work will provide income to feed their families.

Lee-Ann has several outreach projects to serve the people of Malanda, including a baby care at the centre (formerly the centre provided care for preschool children only) and most recently she has initiated a community lunch program for the Malanda women. Once a week, lunch is cooked for the community (food provided by Lee-Ann's ministries) and the women, children and a few men gather at the church (a small, half-cut timbered building). While the people gather, they also work on knitting projects that hopefully will become an enterprise to create income. The gathering also provides a time for the women to socialize and create a sense of community.

We served the people (about 45 women, children and men) rice and fish stew, cooked in large, black kettles, prepared by one of the women of Malanda. It was a humbling experience to feed these people and to provide them with a hot nourishing meal. I feel blessed by the experience and am thankful for Lee-Ann's heart for this neighboring community and its people.

On a side note, a very special moment for me was when I recognized someone I had met 3 years ago when Lee-Ann first introduced me to to the town of Malanda three years ago. She also remembered me and introduced me to her other children and grandchildren. She has the most beautiful smile!
Becky

Yes, feeding the gogos was really rewarding. A few had grandchildren on their backs and many other children following them. We fed many hungry people and that felt so good. They all seemed so appreciative. I got to love up a 3 week old, and 2 two month old babies. The gogos are very happy to share.

Today I told the story of the lost sheep to the children and we sang lots of songs. We had tea with the sister who heads up the Jacaranda house for abused girls. We wanted to figure out when we can go make cookies and do crafts with the girls. The calendar is set so that's good. This afternoon we went back to the daycare center and worked there for several hours. It was another great day and I am so thankful that I have had the opportunity to come back here.

Thanks for your prayers and your encouragement for me to make this trip. It's so much better than a “vacation”, per say!!!

Rosemary