What Are We Doing?

Sanibona! (Hello everyone!)

What a joy these past two days have been! First, to be reunited with all the staff at Seed of Hope - well, let me tell you how wonderful it felt to be greeted as friends, with warm hugs and even warmer smiles.  It was truly like coming home to family.  We met new staff members and interns as well, beginning new friendships which I'm sure will continue to cross borders, continents, oceans and cultures.

As Aynsley explained in her post, we are continuing to learn about how the approach to community development and poverty alleviation is growing and evolving here, and with that, our thoughts turn to our own community at home.  The concept of growing deeper before going further is solid truth, and that focusing on the restoration of individuals can result in restored communities.

We are observing the way these principles are being taught and demonstrated here in Bhekulwandle.  For example, there are new programs where various life skills are being taught- including sewing, computer training, fundamentals of business, workplace readiness, etc.  Seed of Hope has seen an increase in the number of adult participants in these sessions.  People are being taught these skills so that they can not only improve the quality of their own lives, but that they can then take what they have learned and teach it to others in the community.

When we understand our value as uniquely created, beloved children of a loving Father God (UBaba) then we can be confident in applying ourselves to whatever opportunities present themselves in our lives.  We can also share these truths with others, helping them to recognize their unique gifts and value. Momentum builds and communities are transformed!

This is why we are here.  Yes, we are painting rooms and supplying materials to help improve the buildings, and these are good things.  But more importantly, our role here is to help affirm and encourage these folks to stay the course.  To learn all we can about how they are teaching people how to become restored individuals through a restored relationship with God, and then to bring what we have learned home.  Together, we can grow deeper and then go further.

Thanks to our friends and families who are praying us through this process...we are excited to share with you more about what we are learning!

Angela