This is the tune that has been ringing in my head all morning. One of the health care center patients has been singing this beautiful tune all morning! It's a welcome sound in the sterile, but peaceful halls of the wards.
Pic 1- She's working on the group activity!! She is the one who has been singing all morning long!! She is wonderfully helpful and helps me to set up for group and also helps to clean up!
Pic 2- The ladies with their beautiful creations!! I told them that they are artists!
Today was group day!! I look forward to these days for several reasons...1. I get to bake for the patients (any excuse I have to bake sweets, I take it!-today was peanut butter cookies), 2. It's just fun to get together with them and to see them interacting with each other, laughing, and smiling. We were kind of crammed into a tiny room and at one point it seemed like we were packed in like sardines. The staff members wanted to come in and see what was going on...we had patients, sisters (nurses), the cook, the doctor, me, and the patients packed in. I LOVED IT!! I could tell that the ladies enjoyed the activity- they created a collage- it was so fun to watch them create something all their own. Seeing them smile is pretty much the highlight of my day!
At the end of each group, we end by saying The Serenity Prayer (THANKS JULIE!!!). This prayer says..."God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference." How this works is I say it in English, then it is repeated in Xhosa by the translator, then the ladies repeat after her. Then it is read in Afrikaanz. I can't tell you what a beautiful thing it is to see the ladies holding hands, eyes closed, and speaking this prayer. How beautiful!! Would you pray this prayer for the patients of Living Hope?
By the way, wonderful news around LHCC is that Fish Hoek Baptist Church (LHCC was started as a ministry of this church) is the recipient of The Courageous Leadership Award. This award is given by World Vision, Saddleback Church, and Willow Creek Church. This is an international award given to the church that is making the biggest impact in their community on HIV/AIDS. Isn't that amazing!! It will be exciting to watch how God uses this recognition to grow the ministry of Living Hope!
Love ya'll!!
4 comments:
laural,
i love seeing these pictures and hearing about your days at LH. thanks so much for posting and keeping us in the loop.
praying the serenity prayer for you & LH,
love,
aj
thanks for the updates on the blog! i've enjoyed reading them! i feel like i'm there! it's exciting to read what you write...sounds like you're TOTALLY flourishing there! how wonderful! ohhhhhh...i remember the sky from my time in egypt. i was equally fascinated by it's beauty. it looked totally different there than here in good ol' TN. enjoy it! tell natalie that i said "HI" too! it was fun to see her pic on your blog! so excited for you girls!!!
Hey, just found out about your blog this week. I have n caught up and read all of your posts...yay!
sounds like an incredible journey and thanks for all the updates!
lady...
LOVE reading about your journey. LOVE reading how God is using you. LOVE just reading...
and especially LOVE you!
praying.
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