"To whom much is given".....

The last time we were in South Africa we stayed in an exclusive area of Cowie's Hill surrounded by a huge gate and electric fencing. It rained 4 of the 5 weeks we were here and when it rains in Africa, it rains in Africa! Outside of some day trips to a few touristy areas, we spent most of our days either in our room at the Bed and Breakfast or walking the malls to stay dry and pass time. Although we saw poverty at times, I cannot say we really experienced it on a daily basis.

This time around, we chose to rent an entire house in the small community of Richmond, which is an hour outside of Durban and 40 minutes from Cowie's Hill, where we stayed the first time we were here. Talk about a lesson in contrasts!

We have been living for 3 weeks in a poorer community and see poverty like we never have before. It is all around us. We pass this area of make shift housing every time we leave and return to Richmond. And it is just one of MANY.

click picture to enlarge

What exactly would these dwellings look like inside? I can't imagine it would be much different than it looks on the outside. Would there be a proper floor or just the ground beneath your feet? Where would you sleep? On a bed or on a mat placed on the floor? There is very likely no water, no washroom, no kitchen facilities, no electricity. None of what I would consider the basic necessities of life. Would there be children living there? Babies? Definitely....we see them playing outside as we pass by.

I don't think I've had a proper night's sleep since we arrived. As my head hits the pillow in my warm, cozy bed with my 2 precious little ones in cozy beds of their own, my mind goes to all those who are doing without these things. And I wonder what my part is in bringing change .....

I think the need seems so great sometimes that we think anything we do will be insignificant and irrelevant....but it isn't. Even if we could change the life of one man, one single mother, one child, one grandmother taking care of her grandchildren...wouldn't we? Would it be insignificant then?

There are beautiful, amazing people here in the community of Richmond who want the same things in life that we all want - a roof over our heads, food on our tables, a bed to sleep in at night, a secure loving place in which to raise our children and hope for the future. And they deserve nothing less.

Our lives have been forever changed by this experience. Not only because we have added another perfect blessing to our family, but because we have truly experienced Africa - in all it's wonder and all it's pain.