Lovin' Lost Kids

...The Pines works closely with a British-based ministry, Morning Star, a daycare for HIV positive kids from the townships. Vans drive to the various projects, picking up babies and children up to six or seven years of age, after which they attend public schools.

...Mornings start with breakfast, perhaps a nap or a bath as needed by the various ages. Older children attend classes where they learn songs, numbers, the alphabet -- things typical of US daycare classes. Today, I read stories to a couple groups. They loved hearing about monkeys and elephants, familiar animals in this area.

...I enjoyed looking at their bright and shining eyes. But, my heart broke to know that some of their names will show up on the wall at the entrance -- the wall remembering those who have passed through Morning Star halls and have died.

...Children may come to Morning Star for a few years, or maybe just a few days. Along with breakfast and medicines, love is freely dispensed. One baby, found dead in bed, was carried to the home of the director, and respectfully buried with only strangers in attendance.

...As I left class, the children sang for me, "Jesus is coming again. Are you ready?" For those whose future seems bleak, heaven promises eternal joy. I thank God for Joan and Patti and Val and Phil and Alana and Sally and many who understand the need and go where He leads them.

Safari -- Yes!

...FYI, we had a wonderful time at Zulu Nyala. As you can imagine, Don met somebody who knew somebody he knew -- before we got from Richards Bay to the Heritage Lodge!

...Our God is amazing, as is His creation. Seeing our messes cleaned up in the New Heavens and New Earth will be over the top.

...On Tuesday, July 21, our first evening at ZN, we met Alan, the guide with whom we spent many hours over the next six days. He knows animals and plants and dung, which actually are all tied together.

...During the first evening's drive we saw nyala, impala, gnu, kudu, red duiker, giraffe, zebra, and more. A beautiful conclusion to the evening included a time next to a favorite watering hole watching hippos in the water, nyala and impala and warthogs refreshing themselves at the edge.

...As we watching this amazing array of creatures just being what God created them to be, Don looked over his shoulder to see three elephants stroll across the dam and down to the edge of the pond. They are huge!!! Side by side, the matriarch, a baby elephant and her mother inhaled gallons of water into their trunks and slobbered it into their mouths.

...While I'm not skilled with a camera, I do have a few shots I'll have to share later. Our internet/computer access is limited. Trust me when I say that we do serve an awesome God...

Recycling gold mines

...Now, here's something for you to think about. Gold controlled the economy in this country for many years. Ten to fifteen years ago, so little gold remained in the mines that it was unprofitable to remove. Consequently, mines like Harmony abandoned an amazing number of building complexes.

...The South African government did some arm twisting, and works benefitting the citizens, such as The Pines, have moved into some of these facilities, free of charge. Many other buildings are empty and have been vandalized or recyled or whatever term you want to use.

...Therefore, in places like The Pines huge walk-in safes store used clothing and groceries...

Phumlani Cemetery

Imagine standing around the campfire with 23 African children, orphaned or rescued from unsafe homes within the last three years -- at least 25% of whom would not be living today if they had not come.

Imagine, sixteen hours later, standing in Phumlani Children's Cemetery. Seventy bodies have been interred since the beginning t of June. Hundreds of cars and busloads of people pass down the driveway to the adult cemetery for the weekly ritual of multiple burials...

Imagine standing in that cemetery, joining together in prayer that the Lord will rescue children from the ravishes of sinful lifestyles and gather them into the family of God...

Imagine if no one was here and no one cared...But God does...

Our time with the Carmichaels at The Pines colors our vision with joy washed in tears. Mama Aggie went home today for her nephew's funeral. Aunt Sally, widowed a year ago, works out her sorrow by lavishing love on attention-starved boys and girls. Uncle Louie strives daily to show children Jesus Christ, dissolving in tears to think of the 70 he didn't reach in time. Aunt Alana turns from decisions about milk to correcting a child for swearing, and another for spraying body mist all over the apartment, and reminding another to keep his shirt on, and wondering how to get enough groceries in the pantry for all the mamas and children living here.

Yes, the imprint of our time here will last longer than the photos.

Atlanta Airport

At the beginning of The Long Trip, we spent six hours in Atlanta. Seen milling about in the airport -- a large group of soldiers headed for Iraq. I promised PFC Nutt that I'd be praying for him...

• We all know that winter brings snow-draped trees, ice on the windshield, and school cancellations. However, it's July and I see sunshine, petunias, fireworks, and mosquitoes. In Michigan, that is.

• Next Tuesday Don and I fly to Johannesburg, drive to Welkom, drop into winter and another world. At the Pines, Phil and Alana, Kimmy and Johnny Carmichael reach out to orphans in South Africa, home to the highest HIV infection rate in the world. They strive to raise children in a Christian environment to be morally pure thus changing their life style so that they will live through the pandemic and make a lasting impact on Africa.

• While in South Africa we'll also spend a week at the Zulu Nyala Heritage Tented Safari Camp in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, adjacent to the Zulu Nyala Private Game Reserve. Trusting that we'll have good Internet access, I'll let you travel along without leaving home. Pray with us that this experience will produce a change in us, as well as those crossing our paths and walking into our hearts.

Because He lives,

Mrs. Judy