Mothers day

As Mother's Day approaches, some family members may begin to feel nervous. Not all people find it a "happy" day. In contrast, some of us really enjoy it. So with tender compassion for those among us that find it a "hard" day, we will give thanks for mothers in our service this Sunday, and turn our hearts to those who don't have a mother at all... the orphans in Africa.  

I met many orphans on my trip to Africa 7 years ago and I was changed. Before we left on our mission trip to Zambia, we were told "You need Africa more than Africa needs you!" This was true! Africa changed me personally; way more than I made a difference there. I learned how much we take for granted in this country and how many privileges we enjoy. I came home grateful for a bed, a house, a light, a candle, a match. The poorest of the poor I had met and walked with have none of these. They sleep on the dirt, under a tree or in a mud hut if they are lucky enough to have one. One family was blessed to have a piece of plastic to sleep on and they pulled it out of their house and offered us to sit on it so we didn't have to sit in the dirt. They were so caring and hospitable even with no furniture, food, water, or even a match. At night, they have no light... when it's dark... it's dark!

This Sunday, the CEO of "Hands at work" in Africa, who walks with the poorest of the poor on a daily basis, helping them to help themselves by setting up care points, and training care-workers to be carers to many orphans in rural poverty-stricken communities will share some stories and challenge our thinking to consider how we can support those who have no parents at all.

Please come with open hearts and minds,