A few weeks back I had the privilege of meeting 5 year old Lungelo.
He was sick with a virus and extremely dirty
considering he lives on a homestead with older "sisters". The Discipleship team
organized a serve project to help the children living there even
though it's clear the older girls are making poor choices and not
properly taking
care of the children which is wrong in our culture as well as the swazi culture.
Nevertheless, when I first saw Lungelo he wore a ratty shirt and
nothing else even though it was a cool day. He was dirty with urine
and faeces on his legs. My heart just went out to him not because of
his lack of cleanliness but because he hung his head in embarrassment
and shame, to think that a little boy felt this way due to no fault of
his own. On the serve day a local community member bathed him; we gave new
clothes, brushed his teeth and oiled his skin. He was given a little
teddy bear and then his countenance began to change. Shame
diminished and hope grew. He no longer looked down and to the side but
looked straight into my eyes and smiled. I held him when he was dirty
and when he was clean. He didn't want to be put down but to be touched
and loved.
We went back a few weeks later and the hope was gone and replaced yet
again with shame. My heart was sad, broken and confused. As Solomon
stated I had exercised justice and received much joy. Now the joy was
gone and Lungelo was again neglected; neglected physically,
emotionally and socially.
Today I continued reading in Proverbs and was reminded God sees the
orphan and the injustice, He also says that He is their Redeemer and
will plead their case. We do our part and more importantly God does
His. Pray for Lungelo and the hundreds in the same situation. God
doesn't overlook those in need but Redeems them for His glory!
--
Danny Q
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