Love in Action: Susan and PePe

Sub-Saharan Africa is more heavily affected by HIV and AIDS than any other region of the world. An estimated 24.5 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2005 and approximately 2.7 million additional people were infected with HIV during that year. In just the past year, the AIDS epidemic in Africa has claimed the lives of an estimated 2 million people in this region. More than twelve million children have been orphaned by AIDS.
UNAIDS, '2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic'

When you learn of the statistics of AIDS in Africa, the numbers are staggering. It is difficult to comprehend, to fully grasp what 24.5 million people really looks like. It may help to put a face or 2 to this epidemic, to get to know someone living it. Meet Susan and PePe…

Susan (Sisana) and PePe are bound together by life, by death, by sickness, by poverty, by hope, and by love. At first glance one may assume Susan and PePe to be mother and daughter. At first glance one may assume PePe to be 5 or 6 years old. At first glance you may not even notice them at all. The reality is they are not mother and daughter, PePe turned 10 this year, and they often go unnoticed. In October 2006, PePe was very sick as a result of having AIDS. She was not expected to live much longer. Susan, who was a cook at the Children’s Cup Care Point where PePe came for a meal each day, provided for most of her care. PePe’s mother had died of AIDS 5 years prior and PePe’s father was suffering from the same illness. In a sense, Susan rescued PePe. She took PePe to the clinic, fed her, cared for her, and brought PePe into her home. Susan gave PePe things she hadn’t known in many years, things she possibly never knew. Susan showed her love and gave her hope. The amazing part? Susan was also dying of AIDS.

The end of PePe’s life was drawing close, or so everyone thought. PePe’s strength, though, along with the love and hope Susan fostered in her, put up a tremendous fight. A year later, October 2007, the unimaginable is reality. PePe is still alive. And not just alive but thriving. Today she is taller, has gained weight, attends school daily, likes to jump rope and color, and smiles every chance she gets. Oh, yes, the smile… something that did not in exist 1 year ago. No, her AIDS is not cured and she will still die, but not today, not this year.

While PePe grew stronger, Susan’s health deteriorated. On May 19 of this year, Susan lost her battle with AIDS and was finally able to rest and be at peace. Below is a brief note from the Daran and Teresa Rehmeyer’s blog (rehmeyers.blogspot.com), missionaries with Children’s Cup, who know both Susan and PePe:

Sisana Nxumalo
A product of a hard life. She still had a heart for her community and the children there who no one else cared for. She will be sorely missed. I pray for a hundred more who have a heart to care for those who have no hope. Sisana knew hope's name is Jesus.1965.......19 May 2007

How does something as ugly as AIDS bring about the beauty of hope and love? How does something that tears people apart also bring some people together? The only answer I have is to truly Live in Love…

A spot of good news: Look at PePe today - Oh, what a difference a year makes!

Last Full Day in Africa.... For Now

Tuesday, October 16, is our last full day in Swaziland and 1 of our busiest days of the trip.

We started early with a 1.5 hour drive back to Mapa Veni near the border of Mozambique to visit the church/school and the Children's Cup Care Point. Mapa Veni is 1 of the poorest areas in Swaziland. It is covered with sugar cane fields and many of the people who live here are "cane workers". Christian Family Church and school was started by La'Salete, a Portuguese woman who has been living in Swaziland for over 25 years. She is one of the most beautiful women we have ever met and we have "reserved" a post space just for her. The school has 59 students in grades 1-7 sharing 4 small classrooms. The church is attended each week by hundreds of people from the surrounding communities and La'Salette continues to lead and grow the church as pastor.

During our visit to the church and school, Syndy photographed each class, the teachers, and then the whole school together. At the Care Point, also lead by La'Salette, we had the honor of distributing more shoes from the "Share A Pair" project. Syndy photographed all the children and staff at this Care Point, which was much more work than at the school due to the presence of 200+ children! What a blessing for all these children. Because of La'Salette, Children's Cup, and the women who volunteer their time, energy, and love, more than 200 children now have a meal everyday.

We spent the afternoon at Makholweni Care Point and Clinic. Teresa runs the clinic every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon with children coming from all the care points to receive medical care. Lauren, a psychologist, works with Teresa at the clinic providing counseling for specific children who have experienced severe trauma and abuse. The care Teresa and Lauren provide is invaluable. They are filled to overflowing with love and compassion for the children. They are Living in Love.

Our day concluded with a brief stop at Gabby's soccer practice. Gabby is Teresa's and Daran's eldest daughter. She is an avid soccer player, hoping to receive a scholarship and play for university. Syndy was behind the camera again, photographing the players as they warmed up and a team photo. As the sun began to set, we left the girls to their training.

Quite a variety in our day. From churches to schools to care points to cooks with new shoes. From clinics to children waiting in line for their food to an organized soccer practice. Just a few of the many faces, the many sides of life in Swaziland.

Share a Pair: Stylin' and Smilin'

Zombodze Care Point Distribution



Mapa Veni Care Point Distribution



Mahkoweni Care Point Distribution

By the sea, By the sea, By the beauitful sea

Mozambique is a country located in south eastern Africa on the coast of the Indian Ocean. We stayed in the capitol city of Maputo Saturday night and attended church with Carol and Issac Williams at the Children's Cup Care Point they lead on Sunday morning. With 70 adults and 250 kids attending the chruch service, Carol and Issac have their work cut out for them! They are young, vibrant, and have a glowing heart for God.

5 Things To Do When You're Stuck at a Border Crossing in Africa

Ah, yes, the Mozambique border... Hot, humid, no place to sit, and did I mention the guard at the gate with the uzi? Ok, I'll cease the drama, and while the former sentence is all true it was just a really, really long wait. No pain and suffering, no problems, no close-calls or near-misses. Just heat and waiting and sweat and sweaty tired kids and are we there yet?....

1. Bring a snack
2. Bring water
3. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes
4. Have a sense of humor
5. Don't be in a hurry

Lions and Tigers and Bears - Oh, My!

Ok, well, not tigers and bears, but definitely lions! We took a short break from the busy schedule Friday night and Saturday morning to visit the Hlane Royal Game Park with the Rehmeyer clan (missionaries with Children's Cup, reymeyers.blogspot.com). A game drive Friday night followed by impala stew and traditional African dance around a large fire and a second game drive Saturday morning provided a nice get-away. While we did not see large numbers of animals we did have amazing close encounters with the lions. We watched in awe a lion pride with 1 male lion, 3 female lions, and 2 young male lions, getting as close as 20 feet to the "Lion King". Of course, we were in our Land Rover safari vehicle so we had some protection. They are beautiful and look so cute and cuddly... then they yawn and you are quickly reminded of their wild side. You don't want to get any closer to those teeth.

At noon on Saturday we bid farewell to our game guide, Johannes, and headed for the Swaziland/Mozambique border. Leaving Swaziland was quick, easy and painless. Entering Mozambique was another story....

To see more of Syndy's wildlife pictures from Hlane, visit her personal blog: www.SynthiaBAfrica.blogspot.com

Love Comes In All Shapes and Sizes

Friday morning began with sun shining through the windows for the first time since we’ve been here. We knew it was going to be a memorable day.
Kristen and Charles are Children’s Cup missionaries and friends we have come to know. Charles has already returned to the states for a new ministry opportunity and Kristen is joining him later this month – hopefully with their new baby girl they are in the difficult process of adopting here in Swaziland. “Jules”, the current favorite in the name category, is 1 month old and in the abandoned baby ward at a government hospital. Friday morning Syndy and I had the honor of meeting Jules and sharing bath and feeding time with her and Kristen. A beautiful baby, a beautiful woman, wrapped up in love. Everyday brings new challenges as the adoption process is filled with red tape and poor communication. Despite the difficulties, the emotional ups and downs, and an unknown outcome and future, Kristen and Charles choose to Live in Love and are committed to bringing Jules home.



Our next stop was a return to the RFM Hospital's children's ward to deliver the photos Syndy took the previous day. The smiles from the children and the mothers began the moment we walked in the door. With their memories of the day before, the pleasant surprise was apparent in their expressions and reminded me of how often they have been let down and no longer expect people to follow through with what they say. Mother's faces glowed, children's eyes lit up, and God brought joy to a despair-filled place.

The morning continued with the first "Share A Pair" shoe distribution. Old, dirty, worn-out shoes were quickly shed as the cooks at the Makheweni Care Point picked out their new shoes, courtesy of the kind giving of our friends and family. The women showed off their new shoes to each other and 1 women even started dancing. Smiles, hugs, thank you's, and happy soles rounded out our visit to these beautiful women.

Love. It comes in all shapes and sizes. A family, a photo, a pair of shoes... It doesn't take much, just a little love.

Much To Share...

We are back to Swaziland and back on-line! Friday afternoon through Sunday evening was spent traveling in Swaziland and Mozambique. There are several posts below to catch you up on the past few days. Thank you for reading and sharing the experiences with us!

Say Cheese

Thursday morning was spent in the children's ward at RMF hospital. While the children don't know the phrase "say cheese" to help smile for a picture, there were still plenty of smiles for Syndy's cameras. There were 35 kids there, ranging in age from 1 week old to 12 years old. It is more different than we can even try to explain from any hospital in the US. It is not possible to not be deeply affected by the conditions. And, yet, the children still smile. What a lesson...

Survivor every day here

Tonight, Thursday night, is "Survivor night" on TV in the US. Here in Swaziland it's Survivor every day. Yesterday we visited 1 of the Children's Cup Care Points for a few hours. While there we talked with the women cooks who were making the children's 1 daily meal in a large black caldron over a fire. It was foggy, damp, raining, cold, and yet they faithfully provide for the children. We also attended a portion of the school day. Ndombia and Prudence are the 2 teachers at this care point, teaching the children and this poor community through 3rd grade. Ndombia and Prudence live in this same poor community as do the cooks. Among the may highlights of the day was our visit with PePe, a 10 year old girl with AIDS. We met PePe during our visit last year when she was brought to our Medical Mercy clinic with a high fever, mouth sores, TB, and going into septic shock. Even with the quick response of the lead physicain and pediatric ICU doctor, Dr. David Beyda and a pediatric ICU nurse, Aimee Franken, we did not think PePe would live much longer. By the grace of God and through much prayer, we saw a healthier and happy PePe yesterday. Still only the size of a 6 year old, PePe was full of smiles even coloring a picture for us. She still has AIDS and she will still die, but not today or tomorrow. She has more time in this world to know Jesus, Her Lord and Savior, to not fear death when it does come, and minister to others through her more than difficult journey in this life on earth. She is a true Survivor, each and every moment of each and every day. She is a living example of Living in Love.

First Morning in Swaziland

AFter a 2.5 hour delay in Jo-burg we finally made it to Swaziland at 8:00 last night. This morning we woke to rain and fog but it doesn't dampen our spirits our the work we're here to do. Today we're headed to a hospice organization in the morning and a pediatric ward at one of the hopitals in the afternoon. Our ride is here so we will add more later. Have a great day and Live in Love

On our way... FINALLY!

We left Chicago this morning with over 300lbs of luggage and lots of hugs and prayers from family and friends. This is our departure at Chicago O'Hare. With the help of Durrell and 'Tom' our skycap, we managed to get all our luggage checked thru with no extra charges and we're now en route. A short layover here in Washington Dulles then on to Jo-burg before we reach our final destination tomorrow evening in Manzini Swaziland. Next blog from the southern hemisphere on the other side of the Pacific!

Shoes Shoes Shoes

The Shoe Project... Share a Pair

Yesterday we began the strategic task of packing for Africa. With weight and dimension restrictions as well as a small plane from Johannesburg to Manzini, “strategic” is a nice way of saying, “Oh, my gosh, how are we going to do this?” We had hoped for 75 pairs of shoes, not sure if we would get that many. To our joyful surprise, our friends and family spread the word about the "Share a Pair" Shoe Project to their friends and families and the generosity has been more than we ever expected. Current count as of last night is 111 pairs of women’s shoes and more are being donated each day. I have a feeling we will be packing shoes up until the day we leave! Of course, we’re not sure how we’re going to get our own stuff there, like clothes to wear and Syndy’s camera gear. Ah, another strategic packing challenge for another day. We look forward to sharing photos and stories on this blog as the "Share a Pair" Shoe Project continues, from final packing and count to distribution to the women cooks in need. Stay tuned…

As always...Live in Love, share a pair, and give someone in need the opportunity to walk a mile in your shoes.