Saying Goodbye to our family at the Family Center

Wow. I honestly do not know where to begin except to start by thanking God for the amazing experience of spending the last four weeks at Ethembeni/Mpophomeni Family Center. I am not going to forget the friendships I have made with the staff and kids here. They have all touched me so much.

Yesterday was our last day at the site, and I could not have even imagined the way it played out. Everything was so humbling... Our group decided to throw a pizza party with lots of good treats for everyone! So in the morning, a few of us picked up the pizzas and headed to the family center. We got there and set up all the food and drinks and organized the staff to eat in one room and the kids took all their food outside to eat and play. The time we had with the staff during lunch was one of my most memorable times I have had at the family center... We were preparing to say our goodbyes... We started off by thanking them by opening their arms and being the people that they are. This turned into personal speeches for everyone to share about the impact that this whole experience has been for us. Little did I know, that they would open up and share what their hearts were feeling as well. Each staff member: Ellen, Pindi, Nanhlanhla, Zwe,Claire, Nambu, and Hlaka all shared with us what their time has been like for them since we have been here. I can tell you it was such a humbling experience. They spoke in Zulu and Zwe translated... I don't think their was one dry eye in the room... We all were in tears as we went around the circle sharing the impact that each has had on us. I was so thankful for this time..... And God was definitely surrounding us in that room. After all of this, we surrounded the staff and were blessed with the opportunity to pray over them and their impact on the family center. And after, they surrounded us....It was honestly one of the most beautiful gatherings I have ever experienced. I cherish all the joy, tears, and laughter that was expressed during this time. [Above is Claire and I...She is such a great woman of God and I am so glad and blessed for these past few weeks of getting to know her and have a friendship with her. She devoted 3 years of her life working at the family center and has such a servant heart!]

Another amazing thing that God blessed the family center with on this day was the opportunity to show the kids and staff the, "Everything by Lifehouse" skit. I encourage anyone who is reading this right now to watch this skit on youtube. It is one of the most powerful things I have ever watched and it makes me cry every time, as it symbolizes and resembles each individual's personal relationship with God. So we made the playroom into a movie theater and all the kids watched it. After the skit, we had everyone who had questions or comments about the video to come into another room so we could have question and answer time. Right after this was said, a bunch of teens flooded into the room and we all sat down in there. We had Khlaka and Zwe there and they took charge and really led the discussion and translated for us. They asked and commented about the video and the struggles that the girl in the skit faced and how they were hurting her relationship with God. The questions were deep, vulnerable, and creative. It was great to have this time for them to ask these questions... They have so many questions about sin, dealing with money, and promiscuity.

The day before, we also had another question/answer time with them the day before and it was an open discussion which led to a deep discussion about sin and the temptations they are faced with every day in the township. I found this time to be such a beautiful thing for the teenagers...I know that these types of things are not discussed in their daily lives and they may have never even talked about it before. Another amazing thing that came about through this time with the teens was that Khlaka and Zwe led this time with them and it opened a door for these kids to see them as people they can be comfortable with to come to with questions or struggles. I pray that Zwe and Khlaka and Claire and all the care givers at the family center can be someone these kids can come to with questions. It was a great thing to be a part of and see this door open for everyone at the family center.

As if the day could not have been more filled with love, it continued to be displayed more and more. Claire, Zwe, and the other staff members put on a little ceremony for us to receive these beaded pins with the South Africa flag on it. Each of our mentors placed it on us and they told us that it was a gift for being here, working with them, and becoming a part of the family. They are beautiful pins and everytime I where it, I will think of them : ) As the day came to an end, I was sad to say goodbye... But I hate goodbye's so I turned it into, "I'll see you later." These people have made such an impact on my life. The way they serve these children every single day just amazes me. It is not easy work and I am inspired by each and every one of them and the way they devote their lives to making mpophemeni a better place! I am still processing all of my emotions... so as I speak, I am getting all worked up! haha... But I will definitely never forget these wonderful people : )

<3 Jamie