Mapheo news....

Last week we held a banquet at Mapheo. We have spent the term teaching the kids what it means to be part of God's Royal Family, making things to demonstrate each point along the way. The kids made a self portrait of themselves as a prince or princess, a robe, a crown, a signet ring and a flag. We held back all their work then last week held a banquet to celebrate and gave them all their lovely things to wear. It was a whole lot of fun! The kids sat at a really, really long table, enjoyed yummy pap & stew and jelly and each got a party bag. It was one of those incredibly precious moments. Seeing kids who have nothing, are often unloved, and certainly represent the poorest of the poor dressed as princes and princesses and waited on by us was amazing. It literally brought to life the scripture that says Jesus will lift the poor from the ash heap and seat them with princes. If you want to see photos (and you should) head over to my facebook profile - I don't have a good enough internet connection right now to put them here as well.

Last week held a first for me - I had to change the dressings of a child at Mapheo who is HIV positive and very sick most of the time. It's the first time I've actually had to touch an open wound of an infected person. I was suprised with myself at the level of fear it held for me. Despite being educated on the subject and wearing surgical gloves I still had to speak truth to myself as I did it to ensure that the fear I felt inside didn't show. It made me realise just how easy it has been for HIV to become such a stigma in our community.