At TLC over the years I have seen many poor, desperate people arrive looking for help.
These people don't smile, then again what reason do they have to smile.
They are at the end, they have no more hope.
Often they are there to leave behind their child, their precious baby. . .
Imagine a life so desperate that your child's only hope is an orphanage. . .
I often have people ask "How can the Mom's be so heartless!"
"How can they give up or abandon their child!"
My answer is always the same. . .they were desperate, and until we've walked a mile in any of their shoes, how can we ever truly understand or judge them?
I read a poem a few years ago that so aptly expresses this desperation.
ABANDONED
I wanted so much that you should live,
I gave you the only gift I had to give,
So new and unspoiled,
So precious and sweet,
Could I bring you back with me to poverty street?
Could I leave you alone in a tumble-down shack,
when I breath my last breath and never come back?
I'm fading, I'm fading my body grows weak,
Can't leave an inheritance of future so bleak,
and so I lay you down on the hospital bed,
And I plant a kiss upon your forehead,
And I bid you farewell
In South Africa there were over 2500 babies abandoned last year. Of those an average of 15 were found in and around Johannesburg EACH month. They are found in fields, alleyways, public toilets, drain pipes, trash heaps - these are the little ones not left in hospitals. . .
Orphanages are full to overflowing, and there is such a need for local people to step outside their regular lives and lend a helping hand.
Tracie is one such lady.
If you asked her, she would say she is just ordinary.
That it's her great God that allows her to care for "her" many little ones.
Tracie is from Zimbabwe. . .
She is living in a squatter camp not too far from TLC
Most people would view her life as hard, and yet she has this life, this energy that just pulsates from her.
She has such faith! And the praise is forever flowing from her lips.
She praises God, for his faithfulness, for his goodness, for his never ending mercy.
She, who has so little, is so thankful! It puts me to shame.
She has opened up a creshe (day-care) for the young children of the squatter camp.
She takes in 60 children ages birth to 4 years, and cares from them from sun-up to sun-down.
If mothers are too sick to care for their little ones, she takes them;
if parents are looking for work, she takes them;
if young mothers are still going to school, you guessed it, she takes them.
Her resources - zero, zilch, nada. . .
God's resources - the cattle on a thousand hills. . .
Her property - a few shacks, and packed dirt. . .
Her heart - to care for any who need safety and a Mother's touch. . .
Not only does she love and care for her "60 children", but she has also adopted my three.
She just loves them, welcomes them with open arms. And my three in turn feel so comfortable and happy with her.
These people don't smile, then again what reason do they have to smile.
They are at the end, they have no more hope.
Often they are there to leave behind their child, their precious baby. . .
Imagine a life so desperate that your child's only hope is an orphanage. . .
I often have people ask "How can the Mom's be so heartless!"
"How can they give up or abandon their child!"
My answer is always the same. . .they were desperate, and until we've walked a mile in any of their shoes, how can we ever truly understand or judge them?
I read a poem a few years ago that so aptly expresses this desperation.
ABANDONED
I wanted so much that you should live,
I gave you the only gift I had to give,
So new and unspoiled,
So precious and sweet,
Could I bring you back with me to poverty street?
Could I leave you alone in a tumble-down shack,
when I breath my last breath and never come back?
I'm fading, I'm fading my body grows weak,
Can't leave an inheritance of future so bleak,
and so I lay you down on the hospital bed,
And I plant a kiss upon your forehead,
And I bid you farewell
In South Africa there were over 2500 babies abandoned last year. Of those an average of 15 were found in and around Johannesburg EACH month. They are found in fields, alleyways, public toilets, drain pipes, trash heaps - these are the little ones not left in hospitals. . .
Orphanages are full to overflowing, and there is such a need for local people to step outside their regular lives and lend a helping hand.
Tracie is one such lady.
If you asked her, she would say she is just ordinary.
That it's her great God that allows her to care for "her" many little ones.
Tracie is from Zimbabwe. . .
She is living in a squatter camp not too far from TLC
Most people would view her life as hard, and yet she has this life, this energy that just pulsates from her.
She has such faith! And the praise is forever flowing from her lips.
She praises God, for his faithfulness, for his goodness, for his never ending mercy.
She, who has so little, is so thankful! It puts me to shame.
She has opened up a creshe (day-care) for the young children of the squatter camp.
She takes in 60 children ages birth to 4 years, and cares from them from sun-up to sun-down.
If mothers are too sick to care for their little ones, she takes them;
if parents are looking for work, she takes them;
if young mothers are still going to school, you guessed it, she takes them.
Her resources - zero, zilch, nada. . .
God's resources - the cattle on a thousand hills. . .
Her property - a few shacks, and packed dirt. . .
Her heart - to care for any who need safety and a Mother's touch. . .
Not only does she love and care for her "60 children", but she has also adopted my three.
She just loves them, welcomes them with open arms. And my three in turn feel so comfortable and happy with her.
Nap-time. . .
They play hard - and then sleep like the dead. . .
They feel so safe - such peace. . .
So many precious little ones - they are the future of South Africa. . .
This little girl is one of twins - such a sweet dear. . .
These children were often coming with no food for the day.
If they did bring food it was often bad. . .
The children constantly had horrible runs.
Tracie decided she would cook lunch for them each day.
Then, at least they would eat one proper meal, and the food wouldn't be spoiled.
So each day these little ones now have one solid meal.
Pap, Potato and vegetables, or Rice and vegetables. . .
Good solid food!
I've noticed such an improvement in the children's overall health and appearance since she's started giving them these lunches.
Now she obviously has no extra money to feed 60 children each day
- so these children eat because of her Faith and the goodness of God.
Zoe from TLC is such a blessing and regularly helps with food.
I also have a wonderful friend who is always giving me money for Tracie.
When she is out of food, she calls me, and I've always been able to bring her enough pap/rice/veg etc to tide her over until more arrives. . .God really is good!
I am always so amazed at how much these little bodies can eat. They are given a portion big enough to fill me! and they finish up every last crumb!
Thankfully Sihle is still happy to play with them on ground level. . .
Musa has to also get in on the action - my sweet little helper! He's so good with the little ones. . .
Two precious!
Mario is also great with the babies - I have such wonderful kids :)
I can't express enough what an enormous blessing this lady is!
She is providing a safe place for these 60 children to grow.
She is giving these parents an alternative to abandonment - she is filling the gap. . .
When a Mother dies, and they do far too often, she will take the children in for days at a time while the rest of the family prepares for the funeral, and then comes up with an alternate care plan for the children.
So many times I will bring her food, food that's needed, and she will ask if she can share some with this family or that family who is desperately trying to get by.
She truly has a heart that pours out her great love for God. . .her actions, they speak louder than any words.
I feel so privileged to call Tracie a friend.
