A change of pace (Week 37)

This week was much different from the past couple weeks. I decided this week that I was not going to just go, go, go. I wanted it to be a bit more laid back. So I focused more on the relationships with the kids and other volunteers. I helped my three kids from Mangwaneni sort out books for their classes. On Tuesday, I went to a sports day for some of the schools in the area. I got to watch some of our boys run! (They are crazy fast!) I spent some time with one of our volunteers who left this past Wednesday, which was nice to do before she headed home! Then, on Wednesday night, I got a call from Tenele, the 18 year old girl with a baby who is going to move into the girl's home when it opens. She told me she had a problem. Some guy had come into her house drug her into the woods to rape her but forgot a condom. He told her to stay there or he'd kill her, so while he was going to get the condom she ran away. There wasn't much I could do at 10pm at night for her. She told me her and Lucia, her daughter, were going to stay with a friend. So the next morning, I tried to phone her but it was off. So, I went to Mangwaneni to find her. When I found her, she told me more of what happened the night before. She shared that after the guy came to her, he went to her friend and ended up staying outside her door until 3am. I asked her if she wanted to report it to the police. She did. So, myself, Tenele, and her two friends went to the police station. They talked with a lady police, reported the man and were told to call the police if he showed up again. So prayers for Tenele's continued safety would be great. She needs this girl's home asap.But I know that God has his hand of protection over her.

Ayanda being awesome and cleaning the bathroom!

Speaking of the girl's home though. It looks like they have finally finished the renovations. There is outside work to be done but the inside is said to be done. I have gone and seen it and have seen just one or two things that need fixed and then everything needs cleaned really well. I was able to go with Ayanda, another girl who will move into the home, and do some cleaning this weekend but we need more people to get the job done quickly. We ordered bunk beds last week for the home and they are to be finished for this week. So hopefully, as I probably have said for the past few weeks, the home will be ready for girls to move in by the end of this week! I am getting tired of waiting and fighting for this to open. I just keep thinking how this home could've been opened so much sooner. I think I am feeling drained and overwhelmed with everything. But I think this past week was good to focus on some other things other than the home. It helped distract me from the stress of it all! So continued prayers for the home to open soon and for some extra energy and passion for me would be greatly appreciated! I want to be able to go into the home refreshed and ready to work with these girls. I want to be able to give them all that God has for me to give them!