Hi-5s and pats on the back to all of us because we’ve survived our first week without Tim and Maz and without any major hiccups. Always a relief! We have a month to go before they return from the UK and our aim until then is to keep the wheels of the project on and running smoothly until then!!
However, as we waved them off at the end of August I was struck that, for once, I didn’t have the usual feeling of fear or trepidation. There was no sinking feeling or thought of ‘oh, no, what’s going to happen now!’ and I actually was quite happy for them to go! This wasn’t, contrary to what Mr and Mrs Walker might be thinking right now, because I was sick of the sight of them and needed a break (!) it was because I realised that:
1. God’s got us covered
2. We’ve survived in the past – in spite of children suddenly falling sick and having to be rushed into hospital, employees quitting, sheds being blown down in storms and numerous other 'coincidental' happenings
And importantly
3. We have a wonderful support team of long term volunteers around us to share the burden of responsibility
I can’t be thankful enough for these volunteers, each of them giving of their time and skills so generously to assist us in our mission here at Village of Hope.
With them by our side we are more than equipped!
Melissa and Barbara are keeping the Children’s unit ticking over, Emma is soldiering on (at a scary pace!) through the social work cases, Shannon is running our Rainbow Smiles club for us and providing worship sessions for the team and Josh, Sebastian and Shana have the sports clubs nailed! What a team! And it is so obvious that God has assembled them here for such a time as this. There is no way could have afforded such skilled people working here if we had to pay for them and they are serving us so graciously.
Thank you:
Barbara Wood, Emma Podmore, Josh Houltram, Melissa Kidd, Sebastian Griffith-Head, Shana Cox and Shannon Jones!!
Where in the past it would just have been a few of us trying to keep the SS Village of Hope afloat, we now have wonderful people to share the burden. Of course, it still isn’t easy. Most of us live together, on site and we have the challenge of getting along together at home AND at work. BUT it’s a unique adventure at the same time.
Some of the team have personal blogs which I’d urge you to dip into. It really opens your eyes to the life of a volunteer here.
Shana: http://shanainsouthafrica.wordpress.com/
Shannon: http://eachstepbyfaith-shannonjones.blogspot.com/
GO TEAM!
-By Emily
God is very kind isn't he? It sounds a great set up there, like a big, colourful jigsaw puzzle. Every piece fitting in perfectly and adding colour and important bits of the pic. Go VOH Team!
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