Touched by Africa
Finally! Another update from the Gerbers!
Yes dear friends, we are doing well and we are having an awesome summer (winter for us) here in Africa. If I have to sum it up in a few words: We were at the mighty Victoria Falls in Zambia. We saw wild animals; hippo’s, elephants, rhino’s, lions. We experienced a bad wind storm were roofs were blown off and people were left without homes. We’ve had our hearts broken by little orphans clinging to our necks when we wanted to put them down after holding them. We’ve been blessed by the goodness of God and friends. We’ve been ashamed by our little faith and God’s great faithfulness. And I, Kriek, think I finally fell in love with Swaziland!
We’ve been in Swaziland the past week with a group of awesome Americans (and most of them are men). Some of them are pastors and their churches are interested in supporting orphans and care centers. So we have been going around showing them care centers and we’ve all been playing with the orphans. Jumbo’s heart was broken by a little 6 year old boy. This little guy was found naked and mal-nourished in a closet. He does not look 6 years old at all; he looks 2 years old. With his intellect though there is no problem. He is sharp, cute and he understands English so well, but he doesn’t say a word. He just smiles at you the whole time. He came up running to Jumbo, face lit up and arms wide open, wanting to be picked up.
My heart was broken by the cutest little girl. I don’t even know her age; maybe 2. She came to me with arms in the air, wanting me to pick her up. I did, and we played around for a while. We couldn’t communicate because of the language barrier, but I made funny faces, we twirled around, I gave her lots of hugs and kisses and I just loved her for that 10 minutes. But then we had to leave and I had to put her down, but she refused to be put down. She kept on clinging to me! Her little arms clutched my neck and while I was trying to put her down on the ground, she refused to put her little legs and feet on the ground. I had to take her to one of the care taker ladies and ask her to take the little one. I felt so bad leaving her there. I wish I could take her home with me. I even wish that I could just give her a new little dress. The one she had on was old and torn and dusty. And I wish that I could put some lotion on her dry little face and body.
It is awesome to see how the hearts and lives of these American men are touched by the little orphaned children of Swaziland and the big need that is here. Many of them couldn’t keep the tears back while they were sharing about their time here. The things they saw and the stories they heard could leave no man untouched!
It is awesome to see how the hearts and lives of these American men are touched by the little orphaned children of Swaziland and the big need that is here. Many of them couldn’t keep the tears back while they were sharing about their time here. The things they saw and the stories they heard could leave no man untouched!
What’s next for us?
We are on our way to Durban for a few days where we will be attending a pastor’s conference with our new friends. After this we will be off to Cape Town to apply for those visas! So please be praying for us and with us for God’s will to be fulfilled.
