day one (WITL)

Yesterday was my first day at Walk in the Light ministries. I woke up anxious about having another "first day" of service sites. I was excited to finally be used and to get my hands dirty, mind stretched, and heart broken. I was also a little nervous not really knowing what to expect. Needless to say, my first day was absolutely wonderful. We opened with our daily devotional and songs with Phindile, which helped ease my nerves. We then divided into our groups for the morning. One group would continue working on digging a trench for the irrigation system. WITL sits on a large amount of property, which have been turned into planting fields for subsistence farming. The second group went to begin leveling ground to build a house on in the nearby township, Hanniville. My group went out on home visits. What better way to jump right in, right? I honestly felt like I learned more and had my eyes opened more in those three hours than all six days at Bonginkosi. It was incredible. We visited 9 homes. Here are their stories:

Mandla: Mandla is who we are starting to build a house for. Mandla is HIV positive and has TB. As if that's not enough, months ago he was stabbed in the lower back by his daughter's boyfriend. He is now paralyzed and is restricted to his flimsy 2-inch mattress. He can't even straighten his legs. This man might have a damaged body, but his spirit is alive and pure. He laughed and smiled when we talked of his new house. I attempted some Zulu phrases which brought him a huge, teeth-baring smile. If that isn't motivation for building a house in 5 days, I don't know what is.

Sipho: Sipho is HIV positive and has lived a life marked with devastation. He had a stroke in 2007 which left him incapable of completing his work as a truck driver. He is now jobless and relies on his monthly pension of R1010 (about $140). In 2008 his wife died, leaving him alone in his house. Yet his mother, nieces, and nephews live nearby in Hanniville.

Zandile: Zandile is HIV positive and has recovered from TB. Apparently last year she was so ill she couldn't stand up without the aid of a walking stick. She now walks with strength and carries her son strapped to her back. Zandile has recovered because she consistently took her medicine. Sadly, she has already lost one son (as a baby) due to AIDS. She lives in a beautiful house built by previous APU students with her mother, son, and nephew, who is also HIV positive. We were informed yesterday morning that her nephew is very ill and had been moved to the hospital.

Thandi: Thandi is HIV positive and lives with a house full of children and grandchildren. Her son is also HIV positive, while the rest of her family is healthy. Her house had beautiful rooms that were well decorated. Explainably, she is the creative type. Before her illness she made shoes. Now she enjoys knitting and selling her products. She is so talented, I saw some of the clothing she has made. She is in the process of applying for a pension to help pay for her ARV treatment.

Lucia: Lucia is not HIV positive but has had an unknown disease since 2008. This disease caused her to walk in a 90 degree angle. Initially she was restricted to a wheelchair but she has progressed as a result of her clinic visits. She doesn't let this illness hold her back as she cooks, cleans, and gardens all on her own. She lives with her niece (15) and nephew (16) who attend local secondary schools. She said that seeing us reminded her of her previous job, being a maid. I'm not sure if it was our race or age that reminded her of it.

Sizwe and Londgka: Sizwe and Londgka are both HIV positive and are brother and sister. We met Sizwe in bed as he said he was ill with chest pains and a cough. His story seemed a little inconsistent so when we left Phindile explained the whole story. He has AIDS and TB from time to time but will not admit it to strangers so he makes up stories instead. He will have TB, take his pills and feel better. He then stops taking his pills, starts drinking, smoking, and having sex with multiple women (infecting them). As a result, he gets sick again. Phindile doesn't understand why he doesn't take his medicine. Nor do I.

Bhekumuzi: Bhekumuzi is HIV positive and has recovered from TB. He is such a beautiful young man who unfortunately suffered from a stroke three years ago. He is now restricted to a wheelchair, can't move half of his face, and his speech is incredibly slurred. After talking to him I learned he used to be a builder, but loved to take pictures. He showed me some pictures he keeps in his shirt pocket. It hit me then that his young man can't even hold a camera anymore as a result of this horrible disease. His passions are even limited by this monster. Nonetheless, his smile shined as we took a snapshot of him and promised to return with a copy for him to keep.

Henry and Doinbi: Henry is HIV positive and lives under the care of his mother, Doinbi. Henry is about 35 years old but looks at least 50. He is taking medication but has been plagued with the inability to walk or speak. He has been robbed at his chance to flourish as the teacher he previously was.

Phindile: Our guide welcomed us into her home as our last stop. She is on staff at Walk in the Light and takes the locals of Hanniville to their clinic and hospital appointments. She lives with her son and daughter who are in their teen years. She struggles as a single-mom, deserted by her husband. Her son's prevalent alcohol use is an obvious worry for her as we discussed her family situation. Phindile has a beautiful singing voice that can fill an entire room and send chills down your spine. Her faith is so inspiring.

Our day ended by having a small group lesson with the gogo's who work in the gardens at WITL. They began by singing wonderful Zulu songs and then discussed qualities they like about themselves and others in their community.

Overall it was an absolutely beautiful day and I got just what I wanted: my hands dirty, mind stretched, and heart broken.