This past week has been a somewhat normal week. I didn't do anything out of the ordinary (except eating a ton of food on Thanksgiving). But i have been awakened this week to things i never noticed before. Maybe because I didn't want to see those things, or maybe just out of ignorance.

South Africa is a lot different from other African countries. But not that different. I am discovering this as I have seen and heard stories in just this past week of the terrible things that go on in the townships. I heard from Noomsa, (she works with us at Ithemba) that a girl that lives with her is in a terrible situation. Noomsa took this girl in to live with her because her situation at home was not so good. Her mother's boyfriend was molesting her. And her mother goes into the bar every night. She has been living with Noomsa for a few months and has recently gone back to her own house. This girl is 10 years old. My heart breaks for her.

I also have been discovering lately that most of the kids that come to Ithemba have similar situations: their parents beat them, they don't have food, etc. Not all of the kids are like this, but finding out that this sweet boy that i love so much and is so sweet, is beaten at home. That's hard.

I love these kids so dearly. I love them with all my heart. They bring me so much joy. It is just hard to adjust to this kind of culture where that kind of thing is acceptable. I will never stop praying and i will never stop loving these children who have stolen my heart.

My heart breaks. But i know that the Lord is always with them. He watches over them and he loves them more than I ever could. 

Thanks for Listening!

Rachel