Imagine that you lived here...
Living in America makes it almost impossible to understand the devastation that is taking place in other parts of the world. Of course we have areas of our country where people are living in poverty and people are homeless, but this is not even comparable to what is happening here in South Africa. People are living in shanties like the one in the top photo. They are living in these with multiple adults and lots of children. Sometimes they have a stove and refrigerator and a bed. And sometimes they have nothing and they sleep on the floor. Children are running the streets of these small villages and among them are drunks, thieves, and predators. It is common for the adults to steal things given to the children such as money, water, and food. These children have been cheated from a long and fulfilling life starting at day 1. In the Welkom area, nearly half of all the people you meet have HIV. That includes the children who have done nothing to bring this upon themselves. They were born with it. 1 in every 2 people, 5o%... what a staggering number.
The second photo is of a house built at the dump. People literally live at the dump here. They sit around waiting for people to come and drop off garbage so they can sort through it for plastic. They save the plastic because recyclers will pay them money for those items. They also are looking for food. Can you even imagine feeding your baby garbage? It's absolutely horrendous. And most likely they would only feed their baby if they themselves have had enough to eat. It's very hard to imagine unless you see it for yourself. It's the saddest situation any of us could ever fathom seeing.
It's very hard to understand why people would choose to live this life and maybe they haven't chosen it, but have been born in to it and it's all they know. It's difficult to figure out why their government hasn't stepped in to stop the spread of HIV and save the people from living in such poverty. It's difficult to go to the dump and feel helpless to do anything that will make a difference. But it's the reality here in parts of South Africa and something needs to be done.
God has rescued the 21 children who now call The Pines their home. He has given them a new life and a new chance with the Niehoff's and the O'Tools. He has provided for them and loves them. And now He has inspired us to provide for them and love them. There are so many more children out there tonight who are sleeping on a dirt floor, sitting amongst the garbage at the dump, being abused, and being abandoned by their relatives who are dying of HIV. The Pines can only take so many children, they cannot save them all single handedly.
If we could only find the answer to this question... what is Christ calling us to do to help these people? We'll be praying about it and we ask that you pray with us.
May God bless you all and may God bless the people of South Africa.
Living in America makes it almost impossible to understand the devastation that is taking place in other parts of the world. Of course we have areas of our country where people are living in poverty and people are homeless, but this is not even comparable to what is happening here in South Africa. People are living in shanties like the one in the top photo. They are living in these with multiple adults and lots of children. Sometimes they have a stove and refrigerator and a bed. And sometimes they have nothing and they sleep on the floor. Children are running the streets of these small villages and among them are drunks, thieves, and predators. It is common for the adults to steal things given to the children such as money, water, and food. These children have been cheated from a long and fulfilling life starting at day 1. In the Welkom area, nearly half of all the people you meet have HIV. That includes the children who have done nothing to bring this upon themselves. They were born with it. 1 in every 2 people, 5o%... what a staggering number.
The second photo is of a house built at the dump. People literally live at the dump here. They sit around waiting for people to come and drop off garbage so they can sort through it for plastic. They save the plastic because recyclers will pay them money for those items. They also are looking for food. Can you even imagine feeding your baby garbage? It's absolutely horrendous. And most likely they would only feed their baby if they themselves have had enough to eat. It's very hard to imagine unless you see it for yourself. It's the saddest situation any of us could ever fathom seeing.
It's very hard to understand why people would choose to live this life and maybe they haven't chosen it, but have been born in to it and it's all they know. It's difficult to figure out why their government hasn't stepped in to stop the spread of HIV and save the people from living in such poverty. It's difficult to go to the dump and feel helpless to do anything that will make a difference. But it's the reality here in parts of South Africa and something needs to be done.
God has rescued the 21 children who now call The Pines their home. He has given them a new life and a new chance with the Niehoff's and the O'Tools. He has provided for them and loves them. And now He has inspired us to provide for them and love them. There are so many more children out there tonight who are sleeping on a dirt floor, sitting amongst the garbage at the dump, being abused, and being abandoned by their relatives who are dying of HIV. The Pines can only take so many children, they cannot save them all single handedly.
If we could only find the answer to this question... what is Christ calling us to do to help these people? We'll be praying about it and we ask that you pray with us.
May God bless you all and may God bless the people of South Africa.
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