Wednesday:
We began the day with a devotion led by Siya, a counselor at Sophumelela. He talked about responding with compassion and with the right attitude when we go out into the community to do mission work.
After devotion the group took a tour of the SCI campus which included the Sophumelela Clinic, Dignity House, and Little Sparklers. The clinic is where able patients come to get their monthly ARV (anti-retroviral) medications. Dignity House is a hospice where those who are extremely ill with HIV/AIDS can be taken care of on a 24 hr basis. The great thing about Dignity House is that the care is so amazing, and backed by faith, that 90% of the patients go home to live healthier, stronger lives. Little Sparklers is a preschool for children who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.
After the tour we went to Hope Prepatory School to do another Holiday Club with the children. We continued to focus on the message of Christmas and giving. The kids heard the story of the 3 wisemen and we planned activities around the story. The weather was beautiful so we were able to spend a lot of time outside with kids playing.
We began the day with a devotion led by Siya, a counselor at Sophumelela. He talked about responding with compassion and with the right attitude when we go out into the community to do mission work.
After devotion the group took a tour of the SCI campus which included the Sophumelela Clinic, Dignity House, and Little Sparklers. The clinic is where able patients come to get their monthly ARV (anti-retroviral) medications. Dignity House is a hospice where those who are extremely ill with HIV/AIDS can be taken care of on a 24 hr basis. The great thing about Dignity House is that the care is so amazing, and backed by faith, that 90% of the patients go home to live healthier, stronger lives. Little Sparklers is a preschool for children who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.
After the tour we went to Hope Prepatory School to do another Holiday Club with the children. We continued to focus on the message of Christmas and giving. The kids heard the story of the 3 wisemen and we planned activities around the story. The weather was beautiful so we were able to spend a lot of time outside with kids playing.
In the afternoon the group continued renovations at Hope Prep and Dignity House. We (Mindy and Holly) had the priveledge of going to Dignity House to spend time with a few patients. We met some extraordinary people. We met a 26 yr old woman who was admitted to the hospice that day (pictured above). She was so thankful for the services that she was tearful to just receive a plate food. She shared family photos with us and we took some with her as well. We met another 26 yr old woman who has been there for months trying to build her strength to go back to her two young children. She was so frail but had the most amazing, determined spirit that one could only have from an amazing amount of faith. We couldn't help but be inspired. The head nurse even said it was a miracle that she is still alive. We also met a man that was recently robbed of everything he had in his business and was trying to get healthier so he could go back to his wife and 2 children. We prayed for him and he was so receptive of our prayer and thanked us for visiting him. Going to Dignity House was so emotional, and the nurses were so happy that we cared for their patients just as much as they did. It was a great, memorable experience.
Our night ended with having a wonderful dinner with the group and other SCI staff at Country Bumpkin, a homestyle buffet. We even stopped for some photos of the beautiful ocean scenery.
All in all, a great day!
Much Love,
Holly & Mindy
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