Emergency Landing!
This is why we have prayer partners and are thankful for people like you. Only minutes ago, here in South Africa, an alarm sounded in the cockpit. The captain announced to Tommy and the guys there was a malfunction forcing us to make an emergency landing at the nearest airport. If we didn’t put the plane down, there was a chance of the wing – and the fuel tank! – catching on fire.
Thankfully, we landed safely and happily changed airplanes, making it to our evening service just in time.
To say we were busy would be an understatement: Tommy ministered in eight cities in eight days, preached 16 times, and spent a total of over 50 hours in the air. But in each of the meetings, the hunger of the people was evident, and God graciously met us. At times it can be exhausting, but it is always an adventure!
The Heart of the Mission
The highlight of our mission to South Africa was a visit to the orphanage Villa le Themba, meaning House of Hope. It is a home for terminally ill, abandoned infants and toddlers. A team of loving nurses cares for these children as though they were their own.
You will not find these children pining away within in the confines of a cold, bare clinic. What we learned from the caregivers at Villa le Themba changed us forever. The children live together in a normal house with a yard, so they can experience family life and care outside a hospital setting.
Renell Bosman (see photo) is one of the caretakers at the home. She explained to us that though their lives are short, these children are still precious people with personalities and feelings who deserve to be loved and cared for during their time on this earth. Renell and her colleagues give these children a dignity and quality of life that would be hard to find anywhere else in the world.
Tommy held a precious little girl, born with HIV, who was only four months old. Doctors expected her to live for only about four months; she has already outlived her life expectancy. She could go anytime now. With dancing eyes, she opened wide, laughing, clinging to Tommy, reciprocating his love.
Their Greatest Need
The building, as you will see in an upcoming video, is a nice house. However, the yard is without shade on hot summer days. This means in the blistering South African sun, these children, each with weakened immune systems, cannot spend time outside. A life lived entirely indoors can lead to other, often severe, physical and emotional deficiencies. “Every child should be able enjoy fresh air and God’s creation,” Tommy said. “Guys, think we should help out?” Of course, the answer was a resounding, “YES!”
“Are there any other needs?”
There was one more item in their wishlist.
Many of the children have physical limitations and deformities that place great stress on their bodies. One of the best ways to treat crippling joint problems is treatment in a therapeutic pool. The effects warm water has on the body assist nurses as they gently stretch and move limbs into a normal range of motion. This promotes physical wellbeing, reducing muscle loss and debilitating locking of joints. A traditional bathtub doesn’t work properly, as it limits the ability of nurses to fully treat the children.
With your help, God Chasers was able to provide Villa le Themba, the House of Hope, with the resources to add a large, sun-shielding awning on the side of their home, so every child can spend quality time outdoors.
We were also able to provide a therapeutic pool so the most impaired children can be moved and stretched
It was a pleasure working with our friends, the nurses and children, at Villa le Themba. Their labor of love is a shining example of what Jesus said, “Whatever you do unto the least of these, you have done unto Me.”
Thank you to all of our partners who help support and enable us through your prayers and giving. We’re in this together. From South Africa, Tommy and God Chasers Network send a heartfelt “Thank you!”
Only God knows what adventures await us as we continue to reach this world for Christ! Come join us for the journey. We couldn't do it without you!
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