A lot happens on a Timbali payday. Yesterday was our first one since getting back from the USA.
It was a good day. Here’s a few highlights:
This is a new playground that was put up at the Care Point where we meet each week. I guess this doesn’t have a lot to do with payday, except that it was great to see these kids enjoying themselves when I drove up.
This is Kimberly dividing out this month’s supply of flax lignans for the Timbali women. The lignans are a natural supplement that is beneficial for those with the HIV virus, and we’re able to help supply it to quite a few of the women. Kimberly is here as an intern until December, and is staying in the little apartment attached to our house.
The little girl on the right is Xolile. Her mom, Lindiwe, is a widowed mother of 10 (plus a couple grandchildren), and while we were in the U.S. a visiting team was able to help build them a new house. I was excited to see Lindiwe and congratulate her–she’d been praying for a new house for quite a while and she was so excited about how she’d been blessed! Her whole family had been sleeping in 2 tiny little one room houses for years.
The ladies have started bringing little things to sell to each other on our paydays. Phumlile made a bunch of “ice blocks” (frozen kool-aid type stuff) to sell, which was a great idea since it was over 100 degrees that day. Others were selling candy, lotion, socks, etc. Phumlile’s glasses had broken right before we left for the U.S. and we were able to give her an advance that she’ll pay back over time to help buy new ones. I like her hip new frames. 🙂
Khosi had a baby boy just a few weeks before we came back. They must not be getting much sleep at night, because here they are taking a break from the popcorn sales for a little nap. 🙂
We also do a veggie market on paydays. It’s hard to get fresh produce out in the rural areas except for what they are able to grow themselves. We buy in bulk and sell to them at cost.
One of my main jobs on paydays is to collect the money the ladies put into their “savings.” This is my high-tech record sheet. 🙂 “Savings” is really just me holding on to their money for the year. But what’s really great is that in January right before school fees are due we are able to return their saving and match it!
About a year and half ago we were able to purchase 50 sewing machines for women who wanted to buy their own machine. Since then they have been making small payments each month and today Lungile and a few of the other women were the first ones to make their final payments!
At the end of the day I had a chance to sit down and talk with Gcebile. The picture below is Gcebile and her children in front of their house a couple years ago. The other pic is of her house after heavy winds last week.
Gcebile has endured a lot of hardships in her life. Now her family is sleeping outside while they try to figure out how they can build a new house. Pray for wisdom to know the best way (not just the easiest or the fastest) to help them in the short term and the long term with this need. Yesterday Gcebile said, “God is making a plan.” Please pray for Gcebile’s family.
And, that’s our payday. Good to be back.
Hi Julie,
Thanks so much for the update. So glad some of the women could pay off their sewing machines! How encouraging for them. Rebekka & Miriam were pretty moved by Gcebile’s house story and asked lots of questions. We prayed for her at lunch today and will continue to. Take care and give Ellie a big hug from us!
Love, Julie, Daniel & the girls
Julie, Thanks so much for posting this. I love seeing the day to day activities in Swaziland. It makes me feel closer to my family and the Swazi people. God bless you and Ellie. Bev
Julie, Thank you so much for the beautiful pictures of the ladies and kids and the raw truth of what many of the ladies deal with (Gcebile’s house, devastating). It was great to see Khosi, so excited for her and her new baby. Thank you again for helping us stay connected! I will be praying for you all.
Julie, thanks for these pictures and sharing stories of each one and how God is touching and reaching out to their lives.Will pray for Gcebile that God would provide a house for her and her to keep trusting Him to provide…know that will be a testimony to others.
Hi Julie,
Thanks for sharing these pictures and updates. We are praying for you from Nebraska!
Love,
Taylor and Sarah
I will pray for God’s building, a hedge, to be placed around them body, mind, heart, soul and spirit, while they are sleeping outside until they receive God’s clear direction in how to proceed. I can’t imagine how it would feel to sleep outside without a covering with all the critters that roam around all night!
Wow, Julie, you continue to think of creative ways to empower these women. I LOVE the vegetable market and the opportunity you are giving them to learn about savings. As always, we believe in what you are doing and want to continue to be a part of it.
Love to you and Ellie!!
Laura
Julie, thank you for the pictures and sharing about payday for these precious ladies. Thank you for being such a vital part of these ladies lives there in Swaziland. We continue to pray for all there in Swaziland and are looking forward to seeing everyone next May.
Love to you and precious Ellie!!!!!
Carolyn & Jesse
Julie,
Keep up the good work! I love the savings and the fresh vegetables idea. Thanks for the picture of the women’s sweet, smiling faces & their naptime 🙂
Julie, these are great pictures! We miss you and Ellie so much but love seeing the ways these women have been blessed through your answering God’s call to serve Him in Swaziland! We will pray for Goebile and her family and their need for a new house and for you and Ellie as you love these women and minister to them. Love, Dad and Mom
Julie,
I love your updates and pictures. They bring back lots of memories for me! I really enjoyed being a part of payday when we were in Swaziland:) I pray that God continues to provide you with the wisdom you need for each day!