Day 7: We saw God, we saw hope

Our work in Plantjies has ended. So much has been accomplished, yet there is still so much to do. I am full of mixed emotions over it.

The park has been cleaned, trees have been planted, and sod has been put down.

Play equipment was cleaned and painted.

The community center has a roof and one container is nearly ready for finishing work.

Most importantly, the children have been loved on and the people have seen the power of God at work.

Today we started our day by praying in the park. Each of us did an individual prayer walk then we joined together for a group prayer. It was favorite morning by far. I prayed for the trees and the grass. I prayed for the children and the adults. I prayed for Nielen and his ongoing vision here. I prayed for myself. There is nothing better than the feeling of so many prayers being sent up all for the same things.

After that, though, it was time to work. We had a lot to get done before the end of the day. Many of us were tasked with laying down the sod. It was backbreaking work.

Several were asked to continue inside the container hanging drywall and insulation, and finishing other details.

Still more people were given paint brushes and asked to continue the beautification of the containers. The lime green/neon yellow color is amazing!

Did we get it all done? No. I struggle with that. I struggle knowing that we have left Nielen without a completed "home base" to continue his work in Plantjies. I struggle with the fear that some might take advantage of that and chip away at the foundation. I struggle thinking that I should have done more.

But the people of Plantjies are greatful. In their eyes, we accomplished more than they could have imagined. We came, we worked, and we showed them love.

At the end of the day, we gathered all the community and all of our workers and prayed together. After prayer, two women spoke (with Nielen as a translator). They both said nearly the same thing. They thanked us for showing their children love. For focusing on their children and showing them love. How humbling to know that the hugs and kisses and laughter were the greatest need - and we filled that need.

That goes a long way to healing my heart.

There are no words that can express how grateful we all are to have been given this opportunity. During devotions we talked about the fact that nothing we did in Plantjies would grow without God. Plantjies needs God to grow in it's heart - in the hearts of the people - to truly have the changes we made take shape into something meaningful.

...and we saw God there. We saw the faithful. We saw the hope. Most importantly, we saw the seeds of faith taking root in people. So we now have hope, and we will continue to pray for the greater things yet to come.
-Tracey Fernandez