I have been trying to write a blog that gives thanks to God for so many good things done before and during the trip to Ludlati. I also want to share in more depth about the awesome work being done by the Bomake (boh-mah-gay) and the Discipleship team at Ludlati. After visiting and talking with them we have a much deeper appreciation for the way God uses them at Ludlati. We also received word from community members visiting the carepoint, and during home visits how they are blessed to see the good things being done at Ludlati Carepoint. As I have been writing, the text just keeps getting longer and longer to the point where I realize I need to break this into a multi-part series. So here goes…
Thankfulness at Ludlati - Part I
We are thankful for all the people who gave their time and sewing skills to the dress project. It was started by Michelle Jacob with hopes that 100 would be made. Over 500 dresses were hand made and donated. After the dress project was started, a project to make shorts for boys was launched. Over 200 pairs of shorts came in. On top of the clothes, someone started making homemade drawstring bags for the clothes. Each girl and boy at Ludlati Carepoint received two dresses or two pairs of shorts, and were given inside a homemade drawstring bag.
As part of the monthly sponsorships raised at Ludlati Carepoint, a water tank and tower were installed at the Carepoint. The ladies who started Ludlati Carepoint, and faithfully cook and feed the children each day were very thankful to have this easy access to clean water for cooking and for the children to have water to drink. Until the well installation is completed, water is brought in by truck to fill the tank.
Capital funding was raised earlier this year to build a fence and kitchen. Ludlati was selected as one of two carepoints to receive a kitchen build donated by a Swaziland government organization called NERCHA. Our funds were shifted from the kitchen to a water well. When we arrived at Ludlati, the kitchen was 95% completed, and had an extra room just large enough to use for some of our group gatherings. We used the room all week for gathering together to sing praise songs, give away clothes, wash feet, give away shoes, do VBS coloring projects. God’s timing for having and using this room was perfect.
The water well is drilled, and located down the hill from Ludlati carepoint. A trench is partially dug heading from the well hole up the hill to the kitchen. At this point, I think the plan is to install a solar powered water pump. Three other carepoints are using the solar powered pumps, and the equipment is running effectively and reliably. There is a little more initial cost for the equipment, but no monthly power bills! Because of a significant gift given by an anonymous donor, I believe we have the capital funds needed. Thank you Lord for being the provider to Ludlati!
The fence, which is fully funded, is not started yet. There has been so much growth in the number of carepoints being sponsored in Swaziland through Childrens HopeChest that they have had a hard time keeping up with the pace of giving. The fence is planned to begin in two to three weeks. After I receive update pictures, I will share them with everyone here on the blog.
As you can see, we have so much to be thankful for before we get into thanking God for trip provisions…more to come.
Posted by Don at 10:14 PM. Filed under: General • Travels • Care Point • Ludlati Visit 2010 •
