This is to offer a tremedous THANK YOU to the following people for making it possible for me to go to South Africa: Jo Bradford Braden, Roberta Almond, Nicole Miller, Alice Remedios, Becky Prescott, Francie & Bob Auld, Sherry & Brian Yaffey, Mari Barnet, Jennifer Keiffer & family, Larry & Dottie Nylin, Clint & Suzie Chesson, Jo & Vic Brown, Kathy Barefoot, Mike Shank and my parents Jean and David Frye, Bob and Mable Meachem.
Thank you for your prayers and your generous gifts. Pam and I will never be the same again. I pray that people we touched will come up to you all in heaven and say, "Thank you, I'm here because you gave."
Til everyone knows Him and loves Him,
Robbie
Friday, March 30, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Home Again
Hi All,
Just thought that I would add one more posting to wrap up the blog for this trip, but still continue to view the www.myersmission.blogspot.com, as they will be there at the cottages until the end of June. It was a long trip to get back, and it was sad thinking of all of the new friends that I had left behind in South Africa. I will miss them all very much and pray that God would continue to work in their lives.
What an amazing experience this has been for me, I have been blessed in so many ways and have been humbled by the determination and spirit of the children and moms that live there in Loskop. When you see how others live without all of our advantages, you realize how many everyday things that we all take for granted. You also realize that we really don't need as much as we have to be happy, and what it is like to live a spirit filled life.
Watching the children walk to school (which is about a mile and a half each way) with no complaints, and watching them hang out and play after school without games and toys, no TV or Radio to pass the time in the evening, and the same 3 meals week after week without ever a complaint about what's for dinner may sound like a Mom's dream to us. But what you realize is that these children are survivors in every aspect of the word.
When you read their files, there is a birth certificate followed by the death certificates of their parents (some just one parent, but alot have two deceased), whether they are HIV positive or not, and a little medical history about them (which is usually just what they have been treated for since living with Agathos). They live with an assigned Mom (a Zulu speaking woman that has been hired for this position) in a small room with bunk beds and about 4 children to a room. Most rooms only have a light in them, no electrical outlets and no indoor plumbing or water. The children have very few clothes and wear uniforms to school each day which they wash out by hand every afternoon when they come home from school (even the youngest ones), and hang on the line to dry, and then iron them (there is one iron in the dining room area which has an outlet and which they all share). A treat for them is to watch a DVD on a laptop computer which usually belongs to a volunteer, in the dining room on wooden benches (no big screen TV or surround sound) and they leave afterwards like we walk out of a movie theater at home. This is a typical day in their lives, and they look forward to each and every one.
I have learned alot from these children about what is important in life. They love and laugh and are just like our children when it comes to their hopes and dreams for the future. They have a heart for God and our involvement in their lives lets them know that they are not forgotten but are part of the larger family of God that we all belong to. During Sunday morning worship when the pastor asked me to speak, I told them that on the other side of the world we worshipped the same God as they did. That our God is all powerful and regardless of where you live or what the color of your skin, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. I also told them that God has a plan for each and every one of them, and that he is their father just as he is mine. It was amazing to watch their faces after my words were translated, to see the smile and glimmer of hope come into their eyes. The fact that I was there to give them my testimony showed them the awesome power of Gods love.
I will never forget my experiences or the people I met in South Africa. What an awesome privilege it is to touch other peoples lives like I have on this trip.
Peace and Love, Pam Bunton
Just thought that I would add one more posting to wrap up the blog for this trip, but still continue to view the www.myersmission.blogspot.com, as they will be there at the cottages until the end of June. It was a long trip to get back, and it was sad thinking of all of the new friends that I had left behind in South Africa. I will miss them all very much and pray that God would continue to work in their lives.
What an amazing experience this has been for me, I have been blessed in so many ways and have been humbled by the determination and spirit of the children and moms that live there in Loskop. When you see how others live without all of our advantages, you realize how many everyday things that we all take for granted. You also realize that we really don't need as much as we have to be happy, and what it is like to live a spirit filled life.
Watching the children walk to school (which is about a mile and a half each way) with no complaints, and watching them hang out and play after school without games and toys, no TV or Radio to pass the time in the evening, and the same 3 meals week after week without ever a complaint about what's for dinner may sound like a Mom's dream to us. But what you realize is that these children are survivors in every aspect of the word.
When you read their files, there is a birth certificate followed by the death certificates of their parents (some just one parent, but alot have two deceased), whether they are HIV positive or not, and a little medical history about them (which is usually just what they have been treated for since living with Agathos). They live with an assigned Mom (a Zulu speaking woman that has been hired for this position) in a small room with bunk beds and about 4 children to a room. Most rooms only have a light in them, no electrical outlets and no indoor plumbing or water. The children have very few clothes and wear uniforms to school each day which they wash out by hand every afternoon when they come home from school (even the youngest ones), and hang on the line to dry, and then iron them (there is one iron in the dining room area which has an outlet and which they all share). A treat for them is to watch a DVD on a laptop computer which usually belongs to a volunteer, in the dining room on wooden benches (no big screen TV or surround sound) and they leave afterwards like we walk out of a movie theater at home. This is a typical day in their lives, and they look forward to each and every one.
I have learned alot from these children about what is important in life. They love and laugh and are just like our children when it comes to their hopes and dreams for the future. They have a heart for God and our involvement in their lives lets them know that they are not forgotten but are part of the larger family of God that we all belong to. During Sunday morning worship when the pastor asked me to speak, I told them that on the other side of the world we worshipped the same God as they did. That our God is all powerful and regardless of where you live or what the color of your skin, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. I also told them that God has a plan for each and every one of them, and that he is their father just as he is mine. It was amazing to watch their faces after my words were translated, to see the smile and glimmer of hope come into their eyes. The fact that I was there to give them my testimony showed them the awesome power of Gods love.
I will never forget my experiences or the people I met in South Africa. What an awesome privilege it is to touch other peoples lives like I have on this trip.
Peace and Love, Pam Bunton
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Going Home Again
Hama kahle, or go well, or goodbye in Zulu
Were we really here for two weeks? Mention South Africa and it will forever conjure pictures for me of wide horizons, beautiful views and deep contrasts: healthy & sick, rich & poor, black & white. I will see Lungile, Nqobile, Unkuhlekle, Mfundo, Zippho and Thobile's faces. I will see Barb Borgman, Hilton Green, and Jules. It was painful to see the discomfort of racial boundaries that I can mostly ignore in the USA. I saw so much beauty in this country. It's unlike anywhere I've ever been before. Yet the growing pains of South Africa are too familiar to me. They awaken things I prefer to ignore. God heals us by taking us back to our points of pain. He really got in my face on this one. There is so much work to be done, but as God often does, He revealed that there's much work He will do in my heart if I obey Him. So, I will pray continually for South Africa for the sick and the dying and for those they leave behind. I invite you who are reading this to the Cottages at Injesuthi. Come see the hearty, strong people who call this home. See the innocence and the depravity. Do what you can and you'll find you have done work in your own heart as well. Love is the Gospel in one Word. Thanks for hanging in with us!Robbie
Were we really here for two weeks? Mention South Africa and it will forever conjure pictures for me of wide horizons, beautiful views and deep contrasts: healthy & sick, rich & poor, black & white. I will see Lungile, Nqobile, Unkuhlekle, Mfundo, Zippho and Thobile's faces. I will see Barb Borgman, Hilton Green, and Jules. It was painful to see the discomfort of racial boundaries that I can mostly ignore in the USA. I saw so much beauty in this country. It's unlike anywhere I've ever been before. Yet the growing pains of South Africa are too familiar to me. They awaken things I prefer to ignore. God heals us by taking us back to our points of pain. He really got in my face on this one. There is so much work to be done, but as God often does, He revealed that there's much work He will do in my heart if I obey Him. So, I will pray continually for South Africa for the sick and the dying and for those they leave behind. I invite you who are reading this to the Cottages at Injesuthi. Come see the hearty, strong people who call this home. See the innocence and the depravity. Do what you can and you'll find you have done work in your own heart as well. Love is the Gospel in one Word. Thanks for hanging in with us!Robbie
Goodbye South Africa
Hi All,
Well our two weeks have come to an end and it is time to head home. I can't say that I am looking forward to the 24 hour trip, but I do miss family, friends and dogs! I will miss the many friends that I have made here. What an amazing group of people that I have been blessed to have shared time with. They will remain in my heart and have all touched my life with their courage and strength of spirit. Once you have experienced South Africa, you will always feel like a piece of you has been left behind. I have enjoyed getting to know the children and watching them dance and play each day. They have very few possessions and live a very difficult life, but they love Jesus and are full of joy each and every day. To watch them is to know what it is like to walk in faith.
The volunteers that are here for four months, Scott & Sasha, Danielle & Jason have all left the comforts of home to be a living example of Christs love to these women and children. I hope they know that they are changing the world one child at a time, and I will miss them all.
My experiences here will not be forgotten. I pray for God's protection on "The Cottages at Injesuthi" and that there will be relief from this awful Aids epidemic that is ravaging this beautiful country. Aids is not just a disease, it has many faces and I have seen them.
Peace and love, Pam
Well our two weeks have come to an end and it is time to head home. I can't say that I am looking forward to the 24 hour trip, but I do miss family, friends and dogs! I will miss the many friends that I have made here. What an amazing group of people that I have been blessed to have shared time with. They will remain in my heart and have all touched my life with their courage and strength of spirit. Once you have experienced South Africa, you will always feel like a piece of you has been left behind. I have enjoyed getting to know the children and watching them dance and play each day. They have very few possessions and live a very difficult life, but they love Jesus and are full of joy each and every day. To watch them is to know what it is like to walk in faith.
The volunteers that are here for four months, Scott & Sasha, Danielle & Jason have all left the comforts of home to be a living example of Christs love to these women and children. I hope they know that they are changing the world one child at a time, and I will miss them all.
My experiences here will not be forgotten. I pray for God's protection on "The Cottages at Injesuthi" and that there will be relief from this awful Aids epidemic that is ravaging this beautiful country. Aids is not just a disease, it has many faces and I have seen them.
Peace and love, Pam
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
3 Days Remaining
Syabonga All! That's we thank you in Zulu!
I had a full morning of Zulu lessons a few days ago. I can now recognize work (sebenza) thank (bonga) and a few other things. It doesn't help much when you sit through a three hour church service. We went to a funeral on Saturday in Escort. It was just like being at Pleasant Grove AME church in Charlotte NC except of course everything was in Zulu and oh yeah they danced around the casket and 5 people got saved!
At Sunday service at the Cottages Pam and I both spoke while Cyril translated. The children were wide-eyed. It was really enlightening to be on that end of translation- delayed reactions and all. After church we went on an excursion to the Cathedral Hotel up in the Drakensberg mountains. It was beautiful. It is a 5 star resort. We had tea and scones, saw a wedding party and passed the most wonderful villages. From 3rd world to first world in less than 15 minutes, amazing! But the most amazing part of all was Pam. She drove the entire way on the left side of the road and shifting gears with her left hand. Go Pam!!!!
Summary so far: visiting the Borgman's awe inspiring cottage over-looking the resevoir, watching beading work of native craftswomen, eating at Tokozisa, visiting the sick at Nbongi's a sort of hospice Zulu style, we have cleaned children's faces, taught songs, read stories, painted, plastered, sanded, cut grass, and broken down in two separate vehicles, driven through driving rain and lightening and been impressed with all the people who come here to help with this crisis. Thanks for your prayers! More to come....
I had a full morning of Zulu lessons a few days ago. I can now recognize work (sebenza) thank (bonga) and a few other things. It doesn't help much when you sit through a three hour church service. We went to a funeral on Saturday in Escort. It was just like being at Pleasant Grove AME church in Charlotte NC except of course everything was in Zulu and oh yeah they danced around the casket and 5 people got saved!
At Sunday service at the Cottages Pam and I both spoke while Cyril translated. The children were wide-eyed. It was really enlightening to be on that end of translation- delayed reactions and all. After church we went on an excursion to the Cathedral Hotel up in the Drakensberg mountains. It was beautiful. It is a 5 star resort. We had tea and scones, saw a wedding party and passed the most wonderful villages. From 3rd world to first world in less than 15 minutes, amazing! But the most amazing part of all was Pam. She drove the entire way on the left side of the road and shifting gears with her left hand. Go Pam!!!!
Summary so far: visiting the Borgman's awe inspiring cottage over-looking the resevoir, watching beading work of native craftswomen, eating at Tokozisa, visiting the sick at Nbongi's a sort of hospice Zulu style, we have cleaned children's faces, taught songs, read stories, painted, plastered, sanded, cut grass, and broken down in two separate vehicles, driven through driving rain and lightening and been impressed with all the people who come here to help with this crisis. Thanks for your prayers! More to come....
Friday, March 16, 2007
Our Work Begins
Hi All,
We have been really busy around the cottages doing various work projects. Yesterday, Robbie and I painted the bathrooms behind our building. The toilets and showers here are in separate buildings from where you sleep, meaning at night you have a nature hike whenever you need to go! So the ones closest to us are now functional and painted (only one has a door but that’s ok) so we are very happy to have shortened our night excursions. Today Robbie took on the yard and blazed a trail through the weeds and trash and rocks and the children now have a huge area to play in where they can see their feet. If you could have seen Robbie in her hiking boots and swinging a big weed wacker, you would not have recognized her!
I spent the morning on an excursion to the local hospital where we took some children and their Mom for meds and their blood counts. The hospital was nothing like we have in the states, you have to go through a locked gate and it is a series of attached trailer like buildings. I was able to see the clinic where we left our kids for a wait that could be up to 6 hours just to see the doctor. I also walked through the pediatric unit and then saw the TB unit, psychiatric unit and then they have a testing unit, and that is the whole hospital.
We also went out to visit Charmaine and bring her some food and water. She is a woman who has been abandoned by her family and is dying of Aids. Today when we went to visit her she was in good spirits and happy to see us. What an awesome blessing to be able to pray with her and offer her this little bit of comfort to help her through this awful disease. During the morning we visited several other families doing nurse visits and checking on their needs. The African people are very welcoming and I have met so many that will remain in my heart for a long time. Most speak a little English and love to teach you their native language, which is Zulu. I don’t think I will ever be able to get the tongue clicking down, the children laugh at me when I try!
Anyways, we are finally adjusting to the time change and jet lag. We get up at 6am (which is really midnight back home) because that is when the children get ready for school and eat breakfast. Devotions are at 7am and then we all start on work projects. Tomorrow we hope to be able to go into town and have lunch and do some shopping.
Well my time is up and there are others who need to get on this one laptop.
Till next time, Pam and Robbie
We have been really busy around the cottages doing various work projects. Yesterday, Robbie and I painted the bathrooms behind our building. The toilets and showers here are in separate buildings from where you sleep, meaning at night you have a nature hike whenever you need to go! So the ones closest to us are now functional and painted (only one has a door but that’s ok) so we are very happy to have shortened our night excursions. Today Robbie took on the yard and blazed a trail through the weeds and trash and rocks and the children now have a huge area to play in where they can see their feet. If you could have seen Robbie in her hiking boots and swinging a big weed wacker, you would not have recognized her!
I spent the morning on an excursion to the local hospital where we took some children and their Mom for meds and their blood counts. The hospital was nothing like we have in the states, you have to go through a locked gate and it is a series of attached trailer like buildings. I was able to see the clinic where we left our kids for a wait that could be up to 6 hours just to see the doctor. I also walked through the pediatric unit and then saw the TB unit, psychiatric unit and then they have a testing unit, and that is the whole hospital.
We also went out to visit Charmaine and bring her some food and water. She is a woman who has been abandoned by her family and is dying of Aids. Today when we went to visit her she was in good spirits and happy to see us. What an awesome blessing to be able to pray with her and offer her this little bit of comfort to help her through this awful disease. During the morning we visited several other families doing nurse visits and checking on their needs. The African people are very welcoming and I have met so many that will remain in my heart for a long time. Most speak a little English and love to teach you their native language, which is Zulu. I don’t think I will ever be able to get the tongue clicking down, the children laugh at me when I try!
Anyways, we are finally adjusting to the time change and jet lag. We get up at 6am (which is really midnight back home) because that is when the children get ready for school and eat breakfast. Devotions are at 7am and then we all start on work projects. Tomorrow we hope to be able to go into town and have lunch and do some shopping.
Well my time is up and there are others who need to get on this one laptop.
Till next time, Pam and Robbie
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Our First Day....Out of Africa
Sawubona! Family and Friends! That means hello in Zulu.
We arrived safely yesterday after a very long…did I say long? plane ride.
Although we turned our watches ahead six hours we seem to be adjusting well to the time change and recovering from the jet lag. Jason, a young man originally from California who has been here since last May, met us at the airport. We closed our eyes as we sped through the mountains on the wrong side of the road! Yes, they drive on the left side of the road, so the steering wheel is on the passenger side of the car. (Well to us, anyway)
South Africa is beautiful. The first thing we noticed was the star-spangled sky. We arrived at the cottages after it got dark so we’re not quite sure where we are. We’re surrounded by mountains and fields, on the bed of a river. Loskop the village is walking distance, Pietermaritzburg where we flew into, is an hour and a half away by car.
The children are lovely, polite, curious and very well behaved. We met Nqobile, Nothile, and a whole bunch of others whose names are a challenge to pronounce, spell and remember. Each is so sweet though, we look forward to getting to know them. Our most helpful translator has been a house mom named Lungile. Her name means good and she really is, she has a glow about her. We’ve met some of the staff and had an orientation earlier today. Jules is a nurse who will be leaving in 3 weeks after 14 months. We know she’ll be missed. Danielle, Sasha and Scott and their two year old son all arrived here two weeks ago for a four-month stay. Tomorrow we’ve been invited to Barbara and John David Borgman’s house. They are missionaries who work nearby and are a real support to Agathos. It’s amazing, Pam was born in the same hospital in Bridgeport, Connecticut as John David, and here they are meeting for the first time on the other side of the world. Coincidence…or I should say God-incidence!
All of the clothes and soccer equipment (yea Spanish class at Broughton for the soccer stuff) is well appreciated. We can’t say thank you enough. Please continue praying for us as we learn how AIDS is ravishing this part of the world. May God bless you as you pray. Love to all, Pam and Robbie
P.S. We’ll update again in a few days. Scott and Sasha also have a blog site with pictures. It is myersmission.blogspot.com
We arrived safely yesterday after a very long…did I say long? plane ride.
Although we turned our watches ahead six hours we seem to be adjusting well to the time change and recovering from the jet lag. Jason, a young man originally from California who has been here since last May, met us at the airport. We closed our eyes as we sped through the mountains on the wrong side of the road! Yes, they drive on the left side of the road, so the steering wheel is on the passenger side of the car. (Well to us, anyway)
South Africa is beautiful. The first thing we noticed was the star-spangled sky. We arrived at the cottages after it got dark so we’re not quite sure where we are. We’re surrounded by mountains and fields, on the bed of a river. Loskop the village is walking distance, Pietermaritzburg where we flew into, is an hour and a half away by car.
The children are lovely, polite, curious and very well behaved. We met Nqobile, Nothile, and a whole bunch of others whose names are a challenge to pronounce, spell and remember. Each is so sweet though, we look forward to getting to know them. Our most helpful translator has been a house mom named Lungile. Her name means good and she really is, she has a glow about her. We’ve met some of the staff and had an orientation earlier today. Jules is a nurse who will be leaving in 3 weeks after 14 months. We know she’ll be missed. Danielle, Sasha and Scott and their two year old son all arrived here two weeks ago for a four-month stay. Tomorrow we’ve been invited to Barbara and John David Borgman’s house. They are missionaries who work nearby and are a real support to Agathos. It’s amazing, Pam was born in the same hospital in Bridgeport, Connecticut as John David, and here they are meeting for the first time on the other side of the world. Coincidence…or I should say God-incidence!
All of the clothes and soccer equipment (yea Spanish class at Broughton for the soccer stuff) is well appreciated. We can’t say thank you enough. Please continue praying for us as we learn how AIDS is ravishing this part of the world. May God bless you as you pray. Love to all, Pam and Robbie
P.S. We’ll update again in a few days. Scott and Sasha also have a blog site with pictures. It is myersmission.blogspot.com
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Saturday, March 10, 2007
ON OUR WAY
Sunday March 11th has finally arrived and we will be leaving RDU Airport at approximately 10:30am arriving in Washington, DC at 11:40am. We then depart on South Africa Airlines at 5:20pm to Johannesburg nonstop for 15 hours arriving at 2:45pm Monday March 12th. After one more short flight to Pietermaritzburg which is about one hour long, we are almost there.
Our Agathos friends will be sending a team of 4 volunteers to pick us up, Jason, Scott, Sasha and Danielle. We will be so glad to see them and look forward to getting to know each other on the 40 minute drive to Lokstop.
Please continue to pray for safe travel for Robbie and I, the journey is a long one but I know that God has some amazing things waiting at the other end! God Bless, Pam
Our Agathos friends will be sending a team of 4 volunteers to pick us up, Jason, Scott, Sasha and Danielle. We will be so glad to see them and look forward to getting to know each other on the 40 minute drive to Lokstop.
Please continue to pray for safe travel for Robbie and I, the journey is a long one but I know that God has some amazing things waiting at the other end! God Bless, Pam
Friday, March 2, 2007
Welcome
Family and Friends
We will be heading to South Africa on Sunday March 11th and plan to arrive in Lokstop sometime Monday evening. Please keep us in your prayers as we travel next week and throughout our two week stay. We thank you all for your support and prayers, God has already done amazing things in just getting us to this part of our journey.
Peace and Love,
Pamela Bunton
Robbie Mahatha
We will be heading to South Africa on Sunday March 11th and plan to arrive in Lokstop sometime Monday evening. Please keep us in your prayers as we travel next week and throughout our two week stay. We thank you all for your support and prayers, God has already done amazing things in just getting us to this part of our journey.
Peace and Love,
Pamela Bunton
Robbie Mahatha
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