Last Wednesday, Melisa and I, along with our friend Sue, headed out to one of the smaller refugee camps, where Sue has been volunteering the last 6 weeks since the xenophobic attacks broke out in the city. I had no idea what to expect. The families residing at this camp were housed in buildings belonging to the Chrysalis Leadership School. On arrival, we were stopped at a check point and got out to visit two women in a tent who have been selflessly serving hundreds of people for weeks. One woman from Canada had a laptop and was helping to type out résumés (all these refugees need jobs!)…and there was a line of men outside the tent waiting their turn to come in. Unemployment is a huge issue in this country and finding any paying job is a desperate cry for many individuals! After quick hellos, we went to find the children!!! As we headed up to the single mum’s dormitory…dozens of kids began to run out and embrace us. I sensed before coming that day, that what the kids would need most was attention, physical touch and LOVE! Any kid loves a hug and many of these dear children just wouldn’t let go. Soon we had a group of 20-30 kids around us and the next hour we just played games, sang songs and danced. These precious kids were so similar to my dear preschool students at home…loving Duck, Duck Goose, wanting to sit in your lap, wanting to play with your hair, wanting to play chase…wanting to be picked, wanting their turn, wanting to be heard…and wanting to be loved! The universal language of love with children is amazing! It was so easy for me to think that I have nothing to give…I cannot help their current situation, or put food in their mouths, or give their parents jobs….but, I know a MIGHTY GOD who can…and I trust in this God…and it is his love which can flow freely from my heart to love these kids in the way they needed to be loved for the few hours we were there. Sue had said it was a more chaotic day then normal, due to the fact that schools are currently on winter break so their was no schedule, just free play (and by the fact that they are only getting one or two small meals a day and extremely hungry). Chaotic it was!...many moments reminded me of my work at Sozo kids or even the rare day at preschool. One moment made me laugh as I felt completely powerless. I had a feisty one and a half year old in my arms who barely scratched an 8 year old clinging onto to my leg. In anger and jealousy the 8 year old dramatically screamed and smacked the young one in my arms on her leg! Then the little one year old smacked the 8 year old in the face!!!…both kids continued to fight in my arms while screaming and crying. I couldn’t contain them so I eventually just sat down in the dirt…one in each arm and squeezed them as I laughed through the tears. Oh Jesus, these dear ones are so angry, rejected, hurt, lonely and hungry (!)…please meet their needs! After lots of hugs and photos, we said our goodbyes and were planning to leave. 
On our way out Sue was stopped by a guy named Rodriguez, who she had met weeks before at her church…he wanted to talk with someone. We went for a walk with him and heard a bit his story. 
Rodriguez is a young 23 year old Mozambique man. He came to Cape Town a few years ago to work and send money back to his family. He had been running a successful IT business in one of the local townships (repairing computers). During the xenophobic attacks everything was taken from him…his business and his home! He is now living and waiting in the refugee camp for work. He hasn’t been able to send money home in six weeks! Rodriguez wasn’t manipulating us to help him find a job…he was just so hopeless about life he needed someone to talk to. His story broke my heart! He is having a very hard time waiting…the process to find people jobs is taking weeks. He is board and said he would do anything to be working again. He has a great heart for Jesus which shines through his smile. He says his days are spent reading, praying and writing poetry….but day after day this gets so hopeless…he spoke with tears in his eyes and life draining out of his body. What could we do?…PRAY!…we prayed hard, that a door of opportunity would open soon and that his life would again be filled with hope and purpose. He comes to mind everyday and even as I write this letter my prayer is that Jesus has provided him with a job and a chance to use the skills he has been given. Do we realize how much our job is a blessing to us? We always complain that we are too busy…too tired…or discontent in our jobs. There are so many that are starving to use their minds and their hands for labor! Rodriguez was one man I met that afternoon that represents thousands of others in the city that are longing for opportunity, change….and hope! 
Rodriguez is a young 23 year old Mozambique man. He came to Cape Town a few years ago to work and send money back to his family. He had been running a successful IT business in one of the local townships (repairing computers). During the xenophobic attacks everything was taken from him…his business and his home! He is now living and waiting in the refugee camp for work. He hasn’t been able to send money home in six weeks! Rodriguez wasn’t manipulating us to help him find a job…he was just so hopeless about life he needed someone to talk to. His story broke my heart! He is having a very hard time waiting…the process to find people jobs is taking weeks. He is board and said he would do anything to be working again. He has a great heart for Jesus which shines through his smile. He says his days are spent reading, praying and writing poetry….but day after day this gets so hopeless…he spoke with tears in his eyes and life draining out of his body. What could we do?…PRAY!…we prayed hard, that a door of opportunity would open soon and that his life would again be filled with hope and purpose. He comes to mind everyday and even as I write this letter my prayer is that Jesus has provided him with a job and a chance to use the skills he has been given. Do we realize how much our job is a blessing to us? We always complain that we are too busy…too tired…or discontent in our jobs. There are so many that are starving to use their minds and their hands for labor! Rodriguez was one man I met that afternoon that represents thousands of others in the city that are longing for opportunity, change….and hope! 
All my love! Bryna
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