Today was a day or unloading and loading for our trip to our agenda Villages in Mutale. Hennie, our friend in Palaborwa, has stored our shipment for several months. He graciously helped us unload things we didn't need for our work in the villages and then loaded us up with all the clothes, shoes, and other items we will need for the children in Fethali High School and Tshikuyu Primary School. It is a whooping big trailer load and these children will be thrilled.
Sam, our sweet little add on from California sorted, folded and packed for us so things will be more organized when we get to the villages.
Left to right are Hennie, his wife Vanessa, our friend Computer, and CJ. We met Computer after lunch to discover how he is doing since we last saw each other. CJ and I first met Computer over 5 years ago when he was working as a waiter at one of the Lodges. He so obviously had potential that we started helping him complete his schooling. Computer was raised in a house with dirt floors and as soon as he was old enough, he built himself a rondeval with floors. He now has many certificates of achievements and has a the responsible job of ordering the explosives for the mine that keeps it running. He is earning more salary than he ever has in his life. Now his goal is to save to pay for the Labola (what the prospective husband must pay the parents - an expensive proposition), so he can marry his true love, Vision. This used to be done in cattle but in modern times it can be in cash. He will pay more than is asked of him because he wants to demonstrate the depth of his love for Vision. It is so rewarding to see that the helping hand we give is rewarded with a person like Computer being able to create the life he dreamed of. You may get to meet him one day, as he very much wants to come to the U.S.A. some day.
So... We drove on through Kruger towards our destination as the roads are better and it is the quickest way. And it is thrilling to see the wild animals.
LATEST UPDATE ON TRUST AND MODESTAR...
Trust is on his 6th batch of broiler chickens. When we arrived he was IN the chicken pen nursing one little chicken. He cannot tolerate even losing one because that means $8.00 to the family. Before we left Zim, that little chick was running around eating like a horse and fattening up.
Now, we get good updates about the success of the Tuck Shop HHTH helped them start for Modestar's Sister. They are all working hard and it is being a huge success for them. They hope to make $10. or more profit per day and have been doing so since they opened. Believe it or not, this will allow the Sister to care for her four children. We can't even imagine that could happen in our world. It is wonderful to be able to report to all of you how far your contributions go in helping others make a decent living.
Below is a "What's App" we just received from Trust. We had taken him to Zambia to get Mealie Meal for their tuck shop, and took him to eat in a nice Lodge, then to see Victoria Falls on the Zambian side. These are not things he could have ever hoped to do himself. I want you to experience his appreciation for this outing...
"Good evening Sidney. Tomorrow I am going to Zambia to buy some light bulbs and some tablets to sell in the tuck shop.We are selling well in our tuck shop.l will also go deeper in search of Michael Jackson hotel.
I will never forget that day,what an amazing day for me! Thank you very much for taking me to the hotel for a great lunch and to see the Victoria Falls at the Zambian side.I have never been at the hotel since or before .That was my first time to visit the hotel and have lunch like the one you bought for me.Thank you very much may God bless you."
A tour guide had taken CJ to this hotel the year before and said Michael Jackson owned it. We found out from the locals that Michael Jackson didn't own any hotel there. When we ordered our lunch Trust was only going to order fries. We asked him to please order a full meal because we wanted to treat him. He ordered a hamburger but would not eat only the fries. Trust took the hamburger back to Zim for his wife and children to eat. When he goes to buy things for the tuck shop in Zambia, he must ride his bicycle about 20 miles round trip and can only carry what the bicycle can hold. These people must work extremely hard for any little advantage they get.
My heart is humbled that what we so easily take for granted is a rare gift for Trust.
Until next time.... From The Bush..
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