I still can’t quite wrap my head around the idea that March and April bring the cold, trees turning, and an end to summer rains. Yet, the battle here is on. Summer’s here, winter’s there. Autumn on its way here, spring bringing Seattle back to life. Summer and winter struggling day by day to see who will win out; a linen and tank-top day followed by corduroy pants and a jacket. Though autumn is brief, perhaps non-existent here, it’s clear that winter will soon win out. I am enjoying the summer days while they last, looking forward to an end to the mud, mud, mud!

A Full House

If I ever thought living in a big house, a big farm mostly on my own was isolating, I couldn’t have set myself up for a bigger change. After many seasons in the former, for the past year I have been living in my friend Sofi’s new volunteer house (built in 2006). For six months, I had it largely to myself, excluding regular visits from Sofi and her two young children (Doong, aged 6 and Miya, almost 3). Since October, however, the community element has boomed. In late October, Slindile Hadebe, a now 18 year old orphaned girl who is part of the first family I met in South Africa, came to live with me, desperately needing a place after the repeated infidelity of her fiancé. She and her then month-old baby and 19 month old toddler have been living with me ever since. Of her own initiative, she’s attending 9^th grade, after a two year period of absence. She and her little family are an additional three members to our ever-expanding community.

In January, days after Sofi returned from a visit to her family in Australia, little Siyabonga (his name meaning Thank You) came to stay with us. Sofi found his mother, one of her patients, too sick to look after him, his father an alcoholic, and the neighbors stealing the baby’s formula. Siyabonga’s mother was grateful for Sofi to take and look after her then two-month old baby. The little guy’s been staying with us ever since, is now four months old, over a terrible colic, and continues to teach me lessons about the sleepless nights involved with little babies (he seems to not want to give up multiple night-feedings). Despite the occasional sleep deprivation, Siya is a gorgeous baby with a full head of hair and we get great pleasure from watching him smile and coo!

In addition to all the folks listed above, the other night we had a record 19 people sleeping at ‘my’ house and Sofi’s, nine of these children (most staying temporarily) under the age of twelve. After a long day at work, it’s almost enough to make one mad!

With all these people around, the sanity moments come in the quiet of the mornings, when I’m the only one up. I love sneaking outside to watch the sunlight gradually stream over the Berg, cup of steaming tea in hand, Bible in lap. Those minutes reading, in prayer and meditation on God’s word are my salvation when it all becomes too much. Gazing upon the mountains, I can’t help but be grateful for the beauty God created, for the many blessings I’ve received. And, though I’ve left off keeping you informed the last bit, I continue to thank God for YOUR amazing generosity that allows my being here, this work to continue. Please check my blog at http://hopeforaids.blogspot.com for periodic and past updates, when I don’t succeed in getting an email out.

Brief financial update…

I raised funds to cover my living expenses from April 2007 to the end of April 2008, the end of which is nearly here. Over this period, I received more than I needed ($25,000 instead of $20,000). The surplus I have put into caring for Slindile Hadebe and her two kids for the past six months, financing her going back to school, and fixing up a new house for her little family to live in.

My future plans remain somewhat foggy, as there is currently a man in my life, a South African guy, which could very likely bring some exciting changes in the next months. Nevertheless, I remain committed to supporting Thembalethu and the Caregivers, as time goes in an ever less-visible way. Xoli Msimanga has been a true Godsend to the organization in her love for God, the Carers, patients and orphaned youth. I really don’t think I could have managed so well without her expertise and way with people. She is already leading the majority of interactions with the HBC, patients and orphaned youth, all that lacks is administrative (mostly computer) training which is underway. Having her at the day-to-day management helm will help me be able to focus on other administrative needs I never get to, as well as being freer to seek grants and other sources of funding for Thembalethu. (I’ve attached an update for more info, which I will also post on my blog in the next couple of days.)

While the remainder of last year’s personal giving will hold me over during the next month or so, and this is supplemented additional giving I have recently received, my funds for the coming year are running short. I need jut shy of $20,000 to carry me through another year. Please let me know if you are planning to change or alter your giving in the coming months. Giving continues through UPC, the details of which I will include below.

Thank you guys so exceedingly much for partnering with me in this work to bring love, life and hope to those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in Amangwe Tribal Area. Your generosity of heart and spirit, and God’s good provision and providence makes it possible to reach out in love and grace to many needy people. Bless you!

I look forward to hearing from you!

With love,

Betsy