In May, a team from the Michigan Conference was privileged to see South Africa firsthand. Loren Nelson, ministerial secretary, Craig Harris, pastor for Cadillac and West Cadillac churches, Linda Fuchs, associate superintendent for education, and Chris Davisson, a teacher at the Village School in Berrien Springs, traveled with others from the Chesapeake Conference.

Maitland DiPinto, Hope for Humanity director, planned the itinerary for us to see the beauty of South Africa, feel the pain of apartheid, understand the destruction AIDS brought to South Africa, and to see the Nhlengelo Project where Paul Mawela and his wife Martha daily give themselves to help others.

One half of the 42 million people worldwide affected with HIV/AIDS live in South Africa. The Mawelas saw a need and were determined to organize programs to help many who are suffering. They began what is known as the Nhlengelo Project.

The Mawelas set up a network to prepare meals, answer homework questions, and distribute supplies such as soap and school uniforms to orphans. AIDS has created many child-headed households needing hot meals, food staples, and adult advice. The Nhlengelo Project trains and supports caregivers who find children living alone or adults who are too sick to care for themselves. The caregivers encourage the children to come to Nhlengelo. They bathe the sick, take time to listen, bring comfort to those suffering, and provide food and needed medications.

Hope for Humanity, formerly Harvest Ingathering, is the longest established Adventist church-sponsored humanitarian ministry. Michigan and Chesapeake conferences junctured with Hope for Humanity's Partners in Mission program for the South Africa HIV/AIDS project. Other conferences support similar mission projects.

In South Africa, Hope for Humanity provided funds to fence the Nhlengelo Project. This fence keeps out thieves and wild animals and provides a safe place to grow gardens to feed the children.

Hope for Humanity also provided funds to build a lapa, an open-air, thatched roof building. Here, orphans eat in the shade, caregivers hold monthly meetings, and pastors are trained to set up similar projects in their community.

This spring, ladies at the Michigan Conference women’s ministries retreats raised $2,000, which provided a blanket and school uniform for forty orphans.

“I wish I could adopt one of the orphans,” was echoed by many. One could not help but fall in love with them. When we looked into their eyes, we saw sadness. When we shook their hands or pushed them on the swing, we saw beautiful smiles.

Because of the Nhlengelo Project, a new Seventh-day Adventist Church has formed. Seventeen members meet every Sabbath morning with the Mawelas. Many caregivers and orphans also attend, and join members in songs of praise to our Heavenly Father.

Each Michigan church and school is invited to be actively involved in this Hope for Humanity project. We have an opportunity to help people in poverty while sharing our hope in Jesus. The need is great. For more information, contact the Michigan Conference Personal Ministries department at 517-316-1560.

Linda Fuchs is the Michigan Conference associate superintendent for education.