Stepping off a bus in Dwarsloop, in the province of Mpumalanga, South Africa, I walked down a dusty road and past a rusted sign that directed me to Nhlengelo Home Based Care. In the yard beside the road were scantily clad children playing and hens clucking. It was surreal to be in Africa, a country I dreamed of visiting from the very first time I sang "A Boat Goes Sailing to the Mission Land" in Sabbath school and heard stories of the brave missionaries in a land far away.
The road opened to a courtyard. It was there the smiling faces of approximately 50 uniformed women—the caregivers—greeted me. In the center of the group were two of the most remarkable people I have ever met—Paul and Martha Mawela—with smiles as wide as their hearts, I would later learn. In fact, there wouldn't be a Nhlengelo Home Based Care community center without the Mawelas—Paul, former president of South Africa's Trans-Orange Conference, and Martha, his life-long partner in ministry. Their love of Jesus and their compassion for the Tsongan people compelled them to continue a life of service after retirement.
Paul desired to build a Seventh-day Adventist Church for his people so they could learn more about the saving love of Jesus. His attempts to do so were met with great resistance. Villagers were wary of another church in their community. Some even proclaimed he was a Satanist instead of a Christian. While many would be discouraged and give up, Paul petitioned the Lord to open a door.
He called together community leaders and pastors to pray for those they served. The relationships Paul forged with these leaders were the springboard for Nhlengelo Home Based Care—a collaborative humanitarian project to minister to those in their community impacted by HIV and AIDS. Nhlengelo means "Standing together against the enemy." These community leaders are now committed to stand together against HIV and AIDS and other issues that confront their community, in a country where life expectancy is 42.45 years, unemployment 25.5 percent, and 50 percent of the population lives below the poverty line (www.consultancyafrica.com). It is a unique multi-church social project that receives major funding from Hope for Humanity (formerly Ingathering or Harvest Ingathering).1
It was as Paul participated in funeral services, where he buried "too many young people," he recalls, that he first became convicted something should be done to help the orphaned children left alone. By the end of 2005, Africa was home to an estimated 12 million children under the age of 18 who lost at least one parent to AIDS (www.avert.org). One organization estimates there will be 18 million AIDS orphans in South Africa alone by the year 2010 (www.amref.org).
So under the leadership of Paul and Martha, and with the support of the other local church leaders, a program was established to train caregivers to bring hope and help to those suffering with HIV, AIDS, and other illnesses, and to discover the vulnerable children left alone when parents die. The individuals they accept in the program are volunteers from each of the churches in the Dwarsloop community. They become caregivers who walk door to door in their villages to find those who need care.
The prevalence of misinformation about HIV and AIDS in South Africa has created prejudice toward people living with the diseases. These caregivers model the love taught to them by the Mawelas—a love born in their hearts through a relationship with Jesus—as they feed the sick, bathe the dirty, clean houses, carry water, and give of their own meager means to comfort the afflicted. In homes and communities where HIV and AIDS victims are shunned, the caregivers shine a light all the way from Heaven into the hearts of those they touch for Jesus.
The orphans, left abandoned to deal with the grief of losing parents, find themselves in an economic crisis as they are forced to care for themselves and, often, younger siblings. Many child-headed households are located in close proximity to extended families; however, there are simply not enough resources to support additional family members. So the children live in homes—with no running water, no public transportation, and no electricity—that they used to share with their parents. Sometimes their parents' graves are in their backyard. The orphans are forced to survive as best they can in an adult world they don't understand.
The Mawelas have opened their arms to the orphans. Through Nhlengelo Home Based Care, approximately 1,000 children receive one hot meal daily. This is the only daily meal for most. When I helped serve the orphans a meal, Martha said, "Pile it on. These children are very hungry." Other staple items provided include corn meal, beans, vegetables, and cooking oil. When funds are available, the orphans also receive charcoal, soap, clothing, blankets, and school uniforms. Without school uniforms, the orphans can't enroll in school. Additional support includes help with homework and daily guidance as the orphans manage a new reality of life without parents.
Because of their unwavering love and compassion, the Mawelas are now affectionately known as "Papa" and "Mama." Many orphans have "adopted" them as their new parents. Rich Bauer, a teacher at Otter Creek Christian Academy in Wisconsin, witnessed the Mawelas' compassion. He said, "As I watched [Mama] interact with them, I could see that she had a real interest in them. It reminds me of the great interest Christ has for each one of us."
Ramon Ulganca, Fort Wayne (Indiana) Church pastor, said, "Paul and Martha Mawela are contemporary examples of Abraham and Sara. In leaving the comfort and safety of their congregation at the prompting of God to confront AIDS where no Adventist Christian had ever gone before, they are faith warriors in the truest sense of the word. Their vision that the children of God need to 'stand together against an enemy' and their desire to partner with Christ and other Christian churches to make a difference in the world for the kingdom of God is an inspiration to us all. Through them and others like them, God is healing our land."
Because of the Mawelas' desire to be used by God, land for a church was granted. Hope for Humanity partially funded a small church dedicated in August 2006, but it is now filled to overflowing each Sabbath. Seventh-day Adventists are no longer considered Satanists; they are called saviors.
South Africa is a beautiful country filled with incredible people, but many desperately need hope. Please become "Partners in Mission" and give generously to Hope for Humanity this year. Your tax-free donations will benefit the Mawela's ministry at Nhlengelo Home Based Care and other projects like theirs all over the globe. For more information, contact Maitland DiPinto, Hope for Humanity director, at Maitland.DiPinto@nad.adventist.org or call 301-680-6439.
Diane Thurber is the Lake Union Conference assistant communication director.
1. Hope for Humanity is the oldest Seventh-day Adventist humanitarian ministry. It assisted Nhlengelo Home Based Care by providing fencing to keep out thieves and wild animals from their gardens. It has also provided a bore hole (well), lapa (thatch-covered meeting room), and other necessary essentials.
