Most people in South Africa have house help. Including us. It is definitely a blessing which I am very thankful for, although it was difficult for me to get used to at first. Joyce, who works in our home, is a pure delight. She always has a smile on her face and is a blast to be around. She is an incredibly hard worker, often helping me cook as well as clean the house and wash laundry.
But Joyce is more than a “domestic worker”; she is also a friend. I’ve celebrated her children’s birthdays with her family (in fact, her daughter Nomboso turned 9 yesterday), and I’ve mourned with her over the loss of her loved ones.
Since yesterday, I haven’t been feeling well. I’ve had a fever off and on, but mostly it’s my sore and swollen throat that is bothering me. This morning was particularly rough; I took a slow morning before finally crawling out of my bedroom. When Joyce saw me, she asked, “What’s wrong?” (That tells you how great I looked!) After telling her that I wasn’t feeling well, she asked, “Can I pray for you?” She then hugged me and prayed for me in Sesotho.
While I still feel yucky on the outside, that moment with Joyce this morning warmed my heart…
Thanks, it’s good to be back. :-)
I know this has no meaning in SA, but, Happy 4th of July!
Love you,
Brother Bean!
By: Andrew Ronzino on July 3, 2006
at 10:37 pm
Well, we still celebrate! We’re taking all our staff, outreach staff, and our visiting mission team out to the Spur tonight (local restaurant). After dinner, they are going to bring out sparklers for everybody and play “Born in the USA” over the sound system! Should be fun times!
Happy Fourth of July!
By: Alece on July 4, 2006
at 11:08 am
Sorry to hear you are not feeling well. Praying for your healing.
:)
Roo’s Mom
By: Anonymous on July 4, 2006
at 2:18 pm
heart warming indeed!
i’ve heard it’s dirt cheap to have help in some countries.
this story reminds me of a scene from the movie Crash…
By: amy ellison on July 4, 2006
at 3:52 pm
That’s great that you have help and a friend!
Have a good 4th of July!! Sounds fun — I remember one year specifically rafting on the Zambezee (sp?) on the 4th!
By: danielle on July 4, 2006
at 4:17 pm
and feel better :)
By: danielle on July 4, 2006
at 4:18 pm
:)
By: annie on July 4, 2006
at 5:05 pm
When I was there for my missions trip, we when there for the 4th! It was a lot of fun!
By: Andrew Ronzino on July 4, 2006
at 5:20 pm
That was a great story.
By: Natalie on July 4, 2006
at 7:54 pm
Thanks for all the prayers and feel-betters. I’m still not feeling the greatest, but yes mom (and Christen!), I’m taking my vitamins! :-)
By: Alece on July 5, 2006
at 10:26 am
I’m happy then. :-)
By: Andrew Ronzino on July 6, 2006
at 6:27 am
Hope you’re feeling better Kitty :) Thinking of you… Maymes
By: Amy on July 6, 2006
at 9:52 pm
If you’re feeling homesick drop by http://gimmeyourstuff.blogspot.com
where you can set up cultural exchanges all round the world! We’d love to get some people in SA involved!!
Rikki
Australian Ambassador for Gimme Your Stuff
By: Rikki on July 7, 2006
at 5:15 am
Hallo i am Ellie From Holland
I enjoyed your site
especially the pictures
They are beautiful.
Greetings Ellie
By: Ellie on July 7, 2006
at 12:40 pm
She was a friend to you, because you have always been a friend - respectful and kind; concerned and no “color” barrier; encouraging and smiling! You reaped what you have sown. And Joycee will in turn reap…changing a country one-at-a-time! You are a Missionary indeed! I’m proud of you.
By: Abigail on July 16, 2006
at 1:17 am