About eight of us sat on the floor as she sat on her love seat. There was a coffee table that separated us from her but it felt like more than that, as she was much older and had seen harder days that most of us could have imagined. She knew how to speak English but was tired so she asked that we use our friend Louise as the translator.
With the help of Louise, she began to tell us her story. She told us of how she had lived in the "Mokokoo's" (township/scrap metal shacks) and become the mother to children that were not her own. A collective society by nature, most Africans are willing to open their home and take in children that are left orphaned by AIDS, misfortune or death. Despite this common trait there are still too many children that are left abandoned by their parents, taken advantage of and become one of many that are called orphans. Minah became a mother to orphans when her sister died as she opened up her home to more than 4 children and began to raise them as her own. Still living in a scrap metal shack, she would wake up before the sun and catch a bus into "town" where she worked hours on end as a house helper. After a long day working for a more affluent person she would once again catch the bus back to her scrap metal shack and finish the task of being a mom to 4 little mouths and 8 little hands. For many years she lived this way day in and day out.
She now lives in a home furnished by Mosiac that is made of brick and mortar. She and her husband, Wilson have their own room. The boys have a room as well as the girls. When we last spoke with her she told us of how her job is becoming harder to complete. The woman she works for (who is a believer by the way) is constantly telling her that she is not working hard enough and that she can be easily replaced. Minah did not reveal her age, but the lines on her face told the story of many years of hardship. As we talked with her about her life and how it had changed since becoming a part of the Mosiac family the barrier of culture, language and life experiences seemed to become smaller and smaller. When we asked if we could pray for her the barrier disappeared all together. We became family as we prayed for her endurance and strength. For her patience as a mom to four and as a wife to Wilson. We thanked God for her life and for the beautiful family that she has made.
As we got up to say our goodbyes I leaned down on the couch to hug her and as I did I pressed my face up against hers. I hugged her and whispered in her ear that I loved meeting her and would continue to keep her in my prayers. I noticed that her face was hot against mine but dismissed my thinking as an over reactive mom to a toddler.
Tuesday I opened up my email to read some devastating news. South African friends from across the world asking us to pray for Minah. She had fallen ill and was taken to the hospital. It was at the hospital that she (and her family)discovered for the first time that she has full blown AIDS.
I sat back from my computer a mixture of shock and heartache. Her sons and daughters now faced a future uncertain. Her husband, how was he to cope with this news as well as face the reality that he as well might have HIV? Minah, who had given her life to her family and to hard work to receive such a devastating diagnosis.
So halfway across the world, when its our night and Minah's day, - let us join together in praying for Minah. Let's pray for someone who we may never ever know or see or hold but let's pray for her healing, for good medicine and for peace to be on her family.
-7 The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me
because God anointed me.
He sent me to preach good news to the poor,
heal the heartbroken,
Announce freedom to all captives,
pardon all prisoners.
God sent me to announce the year of his grace—
a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies—
and to comfort all who mourn,
To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion,
give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,
Messages of joy instead of news of doom,
a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.
Rename them “Oaks of Righteousness”
planted by God to display his glory.
They’ll rebuild the old ruins,
raise a new city out of the wreckage.
They’ll start over on the ruined cities,
take the rubble left behind and make it new.
You’ll hire outsiders to herd your flocks
and foreigners to work your fields,
But you’ll have the title “Priests of God,”
honored as ministers of our God.
You’ll feast on the bounty of nations,
you’ll bask in their glory.
Because you got a double dose of trouble
and more than your share of contempt,
Your inheritance in the land will be doubled
and your joy go on forever
because God anointed me.
He sent me to preach good news to the poor,
heal the heartbroken,
Announce freedom to all captives,
pardon all prisoners.
God sent me to announce the year of his grace—
a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies—
and to comfort all who mourn,
To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion,
give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,
Messages of joy instead of news of doom,
a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.
Rename them “Oaks of Righteousness”
planted by God to display his glory.
They’ll rebuild the old ruins,
raise a new city out of the wreckage.
They’ll start over on the ruined cities,
take the rubble left behind and make it new.
You’ll hire outsiders to herd your flocks
and foreigners to work your fields,
But you’ll have the title “Priests of God,”
honored as ministers of our God.
You’ll feast on the bounty of nations,
you’ll bask in their glory.
Because you got a double dose of trouble
and more than your share of contempt,
Your inheritance in the land will be doubled
and your joy go on forever
Isaiah 61:1-7
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