Sonstraal TB/HIV Hospital

Photo: Some of the kids at the hospital and an American friend who was helping out for a day, Jenny (a friend of Patty's). Sonstraal Hospital is located in Paarl East (the colored community) and is a home for about 100 TB/HIV patients. Some are multi-drug resistant TB patients. They are in a special ward where we are discouraged from going, however, there are a few patients who come from that side to sit with us and see what we're all about. They are supposed to wear face masks, but that's so uncomfortable, offensive and claustrophobic that none do. I completely trust that God has called me to Sonstraal for this season and He will protect me...I mean really, I myself no longer live but Christ lives in me (Gal. 2:20) and Christ physically loved (that means touching) the sick and diseased. Without a doubt, those who have been in the hospital for months and months have not had human contact, i.e., a hug, for months and months. Having lost Ty 2 1/2 years ago, I know it's like to not get a hug as regularly as I was used to (or needed). Honestly, what would Jesus do? He would hug them. Tylyn's key question- Why would Jesus do it? Answer: Because God is love.
There are about 20 children presently at the hospital. The numbers change every day. Some patients leave because they are ready to go home and continue treatments and meds from the comfort of their homes, others die, and there is always an influx of new patients. The little ones are mostly between one and four years old. Several have a TB/Spinal Meningitis/HIV combination. They are the hardest ones to pass by in the cribs. The others are getting well (God gave children amazing resilience) and love to see us coming.
As do the women. Three colored women from Lighthouse Church in Paarl East , Patty Gay and myself visit the hospital 2x a week for only a couple of hours at a time. The female patients, who at first were skeptical and resistant to hanging out with us, now sit on the stoop waiting before we get there. We craft with them, or play a game and then tie in a Bible lesson and a testimony about God's activity in our lives, as well as encourage them towards good physical and spiritual health. The women speak mostly Afrikaans but they understand a lot of my English, thanks to "The Young and the Restless." A favorite 'soapie' over here. We sing songs and dance a little...well, the volunteers dance...the women mostly watch, tap their feet and sing along.
You may be saying to yourself, 'funny, Laura, I don't remember you ever saying that your intention was to go work in a hospital with women and children'. And you would be right...that was not my intention. However, you will remember me saying that "God is calling me to SA, and although I'll be working with the discipleship programs in Paarl East and Mbekweni, God will tell me what I'm really supposed to be doing once I'm there."
And, yes, I am still working with the discipleship program. Greg Oefinger and I just plotted out our curriculum, events and short term teams strategies (concerning discipleship) for 2008! Developing some young leadership in Paarl East will be the number one priority this year so that when the community center/sports complex and the Butterfly House (an HIV/AIDS day care center) open we will be prepared to staff it with volunteers/disciplers who love God and love others.