Mercy Goats...

One of the common sights around Zithulele Mission Hospital are the little goats that wander the grounds, grazing as they go. Despite the countless droppings that tell of their travels, they really are quite cute. They decided to pay a visit to the Eye Clinic this afternoon - but not because of eye complaints. They must have noticed that the grass on our front lawn was getting a little too long and needed a bit of a trim. :-)

 Some of our Mercy Goats - very much a daily part of life in Zithulele.

 Another pair ensuring the lawn is well-maintained for our arriving cataract patients this week.

Goats were even a part of my Land Rover photo shoot a few weeks ago.

Zithulele from above...

This is a view of Zithulele Mission Hospital as seen from the air. It was taken several years ago, and so a few of the newer buildings are not there. The X on the picture is where the eye surgery and our accommodation are located now. We have a beautiful view of rolling hills and a deep blue ocean!

Thanks to the Hospital Superintendent, Ben Gaunt, for this photo.

Land Rover story...

One of my responsibilities here at Zithulele is to ensure our two Land Rovers are maintained in good running order. This includes regular fluid checks, a vehicle distance record sheet, and ensuring that they are stocked with necessary spare parts and supplies. A few days ago I wrote a little piece on the importance of these vehicles. I hope you enjoy it!

The Mercy Vision Zithulele Eye Care Project is based at Zithulele Mission Hospital in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. This project partners with Mercy Ships Southern Africa, the Jabulani Rural Health Foundation, and the Eastern Cape Department of Health in bringing cataract surgeries and high-quality eye care to this region.

Key to ensuring that this successful operation continues are the two Land Rover Defenders used by the team. Tarzan and Jane, as they are affectionately called, are able to reach places inaccessible to normal vehicles. This includes rural healthcare clinics where eye tests and screening are undertaken by the Mercy Vision team. Cataract surgeries are scheduled at the Zithulele Mission Hospital and appointment cards are handed out.

Without the Land Rover Defenders, the team would not be able to successfully continue their work of ensuring that eye problems become history.

© 2013 Murray Tristan Crawford

Eating wild honey...

Candace and I went to the church service last night. It was lovely to meet some new people and enjoy fellowship with believers. They're following the book of Luke in this series, and the message focused on John the Baptist's mission in Luke 3: 1 - 17.

What struck me was just how content John the Baptist was. He was out in the wilderness, eating locusts and wild honey, and following God's call on his life. And yet despite the challenges of his lifestyle choice, he was totally committed to his mission.

I wonder how I would fare in a similar situation. Sure I like eating honey, but I'm sure that would come with a lot of bee stings! And don't even get me started on the locusts! Anyway, this message was a huge encouragement to keep a positive attitude and be content in whatever circumstance. Definitely a good reminder for any situation in life!

Zithulele Accommodation...

Since coming to Zithulele, as I've mentioned in a previous post, we've had to move around a fair bit. Well, we are finally in our new little space, and Candace has posted a visual tour if you want to see our new home. Click over to her blog here and enjoy! As you can see, it's going to take some time and adjustment to settle here. Please keep us in your prayers!

Fresh perspective...

We had the surgical outreach here at Zithulele this past February. We did over fifty cataract surgeries in a week, and the patients who were scheduled had to stay two nights in the community centre. We provided mattresses to ensure that the patients and their caregivers were comfortable for the duration of their stay. The mattresses are the focus of this snippet from Zithulele.

Mohau (our optometrist), Candace and I went to Ngcwanguba Store, the local general dealer some twenty kilometres away, to collect the mattresses several days before the surgeries began. We managed to fit 23 mattresses in and on top of the Land Rover.

Upon arrival at the hospital, however, we discovered that we'd lost seven of the mattresses. We'd secured them on top but they must have worked loose on the curvy roads of the rural Eastern Cape. Mohau and I clambered back into the Land Rover and retraced our steps. But there was no sign of our mattresses. We were utterly gutted. What would our patients and caregivers do?

However, let's shift the perspective. Imagine that for the past few years you've been having to sleep on a hard concrete floor. You've never owned your own mattress. You've been praying for a miracle - perhaps even a new mattress. Suddenly, you see a brand-new mattress lying by the side of the road in front of your hut. You're overjoyed! God has come through for you!

We had more than enough mattresses for our patients and caregivers, so it all worked out in the end. And perhaps someone is being blessed by a new mattress today. My point is that it certainly helps to view an issue from a fresh perspective!

More than enough...

I was trying to think about a title for this post. It could be "Skewed Expectations", but that wouldn't be quite right. It is in essence a blog post about the fragmented, challenging life that Candace and I lead. But I hope by the time you've finished reading you will see that there is very much a bright hope for the future.

Candace and I are back at Zithulele. We were told before we came that our own place was almost ready and that we'd have to stay in student accommodation or a bed and breakfast before we could move in. That was almost two weeks ago. Since then we've moved from the bed and breakfast in Coffee Bay (Geckos Guest House is an amazing place to visit and we highly recommend it!) back to Zithulele, where we've been blessed by being able to house-sit for a couple of families. Our new home was quite badly damaged by some severe rain that hit the Eastern Cape a little over a week ago - hence the repairs and subsequent delay that has resulted in our home not being ready. God came through in a big way providing house-sitting opportunities at just the right time.

It has been a frustrating time as we live out of our suitcases, not really having a home of our own. It was a battle not knowing where we'd be staying a few days down the line. Our new place is a lot smaller than we initially expected - which will be a challenge, too. Candace and I both welcome structure and routine - we thrive on it! Here we have battled to find any of it. It is difficult to be taken out of your comfort zone and thrown into the deep end. Sometimes it feels like that here. I guess all we can really do is trust that God is in control and knows what He is doing.

And yet, through it all, God has an amazing way of coming through. He must have a deep sense of humour. After writing my thoughts down, I read a few verses in John 14 that instantly struck me. Candace and I have been concerned about the size of our accommodation. We're staying in a room about half the size of a couple's cabin on the Africa Mercy. But God tells us:

 Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?

(John 14: 1 - 2)

It doesn't matter how small our physical home here on earth may be, because this is only our temporary home. After all, THERE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH ROOM IN MY FATHER'S HOME. Jesus' home is our home. In fact, He should live in our hearts, and our eyes should be focused on things above and less on the things of this world.

I'm not saying that it'll get any easier, but I am thankful that in moments of trial, we have a God who does care - even through his sense of humour revealing awesome truths. Thank you Lord!