SonShine Care Group, Aberdeen

23/06/2025

Bethany Hoang, in "Deepening the Soul for Justice", describes injustice as "the abuse of power that oppresses the vulnerable through violence and lies". What a powerful statement!!
I have often described to others my belief that justice is wanting for these children here, and faraway as well, the same that I wanted and worked for for my children and then grand children. From health care, education, living and social spaces, to income, food security, and love and care there is a major gulf of difference between the two groups.
We wake in the morning to hunger and poverty, as I start by cooking pap for desperate people. I ended the day by running a bath for a little 1 year old, poo from top to bottom as they have no nappy....and even if they had cloth nappies there is no running water . Hungry, dirty.....parents as well as the baby. And in between the beginning of the day and the end, food was handed out as able. Gordon went for a walk, where he was "chased" by some young men begging for food.

13/06/2025

Our children are well fed and happy....tucked in warmly at night. Life for them is abundance and security, knowing we love and care for them. But they all carry scars from their early years, some more than others. Thankfully our Father can heal emotions and make us whole.
We trust Him, we have to trust Him as we have no alternative. He is our provider, and when our cupboards are bare, we turn to Him.
These last 48 hours, the Lord has blessed our (empty) pantry, as well as clothes for the littlies.
Pashash foods in Graaff Reinett donated 4 boxes of tinned chicken livers in gravy....wonderful on rice to hand out, quick and easy.
Someone in town here donated 10kg bags of rice, sugar, flour and mielie meal, such necessities.
Freedom church in Graaff Reinett collected children's and women's clothes and shoes....I even had some great kiddies shoes I was able to hand out to 2 little girls today. What a blessing!!

13/06/2025

Oh yes

10/06/2025

He was hungry this morning, as he normally is, and had a bowl of pap. He was back again this afternoon, and before I could say anything, he said: "Please do you have an old blanket for me....it is so cold."
"Where are you sleeping" I asked.
"I stay at my aunts, I sleep on the floor...." (Cement floors, no carpet).
"And do you have a blanket?".
"No, I just sleep on the floor".

Hopefully he will sleep a bit warmer tonight.

02/06/2025

23/05/2025

Just having fun on the scooter. Luckily Matthew came for a meal and spent time with the littlies.

16/05/2025

At the gate was a 12 year old that I have known for the past 7plus years. I first met him when he was a small 5 year old, wearing torn pants and a large pyjama top, and he was among a group of slightly bigger boys. Over the years I have visited his home, spoken to the social worker, but to no avail. He is now a street boy, long since dropped out of school , and not cared for by anyone.
I looked at him, and once again I just don't understand my fellow believers who can look at him and not see Jesus, and what He says about how we must be toward the broken and needy.
So out came the nail clippers, I really wanted to check for sores or skin problems...his feet were mud caked in broken shoes, his toes misshapen from wearing shoes too small , then the bath was run, and I gave him soap and a scrubbing brush. After that he had his feet and hands massaged - his tummy was filled and he was sent on his way.
What if there had been effective interventions 7 years ago...if mum, aunt and grandma had stopped drinking....if truancy services had picked up on him dropping out of school...if people had cared.
For those interested, read the 1st epistle of John, chapter 3 v 16 onwards....... "....and we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren..."

While my littlies were making mud and painting the water tank with it...

12/05/2025

"Not the water barrel"....
Who knows this movie reference?
Well, I feel like Goldie Hawn in the middle of Chaos.
Our darling Jira is doing her practical work in Graaff Reinet and is not here to help me.
What can I say....

01/05/2025

Sometimes I turn people who are hungry away, and it is not always because we have nothing to share. With a house full of children, with ensuing chaos, there are times when I just cannot move to help, my family comes first and I am more than busy with them. Just not possible to help. Another reason people are turned away is our pure exhaustion....if not with working with our lot, it is the extra cooking, extra back and forth to the gate, over and over and over. At night I am asleep when my head hits the pillow. So sorry, I just can't help.
Some people offer to volunteer, but the definition here includes payment...
Reliability is an issue, rarely seen.....
So have I fed others today? Yes, plenty. Over the last two days, I have made bread with around 9kg flour, and I am wondering about tomorrow....
Two pots of oats, and an 11 litre pot of mielie meal....
About 12 cups of rice this afternoon.....
Four dishes of a potato and bacon mix they love...
All gone....

So I am exhausted, Gordon is exhausted. Maybe you have heard the call of Jesus to serve somewhere, not meaning here, but anywhere - maybe your local food bank, old people's group, a struggling foster family? Maybe a single mum needing support?
We believe we heard His call to come and help children, one of His passions. We also believe that others have been called to work here as well, but have chosen not to say " Yes." Be His hands and feet...the rewards are great.