The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing." – Zephaniah 3:17
When Jacob* was only eight months old, his mother brought him to live with his grandmother. His father found work in another town and does not make it back to see Jacob. In a small government-built brick house, they stay with some extended family. The house originally belonged to his grandmother’s late husband, who was a South African citizen, but she is not South African and so does not have access to other government resources and support that could help care for Jacob and his half-sister. Jacob’s grandmother recently had a stroke and finds many things in life difficult to manage, including finding an income to support all of her dependents. The financial shortcomings lead to anxiety and feelings of desperation.
In 2019, local volunteer Care Workers discovered the needs of the family and stepped in to offer a hand. Sylvia, one of the Care Workers who has built a close relationship with the family, shares that she feels it is her responsibility to walk alongside Jacob’s grandmother and support her in easing the burden. The Care Workers invited Jacob and his half-sister to the Care Point, and for the past three years, they have seen Jacob blossom into a more energetic child who loves to play with his friends. With the Care Worker’s help at their home, Jacob no longer has the sole responsibility of caring for his grandmother. He is free to be a child.
Thank God for the way that Sylvia and the other Care Workers have surrounded Jacob and his family. Pray that they will have the boldness to share about Jesus with him. Pray that Jacob will know the unconditional love of his Heavenly Father.
Ask God to give Care Workers across Africa the eyes to see and the ears to hear the needs of those in their community.