We have added a new project. House of Love is a crisis shelter for young girls in Matatiele, South Africa. Missionary diaconal worker Jozien Koelewijn leads this project and tells us her story.
Wrestling with God
My childhood was different from other peers because I have a fairly rare chronic blood disorder. There was a lot of uncertainty. Then I also developed epilepsy. I can still remember how I struggled especially with God, but seemed too young in church for the questions I had. Why me? Why am I sick?
God works in extraordinary ways and is everywhere. Through it all, He held me and slowly things got better. Through trial and error, through abandonment and acceptance... and looking forward.
God is always there
During a working holiday, I visited South Africa for the first time. Never did I think I would ever live and work in South Africa. The children and the strength of the women, who don't give up but keep going, affected me the most. The step to finally follow my heart was the biggest step I ever took. So many uncertainties and so many questions came my way. But through the questions of my youth, I remember that God is there. Even when I have doubts.
Safe haven for vulnerable girls
Meanwhile, I have been working in South Africa for quite some time. I was sent there by the Bunschoten municipality as a missionary diaconal worker. Together with Fundy, I started the crisis shelter Ikhaya Lothando in Matatiele. That word means 'beloved home' or 'house of love'. The crisis shelter offers young abused girls a safe place. By helping the children, we help the families and thus the community. With the financial help of diaconate, we can help the whole school.
God paves a way
By helping children in schools in particular, we can keep these children safe and in school. Many of these children have no birth certificate and their parents often have no papers either. They therefore receive no support from the government.
This year, many families were helped with food parcels. Now we can start working on Ikhaya Lothando's main goal: helping children, especially girls, in need. We accompany a number of girls for a longer period of time. This also means building contacts in the community and working on trust. We experience that God is paving a way for us.
Read also: Living in dependence on God
