"Now I Feel Warmth"

As much as I've thought about, written about, and prayed about our family in Mhlosheni... I find myself unequipped to even begin to tell the story of Bhekithemba and Sakhi,  the sponsored children of Michelle and Barry Smith. It's a beautiful story, and maybe one day I'll be able to talk her into writing about it here in this space.

Until then we'll let Bhekithemba and Sakhi tell their own stories, in the form of the letters they've written to their sponsors in far-off Corbett, Oregon.

[Bhekithemba's sponsorship promoter writes:] 

Bhekithemba would like to thank you for the gift you have sent him. Through his grandmother he lacks thousands of millions of words to express his deepest thanks to you for such a wonderful gift. God has touched your heart at the right time. From this gift he was able to buy th whole set of school uniforms. He was also able to buy school shoes. He also bought a big blanket. He bought some other private clothes other than the school uniforms. He was also able to buy his own washing basin and toiletries. He also bought some groceries for him and the family and a toy car.

[Sakhi writes in his own hand:]

My friend thank you for the money you sent at the right time. It is cold here now yet I and my grandmother do not have blankets. Now I feel warmth. With the money you sent I was able to buy two blankets, my clothes, school shoes, school jersey, and my school bag. We also bought groceries. I love you friend. Thank you very much.

I try to imagine what it would be like to live as these boys do. Even though I've seen it first hand, I can't really create the picture in mind. 

But I know this: 

They each spent a normal day at their respective schools, maybe envious of the other kids who had proper school clothes, probably hungry, maybe achy from a night spent on the ground. The next day, or perhaps the following Monday, they each showed up in new school uniforms and new shoes, grinning, warm, and well-fed. 

And I suspect -- though I truly have no way of knowing -- that they walked high that day. Not boastfully or arrogantly, but with a spring and bright eyes and with an awesome, unfamiliar, staggering thought whirling constantly through their minds: 

SOMEBODY CARES ABOUT ME.

That, more than the clothes or the food or the shoes, is the gift Michelle and Barry have given to Bhekithemba and Sakhi.