Galloping with Giraffes

Promise

2011-12-17T18:34:00.000-08:00

It was 6:38pm and my cell phone started ringing. My caller ID showed it was the baby safe drop, meaning a baby had been placed in one of our baby drops. I was driving in the area, so I was able to attend to the safe with in two minutes. Inside was a beautiful little baby girl. After calling our social workers and adoption agency contacts, I took baby home to spend the night with me until I could take her to the baby house the next morning. It was early that morning I walked out my front door to see a giant rainbow on the horizon. I felt the Lord say to me that He “keeps His Promiseʼs”. It was later that night the newborn was placed in the safe. I felt the Lord confirm that her name was to be Promise. He really did keep His “Promise”. Instead of little baby Promise ending up in a ditch or plastic bag she was placed in our Baby Safe. Soon she will be off to her new forever family!!

Abandoned Baby Packs

2011-12-17T18:31:00.000-08:00

In an effort to help manage the horrific baby dumping epidemic in South Africa, Baby Safe is putting together “Abandoned Baby Packs” for the South African Police force. Often times, a newborn baby is found in a plastic bag dumped next to a rubbish bin or in an open field. Once the police respond and take baby to hospital, it is too late. By Baby Safe equipping the local Police force on what to do with an abandoned newborn as well as provide them with life saving supplies, we hope to save more babies. I will be visiting and training police on what procedure to follow in the event of finding a newborn baby. This would include clamping the umbilical cord, clothing the child, providing CPR, formula and a legal procedure on where to take child, etc. We are busy putting these life saving “Abandoned baby packs” together. The cost of one is roughly $35 USD. If you want to sponsor one of these packs, let me know!

my studies with UNISA

2011-12-17T18:28:00.000-08:00

School studies are going well, challenging but well. It’s constantly a struggle for me to be disciplined and study, when I’d rather be in the communities. I am half way done and enjoying what I am learning! Some of the courses I am taking include business management, social work, psychology in the african context, etc.

me and valentine at nick and danielle's wedding

2 years old

2011-12-17T18:19:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite sounds in the whole world is Chene calling
my name, “Alli!” Pronounced A-Yee. My favorite little girl turned
2 years old! It seems like just yesterday I received a phone call
from the police asking me to hide the little newborn from her
young abusive prostitute mother. A lot has happened in the 2
years of this little ones life. I am excited for this girlsʼ future. She
has a future, a life!! She is alive! Healthy, happy, full of destiny!
Spared from a generationally cursed life of addiction. She
continues to live with grandma while mom is in prison.

*the scripture I often pray over Chene's life*
Zephaniah 3:15-19 “Sing, Daughter Zion, Be glad and rejoice with all your heart. The LORD has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. 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. At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you”, says the LORD.”

Yes, it is true...

2011-12-17T18:14:00.000-08:00

…I am dating someone. He is an incredible man who loves Africa, and has a heart to see African youth change their continent. His name is Valentine Chirume and he is Zimbabwean. He is on staff at All Nations Cape Town and leads CPx outreaches to unreached people in Zanzibar and beyond. We have known each other since 2009 and have been dating since April 2011. We have so much fun together and are looking forward to him coming to Colorado in December.

Makorokoto e Birthday ra Blessing!

2011-05-16T03:55:00.000-07:00

Baby Blessing turns 1 year old!

This time one year ago, baby was fighting for his life. Baby's mom was not coping. Single, sick, jobless, family-less, she wanted to dump baby.
Fast-forward to last saturday, as I arrive at baby's house, mom comes running out side with her arms in the air cheering "Oh Alli! Can you believe my baby is one year old today! I am so happy!" We went into her tin shack that she was proud to show off. She and her friends were busy making potato salad and chicken. She proudly showed me baby's cake. I lost count of how many times she said, "thank you God, thank you Alli for helping me with my baby". She goes on to tell Bethany, me and her other zimbabwean friends how this baby should not be alive. She was practically jumping up and down while shouting, "Alli, my friend, I am so much better! I am not so sick, my baby is fat!".
I have been working with Tonya for about a year and a half. After deciding to keep her baby after baby's daddy left her penny-less, to return to his other wife, I got involved in supporting her during her pregnancy. It was a rough pregnancy and an even harder first 3 months of baby's life. In and out of the hospital, we discovered that baby was extremely sick, so was mom. Baby Safe was extremely involved in their lives, including encouraging Tonya to get onto some life saving medicine. This was scary for mom, as she was fighting stereo-types and common misperceptions about this sickness. Months after getting on the medicine, both mom and baby look and feel amazing!

This is why I live in Africa, this is why I have given up a career, this is why I have left my family and Colorado... to walk with and empower young mom's like Tonya raise their babies!

umbilical cords

2011-05-16T03:01:00.000-07:00

She's 20 years old, 5 months pregnant with her 2nd child and she has no idea what an umbilical cord is for...

As Jenna and I sit on the pavement next the drug apartments, I show her pictures of what her unborn baby looks like at 5 months. It's with excitement that I show her pictures of how her baby's eyebrows and eyelids have already formed. I tell her that her baby is now 5 inches long and about 5 ounces. She can not help but smile.

I have been working with Jenna for over a year and a half. A pr*stitute and Tik (crystal meth) addict, she has already had her first child taken from her because she would beg with him on the street, rain or shine, for spare change for her drug habit. Unfortunately, she never heeded my pleas to get the contraceptive injection. The father of the baby is in prison for theft. Mom continues to drug and walk the streets at night.
Jenna dropped out of school in the 8th grade. She was never shown these pictures, she never had a sex-ed class. It is on the street, 10 feet from the gamblers, that I explain what sex really is. Yes, she is proud of the fact she can "operate with the men", but she has no idea about the scientific/biological side of sex. So how would she know what an umbilical cord is? I explain in the simplest of words that "whatever Jenna eats, baby eats. Whatever Jenna smokes, baby smokes. Whatever Jenna drinks, baby drinks". I can tell she is embarrassed, she puts her jacket hood over her head and stares at her feet. We both smell the Tik chemical seeping out from her pores. I continue to encourage her to get registered at the local clinic for anti-natal check ups and the baby's birth. She is overwhelmed, she doesn't know where to begin the process. She asks me to help her book her first appointment and go with her. She is nervous, all of the nurses know who she is. They will scold her because at 5 months, this will be her first appointment. She is also nervous for the mandatory AIDS test. Right there on the street, I phone the clinic and book her an appointment. I'm also nervous, I'm nervous Jenna's addiction will continue to rule her weekend and monday morning she will not pitch for her appointment. Jenna goes on to tell me how she wants to be a proper mom for this baby. She feels it's going to be a girl. We dream about what this little "girl" will be doing in 1 yr, 5 yrs, 20 yrs. I tell her the first step to being a good mom is to make sure baby is healthy. 2 ways Jenna could make sure baby was healthy is by not using Tik and marijuana and going to the doctor appointment to get babies vitals checked.
Unfortunately, Jenna never went to her doctor appointment and I have not seen her since...

a day of Celebration!!

2011-03-22T23:19:00.001-07:00

"Sisterhood of Success" is a Baby Safe Job/Life Skills Training Program, in partnership with Living Way, that is being offered to some of the communities' most down and out women - drug addicts, prostitutes, women with HIV, desperate mothers - all looking for REAL change and hope for an exciting future.

Graduation...incredible! We are so proud of the 14 women who, dressed in their Sunday best, graduated today. They completed Sisterhood of Excellence and Sisterhood of Value.

Many of these woman have never graduated from something or received a certificate. This was an exciting moment!

FUTURE BUSINESS OWNERS: Of these 14 women, 5 will go on to "Sisterhood of Dreams" and learn how to create a business plan, conduct market research, and start their own business with a micro-loan.
SOON-TO-BE EMPLOYEES: At the same time, we will continue to meet with the 9 women who are now actively seeking employment. With weekly support groups, we will empower them to look for jobs online, keep their resume/CV up-to-date, role-play for interviews and become accountable for applying for jobs.

We are excited to continue to meet with these women and do Discovery Bible Studies together!

Lora, Shiney, Liana, Melissa (who took an afternoon off from her busy CPx schedule to come support her sister and girls!!) These are my faithful Ocean View girls. love them dearly. It has been one crazy journey with each individual. Super excited at what Christ is doing in their lives. Restoration, Redemption, Hope... love it.

Lora. So proud of this girl. Yes, she still has a long way to go but she is not the same girl she was this time last year. Even the way she dresses is different. She is now taking full time care of Britney. I am pleased with this as she is trying her best to be a positive role model for her.

my sweet Liana. the Lord highlighted her to me a week before Sisterhood started. she approached me and asked if she could do Sisterhood. She was faithful to come and participate and do her homework. There were a few days where she was beaten with a garden ho or a knife the night before but she still managed to get her daughter to preschool and catch a taxi to class.

This is the first thing most of these girls have graduated from or finished successfully. There was lots of tears of joy and laughter. No longer are these girls known as drug addicts or prost*t*tes but as students, small business owners! Victory!

Sisterhood of Success

2011-03-22T23:13:00.000-07:00

(julie and alli. fearless Sisterhood leaders and relentless dreamers of change)

Looking back at Julie's journal entries I'm amazed at how well things went... take a look.

March 10, 2011 - Graduation...incredible! We are so proud of the 14 women who graduated today. They completed Sisterhood of Excellence and Sisterhood of Value.

BUSINESS OWNERS: Of these women, 5 will go on to "Sisterhood of Dreams" and learn how to create a business plan, conduct market research, and start their own business with a micro-loan.

EMPLOYEES: At the same time, we will continue to meet with the 9 women who are now actively seeking employment. With weekly support groups, we will empower them to look for jobs online, keep their resume/CV up-to-date, role-play for interviews and become accountable for applying for jobs.

February 18, 2011 - We have 15 women attending the class and they LOVE every minute! They say the class is already changing their mindset and it's amazing to see how their attitudes and even lifestyles have changed in these first 2 weeks of the class. During each class we do a Discovery Bible Studies and they are learning how to hear God speak to them. It’s amazing to see these women laugh, share, and discover a God that cares deeply about them! See February journal updates.

February 8, 2011 - They came!! We have 13 women attending the class. I was hoping for 12 and God threw in an extra one. Amazing!
February 6, 2011 - The class starts tomorrow. Pray that they come! I would love to have 10 women there. Note: God provided childcare workers for most of the days this week. Yeah!

January 31, 2011 - Here is our BIG prayer need: We have no one to watch the kids while the mothers are in class! Even after all the hard work the mothers have gone to raise money for the class – if there is no one to watch their kids, they won’t come.

January 10, 2011 - Wow! We have 15 women fundraising in the community for this class! Please pray God would bless their efforts. Many women have not sold any diapers yet, and need the Lord's blessing.

January 6, 2011 - Please pray from the fundraiser meeting today and tomorrow (that women would actually come to the meeting and feel encouraged and enabled to sell the diapers).

December 10, 2010 - God provided a sponsor for the program (although the women will still need to raise about half the money) **THANK YOU FAITH BIBLE CHAPEL WOMENS MINISTRY!!!!

December 3, 2010 - Thank you for praying for our first informational meeting, introducing the Sisterhood of Succes Job Skills program to women in the community. At first we thought no one was coming...read journal update.

Prayer

This course will put a major cramp on the enemy's strategy to destroy these girls' lives, so we are anticipating a lot of spiritual warfare. Please pray…
*that the ladies continue to come and have their heart encouraged and mindsets changed
*that Christ will continue to draw them to Himself and ultimately live a life of Freedom
* protection for our team (Alli, Bethany, Julie and Melissa)- physical, mental, emotional, & spiritual protection tomorrow
*that the girls would crave freedom and righteousness (start to hate drugs, selling sex, lying, stealing, gangs, abusive relationships, and violence)
Course Description
Sisterhood of Success is a two month course offered in February and March to women in Ocean View and Masiphumelele. There will be three classes within the course and Discovery Bible Studies will be integrated throughout program.

One person from Ocean View said, "I have already changed my entire mindset and know I will be success in life. I am excited to start my own business in Ocean View and be an example of positive change in my community!"
A woman from Masiphumelele said, “I am hopeful for my future! With the tools learned in this class, I will be able to find a job and stay employed so I can provide for my family.”

Class #1: Sisterhood of Excellence (STEPS to Excellence program)
Social scientists estimate that as human beings we use only 1 % - 5 % of our potential during our lifetime. This program taught the women how the mind works, which thought patterns make some people more successful than others, and how to think more effectively. They learned that each of us creates our own barriers to success, happiness, and fulfillment! The women discovered that obstacles disappear when they have a clear picture of their habits, attitudes, aspirations, potential and goals.

Class #2: Sisterhood of Value (Work Readiness program)
This course taught the women how to find employment and earn promotions based on the values of work ethic, initiative, time management, communication, integrity, conflict resolution, hygiene and goal setting.

Class #3: Sisterhood of Dreams (Pre-entrepreneur program):
Based on performance and personal goals, several women from the class will go on to become business owners in their community! This course will teach them how to create a business plan, research the industry and apply for a micro loan.
Discovery Bible Studies have been integrated throughout the program: Women have learned to read the Bible for themselves, discover what God is saying to THEM, and be encouraged to obey God.

2010 in review. How Baby Safe impacted our communities.

2011-03-16T01:33:00.000-07:00

In 2010, approximately 500 babies were dumped in Cape Town alone. A result of poverty, abuse, HIV/AIDS, hopelessness and desperation, the challenge seemed overwhelming. And yet…

Even in the midst of seemingly impossible obstacles, the LORD is bringing hope.

In 2010 Baby Safe worked with a recorded total of 238 women and children, and others that were not documented. In one year, we saw 107 women for the Termination of Pregnancy counseling at the local hospital. Of these women, 20 of them changes their minds and made a choice for life-over 1/5th!-and possibly more that went unknown.

We worked with 58 women on an individual level of some kind who made a choice to parent, and saw the birth of 38 babies.

7 babies were successfully placed in loving homes through adoption.

8 children were put in a place of safety in our network of safety families, 4 of whom were placed long term while the other 4 were able to be reunited with their family.

27 women and children experienced intervention or preventing for either difficult or even life-threatening situations, many going through the process of discipleship.

2010 saw the 1st baby left successfully in our baby safe, as 1 brave woman chose to give her child a future rather than dumping it!

These women and children came to us from every background, circumstance, race and region. We worked with countless from our local communities of Masiphumelele, Ocean View, and Fish Hoek, as well as surrounding areas like Muizenberg or even Khayelitsha. They were black, white and colored, Xhosa, Afrikaanse, Zulu, Zimbabwean, Malawian, and more. Each one different. Each one desperate.
Yet the LORD sees each of them and calls them by name. He called them to life and not death, to hope and to healing. He looks upon them and sees his children, forsaken royalty, calling them to a greater destiny. “The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; and you will be called by a new name which the mouth of the LORD will designate. You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. It will no longer be said to you, “Forsaken,” nor to your land will it any longer be said, “Desolate”; but you will be called, “My delight is in her,” and your land, “Married”; for the LORD delights in you.” -Isaiah 62:2-4.

In 2010, 50+ babies were not dumped. 78+ mothers chose life; they made a plan and sought help instead of a rubbish heap. 27+ women and children walked a road of rescue or restoration, to prevent these circumstances from even happening. 238 lives were touched, changed, challenged.

In 2010, the statistics dropped by 238.

Now in 2011, we look ahead with expectation, that the LORD will do even more!

Baby "B"...

2011-03-16T01:30:00.000-07:00

You probably remember Baby "B". How could you forget? Her story is heart wrenching and hopeful all in one. We are absolutely confident that God has plans for her future, plans that include, purity, safety, joy and relationship with Him. Over the last few months she has come into our care many times. Again, her situation has become unstable being that her mother will not stay behind bars and so we are asking for your prayers. This situation needs finality and closure. Each time her mother is unjustly released from prison, this child is in danger. Baby Safe has been on this case for about a year now and desperate for justice and finality. Please pray that the corrupt manner in which some of the police operate would stop interfering with this case and of which results in ‘B’s’ mom’s release from prison.

B’s mom is actually several months pregnant with a second child now… we also pray for this life, miraculous protection and preservation, as mom’s lifetstyle is destructive to say the least.

Baby is currently in the care of her auntie. Auntie is in constant discipleship with Baby Safe and is doing a wonderful job protecting her and loving her.

He defends the cause of the fatherless…Deuteronomy 10:18.

the baby safe

2011-03-16T01:24:00.000-07:00

For those of you who are curious about the looks and working of an actual baby safe which we use to receive abandoned babies, here is a staged shot for you. This is not an actual abandoned baby but an enactment that we staged for a newspaper interview. We are thankful for the publicity and that this magazine is writing a feature article which includes an interview with one of our mothers who decided to keep and parent her child. This particular safe is located in the front of a church and was the very first one to be installed in 2008. The child inside is 18 months old {premature} so you can see approximately how large the safe is in relation to her.

We are working on our 3.0 version of the baby safe wich will be deeper and taller to hold an older child. A children’s home in Heramanus, South Africa just joined the Baby Safe Network and picked up theirs from us this week!

This month we transitioned to a new system of production and we are overwhelmed by the generousity and committment from a new team member, a company called GSM Commander. They are volunteering their time and energy to lead the process of obtaining donations of all the parts we need to make baby safes, so that the cost of them will decrease dramtically with the aim of being completely free. We would like to give away atleast 50 baby safes a year to areas of need. GSM Commander are also giving their company as a base of technical assistance for our growing network of baby safes ( www.gsmcommander.com). We remain deeply thankful to the orginal creator and manufacturer of the baby safe, Luke Pederson (www.pedersenlennard.co.za).

God is reaching his mighty arm to rescue the unwanted through out Africa…

Next installs are a church in Swaziland, a community care centre in Inchanga, a All Nations mission base in Zambia, and the city centre of a region called Potcheftsroom…

pr*stitutes as small business owners

2010-12-07T12:10:00.000-08:00

Below is an update from Bethany, my team mate regarding our small business program with young mothers that took place last Friday. Thanks for your prayers. I am excited for what's to come.

"The morning started off with rain, our venue was locked in Oceanview, and the meeting was suppossed to start at 10am. Not a single invitee was there. We were thinking we needed more prayer fuel to get this going.... but as Julie and I stapled applications, with the aid of the local kids, as we were sitting on the cement outside. We literally said, " Let faith arise and the enemy be scattered." One lonely prostitute came at 10:15, another at 10:20, Alli ran around and found our guy to open the civic center, and then by 10:30, we had 9 ladies...

I got a glimpse of what His kingdom being near looks like yesterday... Leshay was there with her 3 day old. She looked absolutely terrible, Tik (crystal meth) will do that. But she was there. Baby Marcus was alive. She has miscarried before due to drugs. She hadn't Tiked during the last 4 months of her pregnancy, due to our prayers and Alli's feirce devotion, with the exception of one binge when she hit her 2 year old, and the day before she gave birth... but we celebrate every sober day. Sure she is still bound, and hasn't surrendered to Jesus yet, but His kingdom is so much nearer to her. She actually holds and shows affection to her 3 year old, thanks to Alli's coaching. And she is committed to smoking cigarettes outside, in the back, as far away from her kids as she can get now. His kingdom is coming...Her little girl is a much different girl than I knew 6 months ago. She physicaly looks clean, happy, she plays with the others. Before she would litterally sit alone the dirt for hours, her face crusted up, no matter how many times they wiped it. Her mom use to ridicule and tease her. Now she cuddles her, bathes her and feeds here. His kingdom is near. Leshay listened closely as Julie (my team member) explained that she could one day be the boss of others... what a unbelievable dream for her, as she has made her wages from renting our her body for the last several years. His kingdom is near.... its getting nearer, to her and every other woman that showed up yesterday.
**daughters of the young mothers who will be starting the small business's. look closely, these are the faces of destiny re-written**

We need to raise $1700 or R12,000 for start up costs for the program. While the women will raise R900 each with the diaper business, we will match the other half. Will you bring this to the Lord, on behalf of the 15 women we want to put through the program? He can do this. We believe this is Him, or else we dont want it to happen.

Remember this is bringing His kingdom nearer to these women, they will do discovery bible studies every class meeting, they will become a simple church if they continue with their businesses..."

Alli featured in the AllNations newsletter

2010-12-04T04:30:00.001-08:00

**The following is from the latest All Nations Family Newsletter. My dear friend Meredith and her mom Mitzi came to visit me and Baby Safe. Below you will see the article she wrote about Baby Safe.

By Mitzi Borel, All Nations "mom" and supporter

I recently visited Capetown, South Africa where I followed in the footsteps of one of our All Nations missionaries, Allison Scarlett. On the plane coming home, God spoke to me through John 11. Just as Jesus called Lazarus to "come forth" from death, so he is using Allison to call young South African women to come forth from "death" into new life in Jesus.

It is hard to paint an accurate picture of where we walked. We saw various levels of poverty: small "homes" with dirt floors and stones holding down tin roofs; tiny apartments divided into a cramped living area and an even smaller bedroom for 4-5 people! Some areas had no plumbing and only a row of outhouses near the shacks. Streets were full of trash and lots of little children and pit bulls. On almost every corner a group of young men lounged around smoking who knows what - drugs abound.

This was a township where almost all the "girls" from age 11 up live a life of prostitution. These young women are so desperate for approval that they endure regular beatings from their gang-leader boyfriends, who also pimp them to make money. These girls are so alone and without hope that if they have a baby they often resort to throwing them into dumpsters, to avoid the wrath of their boyfriends. While I was there they found two babies in the trash in nearby townships, one alive and one dead.

Enter Allison, strong in the word, gallant in her dedication, working day-in and day-out with her "girls" in complete partnership with the Father. I visited in the homes of these girls with Allison, and even sat in on a Bible study with one of them. I was so grateful to see a firstfruit of the harvest: "Teresa," a young girl of 21 with 2 small children, who has left drug addiction and her gang-leader boyfriend. Through her weekly Bible studies with Allison, Teresa is beginning to walk in the Light of Salvation and to share that light with her friends and neighbors.

Allison's ministry is through the "Baby Safe," a program of All Nations that gives young moms an alternative to dumping their babies, as well as counseling and support as they "come forth" from the "dead" and build new lives through the power of Jesus. But this is not only Allison's ministry. We - you and I - can also be part of calling these young women from death to life. Would you join me in prayer and financial support for Allison and others like her? You can learn more about how to join in at www.thebabysafe.org.

Joy in a box

2010-11-20T23:32:00.000-08:00

Baby Safe team with baby Joy hours after she was left in the Baby Safe Drop

4am- my team mate Danielle gets a computerized call from the Baby Safe. This call only means one thing- something has been put inside of the safe. A few seconds later, Danielle receives another call, from an anonymous woman saying that there has been a baby left in the box. By this point, Danielle is already heading to check out what's going on. Upon arrival, she noticed that the safe door was locked, confirming that some small amount of weight has triggered the sensors under the mattress to lock the door. Opening up the back door to the safe, Danielle found a baby. A 2 day old baby girl- sleeping. No one else was around. We have no idea who momma is.

Baby was examined by Danielle and found to be healthy, she still had her umbilical cord clamped. Shortly after, we had our weekly staff meeting. Bethany announced that while praying for her, the Lord said her name was to be JOY. Since joy is what this little baby girl brought Him. We spent hours loving on baby Joy, praying for her, kissing her, holding her, singing over her. That baby was covered in love and prayer.

Since we partner with local adoption agency's, they were excited to get my phone call saying that we woke up to a "surprise" in our Baby Safe. The have opened the court documents and begun the procedure for baby Joy to be adopted to a happy, loving, & properly screened family. Baby Joy is currently at a lovely Baby House awaiting her new family.

Our hearts go out to momma. We will never know who she is, how old she is, where she is from, who is the father, or if anyone else knew she was pregnant. All we know is that this mom had courage and love. She could of chose to dump baby in between 2 shacks or down the local township toilet or in a sewer. But instead, she left her baby in our Baby Safe box knowing that baby would be picked up and loved.

We rejoice in this little life since local news now has issued a report saying over 500 reported baby dumpings have occurred in the Western cape this year... those are just the reported cases. We continue to advocate for this voiceless generation by trying to get more Baby Safes sponsored and set up in local townships. Wanna help sponsor a Baby Safe- let me know.

Dear Lydia...

2010-11-09T01:02:00.000-08:00

**below is a letter I've written to one of the young moms I'm discipling. I know this letter might come across as harsh, but please understand this is her reality, this is my reality. Everything I reference in this letter is completely true. I have obviously changed her name for confidentiality reasons. As you read this letter, be moved for her and the other women who are on the brink of freedom

Dear Lydia,

You already know how much I care for you, but I figured if I put it in writing then you will always be able to look at this letter and remember. I am writing this letter after spending the afternoon with you and the other street girls eating ice cream on the beach. I love spending time with you girls. Talking about new shoes, families, dreams, drugs, AIDS, your baby daddy’s in prison, abusive clients & heart hurts. I look forward to our times together.

Lydia, I’m fully aware that we could not be more different. Me being a twenty-five year old, white, American with high lighted hair, painted toe nails and completely sexually in-active. You being a nineteen year old coloured, South African whose addicted to Tik (crystal meth) & dagga (weed), seen as society's scum, fatherless, specializing in jumping cars (prostituting). But Lydia, that doesn't matter to me. My heart moves for you. You don’t know this kind of love, the kind that doesn't demand anything in return, the kind that appreciates you for YOU and not your ability to turn tricks. But you feel this love when you and I meet, don’t you? You feel this love when I sit with you on the side of the street and people give us dirty looks. They give you dirty looks for wondering what makes you think you have a right to talk to me and pity looks to me, as if I don’t know who I’m talking to. You feel this love when people come up to us and warn me about you. When they warn me you are a “whore” and “waste of time”, and I stand up for you right then and there, you feel that love don’t you? You feel this love as I speak HOPE over you. As we sit in the gutter and I speak about a year from now - when you and I will return to these streets, to get other girls out of prostitution. You know you want this. You know you desire to wear proper clothes, walk with your head held high, earning clean money, walking with your son’s hand in yours and being completely free from drugs and the power of man. Lydia, you were not created to stand on the corner of the street each night. You were created for greatness… did you know that? Has anyone ever told you that you were created for greatness? Just because no one has told you this does not mean it’s not true. I’m telling you. So may you know, that you are not only called to greatness, but to fullness, to life more abundantly.

Lydia, you gave yourself a new tattoo today. Your hand was still swollen when you showed me. I’m glad this one isn’t another swear word, rather your sons name. Lydia, did you know Christ has tattooed your name on the palm of His hand? Isaiah 49:16 says so. Your name on his hand is actually right above a scar that He has on his hand. I told you about this guy. You remember when you were coming off of a weed trance and we were talking about Real Love? The kind that doesn’t force or hurt, the kind that loves regardless? The kind of love that is gentle and patient? When I told you this guy gives 2nd and 3rd chances, your eyes opened wide. You said you want to know this guy. I promise, He’ll change your life. You told me once , you knew I had the “life saver” that you needed. Lydia, this guy is the life saver. But you are gonna have to do something scary... You are going to have to trust Him. And you are going to have to trust Him with your heart. But sis, I promise you, from experience, that He’s the real deal. You can trust him because He doesn’t belong to any gang, He won’t control you or pay you in the form of drugs for turning tricks. He will never lift a hand against you. He actually is willing to die for you. In fact, He did. Do you know what happened because He was tortured and killed? It gave you the chance to be free! Lydia- you can be free! I know it’s hard to comprehend, but I dare you to. I dare you to believe that it’s possible for someone to love you. If I hold your hand and walk step by step with you, do you want to get to know Him? I promise, you will be so grateful you risked it.

Lydia, may this be the day you cross that line. May this be the day you recognize you are called to greatness. Lydia, you were not created to stand on the side of the street.

I love you sis,

Alli

a young mom calls for help

2010-10-18T13:05:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, I received a phone call from a struggling young mother who saw Baby Safe’s phone number on a poster at the local clinic. The poster says, “Please do not dump your baby. There is another way to leave it”.

This statement was extremely relevant to Grace. A 21 year old mother- alone and poor with a 3 yr old and 4 month old. She wondered if dumping her baby was the solution to her desperation. Because Grace saw this poster, she called and asked for help. After a few months of intense discipleship, a few clothing donations, asking Jesus into her heart, and getting involved in a young mom’s bible study, she is now thriving! She has also started an internship with a local bakery and recently graduated from the program with a new set of skills and a pretty certificate to prove it. We are so proud of Grace. She is a wonderful mother. All she needed was a little fellowship. She is now leading bible studies with other young struggling mothers.

2010-10-18T13:03:00.000-07:00

Baby Safe has been crazy busy. Here is a taste of some of the busy-ness:
*Weekly, many young moms are choosing life rather than abortion,
*Relationships between struggling young moms and illegitimate babies are being restored
*Young girls are coming out of drug addiction
*Other young moms are finding proper jobs and are now able to provide basics for their babies

And all of these moms are coming to a greater understanding of their value and worth in Christ, something that no level of poverty can steal from them. We are watching these young moms wake up to their potential and security in Christ and that in turn, is directly affecting their children, their relationships, communities, etc. Who would have thought that the Lord would change communities through orphaned, high-school drop out, drug addicted young women!

****

Baby Safe needs:..
• Onesies specifically 0-3 month. These are for the newborn baby packs we give out at the local hospital to moms who have nothing to take their baby home in.

• We want to hire another one of our young mothers onto our Baby Safe staff and need about $4,000 for her salary for a year.
• More Baby Safe Drop sponsors so we can put them in the townships.
• A Safe House!!! The Village of Hope that we are still dreaming of. A property where young moms can come, stay for some time, learn skills, rehab, get discipled, be safe, etc.
• We are constantly helping desperate moms pay rent, buy groceries, diapers, food, formula, etc. Wanna help out? Let me know.

Disappointed with God

2010-10-18T13:00:00.000-07:00

After much fighting, praying, fasting, one of our young moms has chosen to go back to her old life of prostitution and drugs. This was a blow to my heart, especially after it seemed as though she was doing so well. The judge had released her from prison with the understanding she would complete one year of Rehab with a drug crisis center and counseling/discipleship with Baby Safe. Originally this was her idea and desire to finally leave that lifestyle. She called me from prison and asked for help. But one week into rehab and the old life wooed her back. She is more violent, destructive, and manipulative than ever before. I have really struggled with this. My heart grieves over this girl. I didn’t understand why God wouldn’t save her after so many prayers, fastings, etc. I felt the Lord say that He did draw her unto Himself and He did reveal Himself to her in prison, but when she was faced with garbage, she chose the garbage. It was almost as if our prayers had bound the demonic influences over her life, but through her choosing, the demonic came back 7 times stronger. It is just a matter of time before she is re-arrested and sentenced to 15 years for the original child abuse charges. At this point, she is extremely angry with me. She has even gone so far as to accuse me of horrible things. Of course, no one in the community I have relationships with buys her lies. O how i wish this story had a different ending. i find myself wondering, "is hope too lost for her?". But i hold onto hope, i know this is not the end of the story. He redeems...

2 babies dumped in the last week

2010-10-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

I have had the opportunity of speaking on South African radio 3 times and on TV 2 times in the last month. All of the interviews were in regards to the Baby Safe drop boxes in the communities as well as the groundbreaking work we are doing with young drug addicted, prostitute moms. We are seeing a need for more Baby Safe drops more than ever. In the last week, 2 babies have been dumped by young moms.
One was found alive, one wasn’t. We have got to continue to get the word out to young moms that there are OPTIONS! We want to build relationship, share Jesus, and provide basic infant care education to them as preventative measures.

The cost of a Baby Safe Box is $1500 USD. Let me know if you want to sponsor one so we can put one in these desperate communities.

http://www.capeargus.co.za/?fSectionId=3571&fArticleId=1.684900&fFeed=breakingnews

http://www.eyewitnessnews.co.za/articleprog.aspx?id=50132

2 news articles from local newspapers. I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if there had been a Baby Safe Drop in their communities.

7 months pregnant and running for her life with a gun

2010-08-24T22:41:00.000-07:00

Gangsters love their guns. So when one of their guns is gone, they will do anything to get it back. So what’s a gangsters’ girlfriend to do if her notorious gangster boyfriend and a rival gangster are fighting over a gun? A good girl friend will take the gun, run, and hide it…even if she’s 7 months pregnant and has a 3 year old at her side.

This was Jackie's life before Christ. A life of drugs, sneaking drugs into prison, gangs, stabbings, fights, tattoos, running from the police, guns and murder.

The “Bonnie & Clyde” of the local township. Jackie and her boyfriend were fearfully respected in and around all the neighboring communities. After finding out she was pregnant with her 2nd child at the age of 21, she freaked. How is she supposed to keep up the current lifestyle with 2 children?

Baby Safe entered Jackies life immediately after her 2nd child was born. She did not want her 2nd born and it was obvious. Jackie did not even want to look at her newborn baby let alone care for him. But through basic newborn education and weekly bible studies, Jackie and I started a friendship. Although Jackie was one tough cookie, I continued to visit her and her baby. I continued to offer support, help her write a job resume, take her to register her baby and apply for the single mother financial grant. Even though Jackie and I couldn’t have been more different, we developed an awesome friendship based on some pretty deep heart to heart chats. Chats about boyfriends, drugs, father wounds, past abuse, her baby’s daddy, dreams for the future, her boys, and her new life in Christ. I watched Jackie bloom into a beautiful flower. I literally watched this rough tom-boy turn into a caring, young, feminine mother. I am so proud of her and the choices she is now making. It is a hard and often lonely road for her, but she and her boys are thriving. No longer does she do drugs, no longer is she looking to men to provide for her and she broke up with her deadbeat gangster boyfriend.

Jackie is now a follower of Christ. She is also our Baby Safe representative in her community. Aside from leading Bible Studies out of her home, she visits young pregnant girls and educates young moms on infant care, all while raising her own two boys. She is living out Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord will all of your heart…”

Continue to pray for Jackie and her boys.
-We would love to hire her onto our Baby Safe staff. Pray for the funds for her salary.
-Her 5 yr old son has anger issues. Pray for Jackie and her son as we begin to set up discipline structures.
-For a man of God to come in to her life and sweep her off her feet (at the right time, of course).
-That the Lord will continue the good thing He has started in her. That she will grow in her relationship with Him and her ability to hear His voice.

**photo and story used with permission, names changed to protect confidentiality

Baby's Birthday

2010-08-24T12:57:00.000-07:00

One Year Old!

Little sugar just turned one year old. The little cutie is doing very well. She is happy and thriving living with her grandma and young cousin. I continue to visit and see her 2-3 times a week. She is busy getting into everything, running, jumping, and even saying "Alli". She is a clever little girl and is extremely happy.

We truly do treasure this little life! It is crazy to think that just 6 months ago, little one had to go into hiding because her drug addicted mother was trying to hurt her. With out Baby Safe's intervention, she would not be celebrating this birthday.

Jesus is chasing the prostitutes

2010-07-12T03:11:00.000-07:00

“Alli, if just one person loved me, I wouldn’t have to sell my body to the white man”. – Jackie, 20 years old

Pain, rape, murder, drugs, rejection, abuse, kidnappings… this is what Jackie deals with on a daily basis. At 20 years old, with a 6 month old daughter, Jackie confides in me one afternoon as we talk about the possibility of getting her a proper job, becoming a good mother, getting off of drugs, and renting her own place. As I stand there, speaking life and value into her hurting heart, she tells me that she is desperate to change. But does not know where to start. I tell her that Jesus is pursuing her, that He will not give up on her, that He loves her, that she was not created to stand on the side of the road selling her self. Jackie and I continue to meet on a weekly basis, not only to help her put together a resume for a proper job, but to dig at scripture, to discover this gentle, compassionate Father who has called her out of this life of darkness. Pray for Jackie, that she will stop running and allow Christ to catch her.

New Start

2010-07-12T03:10:00.000-07:00

“For I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for [her] them in the desert! I have made [her] Israel for myself, and [she] they will someday honor me before the whole world.
"I--yes, I alone--am the one who blots out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.” Isaiah 49:19,21,25

As we are sitting in my car, celebrating the fact Funeka now has 2 part time jobs & has been clean from Tik (crystal meth) & prostitution for one month now, I share this verse with her. I explain to her that earlier that morning I asked the Lord what He wanted to say to her, and this was His response. This is what the Lord wanted to say to her; that He is doing a new thing in and thru her. That she must acknowledge the fact He has heard her prayers, that He is real! That He has called her to something different! That no longer is she the young prostitute on the side of the street, but she is at beginning of something new! That He has set her free. That she now has the capability and strength to get completely clean, start her own daycare, get her drivers license, finish night school, etc.
I am so proud of her!! It has been a long road of recovery for her, but we continue to meet for discipleship, accountability, & Bible Studies.We are currently coming up with a budget and she is learning how to save money and spend it wisely. However, as she is still living with her old boyfriend and around old friends who do drugs it is still very challenging for her.

a sisters point of view

2010-06-01T23:28:00.000-07:00

**The following is from my little sister Anna. She recently spent 2 weeks with me here in South Africa. We had a great time. Not only were we able to see all of beautiful Cape Town, she was able to meet my girls and their babies. It was such a great time!! Enjoy reading her point of view!

Wow! What a trip this has been! I arrived in South Africa the seventeenth and left the thirtieth of May. Let me tell ya, seeing pictures and hearing stories is nothing compared to walking the streets and smelling the smells of Africa. I came here completely unaware of the extreme battle over some of these young girls lives. The poverty and living of these incredible people is surprisingly not what shocked me the most. While it still broke my heart, what saddened and angered me to tears every night were the young women in the townships. The words ‘no hope’ doesn’t even begin to explain their lifestyle. They do not understand that they are worth so much more than a few rand to sell their bodies. They are continually stuck in a cycle of drugs and prostitution because they believe they are no better than what a man is willing to pay for them. It was easy for me to initially say ‘get a real job!’ or ‘go to school’, because I am constantly loved at home in America, I have an incredibly encouraging father and mother who push me to be the best, along with an easy way of living and that of course is not the story here. Most of these girls have been abused in every way possible and have stayed alive by ways I can’t even imagine. To see them get out of this vicious cycle, and receive a job and hope is better than any feeling I have encountered, and that miracle is happening here! Girls are realizing their potential and worth in Christ and putting a stop to the enemies’ lies! These women have shown me a new meaning to bravery and I hope that you all continue to pray for them and to break the chains with me. Thank you Allison for loving these girls and hugging them when I can’t, you truly are making a difference in their lives!

Yes, that really is a real cheetah! we were so brave. HA!

Blessing

2010-05-31T04:50:00.001-07:00

Tandika is a woman originally from Zimbabwe, who now lives in Masiphumelele. She has three children who are currently living in Zimbabwe with their grandparents. Tandika came to South Africa on refugee status, in hopes of finding a job, in order to make money to support herself and her three children, wanting to give them the best life possible. Unfortunately, once she came to South Africa, she had nowhere to stay. Tandika began dating a man who agreed to let her live in his home, if she agreed to sleep with him. Reluctantly, she agreed, and her persistence to convince him to wear a condom was not respected. At eight weeks pregnant, Tandika went to the clinic in desperate need to abort her baby. At the clinic, she received abortion counseling, where she was introduced to Bethany and other options to consider for herself and the baby. After hearing her options, she chose life and chose to keep her baby!

The Father of the baby assured her that he would stay and help her raise the baby. However, six months into the pregnancy, Tandika called me, weeping and once again desperate. Her boyfriend had decided to pack up everything in the house, and move back to his country where he had a wife and children of his own. Tandika returned home to find an empty house, and rent due in a few days. Tandika had a rough pregnancy, she was very sick, anemic and constantly in and out of the clinic. Since she had no work, she continually stressed about how she would care for the child, and now she had no source of income or support from her boyfriend.

Fortunately, I had started Heart to Heart with her, (a bi-weekly discipleship/pregnancy education times) meeting her every few weeks for discipleship and pregnancy/infant care education. Tandika was in horrible need of love and support. She became depressed, suicidal and wasn’t eating. Baby safe was able to pay her rent for the first month she was alone, as well as encourage her and pray with her. Tandika and I were able to post a resume on line, and she gained two part time jobs.
Tandika recently gave birth to a healthy little boy. After her baby was born, Alli found Tandika in great spirits! She was so glad she had kept her baby, She looked at her baby and said “I wanted to dump you but I kept you, I wanted to kill you, but now you are here in my arms.” She enrolled the baby in infant day care, now that he is one week old. Now she will be able to go back to work, in order to ensure great care, love and only the best for her baby.

*photos and story used with permission*

voice for the voiceless

2010-04-09T13:49:00.001-07:00

Proverbs 31.8 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute."

7 months old + child of a prostitute + fatherless + raised by sick granny + physically assaulted by own mother = destitute.

This is Baby. She has been a part of my life since December. Baby Safe was called by the South African Police to intervene in a situation where mom was using her to beg for drug money on the street. I took Baby in for a while- I fed her, loved her, prayed over her. I spoke LIFE over her believing that her life could be different then that of her mothers. The court ruled that the granny was to have custody over her. Shortly after, mom was arrested and put in jail for punching baby in the face. Weekly, I went to visit Baby and granny. I was also doing bible studies with Baby's aunts and cousins. Things were going good. Granny was feeling empowered to take care of her 2 grand daughters and the girls were growing quickly.
Then mom was released from prison. Immediately, she jumped back into her destructive lifestyle of Tik (crystal meth), prostitution, lies, and violence. Once again, raising hell at granny’s house. This created an unsafe environment for Baby and the other children granny is raising (her other grand children from her prostitute daughters). Mom did not just stop at verbal abuse, she proceeded to threaten family members lives, destroy the house, cut phone lines, rip granny’s hair out, spit, kick, scratch, and slap anyone in her way.
Through granny’s request, Baby Safe interveined and removed Baby from the house.
Again, Baby has recently been in hiding, happy and safe from assault. Baby Safe is working with the South African police to see justice served in regards to the mothers many criminal charges. We are speaking up for Baby’s safety and well being. Being advocates for this little innocent one. Fighting for a future for her.

Please be praying for little Baby’s heart. The neglect, abuse, transition, and abandonement is something no baby should have to go through. I often find her sleeping very disturbed.

Pray for granny, she was recently badly assaulted by baby’s mom. She is said to have suffered 2 broken ribs and a nervous break down. We need her healthy and well to take care of her grand children.

Pray for Justice with the South African Police and court system.

Pray for Baby’s mom. After all of this self-destruction, my heart still aches for her to come to the realization that she has WORTH.

Oaks of Righteousness

2010-03-31T12:12:00.000-07:00

What is she worth? 30 rands worth of pleasure ($4)

What about her? A few buttons of tik (crystal meth), enough to get high for the day, enough to blurr the noise in her head, the pain in her heart.

And her? She is worth at least a plate of chicken & rice, maybe a couple cigarettes and a few rocks in the face.

And to Him? Her return is worth the cost of His son’s torturous, unmerited death.

Baby Safe has got involved with several prostitutes and their babies. I love that I serve and know a God who adores prostitutes. I love that I worship a God who ate dinner with them.

Three of them have been attending a bible study; and Thombi sat stunned when she read about Jesus’ reaction to the adulteress women in John 8. My good friend, Christina taught “Traffic Proof” with a few others, as they are very much at risk for human trafficking with the World Cup starting up here in a few months. I am also doing an HIV Awareness/Abstinence themed bible study with their young daughters and sisters, as an effort of prevention. I am working with yet another one in order to reunite her with her baby, she has a long way to go but I love that my God actually does break chains of addiction, and the weight of worthlessness. I love that my God is close to the broken hearted and he saves those who are crushed in spirit and His love does not discriminate, nor does it relent.

May He give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit–that they may be called OAKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. (Isaiah 61)

The Jesus of prostitutes is chasing their souls.

vulnerable children

2010-01-22T12:04:00.000-08:00

The new school year started just last week. And we were able to get our kids new uniforms & school supplies. They were so excited to receive their new clothes and have the supplies that the other children have at school. The grins were big and it really did make me happy to see them all provided for. A HUGE THANK YOU for those contributing to the uniforms. You are helping ones who are very fragile have a chance to thrive. Almost all of these children are orphans, taking care of their younger brothers and sisters. Their parents have died or are dying of AIDS.

In south africa, you can not attend school if you do not have a school uniform. This obviously adds to the cycle of poverty- no uniform, no school, no education, no job, no success...
But this year, the kids are going to school!!

The school supplies were such a treat to the families. We have helped them start their school year with what they need.

We thank you so much and the families thank you for helping them so very much.

Adalina

2010-01-13T07:42:00.000-08:00

My sweet mozambican friend Adalina moved to Masiphumelele a year ago with her boyfriend and newborn baby boy. I was introduced to Adalina through Baby Safe. She had met with Bethany for some counseling and Bethany told her that I spoke portuguese and had lived in mozambique. After our first meeting, we were instant friends. I now meet with Adalina one or two times a week to study the Bible and talk about Christ. Adalina is one of the sweetest, kindest women I have met here. It refreshes me to be at her house. We talk portuguese, compare stories of Mozambique, eat mozambican food, laugh, pray, walk life together.

About one month ago, Adalina was severely beat up. Family-less and not knowing the language, she had no one to turn to. I was able to take her to the hospital, police station, get her teeth reconstructed, and talk her through the emotional distress she was in. She told me I was her only friend.

Through that horrible situation, our friend ship grew as she hit a point of desperation. I was able to give her my portuguese Bible and now she is addicted to it! She is reading it all the time. Every time I go to her house, she has more questions for me. She is seeking Truth, Realness. What is her purpose on earth? How can she be the best mom? Isn't there more to this life than living and dying? Exciting stuff we are discovering together.

Please continue to pray for Adalina. That she will discover her purpose in life- that she has been created to be loved by God & to love God. That she will in turn share that with her community. Pray for her marriage. Pray for he son, Junior. Pray we can find her a job.

Loving Them so They can Love Others

2009-12-27T05:42:00.000-08:00

I had a Christmas party for the girls in my Masi Bible Study.

They were so excited. We had cookies, Coke-Cola, cupcakes, and a Zac Effron movie. (Yes, even teen age girls in Africa are obsessed with High School Musical stuff). We chatted about the real meaning of Christmas- that it was the day Jesus was born so that He could live and die to give us hopeless people Hope. I gave them their Christmas presents (a big bar of chocolate each) and a card letting them know how proud of each one of them I am. Then we helped the community out a little. We put together thankyou Christmas packages for the Police, Security, Clinics, Hospitals, etc that partner with The Baby Safe in our efforts to offer hope, life and options to the most vulnerable women and babies in our communities. The girls worked so hard, writing the thankyou notes, wrapping the cookies, and driving with me to hand deliver them all. They are starting to understand that it is because of Christ’s love for us, that we go out and love others.

L-R Asiphe, Zodidi, Nosiwaphe, Nosiphe, Baby Alissa, Thandili

New Beginnings

2009-12-27T05:20:00.000-08:00

"…If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5.17

Zodidi, Thandili, Nosiphe, & Nomaphelo.

These girls are serious about living for Christ

They are desperate what is real and true. 2 Sundays ago, they made the decision to take their relationships with Christ a step further and publicly tell their friends & family that they are done living for them selves, and are now living for Him. They got baptized to demonstrate what’s going on in their hearts- that the old is dead, the new is here. Even though the pool water was cold, they were smiling ear to ear. I am so proud of these girls and the commitments they are making to let Jesus be the center of their lives.

“We were therefore buried with Christ through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6.4

Please continue to pray for these girls. Next week, they are entering their first years of high school and we are praying for courage and boldness to continue to let their “little lights shine” in a community of darkness and evil.

6 months old & only 8 lbs.

2009-12-21T05:53:00.000-08:00

Part of what I do with the Baby Safe is helping young moms feel empowered to take care of their infant babies.

Here’s Linda's story:
18 years old, living with her boyfriend miles away from home, in a strange new township, with a 6 month old. With no jobs, they have no money to eat, let alone provide for their little baby girl.
Because Linda does not have the basic support and care of a mom, sister, or trusted friend, she has no one to encourage, advise, & help in the raising of her first born. Recently the baby has been struggeling to gain weight. 2 weeks ago, at her 6 month weigh-in, the baby was only 8 lbs.
Enter Baby Safe.
We were contacted by social workers to help address the situation. At first Linda was sent to the local clinic to get formula. However, a month later, the baby was still not gaining any weight. I was asked to go with Linda to her next clinic appointment. To advocate for her. To get some answers. If she was getting formula from the clinic, why wasn’t the baby gaining weight? What can we do to save the life of this child? How can we empower Linda to be a good mom? Come to find out, Linda was only feeding the child half of what her age requires. When I showed her how to properly make the bottle, hold the baby, and feed her, I discovered Linda did not know how to feed her baby. All Linda needed was someone to show her how to feed her child. To teach and encourage her.
We got Linda a check list on what days to go to the clinic to collect her monthly formula & baby cereal hand outs. A form on how many scoops of formula is needed to prepare the bottle, etc. Basic stuff.
We have some very good friends in Holland who were able to buy Linda, her boyfriend Joe, and baby a Christmas food parcel. I was able to deliver the package to them the other day. They were over-joyed at the bags of food! And I am super happy to report that the baby is gaining weight and looking better
*names have been changed due to confidentiality*

Jesus & 14 year old girls

2009-11-11T12:59:00.000-08:00

I've started a bible study in Masi with some teenage girls. I love this group of girls. They are so hungry for real-ness. We meet every monday after school, sing worship songs, read the Bible, discuss how it applies to us, challenge & pray for each other. I tell you what- God is moving in their lives. Last week I told them that THEY could hear from God themselves. I explained how God speaks to us in many ways, not just audibly. I then encouraged them to practice hearing the Lords voice. Get alone, and ask Him. We studied Jeremiah 29.11 "you will find me when you seek me, i will answer you when you call". I told them that God doesn't lie and if they would get in a quiet place, expect it! The next week, they came back and were all smiles because God spoke to them in their own little ways! They are seeing that Jesus is real... this is why I know I am here in Africa. Empowering these young girls to become who Christ wants them to be.

(photo above L-R Thandili, Asiphe, Me, Zodidi, Nosiphe, Nomaphelo)

Last Sunday we went to the local AIDS Hospital. It was their idea to go visit these people; to sing and encourage them. It was pouring rain outside, but they still wanted to go. They went from room to room, praying for the sick, singing xhosa songs, reading their favorite Bible verses, and even encouraging the people to hear God's voice.
They can't wait to go back. These girls are taking what they are experiencing and going to the sick and sharing it. I love it...

Happenings in Masi

2009-11-11T12:53:00.001-08:00

In our All Nations group we have been focused in our prayer and fasting for our town ship community Masiphumelele. We feel like the Lord is moving in unprecedented ways. Daily there are reports of more answers to prayers. Here’s a few…

*Zodidi- 14 yr old that is hearing from God
*Clement- dreams of Jesus at night
*Luluma- pain from face burns completely gone
*Asiphe,- food miraculously provided at her home. Sisters boyfriend who was raping her, has moved away
*Angela- healed from TB, crippled legs are gaining strength and she hopes to walk again soon.
*House Churches started among the Zimbabwean & Malawian Refugees
*Christ’s story of reconciliation being told multiple times each day by all of us.
*I got to share Christ in the local high school in front of all the students.
*Melissa- a new mom is starting to lead a bible study, starting to understand Christ’s redemption
* My small Bible Study with 14 yr olds are ministering and loving on the people in the AIDS clinic.
*Multiple people getting jobs
*Michelle & Sinazo decided not to abort, but to keep their babies.
*Drug Dealers committing their lives to Christ
*Abused pregnant woman are being put into shelters where their lives are being restored.
*One of the Biggest Drug Lord’s House was raided by police yesterday. The 3 men are in jail & out of the community.

Along with my community development/small business degree, I am keeping busy working with the young girls. Most of the girls are scarred, poor, lonely, & young. They have no support at home, some are on drugs, and almost all are abused emotionally or physically. Through basic pre-natal care, counseling, discipleship, & mentoring, Christ is being presented to these gems. Many of these girls have accepted Christ and are struggling to make the right decisions. Almost all are part of a house church/bible study

me, chelsea, tootsie, & crystal
girls from Masi

giving hope to pregnant teens

2009-10-25T04:23:00.000-07:00

I’m off and running here in Cape Town, South Africa- enjoying every moment of it! I am so excited for what’s happening & what Christ is doing here in Africa! I am now part of The Baby Safe team. We are a small team under All Nations South Africa committed to offering Life, Hope, and Options to At-Risk pregnant mothers and their unborn babies.

Because South Africa has so many refugees, unemployment, and so much poverty, many young mothers find themselves in a place of desperation once they find out they are pregnant. These young girls are unable to provide the basic necessities for their baby.
This has caused many of these girls to literally throw their babies away.

Bethany O’Connor, my American teammate, started The Baby Safe program last year. She realized almost nothing was being done to prevent this baby dumping. She created The Baby Safe- a life changing ministry as well as an anonymous baby drop off.

You can check out The Baby Safe Website to see a picture of the actual Baby Safe, as well as instructions on how it works.
The Baby Safe team seeks to rescue the unwanted and abandoned baby, offer support and hope to the pregnant mother in crisis, and empower and equip the new mother in need.

I have been asked to head up Heart 2 Heart, which is part of the ministry that connects with the pregnant mother before they come to the point of possibly dumping their baby. We want to connect our hearts with theirs, through support and counseling. Not only on a spiritual discipleship level but also through basic pregnancy education and newborn care. We commit to walking hand in hand and heart to heart with the mother through her pregnancy and after the baby is born. We want to offer support, love and hope in a way that demonstrates the love and hope we have in Christ.
Along with an anonymous twenty four hour baby drop off, the Baby Safe does home visits with new mothers, pre-abortion counseling in local clinics, adoption options, help abused women plug into local Christian shelters, hospital visits, packs of diapers & clothes for the new mother, as well as basic pregnancy education. The women served by Baby Safe are also connected with spiritual and social support in their community through our All Nations home churches; service referrals, job creation schemes, discipline relationships, and baby care needs.

I also plan on being able to use my degree in small business management to empower and equip many of these women, so they can take the initiative to get jobs and create a healthy suitable lifestyle to take care of their children.

Check out the Baby Safe Website!! www.thebabysafe.org

My Studies with UNISA

2009-10-25T04:21:00.000-07:00

My first semester’s exams start this Wednesday, October 28th. There are 5 of them in all, and the first exam is Accounting. Besides being slightly nervous for Accounting, I have really enjoyed the classes I’m taking. Classes such as Developmental Studies in a Third World, Anthropology, etc. I am seeing more now than ever how practical and useful this degree in Human & Social Studies specializing in Community Development is going to be. After the last exam in November, I will have a short break until after the first of the year.

Things to be Thankful for:
-being surrounded by awesome All Nations people with similar hearts and passions
-incredible room mates that I love & get along so well with
-being able to use my giftings and passions in working with the young girls
-my car!!
-this joy in my heart – to be apart of what God is doing here in South Africa

Things to be Praying for:
-the young, scared pregnant girls I am sharing Christ with. A lot of them are on drugs and come from abusive relationships. They need lots of healing and love
-my finances as the cost of living & the drop in the exchange rate has caused things to be real tight.
-my exams over the next few weeks. That I will do well.

my new car!

2009-10-25T04:13:00.000-07:00

we went to the beach in my new car! Thirty-five kids to the beach was no easy task- but totally worth it.

Wednesday was our friend Sarah’s birthday. So we took some of the kids to the beach to celebrate. It was such a blessing to have my new car!!!!! We piled all kids into four cars and headed to the local Fish Hoek Beach. We danced and sang and laughed and played. All of these children come from the local township we are working in- Masiphumelele (Masi). Most of these kid’s parents have died or are dying of AIDS. About 35% of the adult population in Masi have AIDS. I am so grateful for every one at Faith Bible Chapel who helped me get my car! Because of it, I was able to take the kids to the beach for a day of fun!
Thank you!!

"The Plan"

2009-08-14T14:10:00.000-07:00

What do you do when the women in your house church are prostituting themselves at night in order to buy formula for their babies?

This is the question Ive been facing.

Living in Mozambique is an incredible experience, to say the least. Part of what I got to do was start Bible Studies/Home Churches in the community I lived in. I saw these hurting, abused, sick, single mothers open their hearts to Jesus, to His love, His praise, and His Word. However, I got sick at hearing the same prayer day after day:
“Lord Jesus, please don’t let me get AIDS as we try and get money to buy formula for my baby” or “Father, please provide a job for me so I can feed my babies, so they don’t go to sleep hungry.”

We’ve heard it said, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

That is what I am dedicating this next season of my life to- learning how to effectively teach/train/employ women to start their own small business’s in order to provide an income for themselves other then selling themselves.

August 26th, 2009 I will be moving to CapeTown, South Africa to purse a BA in Human and Social Science specializing in Community Development. I have already started on-line classes with UNISA (University of South Africa). It is a 3 year online degree that will help me be more effective in helping women realize their potential and hope in Christ.

(on the beach in Cape Town, close to where I'll be living)

Since it is an on-line degree, I will also be working with AllNations South Africa. I get the incredible opportunity to work in Masiphumelele – a township in Cape Town. A township is a “suburb or city of predominatly black population, formally designated for black occupation by aparteid legislation”. I will be working with women and young girls in the township, helping the women start their own bible studies/house churches and hopefully starting more small jewelry making business’s.

I will be doing what I was doing in Mozambique, just in South Africa- while studying and getting a college degree! After my degree is over, I have every intent on moving back to Mozambique.

I am so very excited for this next season of life!! I feel like for so long, my dream has been to effect and change southern Africa. I feel CapeTown is a crucial hub for making connections and learning about small business’s. This is a critical step in order for me to be more effective in my desires and vision to empower the women of Africa.

Prayer points:
-for a smooth transition back into the south african culture
-that I'll be diligent in my studies and not get distracted
-for the women/young girls i will work with in the township, that God would bring them to me and I would be able to love them well

Praise!!
-my airline tickets have been bought- August 26th
-for a flat that I'll be sharing with 2 other AllNations friends.
-my VISA papers are almost all done!!
-I feel very refreshed and am ready to go back into Africa

my time in the states

2009-08-14T13:19:00.000-07:00

I’ve been on furlough (break from missions) for a few months now. It has been an incredible time of rest and relaxation, laughing, and enjoying friends and family. I feel so refreshed after a difficult year. I’ve been able to reconnect with the church and share with many friends what the Lord is doing in Africa.
Last month my family and I got to have a family vacation (our first in over 15 years) in Estes Park, Colorado. It was an amazing time of laughing, watching movies, playing games, and bbq-ing. I have missed my family so much this past year. They are so dear and special to me. We were able to see lots of Elk and deer in Rocky Mountain National Park and enjoy the incredible scenery of the Rocky Mountains. One of my favorite places in the whole world! I cant think of a better way to relax and be restored then by hanging out in the mountains with the people that mean the most to me.

My youngest sister Anna and I got to go to DisneyWorld in July to celebrate her 20th birthday. Anyone that knows the Scarlett girls knows we are Disney Princess’s at our core! We had such a fun time, riding the rides, seeing the shows, taking pictures with the Princess’s, swimming, and catching up on some quality sister time.

I cherish my little sister Anna and it was so good to have one on one time with her. We laughed sooo much!

Adelaide

2008-11-04T09:24:00.000-08:00

Imagine this- the temperature is in the upper 90’s, plus humidity, you’re sweating profously, you’re walking in ankle deep sand, the kind of sand that rips your flip-flops off of your feet because you sink in so deep, there are no trees for shade, everyone you pass in little shacks stare at you because you are the first white person to go there, or maybe it is because you are walking with someone who visibly has AIDS.

This walk goes on for an hour.

This was my visit to Adelaide’s house.

I met Adelaide months ago in the Machava Hospital’s Women’s Tuberculosis Ward. I used to go there once a week to visit the sick women. I would bring them bananas & juice, sit on the beds with them, sing over them, and give them drinks of water. We would also read the bible and talk about how it applies to our daily lives. Over time, Adelaide and I became good friends.

I remember one week, I arrived late, in the middle of their group tea time. Adeliade was not there. My heart dropped, I thought my friend had died. Then I heard this weak faint voice calling out, “Alise...” (my name in portuguese). She had been calling me from a different bed in another room. She was too sick to even get up and walk to the group table for tea. I was so relieved- she was alive. But none the less, extremely sick.
All of the women in this ward are quaranteened because they have Tuberculosis. TB is a nasty cough that makes you loose weight, suffer severe lung pain, and cough up brown & bloody flemn. Almost all of these women are HIV+ as well. It is safe to say that almost all of these women in this ward will die because of TB within that next month, maybe week, sometimes days

It was almost right after that, on one of my visits, I couldn’t find her again. This time, the nurses told me that they sent her home to die. I was devestated. I had no way of getting ahold of her. I didnt even know her last name. I asked one of the doctors to help me. He said to come back the next saturday and he would help me look through the archives for her name and a contact phone number. I showed up the next saturday, he didn’t.

I began to pray and ask the Lord to prolong her days. I even asked him to do a miracle and let us get in contact again.

2 months later, I got a call from an unknown number – it was Adelaide! She had written my phone number in the Bible I had given her and one day, she came across it. I told her that I had been looking for a way to get a hold of her. I told her that I had been praying God would do a miracle and cause us to get in contact again. I also told her I had been asking the Lord to prolong her days. She asked me to pray for her. She said that since I had started praying for her, she could tell that my God was giving her strength.

Praise the Lord!! She is still alive! So this past monday I went and visited her! From the main road, we walked an hour in ankle-deep sand to her little grass shack. She told me that when she got sick, started loosing weight, and lost all of her strength her mom would carry her on her back on this same dirt road to the main road to catch a bus to go to the hosptail. I couldn’t believe it....

I could tell she had gotten up early to clean that little one room house in preparation for my arrival! Inside the house was a small plastic table, 2 chairs, an empty vaseline jar, some pots in a corner, her jug for carrying water, an empty radio box, and the Bible I gave her. She made sure I was comfortable and then went on to prepare eggs, a salad and tea for me. Of course, by this time, there were neighbor ladies at the door asking if they could come in and hear the white girl speak. As I ate my eggs and drank my tea, they asked me questions. Was I rich like Jennifer Lopez? Did I have a boyfriend? How many siblings did I have? Was my hair naturally 2 colors? Do I have a job for them? Was America as beautiful as everyone says? They then went back to their straw houses to make lunch for their husbands. Adelaide and I talked for a few hours – just about life. She went onto tell me that she has just found out she was HIV+ when she was admitted into the Machava Hospital for TB treatment. She was shocked when she got the results. She did not tell anyone. Besides, if anyone knew, she was scared they would stop being her friends, or visiting her. She is aware of the ostrocizing towards HIV+ people, she has seen it happen to others in her village. She thinks her boyfriend gave it to her- but she never asked him if he has it. Whats the use? She is HIV+, and even if she blamed her boyfriend- it wont take away the fact she has it. I encouraged her to get on treatment- it would prolong her life, it would give her strength to do normal day-to-day things. She told me she didnt know where or how to get treatment. I explained to her the basics of the Anti-Retrovirals (the AIDS medicine) and the pro’s of it. I then went on to tell her that I still love her and think she is beautiful. I told her that the Lord considers her lovely and that He died for her that she might have Hope and Life.

It was then time for me to head home. After saying goodbye to everyone in the village, eating more food, taking pictures, holding people’s babies, we headed down the sand road again, Arm-in-Arm. Please pray for Adelaide, her heart, her health, and that she would start treatment.

(pictures- me and Adelaide (the skinny one with the red and black capullana and the wrap on her head. the other girls are her neighbors/friends)

Hawa Creations

2008-10-25T02:49:00.000-07:00

We started Hawa Creations in May to give women in our community an opportunity to make jewelry to sell and get an income in order to support their families! Felismina and Maria come two times a week to make the jewelry. We then try and sell it one other day of the week, usually on a saturday. We decided to name it Hawa Creations because Hawa means Eve, or "the beginning of womanhood" in Arabic. This was perfect since my desire is to give women in my community a hope, a dignity, a "new beginning" with Christ.

Hawa is also one of the babies at our Baby House. She is Felismina's daughter. I remember when Felismina arrived with Hawa and social welfare to ask for help last May. Hawa was skin and bones- literally. To say she was extremely sick would be an understatement. She was almost 3 years old and weighed less then 6 kilos- about 13 lbs. Hawa is also HIV+. We decided that if we didn't take her into our house for intensive care, she would die soon- possibly the next day.

We could also tell that Felismina was not OK. To be a mother and let your daughter get that sick without getting help - something's not right. We asked her if she wanted an opportunity to work and create jewelry. Can I just tell you that she is not the same girl since that day?!

She now comes to work singing, laughing, happy! She has told me many times that she had no idea she could make such beautiful jewelry! She also told me that she is so grateful for a job. That she no longer has to just "sit at home and think about her life".

You know, I got to thinking. If I was Felismina... She is 20 years old, with 3 children. The oldest is 5 yrs old. She watched the father of her children die of AIDS, she watched Hawa wilt away because of AIDS, Im pretty sure her youngest son has AIDS, and she is HIV+ as well... Where is the hope in that? Maybe she didn't take care of Hawa because she was in denial? Who knows? But what I do know is that the Lord came to give her Hope - regardles

s of her HIV Status - and I so badly want her to

understand that.

I am encouraging her to get started on Anti-Retrovirals. It is the AIDS Medicine. It is a long drawn out process. I have gone with her to the AIDS clinic to start the process. But since then, the hospital is giving her the run around. The thing is, if she does not start the treatment soon- her health will deteriorate rapidly. I am scared she is not going to come to work one day and I'll call to find out that she died.

I look forward to Tuesdays and Thursdays when they come to work. We sit together and chat about boyfriends, husbands, kids, families, life. They teach me Changaan (tribal dialect) and I teach them English. We sing worship songs, talk about God. Im also encouraging them to open up bank accounts and save part of their income. Not to spend it all on hair or cell phone products! Trying to teach them how to be wise with money. I want to start a series on Proverbs 31- how to be a Virtuous Wife.

Please continue to pray for Hawa Creations. For Felismina and Maria. That they would walk in that Hope and Calling that the Lord has for them! Pray for a special blessing on our jewelry

when we sell it so that they can take care of their families.

For recent Pictures of Hawa Creations and the Baby House go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/allisonscarlett/

Birthdays and Babies

2008-08-10T10:43:00.000-07:00

Birthdays!

Nichols and Danny turned 1 in July and we had a giant party to celebrate! Nichols is HIV+ and his mother tried to suffocate him right after she gave birth. He has started on the Anti-Retroviral Treatment and his health is improving greatly! Danny is not sick but his mother died of a C-Section. They are both living in our 2nd house, along with 4 other lil boys. Sapphira is one of our Tia's (Aunties) that we employ to take care of them. She is a wonderful lady and a some what of a mother figure to me.

These are 15 of the 17 babies/toddlers that live with us in one of our 2 houses. L-R Luis, Hawa, Alicia, Idrussi, Aninha with Antonio, Nichols crying, Quiteria with Gercio, Ricardo, Junior, Abu, Thelma, Danny, Marcelino, and Paulo.

All of these children have been orphaned, abandoned, or their parents can not take care of them because of AIDS. 6 of our babies have AIDS as well. Currently, all of them are on the Anti-Retroviral Medicines which improves and prolongs life!

New Additions

2008-08-10T10:25:00.000-07:00

Junior & Abu!!

2 of our newest additions! Around 9pm July 4th, the Police Station called us to say that they had 2 abandoned children at the Station and they needed us to come and pick them up immediately. Both their mom and dad left them at their grandmothers house. The grandma could no longer take care of them, so she took them to the Police Station with 3 plastic bags of clothes, some tangerines, and a few chocolates. Just like that, Junior and Abu's lives were changed forever. Since the grandmother abandoned them before we got to the Police, we didn't know their names, ages, or even where the grandma lived to ask her those questions. We brought them back to the house, gave them good food, baths, clean clothes, and lots of love. Now they are living at our 2nd baby house, doing great!!

Moises!!

His name means Moses in portuguese. July 4th, a woman was walking home from work when she heard sounds of a crying baby coming from a trash heap off the side of the road. As she approached, she found a 3 day old baby tied inside a plastic bag! She took him to the hospital and then the hospital called us and asked us to take him in. After 3 weeks in the hospital lil Moises came to live with us. We decided to name him Moises because just like Moses in the Bible was found in basket in the river, our Moises was found in a plastic bag in the trash. Pretty cool to think of the awesome plans Jesus has for him. He is doing great, drinking lots of formula and gaining weight!

luis

2008-07-05T03:50:00.000-07:00

baby luis. my love.

he's one of the 10 babies that live in our first home here in matola. both his mom and dad died of aids. he was left in the hospital severely malnurished dying of aids. pieter and rika (my team mates) rescued him and started him on the anti-retrovirals (aids meds).

now he's 3 and healthy and happy and full of mischief.

welcome to my world here

2008-07-05T03:29:00.001-07:00

a taste of what my week looks like

Mondays - PM - Bible Study/discipleship with Dulce, Sapphira, & Maria (some of the Tia's that work here)

Tuesdays- AM Bead Making Project with Maria and Felismina

Wednesdays- PM Hospital Outreach with Adeliade, Virgina, Ermilinda, Maria, Eva, etc.

Thursdays- AM Bead Project with Maria and Felismina.
PM House Church with Lacerda, Cardita, Mataneta, Enucencia, and Mama

Sundays- House Church at the baby house (where I live)- this is where people I meet in the city come to join us. People like Anchura, Elisa, and Elisa's sister.

Gems

2008-07-05T03:13:00.000-07:00

so these are the women i have been working with - my gems!

Lacerda- 27 yrs old. Her family runs a little store in the local market. She has a 5 yr old daughter Angela who is the cutest little thing ever! Lacerda is my main friend here in MZ. We are becoming such good friends! She is my woman of peace- she knows everyone and everyone loves her. She is the kindest MZ I have ever met. Since she works at the market I love to go and spend the after noon with her sitting down talking with all of the women that come and do their buying for their meals. A lot of women trust her.

Cardita- 26 yrs old. Lacerdas sister. She is 6 months pregnant. Her boyfriend left her when she wouldn't get an abortion. She also works at the family market place. She is currently in school studying at what would be the equivelent of High School in the States. I go with her to the hospital for her maternity check ups. She has the gift of serving and hospitality. When Im over at her house, she prepares my favorite dishes and makes sure im well taken care of.

Mataneta- 22 yrs old. Lacerda's sister-in-law. Has a 3 yr old daughter Gabrielle who is always sick with something. Mataneta has lots of secrets. Her husband is cheating on her and she knows it. She is a very broken girl who tries to hide it. But when we are together we laugh real hard!

Dulce- 23 yrs old. Runs our 2nd baby house. She is HIV+ and has a 7 yr old daughter Jessica. Dulce goes to school and is in the 7^th grade. She has a very tender heart and we laugh a lot when we hang out. Her family is very wealthy however when they found out that she was HIV+ they kicked her out of the house. She then lived on the streets of Maputo with Jessica when she was little. Dulce has been through lots of crap living on the streets. But now you would never be able to tell. She is full of life and purpose.

Felismina- 20 yrs old and HIV+. She has 3 children. The oldest is 5. The middle is 3 and HIV+ her name is Hawa and she is very very sick. Stick and bones. She is now living with us. We can already tell a difference- she is smiling since arriving here! Felisminas' boyfriend just died of AIDS. She is a very sad girl. She has started the bead making project with us. Since she has been making jewelry, she has changed so much for the better!! She is very grateful for her job now. She has mentioned many times that shes very happy to have friends and a job because now she doesn’t just sit at home and think about “life”. Im in the process of getting her registered at a hospital that can properly start her on Anti-Retrivirals (AIDS medicine).