Usually my son Tyler accompanies us on the hour and a half drive to Nsoko. Today he had other plans, so Casey, Naomi, Alexis, Emilie and I headed down alone. Nsoko is a rural and extremely impoverished 
area. It is rarely visited by anyone, and it is not the most pleasant place to see. It is desolate, it is hot and dirty. It is also strangely enough, my favorite group of children. These kids have absolutely stolen my heart, they are meek and precious, quiet and beautiful, and I love them. Emilie worked with the kids on flash cards and ABC’s. Casey danced and sang with them with an energy and passion that I greatly admire…Alexis, Naomi and I sat in the dirt with the babies, holding, rocking them and loving them. Today for some reason there was only one GoGo, and only about forty kids, and an abundance of teenage and adult males. This care point is notorious for “creepy guys”, and is top on our list for our guard program. However, today was the first time I was actually a little nervous about the safety of the girls I brought with me as well as the children that live there. The men desperately tried to get our attention, but we just ignored them, and eventually they moved on. As white women, (right or wrong), there is still a certain fear or respect that keeps them from crossing the line. I am sure my glaring right through them when they looked at my daughters sent a message as well. Either way though, it is obvious, that fear or respect does not transfer over to the black women and girls. They are objects, nothing more, nothing less. I watched one little girl, about nine jump when one of the men tapped her head to get her attention. The look on her face said it all, she was his victim, and she couldn’t wait for him to leave…(yes, I glared at him as well, if I was a superhero instead of a mere mortal, he would have turned to a pillar of salt!) Literally five minutes later a gang of obnoxious teenage boys started hanging around asking for food. Two of the boys would tap this same little girl on the head and face every time they walked by. She was so frustrated, and so helpless. I had a sleeping baby on my lap, so I shouted to them to stop. “Don’t touch her” I said several times. The one boy smiled at me, not understanding English. He bent down to where I was so he could hear what I was saying. “DOOOON”TTT TOOOOUCH HEEER!” and without thinking (that’s my story and I’m stick in to it), I SLAPPED his face! He couldn’t believe I slapped him. Embarrassed, he looked at his buddies, and then they all walked away…Part of me couldn’t believe I slapped the little punks face either, and part of me wished I could take all the little men on. This sweet little girl smiled for the first time since we had arrived, and smiled even bigger when I told her to punch them as hard as she could next time they mess with her.
It is two in the morning and I cannot sleep, my blood is still pumping tonight while my family sleeps. I am praying for all the little girls all over the world, and I am furious, frustrated and helpless….I think I shall start a “Slapping Ministry” until we can get all our programs in place and paid for….Wanna join???
I’ll join . I’ll recruit . I’ll pray . you go girlfriend!
Hey, I’ll sign up sis. Slap ’em in the name of Jesus. Maybe you’ll knock the devil right out of them!!!
That’s the violent spirit of the Kingdom if I’ve ever seen it 🙂
now there’s a new form of ministry! love the chutzpah there and the authenticity in sharing it with us. following Jesus is easy enough here – i can’t imagine all the feelings you must have as you watch all the injustice over there. thanks for being there to stand up for the weak. i’m praying God shows you what to do after the altercations.
You know I`m up for this Girl ! My hand sometimes gets sore … ! Good for you ! xo A.
Sign me up! I love slapping dumb boys!
I miss you guys so much and it really isn’t my birthday without you guys here! I love you all and i am working my hardest on getting a plane ticket!
-Lainers
how true it is… it’s sad when everything inside you is keeping you from slapping a kid across the face… maybe i should just go with my intincts and slap them… i would definetly feel better 🙂
thanks for looking after me!
Keep it up! Good for you! I hope your adrenaline has stopped pumping and you were able to get some sleep. You’ll need it for next bunch of guys that try to mess with these kids again. (but hopefully they’ll stay away for a while). We’ll continue to pray for you and your family: protection and strength.
Good for you. I dont think I could have stopped at a slap. It breaks my heart that that is what those girls have to go thru everyday. I will definatly be praying for them and you.
wow! that little girl will always remember that there was at least one time when someone stood up for her. that is the beginning of her healing…thank you Lord.
I love your Warrior Heart sister!
Not sure if you remember me from Swazi (May/June- short term trip- college group), but I will be coming back asap- can’t wait to see you all again. I’m so blessed to work with people like you, even if you’re thousands of miles away right now!
Praying for you guys!
Ericka <><
You make me smile a HUGE smile! My daughter is currently on a Real Life Team to Swazi, and in the few contacts I’ve had with her in the past 6 weeks, she seems to share your passion! She feels very defensive for these precious little girls who are so taken advantaged of by these men. You make me want to get on the next plane to Swazi so I can help you do some “slappin’ some sense into” and “taking care of the girls” time!
Keep on giving those Mother glares!
Much prayer is being offered for you and the teams. Keep it up!