Children in Terre Blanche...

As I have mentioned before, one of my favorite reasons for visiting Terre Blanche are the children. You cannot go anywhere without a child, or five, grabbing your hand and walking with you. They love having their photo taken, with you or with their friends, and then looking at the photos afterward. They are stoic and shy, until you engage them, then they are the most loving, charming, happy little squirrels you have ever seen. Terre Blanche is a tight community, and they keep a close eye on one another. We would often have a couple of children crawling into our laps during the evening lectures in the clinic, until a brother, sister, or cousin came to get them and take them home for the night. They may, or may not, be aware of their poverty, but they are aware of the fact that they are adored and loved. They are so much healthier than they were ten years ago, thanks to HFH and MTI. It's so hard to see them when they are sick or injured, especially knowing that if they had half of the resources we have, they would be even healthier. If there was ever any doubt that our Medical Missions were not productive, or worth the time and money invested, you need only to look at these faces...