Saturday 13/08/2005

Right now the sun is falling in the western sky and it looks and feels like a morning sun tom me on this 2nd day in S. Africa. It is weird but I have been traveling for 24 hours and have moved 8 hours ahead in time. I do need to sleep because I really feel like it is morning and don't want to end up awake all night tweeking. We just came back from a cemetary near Kayamandi where Charlie says that there have been many new graves since the last time he was here which was in Feb to Dec of 2004. He took us to the cemetary to sho us how many people have died in just a short period of time. A lot of teens to 25 year olds, mostly due to aids. At first, when he asked if we wanted to go, I didn't realize what an impactit would have on me, but to see so many fresh graves, I've never seen so many new graves in any cemetary in my life. Only a huge catasrophe could explain this, like a war or something, but it's AIDS! I was watching Yamkayla run through the cemetary, thinking of his story and how Charlie met him. Yamkayla's mother was about 23 years old when she died of AIDS. Charlie knew her. She left behind 2 children from different fathers. Yamkayla does not know his father, Charlie says he died young as well. Yamkayla's maternal grandparents did not step up for him because mom had AIDS and he is sick too (AIDS is taboo and people are disowned from their families). Charlie stepped up for Yamkayla with the help of another girl from Kayamundi to care for him. It's amazing to see this happy child in the arms of Charlie, like they were meant for each other. If Yamkayla gets to come back to the U.S., a Doctor at Miller's Children has already commited to providing healthcare through Yamkayla's childhood through adolescents. Even now, he is being treated for AIDS with the help of resources Charlie has brought together. This is just one kid from all the thousands in this area alone with either the same or worse conditions and how blessed I am to witness the life of Yamkayla and how that has blessed Charlie and even our team to see the beautiful bond between them. You can also get a sense that Yamkayla has a purpose. Monday we will be going into the town and working with the community center and going out into the shacks to meet people. I am still trying to get pictures uploaded, but I have to get them on cd first. I am doing my best.

Blessings,
Adelina