The heart of LIV Village has always been to see lives restored and transformed. Although this starts with our children it has extended beyond the four walls of the village. We have an amazing group of women at LIV who have not only given their lives to being foster mothers to our children but have also made it their mission to serve and love their neighbours in the community surrounding the village.
Inkambo Yothando, meaning ‘journey of love’, is a ministry and outreach team formed by Moira Emerson and a group of LIV foster mothers. It all began a few years ago when Moira felt God challenging her to love her neighbours and get involved in the community, but didn’t know where to begin or how this would be possible. She then felt prompted to meet with the LIV mothers and share her desire to reach out and be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need. A number of the mothers felt God calling them to this same thing and so the team was formed.
Inkambo Yothando has lived up to its name as these women have indeed walked a journey of love, visiting the sick, lonely and disabled as well as men, women and children of all ages, offering them hope and encouragement through prayer and support. The team started these visits by going on weekly walks through the community. After encountering a number of children not in school during the day, they started walking with bags of puzzles and activities in hand and would often find themselves under a tree playing with a small group of them.
Inkambo Yothando at hospice.
Every Wednesday morning the team visits a hospice in Ndwedwe where they have the opportunity to minister to the sick and elderly. The morning is filled with prayer, song and encouragement as the mothers get to share God’s word and a message of hope with the patients. This is always followed by exercises and time spent helping meet some of the patients’ physical needs. These women faithfully love and serve these patients, and anyone else they come across, wholeheartedly.
Inspired by the days sitting under a tree and playing with children, another exciting community initiative has been established. A play area with educational activities and toys has been set up at the Owethu Clinic and is open twice a week during clinic hours. The play area has been set up and overseen by Moira, supported by LIV volunteers, as the LIV mothers are primarily full-time caregivers and so do spend much of their time first meeting the needs of their children. Many kids from the community have come through the play area with some even visiting clinic for a consultation with the toys, rather than with the nurses.
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- The mothers leading the hospice patients in prayer and worship
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- The play area at Owethu Community Clinic
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- The whole team plus volunteers being a light unto the world
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- Inkambo Yothando and some volunteers at hospice
Moira and the mothers can share many stories of hope, whether big or small, from their time spent in the community. They have also warmly welcomed a number of visiting volunteers to join them in their journey and have had support from LIV’s therapy and medical teams to help best meet some of the needs they come across. These women truly model how it looks to walk in love and live a life laid down for others.
