We’ve been here coming up on a year now, and one thing I’ve learned is that when you think you are going to have a “normal” day……you usually don’t! Yesterday appeared to be a normal day. Going to Thulwane Care Point to spend the day and give the children soccer jerseys and flip-flops. On the way to the Care Point, we received a phone call, and heads-up, that something might be going on with one of the Thulwane children….possibly being taken from school by a step-father.
We quickly arrived at the Care Point and upon greeting Nomsa, who is the child’s Gogo, she was overcome with emotion. She was scared for this precious child and asked if we could all gather and pray. About ten of us gathered and prayed “Swazi-style”….praying for safety for Mamba and peace and comfort for this family.
After many tears and hugs we broke up our prayer circle and began to prepare for the handing out of items…which is sometimes quite an ordeal when there are over 200 children! Mark was immediately approached by a D-team member and asked if he would help him go and search for this child. My first thought at the moment took me back to four years ago when we first met this child….’Watch out! He bites!!!’ I jokingly told Mark to “be careful”, mainly from Mamba’s bite, but also for what he might encounter.
The shoes and clothes distribution went well and all kids received a soccer jersey and flip-flops…very happy kids!
Normal lessons and discipling were going on with the children and we immediately were side-tracked by Nomsa coming from her homestead, bent over sobbing hysterically. Amy and I ran towards her, having to help her stand, and she said that “Mamba was dead!” Not understanding much else due to the language, we walked her towards the other Bomakes and Gogos. They surrounded her with hugs, tears, and love from a tight community. At that moment, I wanted to curl up in the fetal position, on the dirt, and cry! Having “to hold it together” for the Gogos and Bomakes we needed a plan. A plan to get things under control and a plan to possibly prove this theory wrong. Nomsa asked if I would take her over near Mamba’s school. What I thought was one person, turned out to be about seven adults in the car. They directed me where to go and as I pulled off the side of the road, Nomsa said that I was “free to go now.” I explained to her that I was not going to leave all of them out in the bush alone pretty far from their homes. (She’s a very persistent and stubborn lady…but she caved when I told her that I was there to help.) Help? With what? What are we exactly doing here in the bush?
A younger boy appeared and said that we should start looking for the body…wow, I’m now looking for a body. Not what I thought I’d be doing on a Thursday afternoon.
We searched for about an hour and nothing. We met up with other D-team members and Mark only for them to report that they found the step-father and took him to a clinic. He died immediately when they arrived there with him. He had taken pesticide pills and committed suicide. The only information they received from him was that he “left Mamba by a big tree”….(which later proved to be pretty significant information). We continued to search for about another hour and no sign of Mamba. Feeling frustrated and angry, I wished I had gone with Mark and found the step-father. Wished I could have given him a piece of my mind. Wished that I could find out ‘WHY’. Wished that I could look this coward in the eyes. Wished that I could get his heart straight before he took his last breathe.
As dark was approaching and the Gogos and Bomakes headed home, we got word that Mamba’s body had been found. The evil event had taken place not far from where we had been searching. His step-father, before taking the pills, hung this precious child from a tree with his school backpack just below. If you choose to take your own life, Lord have mercy on you…but to take an innocent child’s life is something that I can’t even put into words. Evil…evil…evil!
I know that God is not surprised by any of this. As we try to move on and celebrate the short life of one amazing kid, I will ask that you pray. Pray for Mamba’s family. Pray for the entire community of Thulwane. Pray for his school-mates. Pray for healing and comfort for all those who met this “little biting angel”! Something tells me that he is still biting. It doesn’t hurt quite like it did on earth but he is still getting some laughs from clinching those teeth on a few people in Heaven!
Rest in peace Mamba. We love you and miss you but can’t wait to see you again one day….bite and all!
