Location: South Africa
Hometown: Waco, Texas (Scott)
Commissioned: 2002
The Housers have a multifaceted ministry in
South Africa, which includes caring for caregivers within a context undergoing a dual pandemic of AIDS and violent crime. These caregivers are usually individuals, who with little-to-no material incentive care on a daily basis for people infected and affected by AIDS.
Recently, the Housers are involved in a three-year psychosocial response outreach to orphans and vulnerable children and their families. They partner with Sinomlando
and Children’s Emergency Relief International to create memory boxes. The memory boxes not only holds important memory items, but the process facilitates intergenerational dialogue among family members, with a view to nurturing identity and resilience in children who have lost primary caregivers. Scott is national director of this project, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. The project seeks to reach over 3,700 orphans and vulnerable children and train more than 2,100 memory trainers within five of
South Africa’s nine provinces.
“It’s our time to step up and be alongside people in suffering rather than asking why or how this came about,” Ana Marie said. “The reality is that it’s here with us, and we as Christians are to be alongside the suffering, to know about it, to feel it and be willing to be there. Now is the time for Christians to step up and care.”
Related stories:
•
Missions education resources inspire HIV/AIDS art show
•
Youth inspired to reach out to HIV/AIDS community