The week after Easter Jim and I did a lot of driving around - all for a good cause. One of our student's parents and grandparents had traveled to South Africa to see her and the country. Three of them returned home on Easter Monday, but Shannon's mom Kathy stayed behind for one more week. Kathy Bassett is a semi-professional photographer who, prior to her coming, asked how she might be able to use the gift of her photography at the service sites. Her company, Allina, had agreed to fund these photographic gifts. Each of the sites jumped at the opportunity!
As a result, Kathy had a month's worth of experiences in a week: She was with us in the car during the march for public services at Missionvale. We photographed children at House of Resurrection Children's Home two different afternoons. She went to Pendla School twice, where she went on home visits with our students and two teachers. We also took her to Missionvale twice.
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| "I can't complain." |
The most moving aspect (for me) was when Kathy, Shannon, and I went out on care visits with the visiting nurses into the township homes of their patients. We walked from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. straight. But, if you hear me complain about anything EVER again, just remind me of our first visit! This woman has only one leg, sits in a wheelchair all day long, may be about to lose her second foot, has just had the rains running into her home making all her bedding wet, and when I asked her how she was doing, her answer was, "
Can't complain. The Lord's been good to me."
Here is Kathy Bassett doing some of her work for Missionvale:
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| Kathy and Shannon, with caregiver on her rounds |
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Photographing in a home.
We were always welcomed in. |
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| Taking a first-ever class photo |
Missionvale Care Center will be using her pictures for their new brochures. What is so great about Kathy's photos is that they represent actual moments of service rather than posed shots. She captured them handing out the half loaf of bread each person receives, making home visits to people who are no longer mobile, organizing their clothing distribution warehouse, etc. Each shows real moments, real people, real life!
Following are some of my favorites of Kathy Bassett's work at Missionvale.
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| Waiting for bread... |
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| Receiving bread |
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| Giving thanks... |
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| Unforgettable face in the crowd. |
It's good to have a follow up to how things went with Kathy and I pleased to read it went so well. I also found that people in the townships would not complain, amazing. Thanks for th update.
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