Fronting up
Anna Gray answers questions about her work caring for abandoned babies with The Love of Christ Ministries in South Africa.
What does your role at TLC Ministries involve?
The practical care of abandoned babies while they are at our home. This means feeding them, changing their nappies, playing with and cuddling them, and being that giver of love and attention in their lives.
Why did you choose this cause?
It just moves my heart that a baby could be totally disowned by its parents. If I have a spare year of my life to change the lives of a few of these wee kids, then I think I should do that. Working with babies and kids is an area that doesn’t take qualifications, just willingness, love, patience and servanthood.
What have you learned about God through your work this year?
That He is a miracle worker who never gives up or grows weary. He makes baby after baby, each so unique, so beautiful and so perfect - despite the fact that we mess them and the world up each time. He’s got some purpose and method we can’t see.
Where have you seen people making a difference?
In the local and international people giving their time to bring up babies that aren’t theirs, in the TLC family, and in the Jarvis family who have sacrificed their whole lives to the vision of this place. They have just seen 500 babies come through their care and be adopted out.
What is the most exciting thing about being involved with this organisation?
The huge blessing of being able to help rescue a beautiful, hope-filled life.
What have been the biggest challenges?
To remember why I’m doing this and to try to make each minute a ministry, through the monotony and the stress of the day-today work. Also, after the freedom of New Zealand, the restrictiveness of living in Joburg [Johannesburg] and not being able to leave the property except in a locked car has been challenging.
Who has inspired you to serve overseas?
My family; the Bible; something inside me saying “go and help the rest of the world, rich girl”; Jenny McMahon, an organiser of aid camps in Africa; Mother Theresa and Paul Brand.
Where to from here?
I go to Beautiful Gate Orphanage in Lesotho shortly for six weeks, and then come back to TLC for December and January. Then home to New Zealand in February to continue studying teaching at Otago University. Then who knows.
Do you have any recommended books?
What’s So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancey. In the Silence of the Heart by Mother Theresa.
Where can I find out more about your work?
Um, maybe through the Presbytarian Church website, the lobal Mission Gazette, or ask my Mum.