Book of Hope Granny Brigade

An amazing team of 11 Grannies, dubbed The Book of Hope Granny Brigade, has returned from Pretoria and Rustenburg in South Africa after spending 10 days loving on children either orphaned as a result of the AIDS virus or diagnosed with the disease.

Led by long-time Book of Hope volunteer, Miriam Machovec, the Granny Brigade was able to distribute almost 400,000 copies of the Book of Hope, 7,000 Salvation bracelets and share God’s love in a way only a grandmother can.

“We played with and loved on and spoiled children whose ages ranged from a few months to middle school-aged,” said Machovec, 80. “I had an 11 month old baby boy snuggle up to my neck while I rocked him to sleep. He has no parents, is HIV positive, and will likely die soon. But in his short life time, he got to feel a grandmother’s love for him, if only for a few days.”

The devoted grannies spent time at the Lighthouse Children’s Shelter in Rustenburg, which takes care of up to 20 children at a time – all with tragic stories. The newest member was a 10 month old infant girl, whose mother had brought her to the shelter to live. The baby’s father had already died of AIDS, and the mother knew she would be next. Within a few days, the mother died, just as the shelter doctor diagnosed the infant girl with HIV.

“The day we were leaving Africa, we were told that the little girl’s condition has gotten much worse,” said Mary Vegh, a member of the Granny Brigade from Detroit, MI. “She needs a miracle to make it. This is just one little girl in a nation with 22 million children with needs as great as hers.”

Despite the sadness, members felt joy at being able to leave the indestructible seed of God’s Word in their possession – and there are plans to return.

“This was such an amazing trip,” said Machovec. “We want to have a Granny Brigade every year now.”
This article was used with permission from Miriam Machovec.
For more information go to www.bookofhope.net