Little Eden Society for the Care of Persons with Mental Handicap

Some thoughts and prayers to nurture your spirit

It's amazing what you can learn from a handicapped child: every day, the children at LITTLE EDEN inspire us with their spontaneous joy ... their ability to find pleasure in small things ... their trust and loving hearts ... their courage in the face of difficulty and their determination to try and try again to master small victories such as grasping a spoon or saying their name.

Share the inspiration in this section of our website - and please feel free to contribute your own story by emailing us.

Harvesters of Jesus Newsletter: September 2010

'The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day He created Spring.' – Bern Williams

Around the middle of the year, I find that most people are generally a bit run-down and tired. There is just so much to do, so many places to be and so many things to juggle all at once.

Then one day, suddenly and mysteriously, spring is in the air! Without necessarily having been on vacation, you find an inner source of renewed strength, energy and hope for the future!

I find this phenomenon – how seasons affect people - truly fascinating. In winter, it seems quite a number of people tend to get depressed and sick more easily. On the other hand, spring has always been linked to the concepts of rebirth, restoration and renewed hope for the future.

I take absolute delight in the blossoming trees and plants at this time of year! Each blossom on its own is perfect and beautiful, but together they form an even more spectacular picture that captivates and inspires. Even after the harshest of winters, the seemingly fragile blossoms provide concrete proof of an assured hope and promise of new beginnings.

To me, each of the children of LITTLE EDEN is a little like a spring blossom. Some of them are still tight in a bud, just waiting for their season, their turn, to blossom and finally reaching their full potential. Others have already shared their beautiful spirit with the world and continue to do so every day. By simply being who they are, they carry a message of hope and sanctity of life out into the world.

This unique place that is LITTLE EDEN; this cocoon of love and care that values life so dearly, holds the promise of a better future for each of its precious residents. What a beautiful and inspiring picture that is!

The next time you stop to admire a blossom, remember the children and say a silent prayer for them wherever you may be at that moment.

Hanneli Esterhuysen

Daily prayer for the needs of LITTLE EDEN

Jesus, Great Harvester, who desires the salvation of all mankind, accept the offering of my life and work in assisting You to help garner the fields for the harvest. Teach me compassion, understanding and love for those most in need. Bless our Association; strengthen the bonds of love and charity amongst us, so that with hearts united we may say "Thy kingdom come". Mary, comfort of the afflicted, pray for us.

Little Eden poem
compiled by Kim Neil after input from, and discussion with, the residents both children and adults, of Elvira Rota Village Bapsfontein

Little Eden
A place I call home
A place where I'm loved
And my care is important to others.
It is a place where I'm encouraged
To be all that God has planned.

Little Eden
A place where my friends are my family
A place where my teacher is my friend
And her teaching helps me to grow.
It is a place where Sister cares for me when I'm sick
And laughs with me when I'm not.

Little Eden
A place where I can paint with my fingers or my toes
A place where my effort is praised
And my artwork cherished.
It is a place where I make music
And sometimes, the music is louder than my voice.

Little Eden
A place where I can hear and see the tractor ploughing the fields
A place where I can hear the bleating lambs
And watch them feed from their mothers.
It is a place where I can watch the milking of the cows
And drink the milk in my tea.

Little Eden
A place where I eat sugar beans
A place where I watch the mielies grow
And then harvested.
A place where I picnic in the shade of the pecan nut trees
And then listen to the nuts being cracked.

Little Eden
A place where I'm encouraged to fold laundry
A place where I can help to feed the animals
And then ride the horse. A place where I can butter the bread
And share it with my friends.
A place I'm proud to call My home.