As parents within church circles we hear this often and it is such a powerful and profound statement. This proverb basically means that it takes many people to provide a safe, healthy and caring environment for children to develop and flourish, grow their identity and hopes, and secure their future. I am privileged to say I see this playing out daily at LIV. The “villagers” consist out of parents, siblings, grandparents, aunties, uncles, teachers, neighbours, coaches, professionals, pastors, church members and volunteers. Some provide direct care to the children while others support the parents, but everyone plays a vital role in raising our children.

At LIV Durban we are all in it together. In each home a child will have a mother, they will go to LIV School on site, they will receive medical care at the LIV Clinic, they will see a therapist or psychologist at LIV Therapy, they will do sport with a LIV coach and will  receive discipleship from a pastor at LIV Church. This is this African proverb to the T,  and it works. It is a complex process and we have several meetings during the week where we make sure we are all parenting from the same corner, but every child on the (literal) village has a proverbial “village” that is making sure they are safe, loved and cared for.

Here is a video to show the beauty of community at LIV Durban:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oya7anMPd-o&t=6s

The LIV Café on site is run by a formidable woman called Veronica. To us and everyone who has visited, she is known as “Mom V” –  and she is a force to be reckoned with. She makes the best “Peanut Butter Bombs” (the village’s signature smoothie) and has an amazing sense of humour. (Check out our social media for a stunning video about her!) You might wonder what Mon V has to do with my blogpost today, but a few weeks ago a boy from the local community who attends LIV School because he has family who is employed at LIV, bought a chocolate milkshake from the café and paid with a R200 note. Mom V immediately clicked that this boy did not get the money from his mom. She called the school who tried to reach his mom but to no avail. When Mom V’s shift ended at 4pm, she walked to this mom’s house in the community to inform her about the situation.  The mother confirmed that she did not give him the money and that he must have stolen it from somewhere. The boy was confronted and the money was returned to its owner. I love it! It is such a brilliant example of raising children within community. Mom V works in the café! She is not in school, or in therapy, or even a sport coach, yet she knows her role in “the village” and she did what was needed to support the mom in raising this child.

When I look outside the gates of LIV, my heart goes out to society. I feel this African proverb is missing in our world. I know of so many families who feel isolated, single mothers who are not coping, or parents who do not want to ask or provide support for others.

Maybe you are reading this today and think “I need a village! I need community to help me and I am so lonely on this journey!” I have great news for you! Firstly, the Mom Archive can be a start for you to find your village. It is filled with many people who want to help, support and equip you. There are professionals willing to give wisdom and advice, other mothers who would love to connect with you and so many wonderful resources and tips to help you on your motherhood journey. Secondly, and perhaps the most important advice I can offer to you – find a church! A good one! Scripture is very clear that God places the lonely in families. We do what we do because it is the heart of Jesus. In the church you will find community and support for you and for your children. The church is not perfect, but in my personal journey the church has been my biggest support. If you do not know of a God-fearing, Bible following church in your area you are welcome to message me and I will help connect you with possible options. Reach out! We will find a way!

Maybe you are reading this, and you know you can be a “villager” to someone! You have the gift of time, or the financial means, and you have a heart to see the next generation raised up for His glory. We need you! Perhaps you have noticed a mom in your neighbourhood who struggles to keep up with the endless tasks on her plate – could you drop off dinner from time to time and build relationship with her and her children? Or maybe the next time you are in church you could go chat to the mother with the small baby and see how she is doing – you never know where the conversation can lead. When you are in the queue at Checkers, perhaps you could pay for the shopping of the person waiting after you, or you could go visit the baby care home or orphanage close to you and support the team who are raising these precious children. The list of opportunities is endless and you can get creative with the Holy Spirit in how you serve the mothers around you.

If you ever want to teach your children about the power of community, I can highly recommend the book “Melo’s Kingdom” by Thuli Madonsela. She takes African proverbs and combine them with the Bible, resulting in beautiful and encouraging stories that is relevant and relatable but, most importantly, based upon scripture.

So, amazing mothers, let’s be this village for one another and work together to raise the next generation for His glory! We would love to hear testimonies or encouraging stories of how you have served another mom, or how you have been blessed by someone’s kindness. In being obedient to God’s voice and acting upon His Spirit’s prompting you might just be an answer to another mama’s prayer…