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Friday, October 1, 2010

INTRODUCING GENTLE CARE


In 2000, Ivonne Gentle began as a door-to-door volunteer bringing home-based care to the terminally ill in the small, impoverished community of Britstown, South Africa. After suffering through the tremendous pain of losing her three beloved sisters to cancer, Ivonne realised the deep value of providing joy, patience and love to the dying. Ivonne's work as a home-based carer was a way of extending her great gift of compassion to the rest of God's family in the loving memory of her own.  


Ivonne's experiences during her door to door ministry exposed her to the terrible conditions that so many of her sick, vulnerable and neglected patients faced as they struggled to hang on to life with some dignity. When one of her patients, close to death was kicked out of her home, Ivonne took up the call to love her. She made a space in her own home and nursed her patient back to health. 


Following this, Ivonne soon realised that this was not an isolated case. The poor living conditions, malnutrition and persistence of stigma surrounding diseases like HIV/AIDS meant that many weren’t receiving the care and love they needed. Some were dying alone, uncared for and unloved. This need struck to the core of Ivonne's heart and with the help, courage and support of her husband Tommie Gentle and their children, they converted their garage into the the GentleCare centre through which they now care for up to 11 patients. 


With the help and commmitment of their very special team of local volunteers they provide their patients with three nutritious meals a day, a clean bed, attentive care and, of course lots of love. Those that pass away do so with dignity and the knowledge that they are respected and valued. Those that make remarkable recoveries remain ever grateful to unconditional commitment they recieved at Gentlecare.

This blog will begin to track the the stories of the patients at GentleCare and the trials and truimphs experienced daily by Ivonne and Tommie Gentle. 

I hope that you are blessed and insipired as your follow this blog and that if you are able to offer a kind word, a helpful contact or a donation of your time, money or resources that you would do so in the same spirit of joy that Gentlecare passes on to every person who enters through their doors.

5 comments:

  1. What a truly amazing thing you are doing for these people. I am going to see what I can do to raise some funds for your wish list. Where should monetary donations be sent? xxxx

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  2. thank you for loving these very needy people... Jesus words come very plain... when I was hungry you fed me, when I was sick you visited me, when I was naked, you clothed me...
    Will be praying with you

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  3. God Bless you for caring & loving His dear children, especially those who need such special care & attention

    Anne xx

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  4. a miracle to see broken people whole and returning to society... may the compassion they received help them to give the same to others they meet... the circle goes on.... thank you for your part

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  5. Just longing to hear from you dearest Yvonne …
    We are still alive and so are your curtains! We all love you and I have a nice South African lady at night to help me with Peter. She returns home soon.
    If you know anyone who would like to come do let me know.
    We remember you with love.
    God bless you
    Peter and Ann hutley
    Stable cottage
    Wintershall

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