Greetings in the wonderful name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Amazing, it is May already - a third of this year already history! It has gone more quickly due to Easter being so early. This has played havoc with planning for the year. However, we are managing to survive the business of this modern lifestyle. As I am sure you are too. I continue to thank and praise God for His continued guidance, faithfulness, love and goodness witnessed in this Ministry every day.

Cape Town has had the best weather in the country this summer and was still having the most incredibly beautiful days in April, with temperatures in the 20’s, balmy sunny days with little wind! I am particularly thrilled, as being more mobile, I can hobble around the garden admiring God’s creation in the flowers, the Mountain (Devil’s Peak- on the left of Table Mountain) - or just sit and look at the trees. Thanks for your responses on the inclusion of photos. Send your email address, to receive this in colour!

HEALTH

The foot I broke continues to be healing miraculously, due to continued prayer for this, for which I thank you all. I am MOST grateful for every single prayer. I am walking with just one crutch, and it feels wonderful to be so tall! After 4 months of being either flat on my back (2 months), unable to move with the bruised ribs, or confined to a wheel chair (2 months) in a sitting position. To now be eye to eye with folk again is amazing! The simple things in life so exciting – like the first hot bubble bath (after 4 months of washing in a wheelchair) was such a pleasure – even though the bones had no cushioning and painful to sit in the bath. (I lost 12 kilos - muscle loss,( the fat remained – not fair) The aqua physio has helped to bring back muscle, and now the weight has returned too. I still can’t drive, (although I keep trying ). The clutch is difficult to press down, I broke my left foot (Oh for an automatic! – dream on Laura) The next 2 months are crucial, as I learn to regain balance. Nerves and tendons need at least 6 months to grow and reconnect, or the brain can’t receive signals if the foot is balanced or not, so, I easily loose my balance, quite a lot, especially when I become over confidant and try to move faster! One fall and I could be back to square one! Please Lord  help me to take things more slowly!

FEBRUARY

The Sunday school reopens after training, Schools reopen. The congregation returns from vacation/holiday. Church programmes and goals are set, and planning takes place for the rest of the year. This month is still part of the busiest time of year (October - Feb). The main focus is on the Education of the children. Assessing if the funds received,  are sufficient. Checking the Students many needs, like funds for registering at a school, school fees, uniforms, shoes, school bags, stationery, school books, and funds   for transport. Education is NOT free in Khayelitsha, and  students must pay before they can attend. No student can enter the school grounds without their uniforms!. All the schools are overcrowded, 4 students to one desk. This forces the Students to travel many miles if they want to attend school at all. We continually thank God for those supporters who have a burden for these children and their futures, and who have for years faithfully given to the Education Fund, in order that they may have a basic education. Faithful supporters for many years – like our family at St. Matthews Church, in Australia. They have the “Khayelitsha Kids” education fund, and this supports the children of our Minister and staff, and other children, whose parents are involved in the Church and in desperate situations. The White and Brown families in Ireland, have supported extremely poor families for many years too, giving scores of children the opportunity to have productive and fulfilling futures. So far, this year, ALL the fees and expenses have been met. Praise God! Again – I marvel at the love God has for His children, by His Children. His provision for them, year after year – Over 20 years – is living testimony of this. Trusting God for every cent, He has never disappointed us. Thank you all for your support too. There are many others as well that help so much.

The Computer training is doing well this year, there are 10 students learning basic skills, like Word and Excel, spread sheets, and email, divided into 2 groups that interchange, half doing the practical, while the other half have oral input. All the lecturers volunteer their services free of charge.

MARCH

The weather was wonderful, and I now water my small garden with joy myself. It is full of bright flowers. Sorry to repeat this, but being “housebound” you have no idea how much it means to “get out” – even if only outside the house. Autumn (Fall) is on its way, and it is quite chilly in the mornings and evenings. I am busy preparing for the cold by collecting warm clothing for the needy. I thank God for Grove Primary school who has their children each brings a jersey for the needy. It helps a great deal. Cape Town has it’s rainfall in Winter which makes it a very cold and miserable place, especially in the township, where there are thousands of sick kids and the elderly who don’t make it through Winter at all.

A Blessing in March I was able to get out to Khayelitsha to oversee the completion of our Church Kitchen. Our friends from Germany who helped this be completed visited Khayelitsha and drove me there.They were able to see the gifts their churches had given, a stove and cupboards in use. The facility is wonderful, one which all the congregation are very proud of. It was opened and used for the first time celebrating our Risen Lord at Easter. The congregation raised their own funds, and the Mamma’s of the church prepared a lovely hot meal for the entire congregation - and scores of visitors too. We had an added blessing of being given four precious souls who made a commitment to Jesus during the Sunday service.

Another blessing was funds received from UK. This enabled to acquire a gate and carport for visitors, at the Minister’s house. The minister was also able to have part of the area outside his house bricked (paving), to correct the flow of water away from the walls of the house toward the street. The house is sunken and lower than the surface ( it was badly built) – but now, hopefully, this has been corrected and the water flow away from the walls, leaving them dry.

Our Pastor, Thozamile and his family, have been hosts to our volunteer youth worker from Ireland – Mikey Brown. He is the youngest (only 18 years) of seven, and lives with his parents in Belfast. Their church has helped raise funds to enable us to have the Church in Khayelitsha built. I have had the privilege of being in their Church service and spoken at Bible study groups at both families Churches not once but twice. Mikey arrived in Cape Town the end of March, and was met by the Toni family, and staying as a guest in their home. He has fitted in really well as the Minister has 2 sons near his age, and Mikey is being a great model for them both as he has challenges them in their belief. He is very much loved and he a delight to all, as he is very friendly and outgoing. He is working at Church, till June. when 5 Buddies will join him here for a couple of weeks for ministry work with the Children. Mikey has some great ideas in store for the kids.

Mikey, was able to purchase a car (older than him – a 22 year old Renault) which his church sponsored. We found it was cheaper to hire than buy, and being only 18 he had only recently obtained his license. God provided funds for a carport (with garage door), and a gate, So, the car can be kept safely at the Minister’s house. God’s timing again, as always - just perfect! Praise His wonderful name. Jehovah Jirah!

Mikey has been involved with young teens and adults in Site B squatter area, teaching many groups basic guitar lessons, and  witnessing about Christ. Mikey  helped teach the staff some skills on the Computer, and how to access various programmes on the Computer.

He is completely committed to missions and serving God by ministering to the poor and needy. He is a great blessing to us all.  Please pray for Mikey as he returns to Ireland and begins College in Oxford England next year.

APRIL

This was a very exciting month for the Church and community, especially the children as Mikey organized a week long Holiday club and approximately 100 children came along having lots of fun while learning about Jesus, and also something to fill their tummies. The schools mostly provide bread and a drink, but they get nothing during the holidays. Mikey has also introduced everyone to having a Kid’s Club!  It already has over 50 kids coming, they love doing things and this keeps them busy in a fun way and learning the bible at the same time! It also helps keep them away from trouble. Also, giving the local leaders some training, teaching them games, how to give a devotion and run a club themselves.

The Church had a retreat on the 27^th and 28^th – for leaders, and to recruit new leaders. This was well organized with delicious food, a lot of fun and fellowship getting to know one another, and the seriousness about being committed to be involved in the Ministry of the Church. It was meant to challenge leaders already in leadership to examine themselves and their service for their Lord. A total of 30 of the Congregation attended. It was very productive and informative, 2 days of developing and planning the Church’s future this year as well.

Like the changing of the season , we have had changes too. Our Accountant Sheila has stepped down -  many thanks to Sheila for putting up with me for these past years, words are not enough! She taught me so much, bless her. Please pray for our new accountant, Debbie, for God to give her extra strength and patience to deal with an ignoramus like me. Please also pray for Richard, for wisdom to make sense out of any mess I may have caused this past year,(my mind was all over the place with the pain and drugs) when he does the Audit. I really need all the prayer support I can get; finances and me do not mix well! At the best of times – Every month is a very real challenge for me to record everything in expenses and income in the correct categories! I have all the receipts – just get confused where everything must go! Fortunately, Debbie seems to understand this, so I am truly blessed, and feel tremendous relief, I have always been a good steward to God’s money, accounting for everything down to the last cent (which accountants are very strict about!). Thozamile drove me to Debbie and watched us while we went through everything – now he understands why I always pester him for receipts!

Another change, Siphiwo and Sino have left to pursue a great opportunity they obtained with World Vision, however – they will be too far from us (about a 2 to 3 hour drive) to work part time, so it is best that they relocate. We shall miss them, but God could easily send them back – once the Life skills centre is complete, to minister to the community and share what they have learned in crafting!

Elijah is still having problems getting settled in Cape Town. God has answered our prayers, he now has accommodation, renting a house (partially furnished). Hopefully soon his wife will join him here in Cape Town from Gauteng.

PROJECTS AND CHALLENGES

We need to complete the Kitchen. Tiles around the sink, serving counters, a letterbox, security on the gates (metal sheets), as well as a fridge and freezer, to store veggies for the soup kitchen. We have tried out our new pots making food for the kids during the kid’s club and it is wonderful to be able to make such large quantities.

Our focus  is now on Phase 4 – the Life skills centre.  This project will cost Millions to build, and will bea tower to God’s power and Glory, that will completely change the lives of thousands of families in the Community in future and for eternity. 75% of the unemployed who have no skills, and little or no education, will then have an opportunity to be trained, in a skill that will enable them to support their families, be more productive in society. This will in turn lesson crime and corruption. Every person will hear the gospel. The plan would be to build accommodation above the Life skills centre for short-term mission work and visiting church groups. Also, with the future in mind, the last Phase - Phase 5, will be to build a Christian School. Education is everything, something only a VERY few have here. We have a preschool, in the process of being re organized with new management under the Church, and it will refocused on Christianity. We need to carry the education of children through from here, when they begin - till when they leave school in Grade 12. Teachers will be invited to serve here, under the sponsorship of their Churches (from other countries), and they will work alongside teachers here, as Mentors and live at the facility above the Life skills centre. However, we need to have the Life skills centre up and running, before we build the Christian school!

PERSONAL CHALLENGE

To be able to drive the van, and to be more useful in Ministry by supporting the Minister and staff.

Also, to get the re organizing of the finances in order.

To ask God to raise up the funding for the Lifeskills centre, to show me the potential donors I need to ask to be partners with in this huge Venture For wisdom and God’s guidance, to guide me to HIS supporters, with insight and vision, for the future, to invest in – Phase 4.

To have wisdom for the Ministry to be managed and delegated to the most capable hands.

For wisdom to choose the  people who would be dedicated to serve Him here in this corner of His work.

To ask God to provide Board Members for the next 6 meetings, this is a great challenge, finding people with a heart and commitment for God’s work to develop in the Township.

May God continue to guide you and burden your hearts for supporting this Ministry in the future months, that together, as Partners, God’s will, purpose and plan for Khayelitsha comes to fruition. Please continue to pray daily for this work. Thank you and God bless you richly, I love you all dearly.

Blessings,

Your Missionary in Africa,

Laura

PRAYER REQUESTS.

To keep our focus on the Gospel – and not on problems or challenges

Protection against Satan’s attacks: on personal, property, vehicles, buildings, homes and families

Provision for all the Ministry needs: – for new sponsors, to cover Church, Medical/rehabilitation fees.

Building expenses, Kitchen needs and future plans and funds to build a Life skills centre.

Wisdom and guidance for Keith our Lawyer, Contempt of Court to be issued.

To find legal way to have access to preschool for Sunday school classes.

My health, to have patience in the months ahead with balance and learning to drive.

For Debbie and Richard taking over the Ministry finances/ Audit.

For Siphiwo and Sino settling in and finding suitable accommodation.

For Elijah wisdom and guidance for his future and his wife settling here in Cape Town.

For the Soup Kitchen - for helpers to make/provide/donate for the soup.

Continued support for the Ministers, providing partners in Ministry.

Banking Details:  ABSA Bank, Claremont Branch, Cape Town. SOUTH AFRICA. –

Khayelitsha Ministry Account Number: 9069 099 055.  (Call/Savings Account)     OR    

Uyesu Unathi Account Number:  9073 159 146 (Call/Savings Account)

For more information see webpage – www.uyesu.org.za