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

How are you all, my wonderful supporters? I pray living in praise and worship to our Lord.

Many of you have been keeping in touch by email, letters, and phone calls. I appreciate your enquiries for updates for prayer requests for the ministry, three months between receiving my newsletters is a long time. I treasure your commitment to pray continually and constantly for all of us in this Ministry. The Lord knows how much we need your support in prayer, as we constantly fight against the powers of darkness and evil, as we strive to preach and teach God’s word.

MAY

We are now almost half way in 2008! Time for an update on what your Missionary in Africa has been up to, by God’s grace and guidance, these past 3 months in Khayelitsha. This month I shared a joyous time with my family/friends when their daughter Kara and her daughter were here on 3 weeks leave from China. As they missed Christmas, [just another day in China] the family surprised them with a Celebration of our Lord’s birth, including small gifts for the children and a delicious Christmas lunch.

The 9th of May was Thozamile’s birthday, 46 now and starting to get those distinguished sideburns. We were also trying to get Mikey’s visa extended in order for him to be here when his group of friends arrive. Mikey has been going to a bible study at St, Stephens on a Wednesday, which he enjoyed, he would have supper and sleep over at my home. He together with 4 of our leaders from Khaye attended a Conference at St Stephens’s church, and they found it to be very beneficial to their ministries. Mikey was invited out every weekend, so was able to get to know folk from our other churches besides Khayelitsha Church folk.

Thozamile’s was unable to get his car started, due to some electrical fault that drained the battery, so we were very thankful that Mikey had a car which he let us use his, to collect the much needed food from Woolworths. Praise God, who provided a sponsor to have the car repaired. This was a very useful gift Thozamile received for his birthday. I too had a gift – Computer lessons! Hence so many photos in this newsletter! I pray they go through, or I will have to send them separately! The lessons are helping fill in gaps of things I only partly understand. Mark, our Board member has also reorganized our webpage and updated my power point. I am also learning how to do this too! I really am such a novice and feel like such a dummy, but I shall persevere!

JUNE

Cape Town’s very wet and freezing cold winter descended on us in full force! We are always grateful for rain to fill the dams, keeping water restrictions at bay in summer. However, I envy those of you who live in the Northern Hemisphere enjoying lovely hot summer weather at present. Being truly African, I do love summertime, with sunshine and high temperatures! Fortunately, thank the Lord, we do have some beautiful crisp sunny days in between all the rainy ones. This helps keep me sane till spring, as I wait for the warmer weather to arrive!

The ankle I broke does not take kindly to this weather either and it aches constantly when cold! However, Praise the Lord – I am walking without a crutch, this month, faster and quite far too, thank the Lord. On the first Sunday in June, we celebrated the 3rd Birthday of the church building. Some members from our Durbanville Church joined us in the service. We also celebrated my birthday and Thozamile’s 2nd wedding anniversary. Refreshments were served after the service from our “new” Kitchen! Quite a special time for all of our Church folk.

The 2nd Sunday, 15th June, we celebrated Father’s day. We are thrilled to inform you that more men joining us in the service, an answer to years of prayer. It was Thozamile’s son, Lelethu’s 16th birthday, and our Sunday school superintendent, Lukhaya turned 21! We also welcomed 5 volunteers from Ireland to hayelitsha. They are friends of Mikey, all under 20 years old. They volunteered to spend three weeks of their college break here, in Cape Town, to work with the children.

They represent different churches in Belfast, Ireland and raised funds for projects in this Ministry. For: The Education fund, that assists very poor children pay their school fees, get them uniforms, transport money, stationery and for school outings. Also, funds for the 2 preschools we work with, to cover, basics like toiletries, food, medicines and building materials. For the Youth ministry, for a much sort after outing, [This is a huge treat for them, as young folk can’t afford to go anywhere]. Funds were also given for basics, bread and veggies for soup for seniors. What a joy and a blessing they were. We were able to ccommodate them in the Church Hall [in the prayer room] for 3 weeks. God provided them with new mattresses and blankets [now given away], and with Mikey’s car, they were able to shop for food, go to the bank, post office. They also drove to the city of Cape Town, visited the Waterfront with it’s markets, great for souvenirs. Fortunately, they had some great weather, and a lot of sunny days. God smiled on them.

The next day, Monday 16th June, is a public holiday in South Africa. It is called Youth Day, and this day commemorates the brave Youth, who in 1976, in Soweto, Johannesburg, marched in the streets in their thousands, protesting against the government’s law that they be taught in Afrikaans at school, instead of their home languages. A peaceful demonstration that ended in tragedy. Police tried to stop the march, firing at them with live bullets! Scores of defenseless students were killed. This day honours them, and serves as a reminder that this will never happen again. Youth day was a celebration to these young lives.

Mikey and our youth leaders prepared and organized this day, with everyone contributing to a portion of the programme. The day started behind schedule, (due to heavy rain), 70 children did arrive early, and were treated to fun and games with the leaders, who made them balloon animals to take home. They were given chips and apples, and sent on their way, as the youth began arriving for registration.

After registering, the youth were served coffee and biscuits, which was a very gratefully received in the cold weather. This was gift from Sipho, one of our leaders. Then the celebrations began, everyone singing praises to our Lord. The crowd breakers were lots of fun, relaxing everyone into a joyous mood. Choirs from other areas around Khayelitsha sang, some groups danced, showing how much talent there is amongst the youth. These choirs were not on the programme but, being polite to our visitors, they were given the opportunity to perform. This is difficult when your culture centers round strict time keeping, as it does utside the Township. Here people are valued more important than programmes. Church services, meetings, weddings, funerals, will usually go over time and no one is concerned except the outsiders, which find it very frustrating.

The lectures Elijah gave were well received. Groups of youth worked together to find the answers to the questions he asked from the Bible. Wanda the MC, [who allowed the “extra” items on programme, and has visited and spoken in Mikey’s Church in Belfast, Ireland], brought the day to a close. He introduced Mikey to present his message from the Bible. His friends, who gave some “graphic illustrations”, to everyone’s delight, assisted Mikey, the youth really got the message! 12 precious souls made commitments to Christ, such a blessing and worth all the hard work. The day ended late in the afternoon, no one wanted to go home – so they just “chilled”. The added blessing on this day was that the lunch, a really delicious “Bag” lunch, served to the 150 plus youth including leaders and staff, was another gift from the Irish group. A memorable day for everyone who was there. The report back the next day, was so positive. Everyone had been blessed and had a great day. It was a success with the youth, who have asked for this day be made an annual event! Thank you Jesus.

In June, Xenophobia attacks on refugees hit world headlines. This was a tragic and shameful time for South Africans. Foreigners were chased by locals, their houses [shacks] and businesses ransacked and burned. More than 60 people lost their lives, many of them local folk. Local folk have been living in appalling conditions in Townships for generations, [there are at present 220 shack areas in Western Cape alone].

They have seen very little change in the conditions they live under. Hundreds of these families have been on housing waiting lists for more than 30 years. They have not had the opportunity to get an education, and do not have the education or skills, to find employment to enable them to get out of poverty, or improve their lifestyle. Refugees have education, and are getting good jobs! They have skills and start small businesses, which flourish, enabling them to afford to buy houses!

The locals see this, but not the ability to attain this themselves. Over many years this has led to deep depression, then resentment, [understandable] and finally hatred as thousands of Refugees kept pouring in from Zimbabwe and other war torn countries, until it all boiled over into violence. Such a tragedy.

That is why for the past 15 years, the Education Fund has given scores of young folk the opportunity of a basic education, by means of God’s servants [you] sending funds to us. This has helped enormously. Young folk can see and believe in God’s provision and love for them as individuals. It has also deepened their Christian belief, as God’s word has clearly shown them their self worth and given them self-confidence. Poverty a huge problem here, and it will take further generations before it can be eradicated. I know hundreds of children desperate to learn and go to school, but cannot due to lack of funds. Please continue sponsoring these children, I value every cent sent for them.

Our partners in ministry in Germany, raised funds from their project “Kleidekammer”. This enabled us to purchase 250 blankets, food and medicine for 2 preschools, children under 6 years old. In this cold wet weather it really helped keep hunger and sickness at bay. This is an ongoing and overwhelming need. Our Church in Australia – St. Swithuns – has helped enormously to assist us to continue to provide food, warm clothing, like shoes for scores of people – not just children, but families and elderly folk. There have been tremendous calls for help from churches to help with refugees, and we were so grateful that we could also contribute to this need. It truly is a blessing how God uses His people to provide for the needy. I thank you, be blessed too.

Another blessing came from the pupils of Grove Primary School in Claremont, where I live, who did an awesome job collecting 15 refuse bags of warm clothing and 3 boxes of packet soups. This annual event of theirs helped literally hundreds of cold and hungry children in Site B. Our 6 Irish volunteers and 4 staff members took hours sorting jerseys into sizes, before the children were allowed into the little preschool, 10 at a time, for a jersey and packet of soup! This is a highlight of their day, and there is much excitementhaving a change of clothes!

JULY

The day before Mikey’s 19th Birthday, the 3rd July, his friends had to return home. We arranged a surprise birthday party for him and a farewell lunch for the group. It was also my first time driving! Not even the Van [Kombi] giving trouble to get started could detract from our joy. However, I was disappointed, as due to this breakdown I could not take them to the Airport. Sipho used Mikey’s car and Thozamile his, to catch their flight and say a sad farewell. We sure miss them.

Zukie and Lulu are running the children’s club Mikey started 3 months ago. It is a hit with the local children; we have approximately 50 every Thursday. The children have a snack, usually bread, peanut butter and jam [sponsored, and for most the only food of the day]. They sing and play games and are learning how to trust God. Being taught by leaders in their own language is great progress. Children can ask questions, talk of their problems, be prayed for, knowing God will answer their prayers and help them to cope. Many are abused and have horrendous home situations. They learn not only that God loves them, but also that Jesus is their friend and Saviour. We are very thankful to God for giving Mikey the burden to visit us, to teach the leaders to compile a programme and give the lesson each week for club. This month the teaching is on Noah. We are aware that Satan will always try to prevent progress and development in ministry, but with continued prayer he will never win!

The Irish volunteers preferred working with the children in poor areas particularly Site B, rather than visit tourist spots. They did a holiday club one week with these children, teaching them about Jesus and at the same time having lots fun and games. The children were treated to sandwiches, sweets and other treats.

They did however visit a few tourist spots. Six of them in a small car, a 2-hour drive to a Game Park, was a very uncomfortable ride! Fortunately, being young and skinny, they were game for anything, and were glad of the experience. They were delighted they saw “the big 5”. This is a ‘must see’ for anyone traveling to Africa! The other tourist spot they were pleased to have visited was Robben Island, and saw Mandela’s cell – a moving experience for anyone. The weather also held for a trip up Table Mountain. Mikey had a few days after his friend’s left, to say his good byes, and see other sights. Hour Bay where we had great fish and chips! and a rather scary drive along Lion’s Head in and out of low cloud, to see the lights of Cape Town at night, we just made it. Mikey drove very well too!

The day after retuning to Ireland, devastating storms, floods and snow on the nearby mountains, arrived in full force. It poured solidly for 3 long days, even my garden was flooded – I have never seen this in 20 years of living here. As always the poorest of the poor were hit the hardest. Their meager possessions washed away, their shacks marooned in lakes of water. Thousands were left destitute with absolutely nothing except the clothes they were wearing. The area was declared a disaster area. Churches collected food and clothing, bedding, toiletries etc. and the local disaster organizations were well organized, transporting folk to dry shelter. However, these families have to start all over again from scratch. Our church was also damaged. There are several holes in the roof, this left pools of water in the Church Hall. The Ministers office had water running down the walls, and a lot of damage. The electricity was damaged, so there was no heat or were we able to cook any food. Our staff too did not escape the floods either, their houses flooded, and they could not come to work, before they had drained the water away. The cost of repairs is enormous, which we shall fund raise to do the repairs. Thanks to Mikey, his group, St. Swiz. Church, and local donors, we were able to get blankets, food and soup for the needy. This will be an ongoing need for many weeks to come.

The Court case for the eviction order is due soon. However we [and the Lord] have won Round 1 – and are now legally allowed to use our own property for Sunday school! The next round, court case, is a claim the tenants are making that we owe them R60,000 [plus interest] for a donation received for the preschool, which they claim was for them personally[?]. It was never a personal donation, but toward the overall cost of building the preschool! We look forward to when the preschool can function again with Christian management, Christian teachers, teaching Christian morals, bible stories and getting Christian input. Lastly, I am so thankful that Thozamile was able to have a week away, to relieve the stress of the past 4 months, thanks to a donor concerned for his welfare. He had a wonderful time of refreshment, reading, playing tapes and DVD’s and just spending time with God and visiting with his brother. Mark and Cyndi Parris visited us on the Sunday he was away, Mark preached and Cyndi was so amazing being totally involved with the congregation. We love them dearly and had a great time with this wonderful couple, who have Khayelitsha and it’s congregation in their heart.

PROJECTS AND CHALLENGES

Completion of the Kitchen. Funds needed for a refrigerator and freezer - for the Soup Kitchen. 5 million Rand to be raised for the Life skills centre, before we start. As a Charity, no Bond available.

PERSONAL CHALLENGE

• To be able to drive the van more than I am able to at present, without it damaging the ankle.
• To be more of an advisor and mentor to the staff and ministry. To have God reveal to me where I need to go for funding for the new Phase 4.
• For God to guide our partners in Ministry and their support in future, to give them insight and guidance. For God to provide leadership and support in ministry for the minister and the Elders.
• For God to provide Board Members for the next financial year – Next March 2009.

Thank you all for your part in Ministry with us, we value every drop of your support in prayer and finances. Please continue to pray daily for this work. Thank you and God bless you abundantly, with much love and blessings, Your Missionary in Africa, Laura

PRAYER REQUESTS

Protection against Satan’s attacks: on persons, property, vehicles, buildings, homes and families Provision for Ministry needs: – for new sponsors, to cover Church expenses and helping the community. Building expenses - to complete Kitchen - and funds to build a Life skills centre. Wisdom for Keith our Lawyer in next court case – pray against corruption in justice system The Soup Kitchen - for the new ministry to take off smoothly - provide/donate for the soup.

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)