Greetings beloved partners in Ministry,

I pray you are having a blessed year, and keeping well.

We certainly have had VERY challenging months, since my last news to you.

Firsty - the computer. It simply gave up from old age, after a few weeks of trying to fix it with no success - I had to get a replacement. This has taken some getting used to.  However the upside to this, I have a system that is not 20 years old.  I am slowly getting used to the new systems, from Mark, who has given me a couple of lessons.

Secondly – Prolonged illness. Our Minister and Sipho, who runs the Youth, Thozamile, was diagnosed with Leukemia, and in and out of hospital since July. The Chemotherapy has left him with side effects, Septicemia, extreme exhaustion, and severe hemorrhoids. He is very week, but is being well looked after by his family.

Sipho was out of action for 3 month as well.  He contracted a severe viral infection that threatened to collapse his kidneys. He has lost half his weight, which is good.

Lastly, a trusted co-worker I have been training and delegating for the past 5 years was caught stealing from the church at night, and also from the congregation. Her problem was mainly her drinking. This was the third chance she was given to change her ways, so I had to let her go, as it was a bad witness. This left me devastated. These events have left a huge gap in leadership, increasing the workload, but our gracious Lord gave me the strength and persevere, Praise His name.

In June our country hosted the World Cup – the city of Cape Town was transformed, and we had much to offer the, over one million visitors, that visited our shores.

During this time, the schools were on vacation/holiday. We had 3 weeks of children’s clubs, the Theme - easy – Soccer! All our fun activities were focused on this and we have loads of laughter, joy and a very happy time for all. The children had Soccer, taught by Brad from the USA, he does soccer clinics in different areas and townships, and his amazing family came along and sang for the children in both English and Xhosa! We had everyone learning to do Diski dance – the local “World cup dance” – and, on the odd day when it rained, we had concerts with other forms of dance.

The teaching was on the life of Moses. Our materials came as a gift from USA. All the children had their own wordbooks containing the story of the day and bible verse to learn. Large colour pictures of the lessons for the 3 weeks were displayed as the story progressed, and lots of fun when teachers taught the song ”How did Moses cross the red sea”. Jehovah Jirah, the costs were met by generous donors, thanks to all who gave both in cash and in kind. Every gift helped us give these little ones a wonderful time, fed spiritually and physically.

Richard from DCC donated 100kgs of soup mix – an amazing gift – we used more that half over the 3 weeks – feeding over 200 children every day. I am now using the rest in our soup kitchen for the elderly on Saturdays On the last day 5 of my bible study ladies group, join us for the prize giving and to help with the food for lunch. This was a VERY special treat – hot dogs! The guests came laden with other treats, 200cup cakes [small individual cakes with icing/frosting and sprinkles]– NicNacks [a South African form of chips/crisps – [made from maize meal] – biscuits [cookies] - plus 200 apples! The children were delighted, and had difficulty deciding what to eat first.

God sent wonderful ladies from our church, which helped in the kitchen, preparing snacks, cool drink, and lunch. The leaders were amazing as well, 15 turned up early every day for the entire time. They had a wonderful spirit of unity, which made me very proud, showing them all love. They took part in everything, singing dancing even playing the games. I thank God for providing all the support and help that we needed to run a great club. We do indeed serve a mighty and loving Heavenly Father.

The prize giving was unbelievable – these children learned 15 bible verses– from Deuteronomy! – The winners could recite 12 and 13 verses, IN ENGLISH! – We had several other children who knew fewer verses, but all received prizes. Brad donated 12 soccer balls for the boys. Other prizes focused on the soccer mascot –  ZAKUMI! The little Lion very much loved by the children.

Usually – we only have one week of Holiday Club, but as the children had extended holidays [5 weeks due to the world soccer cup] – we decided on the middle 3 weeks.   This could help keep as many children as possible out of mischief’ or out of harms reach. Overseas visitors are not all good folk, many predators, and kidnappers for slave trade, plus the “celebrating” drunk men and drugs, added to the danger of abuse. However in spite all the hard work, everyone had a truly blessed time. Praise God

BUILDING DEVELOPMENTS

This is progressing slowly with unexpected extra expenses the world cup., and delays in Council approval for the plans However, the necessary community organizations, have been seen and after difficulty in getting their approval, we now have their “go ahead” – much of the negotiating between them was thanks to Sipho and Thozamile, [before they were so ill] This approval is vital to the smooth running of the building. The needed the QS and Architect, to also give input at these meetings. Local men must be employed in the building or no approval is given. A difficult situation - the balance between skilled and unskilled labour, as most locals are unskilled. Please pray for the ongoing success of this project. These  organizations protect us from disruptions, from unsatisfied workers, to the previous tenants who may cause trouble. It is indeed extremely difficult to build anything in a Township. Please pray for the speedy passing of the building plans. There were 8 Companies that Tendered. Pray we have enough funds to cover the company that has given us the very minimum Tender cost, to do a good job.

PRAYER SUPPORT PLEASE

My most urgent prayer is for the Court case, the Appeal the previous tenants have filed against the eviction order from the preschool. This will be in the High Court in Cape Town on the 10^th September 2010.

Pray for leadership. This too is so vital. The youth have been leaderless these past 3 months. They have tried on their own, by having choir practice, singing and leading in church. Pray Sipho will be well enough to lead the Youth in the near future.

Pray for God’s plan and purpose for the future development of the church family and the preaching and teaching of the word, to be done by Godly men who can develop and train future leaders. We are blessed in having the Rev. Phumezo Masango, from our Mandela Park Church in Khayelitshas. He is willing to take over the reigns running the church, thus relieving me of the burden of getting preachers, and generally running the Church. Please pray for him.

Both Thozamile and I have been praying for years, to be united with this church in Mandela Park. I have not had much to do with the church there since planting it in 20000 It was the second church plant I did in Khayelitsha, and since I left to do the 3^rd one where we now work, it has grown and developed under Phumezo.  Indeed the next step is something we rejoice over and are very excited about. We can thank our heavenly Father for making this possible. God’s ways are not our ways,  all in His time, Amen!

Lastly – please continue to pray for the completion of equipping the preschool. I was able to get a gas cooker, just in time to make the huge pots of soup needed for the Holiday club. It now needs to be retiled where a kitchen cupboard was taken out to accommodate it. The main item of prayer is now leadership. Who will run the preschool? We must have a Godly principal, with Christian teachers, to not only teach and love the children, but to tell about Jesus! May God give us much wisdom and discernment choosing the right CV’s. We also need Social services to help us financially with the running costs for the first few months, till we are on our feet. This will happen once the fees are paid and more children register, to cover basics like salaries and food.

Thank you for your prayers in response to the urgent email I sent, It was so encouraging all the wonderful messages and verses you sent. Sorry I could not reply individually, but have had my time cut out with admin for accountant, prep for bible studies and Sunday school, plus the above activities, I know you will understand. Thanks again.

Just when I want to retire, God shows me HE has a different plan. So I shall persevere, till HE tells me to retire. I will try to trust and OBEY!

My main prayer is for time management, wisdom and especially listening to what GOD wants, not just me being a Martha!

Please continue to pray for the Arthritis in the shoulders. This has NOW improved, as  I have been on Detox, and  not had coffee for 3 months, but,  I DO drink 10 glasses of water a day. The acid levels have dropped! This has given me relief from the pain, not completely, but bearable now and I have more flexibility. Thanks for your prayers.

Lastly please continue to pray for more sponsorship. We want Godly men to lead God’s people and they need to have a salary. So, we need more folk burdened to commit to give to God who is working in this area, to support His Ministers of the gospel, as we do need more folk truly committed family. Thank you. God bless you all. Love in Jesus –

Your Missionary in Khayelitsha, Cape Town – SOUTH AFRICA.