Hi there - my wonderful and faithful partners in Kingdom work here in Khayelitsha.
I pray your year has got off to a good start?
The Ministry has – it is so fantastic to have such a positive start to the year, after all the many challenges of 2010.
It is pretty hectic trying to get all the organizing done now and while I am away till after Easter on my fund raising trip to Australia. I leave on the 20th March and return to Cape Town on the 7th May.

ANSWERS TO YOUR PRAYERS.
I will give you some of the best news first.
Due to your faithful prayers – the Court case has now been taken off the Judges Role – this means, because they were still “not ready” with their documents – after a postponement for them to “get ready” – 6 months ago – they will now have to re-apply – only when they have all the relevant documents. This is a great relief for the present, so I can go away with a peaceful mind. Thanks for your prayers, continue to pray that next time the case will be dismissed.

The other great answer to prayer is Thozamile. The Doctors have managed to kill ALL the Cancer cells of his Leukemia, and he needs only to report regularly. He was paid out his Medical Aid which will supplement his Income monthly – an answer to prayer as I am no longer able to give him full support. Our God moves in mysterious ways. He has his Insurance Investment as cover for his son should anything happen to him. Praise the Lord! Jehovah Jirah!I will now fill you in on events after the last report sent to you in November.My health has improved drastically. I have gained the weight back I lost and also sleeping better. However, there seems no cure for the coughing. Pray I don’t cough too much on the plane and worry passengers! The TB results were negative, and both the ENT Doctor and the Pulmanologist gave the all clear. Praise the Lord! Numerous allergy tests have shown that I am allergic to grass? - and wheat!

PROGRESS OR LACK THEREOF!
I am still no wiser with my computer skills, as I have simply not had the time to spend on it – but, it does have an updated system, ADSL, which is so much quicker.

BUILDING DEVELOPMENTS!
Our building plans were passed, in December for the Life Skills Centre, and plans made to start building this year. However, there have been delays in getting it started. Issues had to be sorted out with the Community Development Forum or KDF. They arefairly satisfied for the present, pray it remains that way. They wanted more labourers they chose from the community to have jobs, and we are unable to employ unskilled folk to do the professional work – like brick laying. The unskilled men have been employed to dig foundations.

1102-digfoundations[Digging the foundations]

The concrete will laid, hopefully in the 2nd week in March, then the building will commence, thanks be to God. Please pray for protection of the materials and security guards. The wind has been quite a challenge, blowing the sand back into the foundation dug, making more work. It has blown the security fence over twice, maybe a blessing in disguise, as it needs to be more secure, or the bricks could vanish!

The Electricity was eventually re-connected at the Church on the 1st February so we are thrilled. We can now freeze donated bread for sandwiches for the Kids, and veggies for our seniors soup kitchen. It has costs us thousands – but a good investment all the same.

MINISTRY UPDATE
Christmas and New Year were hectic. This begins in October, as was mentioned previously in my Newsletter. All the many parties and hundreds of gift packs for children in Sunday school, kids klub, seniors and our congregation, were done then. Thanks to so many donors and local churches for your valuable contributions. I was able to obtain enough toys and party goodies to reach our goal of 5,000. Every gift pack was labeled with age, boy or girl, then sorted and packed into black bags, transported to Site B and set out on tables

1102-sortedgiftpacks[Some of the bags of sorted gift packs]

[AIDS orphans receiving gift packs]

1102-orphansreceivegiftpacksWe received funds from caring donors which enabled us to buy and make up 400 gift packs for the AIDS orphans, mostly school needs plus some party goodies and soft toys for the small children. This was done after the schools had re-opened this year, and the children had been assessed by their teachers. The School staff and children were delighted with the late “Christmas gifts”.

SOCCER MINISTRY
1102-soccerbraaiThere are now 6 Teams and Andile has 3 coaches working with him. They have won a lot of their games done well Tournaments against stronger and more experienced teams
The highlight of the year was a delicious BRAAI! [barbeque] for 60 players, held at the Ministers house .

[Enjoying a huge plate of food!]

SUNDAY SCHOOL
Early in January we had our Sunday Teachers Training by Bridgette. There are 5 new Teachers, including a young couple. This is wonderful, as we now have 2 men teachers. They all seem to be settling in well and assisting the 4 other teachers.
This year we have a Roster for teachers to take turns in worship, prayer, birthdays, and prepared all the Lessons and handwork, for Easter too, as I will be in Australia.

1102-christmaslunch[Some of the teachers enjoying Christmas Lunch]

PRESCHOOL UPDATE
This is progressing well. More renovations have been completed – so we are nearly ready to open. The teachers have been chosen by the Uyesu Unathi Church steering committee and have been evaluated by our Uyesu Unathi Board with regard to their spiritual standing. They will work on a 3 months trial period, starting the end of March. They won’t receive much pay at first until fees come in to support them. This will be difficult, yet necessary, as we must start with solid foundations ,and set standards for the future. Please pray for us all to have wisdom and discernment to make the right choices.

DONATIONS
The Nozukile Preschool has been blessed with a donation from Germany, for four cots for babies, and food. I was also able to make gift packs for the 62 children and staff in November, an early Christmas! Praise the Lord.
Without generous donors like this, thousands of children would not have been blessed, receiving gifts items of clothing, toiletries, toys and snacks. God will truly bless you. A joyful time for all .

1102-toddlersgiftpacks[Toddlers with gift packs at Nozukile preschool]

SITE B CHRISTMAS TOYS
This past Christmas the staff spent several days making gift packs, from 1102-mothergiftpacksbabies to 15 years olds. Many of the older ones, have never had a gift for Christmas, We took only 4 hours to hand out, 2 hours sooner than the previous year, as the packs made it easier and quicker for the helpers. We are really getting this very organized, the only chaos is outside, where the men, the Minister is in charge, try to keep order, and prevent children from storming the preschool!

[Mothers waiting for gift packs]

1102-beachoutingBEACH OUTING
Our annual outing to the Beach turned into 2. We were nearly blown away by the strong “South Easter” wind the first time – so it was brief visit, just time for snacks and cool drinks when we arrived, a swim [about an hour] then a quick shower and change, and away from the wind to enjoy what the kids love the most, “Fish and Chips” at the local chippie!

The second trip was with our beloved Sandy from Germany, her first time to be here in Cape Town for Christmas in 20 year. This was a perfect day and greatly enjoyed by all.


[3 of the 8 children I took with their new swimming gear!]

EDUCATION
1102-sizaI would also like to thank God for all of you who helped with your kind and generous donations to supply the children with school requirements. School fees, uniforms, shoes, book bags, and stationery. Scores of children received basics to get them started for their new year. Thanks to Grove Primary for used school stationery. It helped scores of children and went like “hot cakes” - in minutes! We have a “new Boy” – who began Grade 1 this year. Siza, the son of Lulu and another boy Loyiso [12] the son of Andile .

[Siza, minus front tooth with his first school uniform]

1102-loyiso

[Loyiso happy with his new clothes,bag and school shoes]

As I write this – I only have 2 weeks to prepare for the trip to go to Australia. I would like to request your prayer support for everything to run smoothly while I am away, especially the building project and the Pre-school re-opening.

I ask for your prayers please for the trip itself, it is a very long trip and I have quite a heavy schedule once I arrive. I need energy to cope, as I am exhausted at present, and I will have little time to recover from this and jet lag before the schedule begins 2 days after I arrive. I want to enjoy every minute there, and give supporters my best. Later on in the trip I will have some off time, and this sounds pretty exciting. I am greatly looking forward to seeing everyone, especially my dearly beloved Irene, who took care of me for 2 months when I broke my foot and who sponsored the trip. Please can I ask for prayer for Ministry work. That fund Raising will go well and God’s people will open their hearts and pockets, and share with us to become partners in the Lord’s work here In Khaye. I have so much to share with them about His work and plans for the future. Please pray for healing, as the cough is still present, not as bad as 2 months ago, but still wakes me at night.

Thank you all for your continued support for this Ministry this year, and serving God with us. I pray for you all to have a blessed year, may He grant you all your deepest heart’s desires, and may you grow in your relationship with Him.

Together we serve,
Loving you in Jesus,
Laura