Good-day - all my precious partners in Ministry in Khayelitsha.

It is halfway through the year, as I write this, and what an exciting year it has been for us here so far! My being away for 6 weeks has had its blessings, and challenges, one being trying to “catch up”- these past weeks. Please accept my apologies.

So much happened on my trip “down under” – I thought I would make this report just on that trip, only to find so much has happened here too while I was away! I will try to fit all I can to share with you – with lots of photos.

 

 

I had a great flight, and Irene met me in her lovely car.

I was so excited I wanted to see everyone a.s.a.p. – so went to Irene’s bible study group that night. Irene generously sponsored my flight with her flyer miles. This lady is truly amazing. She travels all over the world regularly. She came to S.A and looked after me when I broke my foot, and visited Khayelitsha. She attends St. Swithun’s church, one of the two churches who support this Ministry. Irene arranged the schedule for me, meetings. Church services, youth and ladies meetings, bible studies, etc. The Pastor is Roger Chilton.

 

The first Saturday, a trip on the Roger and his wife Sue’s boat, and served a very favorite dish of mine-prawns. Turns out we all loved them. Irene also served them for dinner on my arrival in Sydney YUM!

It was great renewing friendships made on 2 previous visits 6 and 10 years ago. Irene is an amazing organizer. I was spoilt with delicious meals she cooked. I loved her cozy apartment and got to know her special cat Vernon, sitting here in his favorite place - [his bed]- in the kitchen window. Irene literally zoomed me around in her snazzy convertible, sometimes with the roof down, everywhere I needed to be, and I am grateful to God for her, and all she did for me on the trip.

 

In April, Irene took me by car, to the famous Great Ocean road, down in Victoria. We stopped at several 2 bedroomed self-catering apartments every other night, every one better than before. We felt like queens, especially me being catered for!

We stopped on our way to Victoria and visited dear friends in Kiama, Bryan and Marilyn, who are faithful partners for many years, and spent a couple of days with them. I was able to renew friendships and updated the ladies Craft group on the Ministry. They gave us a wonderful welcome, delicious lunch, and me a beautiful gift box filled with cards they had made. From there we travelled to the road with breathtaking scenery, very beautiful. God graciously giving us good weather too, Praise His name.

 

The most memorable part of this 3500 mile trip for me – was the little Penguins, only 16cm tall and the 12 Apostles, huge towers of sandstone in the ocean, magnificent!

 

 

On our way back to Sydney, we spent a weekend with our family friends in Melbourne. They gave us a tour of the city in busses [free] that you hop on an off of to view, take photos or eat, a lovely city. Plus, a very special delicious welcome dinner Anton made, T-bone steak! On Sunday we attended their wonderfully friendly church. These warm folk gave a very gracious gift of support for the Ministry in Khayelitsha [We were strangers to them – but family in Christ].

 

When we returned, I shared a few very special hours with the ladies from all the bible study groups at St. Matthew’s Church. I had been to different groups, Sunday school etc. before the trip, but this was a farewell. This church supports children with educational needs and regularly asks for updates for prayer requests for the work had such fun with them, and their youth group. Their Pastor Gary O’Brian and youth Pastor Steve have both visited Khayelitsha. The Youth and Ladies bible study groups were awesome! Everyone was eager to absorb everything they could learn about the Ministry and culture of the Xhosa people. We had great times together, with these groups, everyone joined in learning songs in Xhosa with actions, and dance– the Xhosa way! I was delighted with their spontaneity.  

PRAYER POINTS.

 

On my return to Cape Town, I was ill mainly in bed, for 10 days with flu. I had very sad and tragic news. The first was on the day I arrived. My dear young helper, Joy, came home to find her twin brother had hung himself in her shack. She is gradually getting over the trauma. She is dealing with the pain of packing belongings, and if she has emotionally recovered by the end of June, will move back to her shack. Please pray for her to be comforted and also her 10 year old daughter who is very traumatized.

The second tragedy a week later was the death of Ken Keet. He and his wife Lorraine, very dear friends for over 30 years, and supporters of this ministry were attacked and robbed, he was killed and she was hospitalized with a fractured skill which required 20 stitches. I have been utterly shocked and devastated by this. They had been married for 54 years, and very active in Ministry. Lorraine has been an amazing witness to all the Doctors, nurses and people at hospital.

Another friend of over 20 years was knocked from behind by a car and thrown onto the road, while the car with her motorbike still on the front bumper, drove 140 meters before she stopped. Sue had broken ribs that pierced a lung, a broken foot and spinal injuries. She is still recovering after 2 operations.

 

Please continue to pray for my coughing, it is now a year since it started, it would be so lovely to just sleep through a night! My shoulders, osteo-arthritis – are less mobile, and getting less so every move is very painful, which I ignore -Thanks.

Praise God for Thozamile for he is still clear of his Cancer, and attending checkups every 2 months. He is attending gym and on a healthy diet and looks good!

 

Praise God too for the progress in the building – the roof is now going on – not too soon as the rainy season has already started. We need the roof sheeting on in order for all the inside work like the plumbing, electrical installations and plastering can be done. At present they are installing the windows. The building should be completed by end September or October due to the rainy season. The opening will be in November and you are ALL invited!

 

The Preschool opened in April, with 9 teachers, but due to insufficient children, we will have to let 4 go at the end of the 3 month trial period in June. Pray for wisdom, to make the right decisions. It still needs funds for groceries and equipment. However, it had to be opened as the Education Dept. together with the approval of the Health Dept. and Social Services, will only grant registration to a preschool that is in operation.

 

SOCCER MINISTRY  

Andile started another soccer team while I was away. A Team of Seniors. All Grandmas who love the exercise. The children run rings round them, but everyone has a lot of fun. The love kicking the ball, but as yet have no soccer gear, just their long dresses/skirts and ordinary shoes! Andile [left] is training hard as a coach and training other too.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

The Sunday school has really taken off this year. The teachers roster of activities is running smoothly, all the teachers are very confidant now in doing all the “up front work” – leading worship, welcoming, birthdays,  listening to children who have learned their bible verses, and giving the gospel presentation. Each group has their own name and they are busy practicing items to show in church this next term. We are now preparing for the school holidays and the Kids Holiday Klub in July. I can hardly believe it is a year ago we had the Soccer World Cup here.

PERSONAL

I as so pleased the exhaustion has subsided and I am  feeling more energetic. God really hammers me and forces me to stay in bed one way or another. I just pray for a decent night’s sleep. The past couple of weeks I am almost asleep by 8pm – but then up at 4 or 5 am doing admin or computer work – seems to work better for me.

I had a really wonderful birthday and was truly blessed in so many ways. Thanks to my Bible study ladies groups for their generous gifts. I had my Van fixed and several urgent work done in the house. Thanks to the friends who took me to several lunches and all who blessed me with gifts, calls and SMS [text] messages – and so many cards! Bless you all for your love, I really am so blessed having such a great family.

 

 

DONATIONS 

The past 2 months have been very disruptive. While I was away the Bank changed their procedure for ALL overseas gifts and donations sent by cheque [check]

They will return all foreign cheques to the Bank of Origin – charging collection fees – between $30- $50 per cheque. It takes 3–6 weeks for the cheque to be returned.

The way gifts and donations are accepted now is only directly through either the Internet, or from Donors Bank to our Bank here. I had to return all the cheques I had received to run the Ministry that had arrived during my time away.

This has left me battling to cover all Ministry costs and expenses. However, it is a much safer, quicker, and cheaper method, we will learn to adjust. Fortunately this is the end of our financial year, so we will budget differently for the year ahead.

Please remember to use a direct transfer, from Bank to Bank in YOUR local currency. Thank you for understanding and, may God always richly bless you all.

Loving you – as always,

Laura

Your Missionary in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. South Africa