Hi there my beloved partners in Ministry,

Here is the latest update – my humble apology for the delay due to pressure of work.

I also apologise that I have had little time to spend on compiling it, placing the photos randomly – however I am sure you will follow from the captions – Thanks!

Being February already Christmas and all that business seems so long ago.

I pray you had a blessed Christmas and fantastic start to 2010? I certainly have. In fact I know this year is going to be the best year for Ministry

We are having wonderful weather, and everywhere there are flowers and beautiful trees.[This is only in the world here in the suburbs of Cape Town  – NOT in Khayelitsha – a different world of poverty and deprivation there – the diverseness of being a cross cultural Missionary here].  Being African I really love and appreciate these long hot summer days. Thanks be to God for His kindness in giving me Ministry here in Cape Town where the weather suits me perfectly.

Outside the entrance of Kuyasa Primary School. The Principal and teacher – receiving bags of gift packs [254] mid-February 2010. The last of our sorting and packing till Nov 2010!

On Friday 12^th February –gifts were given to the AIDS orphans - children 6 years to 14 years old, Every gift was lovingly sorted according to age, and  had a mixture of items from a toy to stationery/hat/t-shirt/socks/toiletries/balls [according to the age], plus sweets, chips and biscuits. The joy on the children’s faces was such a blessing to us and worth all the hard work! Unfortunately, we can never cover ALL the needy children – there are over 1200 students in the school.

NOVEMBER

This was a very traumatic month. The tenants of the preschool were finally evicted. However the manner in which this was done was most stressful and distasteful. Due to the manner in which the tenant conducted herself, and her drunken behaviour – we allowed them to take everything! She ripped the phones out the wall sockets, took light bulbs, the front door mats, out of their settings, she even stole the paint and painted their house and garage with it. The renovations have cost a wopping R88, 000! God continues to provide! He is already giving back all that the locusts have eaten. In December and January we received numerous donations from our wonderful supporters have completely paid for all the renovations!

Answer to prayer – they have dropped the Appeal and been given containers and land where they can have their own preschool.

Children [2-3 year olds] with Christmas gift in the newly painted preschool.

A very large donation by Partners in Ministry have paid for an Alarm system,  moving and re- erecting fencing, a gate for one side of the preschool property .The premises also had to be fumigated twice to get rid of the cockroaches! We are now in the process of equipping the preschool. This has been such an amazing answer to prayer .In January a partner in the Lord’s work for over 20 years visited from Germany. Sandy, recently had her 40^th birthday and friends gave funds instead of gifts, for children in Khayelitsha.  So, went shopping and bought our first 100 chairs, 10 tables, plastic bowls, spoons and mugs! This was just a couple of days before we re-opened the Sunday school this year, so the children did not have to sit on the floor! – God’s timing is perfect! Another friend donated 2 very large carpets from her home, so that the smaller children had them to sit on in Sunday school.

Toward the end of November the Sunday school party. Here, a group of the children on their way home with an iced lolly [ice cream]

A Church in Germany who have been partners and donor for many years, donated funds to buy a stove, pots, pans - all kitchen utensils, plus 40 mattresses! They are being made for us, as this is a large order for the factory!

I had an email from a dear Brother in Scotland who donated funds for 10 blankets, and 4 heaters.

A Church – St. Swithuns – committed partners for many years in Australia, raised funds for cupboards in 3 rooms, 4 cots, and to fix the play park equipment and replace 5 broken swings.

We are buying small quantities of every item needed in order to completely equip the preschool. Once we have all the basics, and our children, [first batch!] we will add more equipment! We need a lot of specific equipment for the babies, like a microwave for the babies bottles, face flannels for every baby and child, nappies [diapers] and cleaning toiletries, changing beds, sheets etc. The older children [3 separate groups] will need specific educational equipment, required for teaching areas, such as, a building block area, a paint area, with bowls for paint, paper, paint/brushes/play dough, aprons etc. Another is a housekeeping area, with small stove/table/chairs, bed/dolls etc. A book and puzzle area with low shelving. They will need a sand pit and equipment for water based activities. The detail is for you to visualize the bigger picture for 300 children.

Site B Babies and very happy mothers receiving gifts of T-shirts/toiletries and soft toys

God is good, burdening hearts of His people, all over His world, to generously give toward His work here in Khayelitsha. I am so excited to see everything coming together as He pours out His blessing on us.

We need work done on the outside play area, as everything is rusted, broken, un-ustable and un-safe to play on.God has already sent us 2 handy men to assist and they are doing a fine job of getting everything back into good working order.

We are also in the process of getting the preschool registered, working with the Social services and other local bodies, like the Education and Health Dept, as well as getting prepared for prospective teachers and principal. There is so much to learn! However God has provided here too. Christian ladies, running preschools in the area are willing to help us with contracts, fee charges, accounting and admin. etc We can learn from their experience, and we are enormously grateful for this. Jehovah Jirah!

One of our teens that helped with a pile of Gift packs – over 2000 made for Site B Children for Christmas

As you know from my previous News/prayer letter, from October till well into December we collect thousands of toys, sport equipment, party goodies  school stationery, toiletries, clothing etc. for over 2,000 gift packs we made up. Several parties were organised for hundreds of children, I was fearful, due to the economic climate, knowing people were suffering financially, not be many would be able to give. I was totally wrong! God proved to me that people have wonderful compassion and love for these poor children. This was the best year ever – I was astounded, we have NEVER worked so hard as a team, spending days collecting, sorting and making up these gift packs. Our focus this time was aimed toward babies and older children in their early teens, and we were delighted at the response as folk gave very generously for this need. Besides the parties, we handed out toys and gift packs for over 5 hours to the greatest number of children to date. This was done with 15 helpers keeping the discipline!

A group of Kids who waited hours to get a gift

I must thank so many people, churches and many individuals who gave so selflessly – too many to mention here, but God knows who you are and I know he will bless and honour everything you gave.

I would also like to thank my girls who worked so hard with me and have such a love for the children, that nothing is too much work for them, Noswe, Zukie, Lulu, EB, and Antoinette, God bless you all.

One of the Christmas parties –for our Kids Club [IKAMVA – meaning future] – held in the Church – Some of the children  served by our great staff.

DECEMBER

In keeping with all the activities before Christmas – I would also like to thank everyone who so generously provided for the Church and congregation. Gifts for the elderly, gifts for the men and women in church and even gifts were given especially for the church children.

Children receiving Christmas gifts in Church

Thank you to all the ladies and men of our CESA churches who gave so many people a joyous and blessed celebration of our dear Saviour’s birth. I am indeed in a very privileged place, as I see the joy and gratitude to God for other brothers and sisters in Christ showing their Christian love to them.

Pastor Toni and Mr Samente in Church

I could not complete the Christmas news without commending our Pastor and his Elders for their sterling effort in raising funds for the Church Christmas lunch, by having a “Funny Hair Day” at Church. The congregation gave toward the person who they thought had the “funniest” hairstyle! Sorry to say the Pastor did not win – but really enjoyed wearing his wig!

Lastly in brief, we have our plans on track to be submitted to Council, and all going smoothly. We will have our Life skills centre built before the end of 2010, God willing. I would ask you to pray for a Pastor for the Youth, as we will then have accommodation for him to live, as the Centre will have a 3 bed-roomed flat [Apartment].

PERSONALLY

I thank you for all your loving concern and prayers for my health. Even though there has been no time for relaxation or a holiday, God has kept me strong and energized. [Isaiah 40 v 29 – 31] – one of my favourite verses! I hope to have a couple of days in March. Please continue to pray for the Arthritis in the shoulders.

Please also pray for the vehicle I drive, it needs to be maintained and repaired.

Pray for this year, as I get ready to retire, that the delegation of work will go smoothly and that everyone will cop. Also, that funds will be received, to provide for all the salaries and church needs. Thank you all so much.

I shall try to be on time with our next News/Prayer letter. Thanks again for your patience with me. Take care, lots of love and blessings to you and your

Laura.

Your Missionary in Khayelitsha, Cape Town – SOUTH AFRICA