Gray Family Missions - Nov/Dec 2022 Update - Read on to hear about what God is doing in our lives. View this email in your browser
Gray Family Ministry Update
Merry Christmas! We hope everyone is having a lovely & blessed start to the holiday season! We are excited to be able to share with you all the wonderful things God has been doing over the last few weeks...
Bokamoso Christmas Party!
115 Christmas gifts had been bought and carefully wrapped, ensuring they were personalized for each child. 121 Food parcels had been planned and packaged. A special meal for over 125 people had been prepared and was ready to serve. The arts & crafts were ready to go. The church hall was decorated, and a bible message had been carefully considered. The kids had arrived...we were ready to party! ....
At the very back of the hall sat a row of little boys, all looking wide-eyed and also a little worse for the wear. Just that morning, a friend had dropped off a few large bags of clothes...just the right size for these youngsters. I discreetly called each of them outside...what did they need the most? Pants? A warm top? Shoes? Digging through the bag, we tried to match up what item would fit them best.
One little boy with a precious smile clearly needed new shoes...the pair he was wearing looked far too big for him. But there were no shoes his size in the bag. A quick plan was made, and shoes were bought from a nearby store. Upon showing him the new shoes, his face lit up, and an even bigger smile appeared...these were his to keep...forever?! Yes! His old shoes were removed...upon doing so, it was seen that not only were they too big, but they also had only half of the bottom... the heel section was completely worn away. Through a shy grin, he spontaneously gave me a huge hug!
I found out that he lived in the informal settlement near to the church, one with some of the poorest tin shacks and garbage-strewn areas I had seen. The little boy, around Emma's age, had lost both his parents; he was, therefore, being "fostered" by a family friend, someone who drank more than they cared for him. A neighbor was looking out for him, and thus he was one of the kids Bokamoso helped provide food to each month. As the party went on around us, I felt so blessed that God had brought this sweet boy to us and that He had brought a piece of joy into his life by providing him with new, fitting shoes... it was the best Christmas gift I could have wished for.
Click on the photo below to watch a short video reel of the party!
Hlanganani Christmas Party!
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt.28:19)
The day had finally arrived…our annual Hlanganani Christmas celebration! The day dawned with dark, cloudy skies…would the weather hold out? Our kiddos were so excited for a day of swimming, fun on a slip ‘n slide, and of course, wonderful, delicious food! The weather was kind to us, and the kids got to enjoy all of the above. Tummies filled with chicken kebabs, rolls, coleslaw, watermelon, and chips were a great way to celebrate the year! And, of course, an amazing cake!
After months of teaching on the subject and praying for the children, it was really special to be able to baptize and prophesy over 15 children (including our own daughter, Emma), each child making a declaration to follow God and live a life that is pleasing to Him. Our prayer is that He will envelop each and everyone in His love and protection.
A few serious matters also had to be discussed, specifically around the teenagers trying their best to improve their school grades next year and committing to making a greater effort in school or discussing with us an alternative route. The discussion was rounded up with a teaching from John 15 – Jesus is the “vine, and we are the branches” – the importance of being connected to Him in order to grow and have a fruitful life. All enjoyed fun word searches and coloring sheets too.
The day ended with the much-anticipated Christmas boxes! Hlanganani Orphan Care was incredibly blessed to receive support from a local church, where members generously helped gift Christmas boxes to our children. Lovely items such as t-shirts, flip flops, toys, tasty sweets, and essentials such as toiletries and stationery filled the colorfully wrapped boxes. The kids, young and old, were so excited; as each parcel was handed out, loud cheers and clapping were heard from and for each child!
Last but not least, as the children got ready to head home, those old enough got a fresh round of donated toilet paper packs to sell in their informal businesses – learning valuable entrepreneurial skills and making monies to spend on necessities and things they enjoy! It was an awesome day all in all!
The Gift of Food
The township of Alexandra is one of the oldest and more notorious townships in Johannesburg, with crime and poverty being rampant throughout the area. Over thirty of Bokamoso's children live within the township, some residing in an area where over 100 people share only two toilets.
When speaking with these young boys and girls, many around seven and eight years old, the main struggle they have is that of food. A sweet little girl softly said that she and her siblings "often don't eat more than we do" and that it is very hard on them. The wonderful school they attend helps provide them with a meal during the school year. However, during our Summer break of over six weeks (happening now), the school is closed, and therefore Summer vacation means hunger for the children.
It was, therefore, a great blessing to be able to put on a little Christmas party for the kids and provide them with hearty, nutritious food parcels to help see them through part of the month, as well as a Christmas gift each! We are so thankful to all those who partner with us to ensure that these children know that God sees them and loves them. This was the message we emphasized during the party and one that we hope they will carry in their hearts and minds.
HELP BRING JOY THIS CHRISTMAS!
Bokamoso Christmas Gift Box Fundraiser 440 Children....300 Gifts Sponsored!
= 140 more to go!
We would love to bless the orphaned & vulnerable children we support by bringing them joy this Christmas. Please help us to do this by either donating $15 for a Christmas gift box or any amount to be put towards creating one or more boxes. We personally purchase and wrap each box, ensuring every child gets the right gifts! The children who receive these gifts will have no other presents this Christmas, so your help is much appreciated!
Boxes contain items such as toiletries, school stationery, children’s books, toys, clothes/caps, sweets, etc.
Monetary Donations: Please click the button below.
