Hi Ministry Partners, Happy Spring/Fall! We are praying that this new season brings you many joys. Also, hoping that you realize how incredibly valued you are as you read on and see all that your support and prayers do to help show God's love to those in need of hope and joy! We are thankful for you! - Ryan, Kirsten & family
When Faith Arises
I had driven through countless informal settlements before, but this one felt different, I felt uneasy, fearful…Lord, should I push through? Our little car continued further into the heart of the camp, over the deep rivets and trash down the narrow, dirt road, past the crammed wire & tin shacks. I finally made it to the shack where the Bokamoso kids were waiting. Breathe.
The kid's eager faces greeted me, I stepped over a used condom wrapper and other sewage into the neatly organized and tidy home of our host. One of the single moms who helps volunteer and works daily with the Bokamoso children in that area. The children were ravishing lovely, sweet oranges. Their smiles brought joy.
I began to share the story of Esther, an orphan, born for a specific purpose. Did they know that God had made them for a purpose? Many hands showed that they had yet to hear about who God is. Our Creator…who made our beautiful earth…I wanted to point to green trees but all I could see was dirt…everywhere. I pointed around the group, He made all of you…the most beautiful of His creations. They giggled and sat in rapt attention as the stories continued.
It was soon time to go home, so one little boy around ten jumped into the car to help navigate me through the maze. How did he like living here I asked conversationally. “I struggle at night, I don't like it here.” “Yes”, I answered knowingly, “The loud music must keep you awake every night?” “No, the gunshots do,” he replied matter-of-factly, “Someone dies every night here, I am always scared.” “What about the police?” I inquired. “They are too scared to come,” he responded. The air had held such a spirit of fear, now I realized why.
We reached the main road and he gleefully accepted my handful of sweets as thanks for his help; as he ran off back to the event, I drove home, back to the green, peaceful suburbs, a world away from those beautiful faces in that dark settlement. My heart ached, “Lord, there has to be more we can do to bring hope to these children, to give them the life You desired for them to live.” Help our faith arise so that we can bring that love and hope to each child.
One day. One step. One child at a time.
It Takes A Village
Flipping through the newspaper, I saw an article about the high amount of shack fires due to the colder nights we were having (August being winter in SA) and many people trying to stay warm by building a fire inside their shacks. At the same time, I received a call saying one of our Bokamoso families had sadly just had their home burn down due to this very reason. They had two young children, could we help? We started ransacking our closets and gathering what we could donate, but also heard about other friends who had donated clothes and household items. Food parcels were purchased as were blankets and other essentials. The family were so overjoyed...they had been given a beacon of hope as they started to rebuild their home again. It certainly takes a village...the whole body of Christ, working together to bless, comfort, and encourage those in need of extra blessings!
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (2 Corth. 1:3-4)
I had also just finished writing our Hlanganani Training Manual for all the carers, who work with the children. A section was on how to educate the children and their guardians on fire prevention and safety! Copies of this handout were quickly made so that we were able to start taking these "pamphlets" into the townships with us to educate those in most need of the knowledge! Here's hoping they will help prevent future fire disasters!
Keep Pushing On
The afternoon was beautiful as the Hlanganani kids ran about playing on the play structure and chatting to one another. Lots of shouts and laughter arose as they played tug of war… a great way to “break the ice.” This was good considering the harder conversations to come…the majority of the kids are getting 30% across the board on their school reports. They need to step up and start working to overcome the odds stacked against them.
We began looking at what they envisioned for their lives. Did they want to be unemployed and live in a tin shack for the rest of their lives or make good choices now to have brighter futures? We talked about their values and the values of those around them who influence them the most. This coming weekend, their skills and personalities will also be accessed, as well as their career options reviewed and lastly, what their God-given purpose is...what makes them tick, and what excites and motivates them? It undoubtedly will take time, weeks, and many upcoming months, but our hope is that it will spark something in them, an “ah ha” moment, that this is the reason to work hard and ultimately, the realization that they are worth it! Prays that the teenagers writing their final school year's exams shortly will study hard and apply themselves, would be much appreciated!
Financial & Personal Prayer requests:
US Trip: After over four years of being away from our US home, we are hoping to all return as a family in November/December this year. Prayers for provision for this costly trip are much appreciated!
Car:Our car is 18 years old, with parts of it being held together with duct tape! Prayers for a new car or finances to purchase an old truck would be awesome! A truck will be a huge help in all of our ministry work. The trucks we are looking at are around R145,000 ($8,000).
Bokamoso:We are so blessed with the funds to purchase food for hundreds of children each month, we just need the gas to drive the food to the children! The provision of gas funds for this ministry would help feed many hungry tummies.
