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weeks ago our leaders, lead by the Holy Spirit, determined what ministries each
of us would be involved in here in Jeffreys
Bay. There are nine different ministries that AIM
is involved with, ranging from house visits in the townships, to orphanages, to
after school programs with disabled children. There is a neighboring town called St.
Francis Bay,
about 30 minutes from J-Bay, where two ladies are attempting to run an after
school program for the children living in the township there. This town has never really seen missionaries
since the majority of missionaries stay here in J-Bay or other popular areas in
South Africa. Our female leaders met Judy, the lady who
runs this after school program, last year right before they left home for the
states. Judy cried out to our leaders
saying that she was so worn out and that she could not run this program
anymore. So a team from AIM came this summer
for a month and poured into the children in this community. Judy and the children were so appreciative of
their willingness to serve and love on them in any way possible that they
couldn’t wait for another team to come and share God’s love with them.
This after school program is called
“Talhado Children’s Haven”…here is what the pamphlet says about the
program: Talhado was started in 1998 to
address the needs of disadvantaged children in the areas of St. Francis Bay. Pre-primary education and a safe place to play, under adult care, was
needed. Talhado Children’s Haven now
provides for over 200 hundred children many of whom are victims of HIV/Aids,
molestation, neglect and substance abuse. A meal of soup or milk, sandwiches and fruit is also provided; for many
of these children, this is the only meal for the day. 65 children attend pre-primary school with
three teachers. The salaries of these
teachers are subsidized by Talhado Fishing Enterprises, a local Calamari
fishing company, who have also provided much of the infrastructure for the
Haven. Over 200 children enjoy the
“Speel Kliniek” in the afternoons, where we are trying to provide access to
toys, sports, arts and crafts, and life skills. The after school Care
Center is run by
volunteers from the community. All the
fund raising and administration of the Haven and pre-primary school, is done on
a voluntary basis. There are a growing
number of children affected by the Aids pandemic and the situation is
crucial. With the increase in Aids, there
is a subsequent increase in child and substance abuse. The Haven receives no subsidy and relies on
donations to keep its doors open to these children.
I, along with three others from my
team, have been chosen to serve in this Haven. We arrive at the Care
Center around 2 pm after
school is let out. Every day between 2
and 3, there is a mix of boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 8. Then on Monday’s and Wednesday’s there are
only girls in the last two hours (3-4 ages 9-12 and 4-5 ages 13+). On Tuesday’s and Thursday’s there are only
boys in the last two hours, the age groups are roughly the same as the
girls. In the hour that we have them, we
run a program with them, usually focusing on a theme in scripture and having a
Bible story, craft, song, and game that can relate to the theme for the day or
week. If the children have homework, we
first allow them to complete it and then we start the program. The last twenty minutes is devoted to a snack
of milk and biscuits (cookies) or fruit. This gives the children nutrition that they do not get at home. We have been in the township hanging out with
the children for a few weeks now, but since schools were on holiday, the Care Center
was closed. This is our first week of
assisting with the care center and we are all thrilled beyond belief.
There is one little girl, Samantha,
who has clung to me since the firs day we arrive in St. Francis, which was
three weeks ago. The second we pulled up
into the community she came running at me and jumped into my arms. She hasn’t left them since. This particular girl never has shoes on and
is always in summer clothes, even though it is pretty cold here, but she is
always smiling when I see her. She
fights with other kids to make sure that I hold only her. Her smile brings a joy to my heart that I
have not felt in so long. I feel at home
in this community and I can’t wait to see how God will use my teammates and I
to work in the lives of the people in this township. Please pray for Judy, Lesley, and Eunice who
take charge of running the Haven, as well as, the families in the community who
suffer daily from Aids, substance abuse, and so much more. Please also pray for the children that we
will be ministering to. Please pray that
God reveals Himself through us everyday to the children and that the Holy
Spirit is with them every step they take protecting them from all the negative
influence of the enemy. Thank you so
much for your support and your prayers.
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly
love. Honor one another above
yourselves. Never lacking in zeal, but
keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12:9-13
reminds me of what God has called me to do, especially in this broken, dark
community. I hope that this gives you
some insight to what I am doing here in South Africa. Please feel free to write comments or email
me thoughts and encouragement.
This is just a picture of me in the Africa Bush, where we went the first weekend we arrived for team builders and cold fun!!! I haven’t yet gotten to take pictures of my ministry site, but I will soon and be sure to post those pictures for ALL of you to see :0) 
Wow! What a privilege to serve the little ones…
On the last day, Jesus will say to those on His right hand, “Come, enter the Kingdom. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was sick and you visited me.” Then Jesus will turn to those on His left hand and say, “Depart from me because I was hungry and you did not feed me, I was thirsty and you did not give me to drink, I was sick and you did not visit me.” These will ask Him, “When did we see You hungry, or thirsty or sick and did not come to Your help?” And Jesus will answer them, “Whatever you neglected to do unto one of these least of these[children], you neglected to do unto Me!” (Matt. 25:35-40).
We are PPPs (Proud and Praying Parents). Take good care and let us know if you have any specific needs people can help with. Love Dad.
I am not at all suprised that you already have a kid fighting for you. You have always been good around children and God has placed you exactly where you need to be to serve Him and them. I wish i could actually remember the verse but James 1:27 came to mind as I was reading your blog. I hope you continue to live and love bodly over there. I will be praying for you.
Josh