Most Excellent Way

We pulled down the street in front of Ntshongweni Lutheran Church yesterday afternoon and the kids were playing everywhere.  A sunny cool afternoon.  Waves and smiles and a lot of familiar faces.  We had to stop when we saw Sanele Duma.  In our first trip 6 years ago, we met Sanele and his older brother Thanthla and sisters Buchle and Nomfundo.  They were living in their deceased parents home that was in serious disrepair, with all four family members sleeping in the same room.  Here's a photo with Nomfundo from a few trips ago.  She came and asked me to take a photo with her and we brought her a copy to keep.  She's a sweet and I believe faithful young lady.  She passed away two months ago at age 15.  Definitely look forward to seeing her in heaven.

David Platt tells us that there are 160,000,000 orphans in the world.  Right in everybody's backyard and across the earth.  An unimaginable number and an enormous opportunity.  Jessica asked the group last night what happens to an orphan when they are sick and pass away alone?

We miss her terribly...  Then we talk to Sanele about his future.  He's about to graduate high school and told us he's worried about some of his finals (Jessica offers tutoring this week).  Sanele is the young man that essentially recited the book of Daniel story to us a couple of trips ago.  I brought up the idea of Sanele going to seminary to become a pastor (mfundisi in Zulu).  Sanele pushed out his chest and said; "I would love to work for God."  Out of adversity comes blessing.  Amen. 

Here's Sanele with Jessica yesterday...

Pastor Thwala spends the time between our visits being a good shepherd.  He learns of the people in Ntshongweni with the greatest need and prayerfully considers how to assist in "the most excellent way".  We met last night and reviewed Pastors plan for the week to make this happen.  Reminding ourselves that Jesus brother James tells us; "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. " (James 1:27 NIV)

One of our opportunities is to serve Gogo Zulu and her three orphans that she cares for.

This week we'll be ensuring that the building materials are arrived and ready and the site is prepared for their new home.  Then our local builder Johannes will get to work mixing a cement floor, setting concrete block, doors, windows and a roof for this family.  Here's their current home:

As we get to know more about these boys, we'll let you know throughout the week.

Please pray for the 160,000,000 orphans across the world and that they know their Father in heaven.