Led by love

It’s my first two week trip to Ntshongweni over the 16 years we’ve been coming.  Such a gift to have this time.  Feeling blessed to have been weaved into this story from halfway around the world.

Gogo Ntinga-

Pastor Thwala reached out last night asking, what time will you arrive in Ntshongweni in the morning?  He asked me to wear nicer clothes because we would be visiting Gogo Ntinga.  Gogo recently lost her sister, brother and son.  She’s super emotional and grief stricken.  You can see her emotion in this photo.

After visiting, singing, and praying together, Gogo was in a better place.  I asked pastor after we left how they met.  Gogo worked as a refuse collector for Ntshongweni and pastor met her in front of his house.  In the Zulu way, whenever they saw each other they would speak and learn more.  Such community here, see in the photo below how being together in love creates joy in a dark situation.

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.””

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Ntshongweni Crèche- 

On our trip here last November, Alex and Lauren were drawn to the preschool kids and spent quite some time with them.  Joyful little ones who love attention.

It prompted Jessica and I to desire supporting the preschool team more in loving these kids.  Principal Ntombifuthi, Assistant Mpume, teacher Ntokozo, teacher Lungi, chef Nomthandazo, gardener Guduza, Rhonda, and Jessica have all worked together to help spread love to these little ones.  When they started there were 29 kids attending and now there are 64.  Wow…  I love being there with them but my gift isn’t teaching preschoolers.  Love giving hugs and playing though.

Great progress with doing learning centers, having one person arrive the kids and do activities in the fellowship hall while the other teachers prepare, organizing all of the learning materials into themes.  Such a joy seeing these kids respond.

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Senior class dedication-

We were able to attend the Woza Moya and Albini High School senior class dedication.  With prayers, singing, and much advice for the kids from many local leaders.  It was beautiful to see these kids in such a challenging environment be filled with hope and joy on a very hot day.

Painting Aubrey’s house-

Aubrey’s home was destroyed by a tornado a couple of years ago.  We had the opportunity to paint his new home and spend time with Aubrey, his wife, Sanele, Mlondi and Pastor Thwala.  It turned out great.

South African experiences-

While painting and repairing the lights in the front of the house, I had to get with google to understand wiring in South Africa.  Red/black or brown/blue.  A bit different than the USA.

Read your own electric meter and WhatsApp the power company, otherwise get a big “estimated” bill.

No water in Ntshongweni, use the gojo cistern water and a bucket to flush the potty.

Best bug killing brand ever.

Painted and repaired carriage lights at night, glad they worked.

Monkeys!  Swinging from the lights.

Beautiful- Jessica and the Protea flower.  The official flower of South Africa.

Great new friends with amazing stories- Brian and Kim who grew up here.  Helpful guides and great people.  Brought them some US cream soda that they love.  Can’t get it here.

Thatch roof repair, amazing to watch and very African.  These guys rocked it…

Amanzi Okuphila

A new chapter begins for our time serving in Ntshongweni.  This trip is the first time we’ve had a home in the area and not stayed at an Airbnb.  This allows us to stay for longer periods, Jessica and Rhonda were here for a month.  It also allows us to celebrate with the people of Ntshongweni at the house with no restrictions.  We’ve named the house Amanzi Okuphila (Living Water) as we are praying it will bring Jesus healing and joy to many.

“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.””‭‭John‬ ‭7‬:‭37‬-‭38‬

Here’s what God had in store this week.

We visited Nhlanhla’s grave to pray, clean it, and place flowers.  So thankful for him and the legacy he left with everyone of joy, peace, and love.

Our first Sunday we had a traditional Zulu meal with all of the congregation, it was awesome.

Pastor introduced Alex and Lauren to the congregation our first day here.

We didn’t tell pastor Thwala about Valerie, Alex, and Lauren coming on this trip and surprised him our first night here.  He was shocked…

We painted Sanele’s house inside and out.  Nice to see him with his own home.  He’s going to start attending security school as well.  Excited for him.  Here’s Alex and pastor getting all the gear together for painting.

We worked to setup Amanzi Okuphila for many more visits and to be a local Airbnb while we’re away.

We celebrated pastor Thwala’s wife Nomthandazo’s birthday at an American themed restaurant.  She chose it and it was a great time.

Everyone enjoyed seeing the preschool kids, especially Lauren and Alex.

We did 10 emergency food deliveries for the most in need folks in the village.  Here we are unloading the truck we hired to deliver the food to sort it out in the church.

Our rental van was a trusty delivery mobile.

It’s super fun to do this and meet the families.  This little dude loved visiting and praying together.

One of our food deliveries, a sister watching the house and kids.

Walking the pathways of Ntshongweni.

We got a whole group together to braai (cookout) to celebrate.  Here’s Sanele manning the braai.

Sanele and Aubrey greeting Tsepo who got a security job- sporting his work uniform.

Nomthandazo with her famous Zulu steam bread.  Thankful for her cooking. 

Nonthandazo, Thando, and Tamara preparing.

Mr Kohza preparing traditional Zulu sorghum beer to celebrate.  In a traditional container an ukhamba.

Rhonda took a taste among others.

Pastor, Mr Kohza, and me partaking.

Siyonda, Nkuhluleko, and Sanele taking some awesome braai leftovers at the end of an amazing evening.

Jessica reading a letter from Nkuhluleko’s sponsors Dave and Barbie.  Tears all the way around.  Nkuhluleko’s brother Sihle passed away recently in an apartment fire.  We had an opportunity to visit his gravesite, pray and place flowers.

Jessica joking around with Siyonda.

Mlondi asked us to take him to visit his mother’s grave. Here we are speaking with his family.  It was around 2 hours away and was a gift to be a part of this visit for Mlondi.

The landscaping at Amanzi Okuphila is beautiful, here’s an amazing flower in the yard.

South Africa isn’t as easy as the USA to navigate.  Sometimes feels like everything is new and challenging.  Home internet uses cell service that requires buying airtime for the SIM card.  Pastor had to show me how to load it into an African cell phone to check how much airtime is left on the SIM card.  Glad I don’t have to do this at home.

As a foreigner getting an African bank account has been a struggle.  4 weeks later just got an approval to activate an account.

Thinking about buying a Toyota Fortuner in Africa?  Be careful because they’re high risk for theft.  Zoom in on the sign here to see.

Our new neighbor is from Canada and his wife from Zimbabwe.  They operate an organization that helps people with farming while spreading the gospel of Jesus.  Excited to get back and spend more time with them.  He gave me good advice as a non-resident to navigate South Africa- focus on the next step rather than the end goal.  God’s teaching me something.

South Africa is always an amazing adventure that God weaves together for us.  Spending time with people on the margins teaches us love, faith, and joy in all circumstances.  This trip wasn’t any different.  Thankful for this journey and energizing the soul.  Excited to see our next steps.