Spectacular Sunday

What a great Sunday.  We started by stopping at the Gumede boys house and delivering some housewares for their new painted home.  One of the best parts was when a neighbor translated a letter from these boys sponsors, wow!  Here's a video of it...

http://youtu.be/ou-A88PNQOc

The boys love their books.  Jessica suggested that Kululeku (the youngest) write his name in the cover and share the book with his neighbor.  He wrote both of their names very neatly in the cover.

Then worship!  A great service with a baptism and 7 confirmations.  What a blessing.  Check out Gogo Emma, our 74 year old confirmand, how awesome.

Then we finished by addressing the group with this verse:

"After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands" (Revelation 7:9 ESV)

B & B on our last full day

We started our last full day following up as we drove around picking up boys for shopping.  First stop the Mzobe family home construction project.  Johannes and his helper do fantastic work.  Look at the progress...  At the Mzobe house we gave the 4 year old Picasso a sketch book and pencils.  He's incredible.

Shopping!  8 boys in Pinetown Mall the day after everyone receives their state grant = chaos.  But it got done and these orphans have some awesome new clothes.  We waited and played games in the mall and saw this fantastic view as we dropped some of the boys off.

Bible study and Braai- What a blessing to end our last evening here with a Braai (cookout) and Bible study for a very large group from the village.  It was filled with God's word, full plates, playing on the playground and love.  Jessica did a great study on these basic steps in our lives...

Isaiah 62:6-7- Wear God out with your prayers.  

Acts 5:20  - After God answers your prayers according to His will you should go and tell others to bring glory to Him.  

Romans 6:14 - Now that you have a new life, live like it and look different to others by doing all you can to stop sinning. 

Luke 17:11-19 - Now that God has answered your prayers and given you a new life give thanks and praise to Him.

Singing before Bible study:

http://youtu.be/9Ob0rZYQnF8

Selene Duma reading one of the verses in Zulu:

http://youtu.be/OZz4U2t0Oyo

I ended the evening as kombi (taxi) driver to a bunch of folks.  When we drove Mxolsi (awesome local artist and friend) home after he helped us with the boys shopping in the morning, I had Thanthla and Joe help with the driving.  They shifter for me on a 1 hour journey through Africa.  Very good students and like any young man excited about things with wheels...  A joy to spend time with these boys.

Blessed to be in Ntshongweni!

Jesus last words on earth...

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight." (Acts 1:8, 9 ESV)

We are blessed to be witnesses near the ends of the earth.  Here are a couple of ways from today.

Gogo Emma-  Gogo = grandmother in Zulu.  With so many parents out of these kids lives, Gogo's are literally the backbone of the community.  Gogo Emma is a perfect example, she has her two grandchildren living with her and is 74 years young.  Eric to her left below, is a wonderful example of a young man that honors his Grandmother.  Look at how he helps her out of the van and will sit with her at the doctor's office in Pinetown.  We saw earlier in the week how Gogo Emma had swollen spots on either side of her neck.  When we asked her about it, she said she wasn't going to see the doctor because they didn't hurt.  After some discussion she agreed to go today.  What a blessing.  

Pastor Thwala- Pastor Thwala is truly a shepherd of the community.  The young lady pictured below came to the church as we were preparing to take Gogo Emma.  She had a lengthy discussion with Pastor in Zulu, then pastor explained her situation to us as we drove.  Apparently she saw us working on the Mzobe house down the hill and asked if we would help her.  Her father passed away and her mother has since remarried, her stepfather has abused her in the worst possible way and kicked her out of their house.  She was graduated and working, paying a friend to build a house for her.  As you can see below, the house is half finished and the work is not very good.  She asked if we could help her with materials to finish it because now she is living with different friends to have shelter.  Not sure how this will end, but there are many examples of need everywhere, but especially here.

Gogo Theodore- Gogo has three orphans she cares for and provides a loving home.  We had the opportunity to paint her front room and spend time with her two youngest.  Check out this video link of Jessica and Rhonda playing with these wonderful kids:

http://youtu.be/I7HH-leoq34

Also, check out their view into the valley.  This is a beautiful place.

Mrs Mozambuko- She's an outstanding servant as principal of Charles Primary School and she's recovering from gall bladder surgery.  We visited to convey to her how grateful we are for her work.  So many of the orphans that we work with mention her or were brought to us by her.  She knows every child in her school.  I share the story of the Mzobe girls who told us how much she cares and how she cried when she gave them their reading award.  An amazing lady in a challenging place.  With her family school photos proudly displayed, we had a laugh about how her youngest daughter's school photo didn't match her current look.  Had to be there, but it was funny.

Such a blessing to spend time here, it's quickly coming to an end.  We ask for prayers for orphans in Ntshongweni and to the ends of the earth.  Siyabonga!

This Is Africa- TIA

TIA- This Is Africa...  Always have to be flexible and willing to serve.

Our first night here there was a major rainstorm that caused a power outage at our hotel and washed out the bridge down the street.  They've been working to fix it 24 hours a day and the traffic has been challenging at times.

Thandi from Embocraft (a nearby business that supports local artists- awesome) was coming to the crèche sewing building to teach ladies how to produce marketable goods.  What a blessing and great way to earn income.

  

The crèche kids start arriving and the fun begins.  Check out this school bus and excited kids.  One of my favorite parts of Ntshogweni, the crèche kids love getting loved on.  They're always full of joy and bring great joy.

We went to Family Life Bookstore and bought every single Zulu Bible they had.  Pastor ordered more for the future.  The kids are so responsive to God's word. Sanele from the Duma family was able to recite the first four chapters of Daniel with Jessica.  How King Nebuchadnezzar learned that God is sovereign over all things.  Amazing how God works in this community, these orphans are a blessing.

Crazy times buying food for 10 families.  11 shopping  carts, 1 Toyota Quantam Taxi, 5 servants, 10,800 Rand (about $1,200 US) and Cambridge Market in Pinetown.  Picture Costco meets Indiana Jones Moroccan market.

Then the blessing of delivering the food and praying with these families.  Reminding them that all things are a gift from God, including this food.  Praying for The Holy Spirit to be in their homes and in their hearts.

There are always kids playing around the Church, how great.  Even Mlundi, a huge Virginia Tech fan...  Hokie fans are everywhere!

Road trip this morning to help the girls with clothing.  With driving and shopping for 15 kids we took most of the day to get these kids picked up, to Pinetown Shops, shopping, lunch and delivery with prayers.  Look at Jessica giving instructions to the girls.  I was babysitting Mpilo Duma, he's almost walking and I'm out of practice.  The last photo is of Jessica delivering to one of the families.  Tons of fun...

This is my primary role...  1,000+ kilometers so far.  Getting around is really difficult for Pastor and the orphans.  The taxi I'm following here is the primary mode of transport in Kwazulu Natal South Africa.  The Avis car we rented is a Mercedes diesel, manual transmission, 8 passenger minivan...  Wouldn't sell too well in the USA but a blessing here.

Thank The Lord for these orphans.  Please pray for orphans across the globe and in Ntshongweni.

These Ntshongweni girls rock!

http://youtu.be/NJmR2G9XELc

http://youtu.be/NJmR2G9XELc

Answered prayers...

OK, I'm going to share a lesson that God has taught me through Ntshongweni, being here 5 times and having my heart here for 5 years.  Whatever we pray for that brings glory to God will happen.  The Bible says so...

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." (John 15:7, 8 NIV)

Here are four examples of many Africa experiences that give me faith in this promise:

1) Jessica and I weren't sure if we were going to come to Ntshongweni this year. A move and related expenses had us doubting.  We made a decision a couple of months ago to skip renovations to our 1962 "new" house and come back to Africa.  The next day our boat sold and we had financial comfort in coming and being able to help.  Then we prayed for God to guide our efforts.  It became abundantly clear what we needed to do and God provided plenty of resources and more...  See below, the Mission Stitches at our Methodist facing church in Jacksonville Beach provided us with handmade dolls and dresses for the kids.  A friend at work provided beanie babies for the orphans.  God provided the resources to bring glory to Him through answered prayer.

2) The Gumede family boys- Nhlanhla, Sisle and Nkululeko.  We pray for God to reveal the people most in need and the means to help them.  These three orphans lost their father in 2006 and mother in 2009.  Their house fell into disrepair and they had to move into a mud structure with dirt floors and a leaking roof on relatives land.  These boys caught the attention of their principal and our two missionaries Ginger and Zeal were asked to help them.  With the help of God and sponsors in America, their new house on their parents land is built and painted on the inside.  More importantly, the boys went from shy quiet orphans to hopeful and joyful boys.  The oldest had moved to Greytown to find work and is now back working locally and helping his brothers build a better life and be an example for Ntshongweni.  These boys are inspirational.  The photos below show the youngest getting instruction from Pastor Thwala and Jessica on how to paint.  It was a priceless moment.  Imagine the youngest was 6 or 7 when both parents were gone, what a blessing to see him learning lessons from Pastor and Jessixa.  Answered prayer for God's glory.

3) The Mzobe family.  A grandfather who is 78 living with his two daughters and their children.  Through much prayer by many people this worthy family is getting a new home to God's glory.  You can see below that their home is in very poor condition.  6 fatherless kids live here that are amazing.  We went to the girls school yesterday and met with their principal who bragged about how they recently won a major reading award.  Then we met their 4 year old brother Sisle who had drawn a dinosaur on the ground that was amazing- he's 4.  I couldn't hold a crayon when I was 4.  Then the sisters proudly shared his drawing notebook with the group and it was Picasso type art.  Answered prayer for God's glory.

4) The Ndlovo family is doing amazingly well.  Nombusa on the left is over halfway into her University schooling and doing well. She will have a 6 month internship soon.  Next is Nozipo who finished earning a certificate to work in a nursing home and is finding employment now.  Phili on the right is the orphan that took these girls and their families into her own home when they lost power and all of their windows were broken out.  Phili's home picture is shown below and now she has a renovated home and new hope.  Answered prayer for God's glory.

I challenge you to pray for God's glory, open your heart to opportunities that present themselves and watch what happens.  It's truly miraculous.  Special thanks to everyone who prays for these orphans in Ntshongweni, South Africa.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 NIV)