It’s been 15 years that we’ve had our Ntshongweni family. I’m reminded that- "For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven" Ecclesiastes 3:1
This week we’ve reconnected with so many of our long time family. It gives me joy to experience these different seasons.
Here’s Mlondi over the years. Growing up to become a young man who is caring, joyful, and has the best laugh in Ntshongweni. OSHA site inspectors may not have liked our ladder setup in the second photo. Now Mlondi is as tall as Alex in the first photo.
Seyonda is the tallest in this early photo. He’s the tallest in the second photo too. Seyonda has the gift of helping people around him become better. He’s a role model and acts out of genuine love for others.
Kululeku is the little dude in the yellow shirt on the right. He always has the best smile and perseverance that we could all learn from. Thankful to know kululeku. Jessica gave him his photo album with pictures going back over the years, so amazing and such a cherished thing.
Nhlanhla (Lucky) had a huge heart and an amazing countenance. He was filled with love and always there for his neighbor. The first photo shows his great smile. We visited and cleaned his grave in the second photo. We miss him.
“Here is what we seek: a compassion that can stand in awe at what the poor have to carry rather than stand in judgement at how they carry it.” Father Gregory Boyle
I have to admit that when I’m in my home country small things can be very annoying. Potholes in the streets, an Amazon package that is delayed, they don’t have my favorite granola at Publix, I don’t have clean socks… all first world problems that are totally insignificant.
The second house we went to for food delivery had 5 folks living in a single room. Grandmother had lost her ID and was no longer able to claim her pension/disability. So pastor Thwala suggested we drive to Hammersdale township to the office of home affairs to set an appointment for her and arrange transport. When we arrived the woman working the office explained they don’t offer ID service and suggested booking an online appointment in Durban, or Pietermaritzburg. Pastor say with Mlondi and logged into the website to schedule an appointment. The earliest available appointment was next year. Wow… Gogo and her family have to wait for nearly three months to get an ID so she can claim her disability. So much for first world problems… here’s a photo of their one room house and two of the family members.
So thankful for perspective and to have pastor work so hard to help people in difficult circumstances. Love your neighbor.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;”. Proverbs 3:5
Imagine being a widow who provides for 18 kids, receives a small pension and government support for 3 of the 18 orphans, and lives a life of joy knowing God will provide for her. Gogo Elizabeth is a hero of the faith, she trusts with all of her heart and doesn’t let the world persuade her otherwise.
She provides these 18 kids with a loving home that is full of joy and comfort. Such a blessing to be in this home.
With all of the recent rains, Gogo Elizabeth shared that her roof is leaking in many places causing flooding inside the house. Pastor Thwala is going to figure out how we can get the roof replaced so Gogo doesn’t have to worry about flooding anymore. So thankful that our Pastor helps everyone in need regardless of their church affiliation, where they live, etc. Thankful for Pastor being the good shepherd for so many in need.
Worship- isiZulu “church” is always one of our favorite times- no bulletins, no organ, no screens- but lots of great hymnal thumping, voices harmonizing, and divine kinship. We are welcomed and accepted as family from 2009 - 2024. Worshipping and working together.
Wisdom- We have come to at first maybe tolerate and now to celebrate our differences and yet our unity in Christ, and as human beings with faith as our “pillar,” per pastor Thwala. The pillars of Ntshongweni are the gogos- isiZulu grandmothers serving not only as faithful guides but as true pillars of the community in their wisdom and example. Examples of sacrificial love, fearless joy, and cultural integrity. Today we celebrated Ntshongweni Gogo’s by honoring them at a lunch at a restaurant in Hillcrest and by giving them handmade bags with our tokens of thanksgiving inside. Ephesians is our letter for this trips study and it reminds us in chapter 1 v. 10 that God’s will, which is His pleasure is to bring unity to all things. Who would have ever thought that we could worship and share wisdom as family- black/white, Zulu/American, male/female, young/old, but this is His design. His will and great pleasure that all would be bound in great love and communal- suffering, sharing, and hope.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Feeling so thankful. Visiting our brothers and sisters in South Africa, feeling like a family for 13 years now, having a soul full of joy, reviewing our plans for the week, reconnecting after a long journey. Thanks pastor Thwala for always making us feel welcome and for being the good shepherd for the people of Ntshongweni. Excited to work through your plan this week and see what God has in store for us. Siyabonga Kakhulu!
I am grateful to have come alongside all of you to do Kingdom work; letting the light of God shine through us in South Africa. All of you possess the heart of God. Your love, kindness and selfless acts towards others is genuine. Thank you for allowing me to share this experience you. It was definitely God breathe.
May God restore strength to your body and spirit for all that you have poured out into this Mission trip. May you be in good health as your soul prospers.
Many times we question whether or not we hear God’s voice clearly. When asked by Jessica to go on the Ntshongweni’s mission trip, I was so excited. Immediately I said yes and felt a peace about it. After saying yes, I had so many things to come up regarding my health, my home renovation and my business. I was unsure if I should go on the mission trip because of feeling very overwhelmed.
About three weeks before the mission trip, I was awakened to the song “My Peace” singing in my spirit. I began to speak peace in my mind, health and business issues I was facing. As I declared the word I began to gain peace of mind but things kept coming up. Then, I began to question if I needed to cancel the trip. But I heard God say I was to go on the trip. So, I continued to prepare for the trip, with uncertainty in my heart.
The Sunday before we departed for Ntshongweni, while in prayer with my prayer team, I sang “My Peace”. And from there I gained more confidence about the trip.
God is so loving and faithful! He confirmed my being on the Mission trip through Pastor Thwala. Upon meeting him at the airport in Durban, he told me I have a new name in Africa. He said my name is Nokuthla…meaning “Peace”. I just wanted to scream!!!
I can’t express the Joy that floods my heart. Our God is so Amazing!
“If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.” 1 Corinthians 12:17-20
Every one of us is given gifts and when we come together in community they combine to create greatness. For example…
Jessica has the gift of relationship. Here she is with Gogo Rosemary who she’s known for 10 years. Every time we visit, Jessica makes a point to visit her and ask “what’s God telling you today?” Such consistency and love for so many people in Ntshongweni and across the world. Mlondi in the photo below she’s known for 15 years. Jessica is like a mom to him. The gift of relationship and care.
Valerie has the gift of passion for justice that enables the administration of supporting Ntshongweni. This happens through Bethlehem Lutheran Church and pastor Thwala. She’s got an amazing heart for orphans that is shown through her tireless effort in supporting so many in pure love. The gift of passion for justice.
Katie Jo has the gift of being a child whisperer. When she comes on the scene in Ntshongweni she has so much love the kids feel it and are like a magnet to wherever she is in the village. So beautiful to watch as so many of these are orphans. Not with Katie Jo on the scene. The gifts of child whisperer and lover of many.
Susan has the gift of not being afraid of anyone or any situation. She talks with anyone and everyone with care and concern. She remembers details about their families or challenges over the years and makes great connections with our Ntshongweni family. The gifts of courage and communication.
Judy has the gift of discernment and nursing. She saw that gogo Ncobo was struggling with bright light with her cataracts and selflessly gave her sunglasses to make her life better. She went with pastor’s wife, who studied nursing, to teach the Gogo’s daughters in the second photo how to care for her wounds. So beautiful and so very needed in the village. The gifts of discernment and nursing.
Tonya has the gift of faith and music. She has a super strong prayer life and an Aretha Franklin voice. Watch below how she shared this gift with the church on our final day. Such a blessing. The gifts of faith and music.
Gordon has the gift of deep love and care. Seeing him interact with so many kids, his love shines so brightly you cannot miss it. In the 3rd picture Gordon walked down the sidewalk at Ntshongweni Primary School and the kids flocked to him and could sense his care for them. The gifts of deep love and care.
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” John 13:14-16
Gogo- grandmother in Zulu
The Gogo’s lead the community in so many ways. Pastor Thwala explained that in Zulu culture when people have trouble they go to the closest gogo- such a blessing. The ladies decided today to wash feet, give pedicures, provide lunch and gift bags for 20 of the Ntshongweni Gogo’s. It was so beautiful.
Mpume and Jessica doing a devotion on “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:25-26 NIV
We went to see Nhlanhla’s grave, he passed in 2018 at age 21 and was an amazing, joyful, selfless and faithful young man. Here’s Jessica walking back with Mlondi from our hike.
