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.
“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” Psalms 68:5
Meet gogo Elizabeth. When COVID started, Elizabeth and her husband had to shut down their preschool. Folks started bringing orphans to be a part of their preschool home for the months of the pandemic. During that time Gogo’s husband passed away. In spite of this, gogo remains faithful to the orphans she loves as if they were her own. She cares for 16 kids now and relies on God to provide. I stand in awe of her faith and the joy that she exudes.
One of the girls in the family was showing off her singing skills, watching gogo afterwards hug and love on her with great pride was beautiful.
Here’s Daisy from the https://robinhoodfoundation.co.za/ who helps gogo care for her orphans. So beautiful seeing her have relationships with gogo and the kids.
“He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” Matthew 18:2-5
While painting the classroom at Lalelani, the kids kept coming to the windows to watch…. So much fun and full of love. These photos make me smile-
“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
Pastor Thwala has an angel named Busisiwe (below smiling in the middle) who shares stories about the families with the greatest need in Ntshongweni (9 families today). Today we delivered food to these families. So very thankful for her and can feel her love for her community. Comfort
While pastor was having a nearby home stuccoed, he saw a funeral tent in the distance. It was the home of Siphiwe whose mother recently passed away and she is the only surviving family member living in the family home with her son. Comfort
Here’s Sophie as she walked us away from her home with the group. Comfort
Gogo Mkhize had fallen and hurt her wrist. She was able to go to the local clinic who referred her to RK Kahn hospital. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the resources to get transportation so wasn’t able to visit. She’s now confined to her bed and not healing properly. Fortunately, Judy our nurse is going back tomorrow to try to help her. Comfort
Gordon sporting beans the Zulu way. So thankful to have this group serving together and sharing their gifts. Comfort
The ladies heading to one of the homes with full hearts. Comfort
During the day we stopped at Ntshongweni Primary school to deliver backpacks for the kids. Gordon was a magnet for these kids, they were full of joy seeing and interacting with him. Comfort
“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”Mark 10:13-14
Today we were fortunate to spend time with nearly 1,000 little children. You could definitely feel the kingdom of God in this place. Lalelani Primary school has a long standing relationship with Pastor Thwala. In fact Mr. Martin their, former principal, is below with Pastor Thwala. He was recently promoted to school superintendent and we paid him a visit in his office. A man who loves many kids and has made a huge difference in many lives. Pastor Thwala has been there to support his needs with many families in Ntshongweni.
When we arrived for morning assembly, everyone was arriving and we had a chance to greet these kids. All made in God’s image and beamed joy.
Pastor arranged for Nhlanhla Duma to help us paint two classrooms in the school today, we’ve known Nhlanhla for over 10 years and it was great to spend the day with him.
Mr. Mzizi, the new principal, and his leadership team enjoying the freshly painted classroom with new furniture.
The morning assembly roster…
Gordon, teaching a table of kids to count to 5 in English. They loved it.
After our visit to Lalelani and buying food for deliveries tomorrow, Katie Jo did her magic with around 60 kids. More of God’s kingdom in action.
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:37-38
“Here is what we seek: a compassion that can stand in awe of what the poor have to carry rather than stand in judgement of how they carry it.” Father Greg Boyle https://homeboyindustries.org/
Today we were blessed to be a blessing. Zituta looking lovingly at her grandmother Gogo Ncgobo. Pastor Thwala had identified this family through one of the preschool kids. They lost their house in floods two years ago and Pastor arranged to build a new house for them. The team spent the day with the family painting the inside and outside of their home. A beautiful family with a special needs son who’s faced significant adversity these past two years and remains full of joy.
Pastor Thwala showing off our new exterior color- Stonehenge. We had so much fun working together.
The birthday girl trimming the exterior paint.
Judy spent some time with gogo, who recently had cataract surgery. Judy’s nursing background showed brightly while she helped gogo with her sunglasses to prevent the bright sun from hurting her eyes. A beautiful example of God’s kingdom today. So loving. Gogo’s 72 years old and has lived in the village her whole life.
Valerie taking a break from the work to sit near gogo.
Gordon trimming out the exterior then photos of the group.
Singing with gogo and Zituta.
After painting we returned to the preschool and Jessica brought joy to the kids.
