Thoughts from S. Africa

It is a beautiful day at Ft. White today with lots of sunshine.  As we drove to church this morning, the view of the mountains was beautiful and we couldn’t help but marvel at God’s beautiful creation.   God has blessed the Ft. White area with rain in the recent months and everything is so green.  As we picked green beans in the garden last night, the Fudge’s shared with us that the rocky cliff in our view from the garden is where, in the past, people were sacrificed.   They were unsure of the reason but most likely was a tribal sacrifice to the gods.  The beans we picked will be sold at market to help with costs a Ft. White, given away as we did this morning at church, and used to feed children in our soon to be started pre-school and the local village schools.  Last week we were at a school of about 70 elementary children grades K-7, and the government subsidized food supply had run out and there had been no lunch for the last two days.   The Fudges bought beans and corn to make the local menu of samp and beans, bought bread, and provided vegetables we had in the garden to the school the next morning which was enough to feed the little ones for 2 to 3 days.  They say this happens often here and the children take it as a way of life as most would not have lunch at home either. 

Last Wednesday we were honored to have the village chief (mayor), the Administrator of the AIDS clinic, and other representatives from the village areas come to Ft. White.  They came to share with those here how much the ministry of Ft. White and First Baptist McKinney has meant to them and expressed deep gratitude for all that had been done for the area.  Was quite a humbling experience and Dr. Kettles and the Fudges stated a real first in the years they have been here. 

We appreciate and covet your continued prayers as this week we begin intensive preparation for the preschool (a crèche in S. Africa terms)  to start March 1^st.  The S. African lady who will be the administrator is enrolling students this week.  Pray for the finances to be available and God’s guidance as we proceed in faith. 

We have arrived

We arrived in East London at 11:35 am on Tuesday Feb 8^th  and was met by Philip and Becky Fudge and Dr. Alf Kettles and his wife.  We drove directly to Ft. White, got here about 2:30, and moved into the house.  We have now been here a week and getting somewhat settled and acquainted with other people who live here at Ft. White and minister in the surrounding villages.  It has been hot but cools down of an evening.  We are finally adjusted to the change of time and sleeping better.

We have been working on the house we will call home for the next 6 months, needed some tender loving care.  Don’t think we are ready for doing home improvement TV shows as yet!  We have met several times with the Fudge’s and the Kettles regarding the Creche (preschool) that is to start early March.  Lot to be done before this can begin.  Have been to the village elementary schools twice working with the children K-7^th.  This is lots of fun; the children are so receptive with lots of hugs.  One day we traveled with the Fudge’s to a Camp where Philip was speaking for a couple of hours.  It is called the GAP program which another Christian group here has founded.  It is for young people post high school  18-20 yrs old who need direction and help in finding their way in life.  There is training in English speaking, life skills, learning to work in a group, bible classes, classes in computer, job shadowing in businesses in East London, etc.  It is quite an exciting program for these young people who are in these remote villages with no hope for a way out of the village poverty without training.  This is a program that is a real possibility for Ft. White and one we will work with the Fudges and Kettles in getting started along with the preschool for 3-5 yr olds. 

Pray for us as we determine what ministries God would have us involved, that relationships can be developed with the local villagers and in the schools, safety as we learn to drive here on the opposite side of the road with stick shifts, and good health and energy.