A new team here means new adventures. On July 14, a YWAM team from Colorado (called King's Kids) arrived at the base. It was cool to get to know new people, as per usual, and join with them in their calling to bless people here in SA. They came prepared with a series of skits and dances and brought balloons, bubbles and other fun stuff for the kids. It was really cool that they arrived this week because they were able to be a part of a day that was a big deal for TTH (Ten Thousand Homes): on Thursday, we had a kick off for a brand new feeding scheme in a new community!
We are so excited about this community--DWALINI--because its a new chance to partner with a great group of people who have already stepped in to care for the community they live in. There is a group of women who have been running a home based care center for the orphans and vulnerable children in Dwalini. They are wonderful women, who have welcomed us into their existing ministry with open arms and beautiful, big smiles. The few times I have been able to go out to talk with them, they have always been enjoyable to be around and talk to--they love to laugh and fellowship. The first time I met them, they sent me home with two HUGE avocados! In Dwalini, there is a pastor named Kyle who is the father of 6 and has been in Africa for almost 9 years. He has been working with these home based care ladies and has been able to get a nice big house for them to do some ministry out of. This is where we will start to feed kids--the ladies cook and encourage the kids in their neighborhood to come, and we provide the food and come on Thursdays to help cook, fellowship with the volunteers and play with the kids.
Back to the kick off :)! On Thursday, we fed the kids for the first time--our feeding scheme kick-off! Everything came together (we even had a little sunshine on what promised to be a gray, rainy day) for an excellent time of fellowship in Dwalini. The King's Kids performed and led us in worship, then we ate the amazing food cooked for us by the women and one of our guys here (a professional chef back home, who got his first chance to cook over an open fire!) and played games.
Mikey even got to join some guys for a little rugby, which he was happy to engage in, since rugby is much more like American football than it is like soccer :). It was fun to watch him and our friend Mangaliso banter and battle against each other as they played with some neighborhood kids.
Over all, we had a blessed day, and took joy in being able to be a blessing to others. As I was there in Dwalini, I felt like God was reminding me that His Kingdom is going to be built whether I help or not, but that it is His joy to give me opportunities to be involved. What a thought--that it is actually a gift to be able to serve and do kingdom-building. A gift TO me, not FROM me.
We are so excited about this community--DWALINI--because its a new chance to partner with a great group of people who have already stepped in to care for the community they live in. There is a group of women who have been running a home based care center for the orphans and vulnerable children in Dwalini. They are wonderful women, who have welcomed us into their existing ministry with open arms and beautiful, big smiles. The few times I have been able to go out to talk with them, they have always been enjoyable to be around and talk to--they love to laugh and fellowship. The first time I met them, they sent me home with two HUGE avocados! In Dwalini, there is a pastor named Kyle who is the father of 6 and has been in Africa for almost 9 years. He has been working with these home based care ladies and has been able to get a nice big house for them to do some ministry out of. This is where we will start to feed kids--the ladies cook and encourage the kids in their neighborhood to come, and we provide the food and come on Thursdays to help cook, fellowship with the volunteers and play with the kids.
Back to the kick off :)! On Thursday, we fed the kids for the first time--our feeding scheme kick-off! Everything came together (we even had a little sunshine on what promised to be a gray, rainy day) for an excellent time of fellowship in Dwalini. The King's Kids performed and led us in worship, then we ate the amazing food cooked for us by the women and one of our guys here (a professional chef back home, who got his first chance to cook over an open fire!) and played games.
Mikey even got to join some guys for a little rugby, which he was happy to engage in, since rugby is much more like American football than it is like soccer :). It was fun to watch him and our friend Mangaliso banter and battle against each other as they played with some neighborhood kids.
Over all, we had a blessed day, and took joy in being able to be a blessing to others. As I was there in Dwalini, I felt like God was reminding me that His Kingdom is going to be built whether I help or not, but that it is His joy to give me opportunities to be involved. What a thought--that it is actually a gift to be able to serve and do kingdom-building. A gift TO me, not FROM me.
oh the kings kids skits and dances... i know them so well. cheesy but good memories! we miss you guys! can't wait for you to get back to gboro.
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