It is hard to believe my team and have been here now for 11 days. It feels like it has been weeks but in good way. This place has become a place of Solace and rest and Erika and Louis have become like family. Though in the morning we work hard with landscaping, moving bricks to a different location, or removing sand from vehicles it all has been a joy, especially having a good attitude from the rest of the team… Granted some days it can be pretty boring with moving bricks from one side to place to the other. I believe my team and I will never look at bricks the same way again.
Some of my favorite times has been talking with Erika and Louis, and understanding the heart and problems in South Africa. Orphans are a huge thing out here because men would sleep with a woman to see if she is fertile, and when she is pregnant and he is tired of her, he would leave her and the baby. Then in return the mother would leave the baby with their mother or grandmother because they wanted to make a living for themselves, and the grandmother can not take care of all these children, so an orphanage is the next place they go.
Another problem with children is drug addictions, or addictions to sniffing glue because the kids are so hungry that they sniff the glue to take away the feeling of hunger. BEAM Africa partners with a school program called HEAL, which I did not get what the letters meant, but it is a Saturday program where students come who have been addicted to drugs or glue. All the kids there are ones who are seeking help to overcome their addiction, and the youngest of them had to be five years old and the oldest of them was 16 and 15. When it came to lunch, I was helping the servers and I saw 3 sandwiches on each plate, and the lady turn to me and said, “Be sure each student gets a plate.” In my mind I was like, “a plate?” She saw my face and explained that this meal that they are receiving is sometimes the only meal that they would receive that day. My heart paused looking at these kids and imagining that this is their only meal for the day, or some of them a couple days.
Also, while here in Pretoria we are attending a Prophetic Conference, which this month among serving has been a huge blessing of the Lord pouring into our team. And preparing our hearts and Spirit for the next 10 months, and what a better place to start than here. Where the Lord is breaking our hearts for what breaks his, and opening our Spiritual eyes to what the world’s hunger is and how great He is.
So the last few days have been nice in doing ministry in the morning and attending the conference at night. And I believe this week we will be working more specifically with Pastor Ezekiel and Mamelodi. Please be in prayer for the land here in Mamelodi. There is some problems with local authorities giving the land to Pastor Ezekiel and the people who put much work into the place. So please pray for favor for Pastor Ezeikiel and the people in Mamelodi.
Thank you all for your prayer and support. We should be finding out information about Swaziland soon and if you want to help financially in support for my mission trip. Please donate at the side that says, ” Support Me: $7125 Away From Being Fully Funded.” Each donation makes a huge difference in impacting the Kingdom.
Much Love and God Bless,
Stephie
