We had the great opportunity to visit Bulembu about a week ago. The story is incredible and I really do a bad job articulating things sometimes, so I snagged the story off the website so you can get a clear picture of what God is doing in this city! Check it out:
“With natural beauty and a rich cultural heritage, Bulembu is located in the Highveld of North-West Swaziland. Bulembu – originally a mining town for the Havelock Mine from 1938 and 2001 – was a thriving community of 10,000 people. The community’s infrastructure included a broad range of housing, several schools, a hospital, stores, gas stations, social entertainment and recreational clubs – services that offered a high quality of life for the community’s citizens.
Abandoned in 2001 and rebirthed in May 2006 by Bulembu Ministries, today the town is beginning to grow again as people move back and jobs are created. Several core economic businesses have been established and many houses have been renovated for the 1000 plus residents, ministries and tourism industry. Yet this is just a start – progress is only possible as the existing infrastructure is revitalize’
So, essentially this city was abandoned. Driving through, it looks like a ghost town. But this city was purchased by Bulembu Ministries and has been given to the Lord. Many of the abandoned homes will be used as homes for previously orphaned children, similar to the ones in Hawane.
There already is a ministry there called Abandoned Babies for Christ. Right now they have 30 something babies growing in a Christ centered home with 17 staff moms and a couple that is truly inspiring.
This is an AMAZING place. Please go and read more about it at; www.abcministry.org.za
Also, I would like to give a shout out to the students and staff at Teen Challenge in Bulembu. They are studying the Word and giving their lives to him in service and we learned so much from them in our short time there. Thank you for serving US and we really miss you guys!!
Also to the craziest and cutest couple in Bulembu…Karen and Randy. We were truly refreshed in our times with you and appreciate when you shared your heart with us (ok, and your chocolate cake too. We still think about that stuff!)
