A Look back at August

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

August was a bit of a hectic month with trying to get the NPO (non-profit organization) application for the creche finished and submitted. We have been working hand in hand with the folks at the local Department of Social Development. I was able to submit the application during my time in Pretoria. One of the highlights of the month was the visit that we received from Mrs. Nokuthula Zulu, the director of the pre-school associations. Once the creche is operational, we will have to be associated with them. She was very pleased with the buildings (both the creche and center) and the playground.

*Pastor Thwala, Mrs. Zulu, Shara, Gloria & Hlengiwe (principal of the creche)*

*I am standing with Eldah and Primrose from CSS*

In collaboration with the social workers from the Christian Social Services (CSS) we have planned to start doing workshops/support groups with the caregivers both from the orphan project and throughout the community. We had the first caregiver support group and it was a success with 31 caregivers attending. Julia, myself and the social workers were filled with joy to see them. The session started with an ice-breaker that talked about the importance of communication and how we are all connected. The group decided on the topics for future meetings. They include parenting skills, budgeting and issues affecting the children. For the second meeting the social workers talked about how to become a foster parent. The ladies have been very excited about the group thus far.

*The caregivers during the ice-breaker*

*I am standing outside of the Dept. of Social Development in Pretoria*

*I am presenting my Bible study to the ladies, part of the deaconess course*

*The deaconess class*

Julia and I were invited to the deaconess course at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Pretoria. We were part of a class of 9 ladies. The women came from South Africa, Botswana and the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Deaconess Grace Rao from LCMS World Relief and Human Care was the instructor. A deaconess is a servant of the Lord who teaches the faith through Bible study and catechism, does spiritual care by means of counseling, visitation and mentoring and performs acts of mercy by working with the youth, orphanages and even battered women.This course was a great opportunity for me to continue learning.

*Me and Mama Sheila (from Botswana)*

Since the course was held at the seminary, I had the opportunity to get to know many of the seminarians who have come from all across Africa (Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda) to study. One of the fun parts of the day was getting to play volleyball and just talking to them about life in their countries. It is such a blessing to be in fellowship with the body of Christ.

*I am standing with Minka (Germany), Noxy (South Africa) and Julia*

PartyLite Fundraiser

In an effort to continue raising support for my service in South Africa I will be participating in the PartyLite Fundraising Program. How the program works is that I will receive 50% of the total sales. Those funds will go toward my financial support for my term of service. I will be working with my dear friend and PartyLite consultant Virginia Handrich. To receive the brochure, email me at shara004@gmail.com. Please consider supporting me. Check out PartyLite at www.partylite.biz/vhandrich

Sala kahle (stay well)

Yours in Christ,

-Shara-

VBS Round 2

Since the schools were on holiday for the world cup, Julia and I planned another round of VBS. We asked for volunteers from the church and school to help us. The teachers were excited the we had something for the kids to do. The overall theme was the trinity and we used Bible stories to answer the question who is God, follow the life of Jesus and talk about the Holy Spirit. The volunteers picked out the stories and planned the lessons and Julia and I supported them by putting together crafts and supplying the resources for them. We were also there to assist them.

Julia and I didnʼt know what to expect. We prayed that the kids would come and that they would enjoy what we had planned for them. On the first day we had 70 kids and day 2 we had 100 kids. WOW!!!! As the weeks went on we average about 60 kids per day. We were very happy to have such a great turn out. The day was suppose to start at 9:30am but when Julia and I arrived at 8:00am there were always kids there waiting to play. The kids ranged in age from 2 yrs to 14 yrs. We broke them into two groups.... ages 2-7 and ages 8-14. I was brave enough to take on the older group. The day started by gathering the kids together for singing and prayer, then we split the groups, the Bible story and lesson, craft time, snack time, play time or movie then a final prayer before leaving. Some of the older boys always stayed behind to play soccer or to help us lock up.

We were blessed to have volunteers from the German Lutheran Church. The pastor, the vicar and some of the youth came on twice to lend a hand. One of our colleagues from Pretoria spent 3 days with us and a good friend who is a Mormon came out to see what we were doing on one of the days. One of the pastors from the seminary was with us as well and he taught the kids a worship song in English. I had the opportunity to teach many of the lessons. The volunteer who initially did it had to take some time off for medical reasons. So with the help of my dear friend Ntokozo, who translated for me, I was able to pull it off. We did stories like the Good Samaritan, David and Goliath and the life and Miracles of Jesus. The kids even acted out the stories and did a great job at it. One of the things that I did was to give ten spelling words in English from each of the stories we did and rewarded those that got 10 out of 10 with sweets. I also found word finds for them to do focused on each of the stories. The kids got into groups of 4 and they loved...loved...loved doing the word finds. On one of days we went through the

Salvation Story and then made the bracelet. That day my Mormon friend came to volunteer and he was great with helping the kids put the bracelets together and even made one for himself. He also spent time with the boys playing soccer and getting to know them.

It was an amazing 3 weeks and I feel more connected to the kids. One of my boys, Nhalhla invited me to come and see his home and I am looking forward to the visit. Another of my boys, Mlondi said that I needed a Zulu name and so called me Shaka after the great King Shaka of the Zulus. God blessed us with wonderful volunteers and children. We look forward to planning another round of VBS for the next school holiday.

Pastor Eboro from the seminary spends quality time with one of the kids

Sanele the student becomes the teacher and shows Nhlanhla and his friend the rules of chess

The kids with the lions they made from the Daniel and the Lions Den lesson

Me and my boys after a soccer game. They let me play and showed me a thing or two

Shara, Coral and Julia on the last day of VBS...

Sewing in the new center

The sewing project continues and the ladies are happy to be in the new community center. Even though the class was small today the room was filled with the excitement of being in a new place. We started the class with a prayer and the ladies set up their machines and were ready to sew. The task for today was to make a cosmetic purse. It may sound easy but there was a zipper involved and they are not that easy to put on. As usual there were a few mishaps with needles breaking and needing to be replaced, the bobbins not being wound tightly enough and having to unpick the zipper because it was not sewn on properly. After all was said and done the ladies surprised me with some lovely cosmetic purses and they were very proud of their work and so was I. They will continue to make the cosmetic purses and other items in hopes of generating an income for themselves. Please keep these wonderful ladies in your prayers.

The ladies hard at work

The ladies standing with the finished products (Daphne, Bongi, Sbongile, Zama & Phatheleni)

Team Jacksonville... you were awesome!!!

Team Jacksonville worked very hard for the remainder of the week to get all the painting finished on the inside of the creche. They were also able to finish installing the Sonke. The Sonke is a developmental playground with a series of tires and a balance beam. In the afternoons they continued to interact with the children and help with the lessons on the USA and South Africa. It warmed my heart to see the team members hugging the children. Scott tried to teach them American football and he had a blast. Pastor Kaster could be seen with kids climbing all over him. Stella and Virginia jumped in and ran the craft table. Bill was the master builder helping the little ones with the blocks.

On Thursday the team visited the Ntshongweni Primary School. Upon arrival we were greeted by 100's of smiling faces. The school choir sang for us and we returned the favor by singing our national anthem. We didn't sound too bad and received a round of applause. We were able to visit the first and second grade classrooms and the children were very excited to have us. I had a few moments of fun dancing with the kids. It feels good to hear the kids calling out "hello Shara" as I walk past their classrooms. After the school visit, some of the team members walked back to the center with Pastor Thwala, Julia and myself. They were able to see more of the community.

Friday came quickly and we started the day at the Hillcrest AIDS Center Trust. We wanted the team to see some of the programs that have been successful. The staff has been very gracious to share their ideas with us. Following the visit to the center the team wanted to get South Africa soccer jerseys since it was indeed "soccer jersey Friday." All over the country people wear their soccer jerseys in support of the World Cup and to support the South African team. I thought that it was very cool of them to take part in it. That afternoon we talked about South Africa and the kids sang and did a bit of Zulu dancing for the team. Stella and Karen did a bit of dancing and showed the kids how to do the "Hokey Pokey." The Sonke and tire tower were finished and it was great to see the kids playing on them. In the final moments we were able to get the team and all the kids together for a picture. As the team walked to the church the kids were very sad to see them go.

Team Jacksonville, thank you for all of your hard work and for the love that you shared with the children. God's blessings to you. Please keep the children of Ntshongweni in your prayers.

Bill helps the kids build the great wall of China

Stan and Scott painting the tires for the Sonke

Stella and Virginia help the kids paint their prayer rocks

Pastor Thwala, Pastor Kaster & Bill work on the tire tower

The team stands with the staff and choir of the Ntshongweni Primary School

Julia, Bill & Pastor Thwala painting the tire tower... it's looking good

Pastor Kaster takes a break to play with the kids... "High five"

Scott shows Spha his wrestling moves

Stan & Karen did a great job with the landscaping

The kids having a blast on the new playground...woo hoo!!

The tire tower was fun for these girls

Bill is showing his support by getting the South African flag painted on his face

Pastor Kaster with his buddy Sifiso on his shoulders

The team and the kids waving good-bye.....

Day 2 & 3 for team Jacksonville

Virginia sits with some of the kids.

Scott pushing the kids in a wheelbarrow.

Things have been going great with the team. They have been working very hard at painting the creche and the playground is coming together. One of the fun things that we are doing in the afternoons with the kids is talking about different countries. The kids have passports where they put a picture of the country's flag and write notes as we talk about things from the country. They are really enjoying it. Day 2 we featured China and day 3 the USA. Julia and I sang a fairly good version of "Take me out to the ballgame." Scott sat with some of the kids who were there for the first time to help them fill in their passports for Mexico (day 1). The week has been going well and the team is getting more attached to the kids. Keep up the great work team Jacksonville.

Team USA

The first team for 2010 arrived on Saturday night. They come from Celebration Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Of the 8 team members, 3 have been here before and worked on the community center & creche (daycare) in the early stages, the other 5 are first-timers. It was great to hear the thoughts from the 3 that were back for a second time. Virginia commented that the kitchen gave them a bit of trouble and that they worked hard in certain corners in the center. As a ritual, Virginia asked Bill to do the first roller of paint on the interior of the creche.

The team attended church in Ntshongweni on Sunday and was able to see 3 ladies being confirmed, 3 children being baptized and a new member added to the family in Ntshongweni. The team presented a beautiful chalice to the congregation of the Ntshongweni Lutheran Church. The team leader Bill Magill read a message in Zulu on behalf of their congregation. I along with the congregation was very impressed. After the service there was wonderful fellowship. It is so amazing to see brothers and sisters in Christ loving each other as Christ asked us to.

Day 1.....There was painting to be done, a playground to construct, mini creche in the morning and VBS/After-school session in the afternoon. Whew! Sounds like a full day and indeed it was. The ladies took on the task of painting the interior of the creche while the men started laying the foundation for the playground. I had the task of playing with the younger children. They are such a joy. For part of the after-school session we are highlighting different countries since the World Cup is only 17 days away. Today we talked about Mexico. Since South Africa plays Mexico in the first game, it was a great introduction. We had passports for the children where they can put flags from the different countries and write fun facts. For the craft we made maracas from paper plates and macaroni. They really enjoyed that. Afterwards they flocked to the soccer field. The kids are very happy to have a safe place to play and it definitely showed.

Overall I give day 1 two thumbs up. The team worked hard and got to spend some quality time with the children. I feel safe in saying they will be good friends with many of the kids by the end of the week. Team Jacksonville.... YOU ROCK!!!!! Thank you for the awesome job today. Looking forward to tomorrow.