Sanibonani,
Nonke!
Spring springs
I
remember in the last newsletter complaining about the chilly weather. Well, Im sure youll all be pleased to know that things
are warming up as the African spring officially begins. Its been a hard winter, not especially for us, but rather for the
forestry commission, with record forest fires devastating the area. The fires make for a spectacular, but very costly, evening
show. The rain is only just now beginning to make an appearance with more expected when the summer sets in.
Visitors and outreach
September saw the arrival of our first short term volunteers: George and Rosanna Brighton. They stayed for three weeks
assisting us in all manner of ways. The primary activity they were involved in with us was a weeklong outreach in the Alpha
Mine community. This included health education lectures/ Bible teaching + preaching and Sunday School. Also assisting during
this week was a couple from Aletheia
Church: Bernard and Mabel Mathe.
New animals spotted by the KwaZulu Gang (not actually ON our property):
Nile crocodiles, Hippos, a monitor lizard and a grumpy old bull elephant affectionately called the stumbling block by
the park guard who has to rescue people who have got in the elephants way.
Community projects
Basic Health Care Centre Were just waiting for promised funding to come in
before making the allocated space in the veranda all beautiful, clean and cupboarded. This means that Ill have a little more
privacy and order when I have patients visiting. At present, our bed is the patient couch and the pills are in various boxes
in my clothes closet! Im also having a little difficulty establishing regular hours. Patients today arrived at 0545! And Im
not so great at that time of the morning. Im keeping this clinic very basic with any complicated cases referred to a doctor.
My primary means of treatment usually include advice on nutrition and good hygiene, rounded off with an aspirin and a prayer.
Literacy
classes These continue as per
the norm. The students are breathing a sigh of relief as we finish off some basic maths. They are moving through Genesis for
their reading comprehension.
Khambi
We are
helping the folks here to move through the early stages of starting up vegetable production and candle-making businesses.
Additionally, the Bible Study continues here. At present they are working through the Gospel of Mark.
Alpha Mine
Were facilitating a couple of these guys to get vegetable production training for a project in their area. Alpha Mine is also
the area that we just did an outreach in. One major leader there, Mr Mzileni, is very interested in getting further Bible training.
Papermaking
This has restarted after the winter thatching season finished and freed up the paper-makers!
Schools
work Salvador continues taking assemblies in local schools
and teaching the students Biblical principles through drama and discussions.
SBSMC - We are also hoping to facilitate a Small Business Start-up and Management
Course in the next couple of months as several motivated people in the area want to start up their own small businesses to
generate a little income for their families.
Zulu Bible Course -
Caleb is starting to compile and write discipleship material for new believers. This will be translated into Zulu. The course
will specifically be geared toward aspects of Zulu culture and tradition that are or are not compatible with Biblical Christianity.
Home
on the range Much of our work is done right here
amongst the community we live in. People come to chat and ask us things just as we go about our daily business at the auction
yard. We are looking at focusing on working with some primary leading men in the surrounding kraals who we have built relationships
with. They are hungry to know what the Bible says. Many cannot read and almost all are not able to decipher or understand
the principles contained in the Word. One lady nearby, Mrs. Khumalo, recently decided to follow Jesus. She is a widow and
looks after 8 children including 2 orphans. Please pray that she will be able to understand what is now required of her as
a new disciple. We are also looking into the possibility of beginning a small church here at the mission site to provide teaching
for such as her.
Health
education continues mainly on an informal basis although we did have a formal Nutrition training day on Sept 18th,
which about 12 ladies attended for the day.
We
havent had any joy regarding the property being donated to the mission; maybe were being a little adventurous in the asking,
but well continue to pray.
In house projects
Caleb
has managed to cleverly divide our veranda in the main hall into three rooms. He is enjoying his new office and our two visitors
in September tested out the spare bedroom. And like I said, the middle room will be turned into the clinic area.
Our
hall has about 120 bundles of thatch in. This is in anticipation of building a hut out the back so that we can have our own
room. It will be good to have a bit of privacy. However, I do have to be patient as getting things done in African time is
a whole different ball game. I just hope it gets done before the baby comes!
Hot
water and a shower remain a tantalizing dream but I live in hope. A geyser is
installed in anticipation but the piping and electrics are yet to be hooked up.
And us
Salvador
Our
fellow missionary has had the pleasure of passing his driving test in August, which gives both him and us a little more freedom
on the roads. He will be in the U.K. this month, visiting
friends and family.
Caleb and Sophie
Baby talk
As
all expectant parents are eager to do, we too bring you the news that all is well as I, Sophie, move into the sixth month
of pregnancy. I feel very healthy and am thankful to God and for your prayers that this is the case. No cravings or strangeness
to speak of, just a reducing wardrobe of wearable clothes! Due date is Jan 15. Delivery is planned to take place in a small
hospital in a Jburg suburb. Baby is kicking as I type!
Change was as good as a rest for us
Although
it seems a while ago, we had a lovely break at the end of August. We spent a few days hiking around Cape
Town. This included ascending Table Mountain,
scouring second hand bookshops, climbing to the end of Cape Point, laughing at penguins and watching a beached tanker flounder
in the sand. This wonderful change of scene refreshed us greatly. We also had a few days relative quiet at a friends house
before plunging into a stint of activity that has only now finished.
We
are planning a U.K. / U.S. trip May-July of 04 so drop us an email if you think we can hook up with you in that time period.
We have had fun hearing bits of news from various ones of you so keep that up! Also, our thanks goes out to all those of you
that support us regularly and those who surprise us with one-off gifts. And thank you all for your prayers. With love from
Caleb
and Sophie xxx
NgokukaJohane
6;27 Ningasebenzeli ukudla okuphelayo kepha ukudla okuhlala kuze kube ngukuphila okuphakade, eyakunipha khona iNdodana yomuntu
(Do not work for the food that perishes but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son
of Man will give you)
The prayer square
- For Simon Khumalo, our translator, that he may
be saved
- For Mrs. Khumalo in her new found faith.
- For Mr. Mzileni that hell become a sound spiritual
leader in Alpha Mine community.
- For wisdom in starting a church
- For us to remain healthy and safe and acquire the
stamina we need to become long-term workers in this area.
- That we recognize the balance in feeding the bodies
and souls of the locals.
- Continual absorption and understanding of the Zulu
language.
