August 2004 Newsletter

Hello to all

Yes, I am late yet again. I do apologise. Wearing two caps seems to be getting harder as the days go by. Of late, my day job has been rather demanding. I have just been away from home for 4 days. (Those of you who know my house will appreciate the logistics involved in me leaving home for any length of time.)

A very big thanks to my family and friends who are there – willing to back me up, and jump into my fast lane for a little while.

The work ahead of me in my "9 to 5" job is very exciting and challenging, but also very time consuming and possibly will involve a lot of travel. I know God has placed the children in my heart, and I need to do what God wants me to do – not what Ruth wants me to do. Please keep me in your prayers, as I continue to determine the where and when of God’s plan for me. I want to be sure I am hearing God and not Ruth, and at the same time, I want to be sure I am not being disobedient by not doing what He calls me to do. A somewhat tough and confusing and confusing place I’m in right now.

It has been a busy few months since the last newsletter and I really don’t know where the time goes to so quickly.

What I do know though, is that we have so much to give thanks for:

Morris Stella Girls:
A class at Morris Stella School for girls has adopted Sinakekele as their class project, and we have been blessed with a number of girls visiting on Friday afternoons to see what we do and to help out.

Our NPO number:
Our NPO registration has been approved. The number is reflected on the side of this letter together with the section 21 registration number.

Involvement by other local church groups:
We have been very blessed with support from people within other local churches in the area. I am really thrilled about this, as this is one of the very first visions that I shared – that this ministry would become a community ministry, with all the churches in the area getting involved. To all these people, who help in different ways – thank you.

I know that God is going to do great things.

Y-Wammers
To the wonderful team of Y-Wammers who came and worked so hard in our home – painting, and repairing the jungle gym (in the rain) – Thank you so much – it was really great having you. The boys are still enjoying the slide you guys made J

Our faithful volunteers:
You know who you are – God bless you for your faithful support. Always available and dependable – what would we do without you. I include here the people who give of their expertise, to assist the children with their various difficulties, as well as those who provide me with other expert support and advice, that is not seen, but which is so important to the functioning of this ministry.

We have no overseas volunteers at the moment, as TLC are battling themselves to find enough hands to do all the work, and can thus not spare any volunteers, and Heather’s 3 months came to an end far too quickly. Please keep, Thea, her family and the TLC ministry in your prayers, and if you could, pray especially for funds to purchase a DESPERATELY NEEDED vehicle for TLC.

Looking after the children currently is Thandi, Thuli, Cynthia and Reason, who are all terrific!

Our faithful donors
To our doners – thank you so much for your support. We depend on donations to cover the day to day running costs, and the costs of the childrens medication. So to all of you – a very big thank you.

Other good news:
We have been donated a tent – THANK YOU – this is really great, and we are currently planning our first camping trip. (Another exercise in logistics).

We have received 2 prams, another THANK YOU – this has resolved our pram problem

Finally, thanks to various peoples fund raising efforts, and donations we have a digital camera. It is really great to be able to click away. (See some results below) J

God is truly great!


BABY NEWS

Ntombi is doing very well. For those who are new to the mailing list – Ntombi has water on the brain, and her head was increasing in size at double the rate it should. At her last checkup, her head growth had slowed down to 1.5 times the acceptable growth rate. This is great, and indeed answer to pray. Please continue to pray for her, as she will be going for an MRI scan at the end of September, to ascertain in more detail, what her prognosis is. Praise God for this healing. Please pray that Ntombi would find a forever family.

Jake is growing in leaps and bounds, and although he is still not using his legs the way he should – he is making progress. A couple of weeks ago, he managed to make his way to the end of the bed and fall off. We were so excited we were cheering the poor little guy for his achievement, and he was not at all impressed by our apparent lack of concern for his mishap. This little chap has a really charming personality, and I really pray that he would find a forever family.

Mary is growing into a real little girl, and waddles around the house gabbling away and trying her best to keep up with Siya and Si. She has discovered the toilet roll – hmmmm, need I say more…

Besides this, she has a scream like a foghorn, and if she gets upset – well, earplugs could work. Most importantly - Mary is now legally a part of the family. Yep - I have adopted her. The adoption went through about 2 months ago.

Siya is now on the last of the ARV’s and we will get the blood results at the next Doctor’s appointment, which will tell us whether he is responding to these or not. I am somewhat concerned as he has had bad diarrhea and lost about 3 kg’s in one month. He is not eating as well as he used to, but he seems happy and looks healthy. Hopefully it is side effects from the antibiotic he was on for an ear infection. He is still full of mischief and loves to be a tease but I can tell he is not his usual bright self. Please keep him in your prayers.

Simon is doing very well. The "terrible two’s" have just begun though. A little late, and in this instance it certainly isn’t a case of "rather late than never". Talk about the class bully – that’s our Simon. He has the ability of maintaining the look of an angel while quietly putting his arm around Siya’s neck – and pinching him in the process. He gives you that "would I do anything wrong?" look, and then promptly hits, pushes, pinches whoever is in his path. Well – this too shall pass – thank goodness.

Simon is still going great guns at his drums and I’ll send him to lessons just as soon as he is old enough. He can listen to a drum beat and then repeat it with ease. Watch the musician rise up!

Tazz and Jay news:
Tazz is enjoying her guitar lessons immensely. She is learning lead guitar, and is going for lessons once a week. She is dreaming of the day when she will be able to replace her little classical guitar with an electric one. Between her and Simon I will have to build a sound proof room when they both get to some serious jamming.

Suddenly my little girl has growed up into a young lady. Seems like it just happened overnight?

Justin attended his schools graduation ceremony a few weeks back. All the kids in the senior learning center attend – to celebrate with those who are graduating. The event was held at the ICC and was very formal. Oh my, I wish you could all have seen how smashing he looked in his suit. His date was equally as beautiful in a lovely long evening dress. They made a very "handsome" couple. Other than this he is still enjoying his surfing, although the windy season is starting, which doesn’t make for good surf.





I do have two great kids. They put up with a heck of a lot – and they're really great with the little ones. Sure they get fed up from time to time, but really they have hearts of compassion and love. Please keep them in your prayers.

Hey Mon, We been spending time hangin with the big bra He even lets us wear his kewl garb mon…

OUR NEEDS:

The usual day to day living expenses:

Purity & Baby Cereal

Baby toiletries

Formula

Nan2

Infacare 3

Disposable nappies

Medium, Large, and Extra large

Medical expenses:

We really do need a fund for medical expenses, as we do not take the HIV children to the public hospital, but rather make use of the semi private (old mission) hospital which is a forerunner in Durban (with regards to HIV councelling / testing / ARV’s etc). We are very lucky to have such a facility in our midst.

School Bursaries:
Both Siya and Simon need to start preschool next year. They are getting very bored at home now, and really do need more stimulation. We need to start a school bursary fund for the children, to assist with covering of school fees.

Transport and time:
To take the children to the hospital / clinic, and from next year – to fetch from school – anyone who feels led to assist in this area, please give me a call.

Administrator:
We are looking for an administrator – anyone interested – please contact me for further details.

Our wish list:
We are still in need of a working computer and printer, and a combi would really be great.

We are needing more space, so please keep this big issue in your prayers. I approached the owners of the property behind mine, to ask them if they were interested in selling, but alas they are not. I know that God’s timing is always perfect though, and at the right time – the right doors will open.

Exciting happenings:
The refurbishing of the house is coming along – slowly. I know have an "office" come pantry under the house – it’s great! Thanks to my very organized sister, who has the skill of making silk purses from sow’s ears.

Hopefully by the end of October we will be done with the current jobs (Floors, and built in cupboards are on the cards currently)

Lions will be coming this coming weekend to put up the new pool fence. Thank you so much, Lions for all your support. It is really appreciated.

Nedcor Team Challenge have taken on Sinakekele Ministry as their team challenge, and they have some really exciting plans in the pipeline. I will write about these as they happen. I am VERY excited.

And from my heart:

Hear your children cry - Africa

Africa
Hear your children cry
Their blood once symbolized life
Now the fading of a generation
Hear your children cry
Africa

Africa
Hear your children cry
Wrenched from the womb and cast aside
Left in the stench of poverty to die
Hear your children cry
Africa

Africa
Hear your children cry
Echoing through the empty lives
Orphans whimpers - alien to love
Hear your children cry
Africa

Thank you all once again, for your love and your support. Every little bit helps. Remember that each one of us has the ability to make a difference. We can’t change the world, but to the one’s we touch – we can make a world of difference.

Yours in God’s service
Ruth



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