October 2007 NEWSLETTER

Hello all


The last few months have been interesting.
We moved AGAIN. I hope the next time we move will be the last time!

I am still working full time. It's challenging. I would not be able to do it without the help of my volunteers, who cook the supper and see to the little ones.

We were donated a car - A very badly needed car! One of our ex volunteers had raised the funds needed and we purchased the car.
What joy!
Sadly it was a very short lived joy. It got stolen 3 days later and I felt really bad, as I had permitted that it be used prior to it being insured. What was I thinking? I feel so undeservedly blessed - The wonderful young adults of Grace have raised up another car for us and they delivered the car to us a couple of days ago.

What a blessing and what a relief. What a wonderful group of young people with such servant hearts. I am SO grateful ! ! !

The sub division of the land is proceeding. We now have about R450 000.00 raised towards our building project and we are just biting at the bit to get going.
We are looking for an architect to draw up the plans and have been looking into different building options.

Here Barney and Siya get busy working out the perimeter of the land in order to get fencing quotes.

We dedicated the land in July. For me it was an important Milestone and a special moment.
It's like I have been in labor for the past 5 years and am finally giving birth.
If that makes any sense to you???

For me personally - I can't say I ever enjoyed being pregnant - so this description fits my feelings. BUT - at the end of that uncomfortable long wait - comes the most special, precious and rewarding masterpiece - A GIFT FROM GOD. And that is exactly how I see this ministry. Every life that we touch is a gift from God.

Sonia did Aids awareness with the community at the feeding / outreach which Pastor's Salina hold bi-monthly, and we raised some funds and handed out packs of fruit to all the people. Fellowship with the community is really great, and Pastors Salina has really built wonderful relationships with the people. They are also running ladies bible study every week now. Last week even through the pouring rain - 6 ladies walked to attend the bible study. I am convinced that together we are really going to make a difference to a community. Sharing the Love of Christ, saving the lost and alleviating the suffering.

2008 - it's going to be exciting and rewarding as we move into this new chapter.

There are many avenues of opportunity for us to make a difference, and my desire is to see each one of these avenues turned into reality. I want us to take hold of every opportunity we can - to touch lives and share Jesus.

For those of you already registered on the "My Family" web site, go and take a look - you should find new pictures of the children.

For those of you who are not registered - this is a secure website where we can put up photos of the children, news, comments etc. It is a really fun site, and it costs you nothing to register. If you would like to gain access to this website in order to see new photos / post your own photos or post news, please send an email to cindee@sinakekele.org.za and she will arrange for your registration. You will LOVE it!



KIDZ NEWS:

Kids are all doing great. Siya and Simon are now 6 and Mary and Jake are now 4.

The beautiful preschool they are at has been forced to close its doors as of the end of 2007. Such a sad thing. However, it got me thinking along the lines of home schooling and I have been doing some research into the options. Possibly to register a preschool that we can open to the community once we move to Oakford.
In the meanwhile, I have to register Siya into the local school as he starts "real" school in Jan. The lady who owns the preschool where the children are now will be keeping her doors open to 6 children. She has offered Simon one of these spots. Jenny will incorporate music and integrated learning therapy (remedial work) into his curriculum every day. This is a real blessing and Jenny will not be charging me for his music or his integrated learning therapy. That is her contribution towards the children. If anyone would like to assist in sponsoring one of the children's school fees please do let me know. Unlike many countries we have to pay school fees.

I am determined that Simon WILL get a normal education! He is starting to feel his difference and children can be quite cruel with honesty sometimes. Simon comes home and says to me "I don't want to go to school - it is SO hard." Or "the children call me a slow coach and that makes me sad." Inside I'm screaming "let me get my hands on those little people * %#@* ! !" but on the outside I just say - "don't take any notice of them - everyone does things in their own time".

I am not sure what I am going to do with Mary and Jake. A friend of mine may be opening up a play school - but I still have to decide for them. Once we move to the farm home school / mission school will be a must for all.

Please keep this in your prayers. There is currently no preschool for the children in the area, and starting an ACE (Christian mission school) seems like a good prospect. Sister Joanna ran a holiday club in the July holidays and our volunteers went to help out (and our kids went to the holiday club). Not long after that, one of the Gogo's (grannies) who will be my neighbor - asked me why we couldn't have this all the time :

What else can I say?

Siya is growing into a fine young boy who has a gentle and caring disposition. He is a real little leader and an encourager! I am not sure if I mentioned that Sinikithembe aids clinic at McChords motivated for the state to provide the drug Siya is on. Well this was granted, so for now we do not need to foot the bill for this. Yet another blessing.

Simon gets rattled quite quickly by the other children. He prefers to play on his own, but I am very thankful that he has the other kids to spur him on and challenge his boundaries. When Jake is hot on his heels on the scooters he is forced to put some speed on - this is good for him.

Petite little Mary - LOVES being a girl. When she grows up she is going to be a Barbie. She has Barbie shoes, and Barbie shirts. What more could it possibly take when she is already her Tazz's princess?

Megan and Melissa took her to have her ears pierced. I couldn't believe she was brave enough to do it! She looks SO sweet with her little gold studs.
She still crawls into my bed every night, and even a sticker chart with treats attached did not deter her from this. It's not SO bad when it's just her, but some nights I wake to find myself hanging onto the edge by my lashes while the bodies of Mary, Jake, Tazz AND one little mutt lie spread across the bed !

Jake - Hhhhmmmm. . . Rough and tumble, bully and wrestle, dirty and dirty - Fearless - ALL BOY. I love to watch him ride his scooter. He has just got it! His body does all the right motions, his little legs are bent in THE POSE, and he fly's along with not an ounce of fear. The pool was empty as they were busy sanding and repainting it. We had a close call when Jake came flying around the pool and hit a speed wobble. The scooter flew into the empty pool, and by God's grace alone - Jake hit the floor! Two minutes later he was back on the scooter.



Updated photo's of Tazz and Jay . . .:

Tazz was selected to play for the KZN U16A touch rugby team, which was a wonderful achievement. She was also made vice captain. She has been captain of the softball team at school this season as well. She is doing well.

Justin has just finished his final exams and brings to an end his school career. Wonderful !!!
Time to start a new chapter :

Picture of Justin and his best buddy at their matric dance. I think they enjoyed themselves.












VOLUNTEERS:

We still have Melissa and Megan. Carolyn was out for a visit - far too brief! It was SO great to see her.

Cindee went back to Canada a short while ago, but will be back in January (on a one way ticket:). She will be starting evening bible school once back.

One of the families in our church has offered to have Mel and Megan to stay, so this will be great for them. As soon as our car is insured they will be able to make a move. I think they will be happy for the little bit of extra space and "off time".

There are a lot of people keen to come and volunteer in 2008 and I am trusting that we will be in our new home so that they can really experience a more busy and varied environment than what we have here. (Not that the 4 we have don't keep them busy:)

The kids really love the volunteers. They are fun and caring.
My children are REALLY going to miss them when they go home and so am I.



NEEDS:

Please pray for the following regarding our needs:
The drawing of the plans (which needs to be done urgently)
The sub division of the land
The transfer of the land to Sinakekele
The building of the buildings and the erection of the fencing
Schooling for the children in 2008
Establishment of a mission school. (Starting as a pre school)


And from my heart:

The last few months have been challenging. Character building stuff!

There is one thing I am absolutely certain of - I will never stay down. I will always get back up. For a bit there I felt like I had "lost the plot". BUT, I attended the Global Leadership Summit at Grace a couple of weeks ago. It was just what I needed. It challenged me and inspired me to refocus.

I think the things that stuck with me were these:
" If one has a vision - one needs to drive it. Own it and be prepared to sacrifice for it.
" Ensure that what we do is benefiting those for whom we are doing it. It must add value to them.
SO, I am back on track. What God has said to me, I believe and I claim it.


Psalm 27v14:
"Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart, and wait for the Lord."


Be blessed.
Ruth



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