May 2006 NEWSLETTER

Hello to all

Well, we should have been out of our house mid April, but as the house had not sold, we were given until the end June, and now to the end of July. This is now very definitely the final date. So, we are once again house-hunting for a place to rent while we work on getting our buildings built in Oakford.

I was hoping to hold this newsletter until I had received a quote for the buildings, but this is turning out to be harder than I anticipated, so I have decided to wait no longer.

On the bright side - We have received a donation of R40 000.00 from a very kind donor, towards our building fund, and are most grateful for this. We have also received some smaller donations for which we are most appreciative. 2 fencing companies have agreed to assist us with the fencing (one is donating the materials, and the other the labor for installation.) - Another blessing! And. . . , we were donated a brand new corner bath! Now this may sound a little silly, but the kids loved the corner bath in the old house, and we wouldn't have gone and bought one, as this is one of those "nice to haves" - not a need.

A very big thank you goes out to all these generous and kind hearted people! Thank you too; to all our regular supporters, whose ongoing support is vital to us.

Finding continued and sufficient support is a constant challenge, and our monthly expenditure always exceeds our regular income. This is obviously an area of great challenge to Sinakekele, which we take before the Lord daily.

I just rejoice in Gods grace and provision, that we have a roof over our heads, and food to eat each day. We have managed to cover our costs thus far, and are trusting for the funding needed to continue.

If any of you have the opportunity of sharing or marketing on our behalf, we would be very grateful as the more exposure we can create for Sinakekele, the better chances we have of increasing our funding.

Please remember that all donations, be they monthly contributions or once off donations are tax receiptable in South Africa as well as in Canada (via FEB International). If anyone would like more information on this, please feel free to contact me.


Kidz news:

Jake is now talking very well, and it is so cute to hear the big words and sentences coming from his mouth. He is such a comical little boy. It is very hard for me to get cross with Jake. His little face is always a picture, and he is always so quick to say "Sorry Mommy" if he knows he has done something he shouldn't have done.

Mary is becoming quite the little lady. She gets prettier by the day, and she is so independent. When we have volunteers here doing activities with the little ones in the mornings she really thrives! A real little academic I think.


Siya - oh Siya. The Rocket Scientist. The "mischief boy". The boy who jams the garage door (even when he has been told a thousand times not to interfere with the door when it is opening or closing). The boy who unpacks the cupboards, and unmakes the beds. Paints mud on the windows and plays the most amazing imaginary games with all the cushions off all the chairs in the lounge. The unique boy who has defied the odds. . . What can I say - We love him! He has been driving everyone to exhaustion lately. He talks - NOT STOP - ALL THE TIME! He asks questions all day long. He is either saying "Mommy, do you know what . . ." or "Why, mommy, why?" AND he never stops bouncing. He is still doing remarkably well on the ARV's and we just thank God each day for his continued health.

My sweet little Simon is doing well, considering. He has finally settled down in school, although he still tells me every day that he doesn't want to go. Simon needs occupational therapy, and is on a waiting list as the OT's are all fully booked at present. He will also be going to see a Pediatric Nephrologist soon (Someone who deals with kidney problems in children), as his kidneys are not functioning properly and the pediatrician is not sure where to go from here. Please keep him in your prayers as we try and find a diagnosis, which will help us to clarify his condition and how best to deal with it. Simon often gets very sore legs - so much so that he just doesn't even want to walk. He took part in his school sports day last week, and I had tears in my eyes. He was last in all his races - by FAR, but his little face was a picture of determination as he kept his eyes on the finish line, and all the teachers and children were cheering him on and clapping "Go Simon Go."

Jake turned 3 in May and Siya turned 5 in May, and Mary turned 3 this month, so we had some partying and some spoiling over the last month, which was of course enjoyed. Our local volunteers Rachel and Stuart also attended this special party.

Tazz continues to blossom. She has played for the A-team Hockey in her age group this term amongst all her other activities and just finished a Science project which she got good marks for. She did really well and now goes through to the science expo. Frightful - she thinks! People might think of her as a nerd or a geek! She chose the social sciences and did a survey to determine how our society feels about cross cultural adoptions. (For those locals who assisted by filling in her questionnaire, she says thanks SO much!)

Justin went for his learners license for both the car and motorbike, and wrote both at the same time. He surprised himself by passing both the first time, and was SO thrilled. He is now able to get himself where he wants to be on his motor bike which is great, as it gives him a little freedom and independence which he really needed. Oh yes, Rachel's boyfriends family gave Justin a baby Jack Russell which he has called Tipsy, and she has already become a favored member of the family.

Tazz and Justin are now half way through their half year exams. I will be SO glad when these are over and holidays begin!


Volunteers:

We had Anne Kelly, from Canada, for 6 weeks, and a week before she left, Maria Vermeer (also from Canada) arrived for 1 month. It was really great having them and we really are missing them! Mary and Jake had "school" every morning and the children's days were filled with activities and fun. Here they are enjoying a day out to Tala Game Park. If there are any more of you wonderful young people with a heart for children - we would love to have some new applications coming in.

We have a further addition to our family, in the form of my niece and her 8 month old baby - Kylie. Maureen needed to move due to a crisis in her personal life, and I needed a chef, so Maureen and Kylie are now also a part of our family, and we welcome them and are very happy to have them.


Our Needs:

Monthly funding to cover running costs. Finances to build. Volunteers and much prayer.


And from my heart:

It is hard to be in this place, where I am surrounded by an affluent environment where there does not appear to be any lack. Nice cars - VERY nice cars! Nice houses - VERY nice houses! All big and luxurious. (And perhaps - I tell myself - Nice BIG debt that we cannot see).

I am becoming so much more aware of how we are being deceived through our sight. So many "nice" things around us, that our wants replace our needs, and we are driven by what our eyes see. We walk through the malls and see something appealing - and we are seduced by our eyes, into buying it. Not because we need it, but because it looks appealing.

Do we live in a society and a time where we place more value on THINGS than on human life ?

Thank you again for continued prayer and support.

Yours in God's service
Ruth


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