May 2008 NEWSLETTER

Greetings to all of you

Oh, the highs and the lows …

I have FINALLY arrived. The journey has taken 5 years, but I have finally arrived. I have to say - it feels good. All I can do is thank God for His faithfulness and His provision.
I also have to say thank you to my family and my committee who have stood by me for the past 5 years. Who have been there through the highs and been there through the lows. Thanks too to all the volunteers who have been a part of my highs and lows, and who have truly been ambassadors. For those people who have prayed with me and for me - thank you. To the people who have assisted in financial and practical ways - thank you.
I could not have gotten here alone.

The last 2 months have seen a whole change of events again. I feel like I have been aiming at a moving target. First we were going to build on a small portion of land that Pastors Salina offered to lease to us. Then the Salinas donated the portion of land above the road to us to build on. We had selected an architect and initiated the drawing up of plans for that property, when Pastors Salina asked to meet. They informed me that they had decided to go back to the States and gave us first option to purchase the property from them.

SO - we have an attorney currently drawing up the deed of sale AND we will be moving into our permanent home the last weekend of June. (When our lease expires in the house we are staying in - which has been sold).

Pastors Salina will stay on in the flat until the end of the year, and we will move into the 4 bedroom house.

In the meanwhile, our architect is designing the plans around the existing buildings and has also drawn up a plan for a volunteer cottage.

We have sufficient funds to pay for the property with some to spare, which will go towards the cost of the volunteer cottage.
We need to raise the balance needed for the cottage, as well as raise money to extend the fencing on the property. As soon as we have the finalized plans I will put them on the website for all to see.

Is this not the most wonderful news? All glory be to God!!!
Please remember our brick project which has currently raised almost R15000.00.
We will be able to open our doors to babies in January 2009, which means that we are currently taking applications for volunteers for 2009. If you (or anyone you know) would be interested in making application to volunteer at Sinakekele in 2009, please contact info@sinakekele.org.za or pull the application form off our website: www.sinakekele.org.za.

If there are any locals who would be able to assist us to move - PLEASE can you offer your help. A couple of trucks would be great - and of course - some manpower.

The Children:

We will be home schooling our 4 children from 2009.
We are looking for a suitably qualified volunteer to tutor the 4 children. This would require a 1 year commitment - (January to November). Curriculum will be provided.

Simon has seen the pediatrician who is scratching his head and is quite confused. We have done another wrist x-ray which is used to determine bone age, and more blood tests to check the performance of the kidneys. I am now awaiting the paed's feedback.

Siya and Jake are still doing SO well on ARV's - no problems at all. Siya is quite exasperating at the moment as he sets about searching for fulfillment of his enquiring mind and testing boundaries and generally stretching my patience to the limit. He just has such an incredible mind.

The other day I was discussing my committee and good governance with Cindee, and Siya was listening. So he asks "Mom, are you talking about Thabo Mbeki?"
"Why do you ask if I am talking about Thabo Mbeki?" I ask him.
"Because he is the government." Says my 6 year old. That boy's power of association is incredible.

Little Miss Mary still has to go and have her teeth done. I have been dragging my heels because I am dreading the pain on her behalf, and she is such an anxious little thing when it comes to the unknown - but I know it has to be done.

Tazz is doing fine and starting to prepare for mid year exams in May.

Justin rewrites his math papers on the 9th and the 12th May. Once he has finished, he will be looking for work and a place to board / a communal house or something along those lines. If there is anyone local that could assist him with work / boarding, please contact me. Justin does have a driver's license and a car. I need to get him settled before we move - that gives me less than 60 days. If you cannot help- please pray with us as we trust God to undertake for us in this regard.

The Volunteers:

We are all looking forward to the arrival of Maria on the 15th of May. Cindee will be especially pleased to have a helping hand. Trust me; you have to be with the children 24/7 to appreciate the need for a helping hand. I have not been to cell group or bible study since Mel left, as Cindee goes off duty when I get home. SO we will all be very happy to have an extra pair of hands on board.

We are needing somewhere for Maria to stay from 15 May to 30 June (when we move to the farm) - just so she does have an escape during her time off. If there is anyone local who is able to assist with hosting Maria for that period, please do get in contact with me.

We are still short of sleeping accommodation for the mission team coming from Faith Baptist Church, Whitby, Ontario, Canada in June. So again, to all you locals - we need host families for 09/06 (Monday Night) and 15/06 (Sunday night) For the following people: Men - 8 (9 if PG makes it) Women - 8 Married Couples - 1 Total: 18 people Again, could anyone available to help out with this please contact me soonest.

We are also looking forward to Bart and Elske's arrival today a week. They will be with us for 4 days before starting their honeymoon at the Kruger Park. Elske and Bart, best wishes from all at Sinakekele. We wish you all the best. Gods richest blessings.

From the heart:
The last 5 years have been tough. Humbling. Refining, Melting and Moulding.
But look and see - in God's timing - how His plan unfolds. And how awesome that we get to be a part of this!

Isaiah 14:24 - "Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand."

Join me in giving thanks and praise to God.
Pray with us and for us as we realize the vision God has placed on my heart.


Be blessed.
Ruth



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