Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Showers of blessing

We have been blessed to have the opportunity to work with funds from the Many Seeds Ministries organization - whose mission is to "make and equip disciples while meeting the basic survival needs of God's children."
These funds have allowed us to start making small but significant differences in the lives of many of the children attending the various programs at the Aphiwe & Tswelopele Good News Centers as well as at the Adieu Center in Kempton Park.
As we received the funds near to the end of 2013 our first goal was to properly equip the kids for this years' schooling. They each received a new school uniform (all government schools wear uniforms here) and a stationery pack. We have already seen an increase in their confidence and they are enthusiastic about their schoolwork. They also have a much more positive outlook on the year ahead.
Karabo & Talifhani with their new uniforms.
Frank with his uniform & sports bag.

Junior proud in his new blazer - a real "luxury" item on which he can now display the merit badges he has achieved.

The contents of each stationery pack - imagine receiving this when usually owning a single working pen is a luxury!

Ronald & the twins Zanele & Zandile "discovering" their stationery.

Another life touched through this funding is that of Sabelo, who at a very young age underwent an operation to remove cataracts from both his eyes. The operation did not go very well and he now needs glasses permanently. While attending the youth camp in December his glasses fell and broke, which would have been a disaster if we did not have the Many Seeds funds available. Through Gods abundant blessing we were able to get him a new pair of glasses with an up-to-date prescription.

Sabelo wearing his new glasses.

The funding also allows for us to sponsor children to attend church camps - and last year we were very grateful to be able to help Thuli attend the Youth Camp. Thuli is one of the kids that attends the Saturday Bible Club at the Tswelopele Good News Center. She is an incredible example in serving continually - whether it is helping us by rounding up the neighborhood kids, washing up, or helping her younger siblings.

Thuli's class' group photo at the youth camp - Thuli is third from the left.

And finally (for 2013 at least) we were able to enrich the lives of the kids by offering them the opportunity to visit a bird sanctuary near us. To ensure they paid close attention to the various birds and make it educational we split them into two groups and gave each group a questionnaire. The group that found all the answers to their questionnaire first were the winners. It was a fantastic outing that we all enjoyed very much. The kids had the privilege of seeing many new birds & animals & we trust that their appreciation of Gods' creative design increased too.

 
Group photo of the group that visited the bird sanctuary.

The look of delight - we saw this look often throughout the visit!

Many Seeds Ministries has sent us a further 6 months' funds and we are already excitedly planning how to put these funds to the best use in these childrens' lives. We look forward to sharing their experiences with you in the near future, if Jesus does not return sooner.

With love in Christ
Michael & Lilandi Furstenburg
I will bless My people and their homes around My holy hill. And in the proper season I will send the showers they need. There will be showers of blessing. (Eze 34:26)