A new brother in Christ

It was a very joyful day at the Kempton Park meeting today. We witnessed the baptism of Bro. Andrew Mokokoane who gave a very good confession of his faith last Wednesday. Bro. Andrew has been visiting our ecclesia and the Kempton Park BEC regularly for the last 5 months. It was at the BEC in particular that we had more time to focus on all the aspects of the Gospel and where he could really get individual attention to have his questions answered. It is amazing to realize again how powerful God's word is in persuading those who are really searching for truth and willing to tremble at God's word.  

 

We praise God for the blessing of a new brother.

 

 

 

The Launch of Mariannhill!

Sunday was the first day the Mariannhill ecclesia could worship in the new community centre. It was our launch and celebration of the amazing new building that God had given to us through Autopage. It was also the day that many who had been coming to Bible classes chose to be baptised. We invited Westville ecclesia to join us for this great day.

As some brothers and sisters were driving through the township to get to the new centre, the road was blocked by a big happy procession. Girls and women dressed up in traditional Zulu beads and hats singing and dancing in the streets. On a closer look they noticed the Good News of the Kingdom of God T-shirts. It was the sisters of Mariannhill celebrating the launch and baptisms by dancing through the streets to their new hall.

The service started with eleven baptisms. The day felt almost apostolic! Bro Dan had built a collapsible baptismal bath which was on the front lawn. One by one Bro Phinda and Bro Thulani baptised young and old, male and female, all Zulus. The size of Mariannhill ecclesia almost doubled in a day. Markus was baptised first, he is the husband of sis Nokuthula and father of sis Dudu. A few months ago he was too ill to walk. Letting go of his stick he was helped into the bath and he buried the old man.

Sabelo, Sebenzile and Zama were baptised, the brother, mother and cousin of Bro Kwanda. Fikile and Mpiloh were baptised, the aunt and niece of Sis Sylvester. Hlengiwe (Manoonoo) and Penny were baptised, both of them orphaned in the last few months. Now they have embraced the Heavenly Father and found a new family. Mafuthi, Senzo and Mduduzi who have attended and listened so many times made up the eleven.

The Sunday school did a great presentation. After the exhortation we broke bread together in the new hall. Zulu songs and dancing dominated the worship. Over a hundred and thirty people were there, about fifty attending from the community. They all enjoyed a beautiful lunch afterwards prepared by the sisters of Mariannhill.

Jesus is calling people from every tribe and tongue. Each tribe and tongue comes to him celebrating in their own culture and their own way. On the rolling hills of Kwa Zulu Natal, the Good News of the kingdom of God is proclaimed in a miraculous, powerful and Zulu way.

Siyabonga Baba (Thank you Father)

Tim Genders, South Africa

Mariannhill is...

To the average person who lives in KwaZulu Natal in South Africa, Mariannhill is just one of the many townships in the Durban area. But to me, it means much, much more.

Mariannhill is having the local children recognise our car and wave and smile as we drive past, or even follow us in to greet us with a hug….

Mariannhill is walking through the dusty (and often muddy!) streets and dodging goats, chickens and dogs on the way in….

Mariannhill is having young people walk for an hour to come to our youth classes, through all kinds of weather…..

Mariannhill is walking through people’s front and back yards, hopping along planks of wood and over ditches, and being greeted warmly all the way from our car down to the hall or Sylvester and Phinda’s house…..

Mariannhill is Phinda and Sylvester, an incredible couple full of faith and with such a love for helping others both in many practical ways and in coming to know God’s truth….

Mariannhill is wondering at the fact that the municipality feels the need to dig up every road in the place at the same time so that our shoes are full of mud by the time we stumble back to our car :o)

Mariannhill is seeing the smiles on children’s faces when they get to experience something special, like a puppet show, a game of soccer or their first ever Christmas present….

Mariannhill is many hours of friendship, laughter and memories….

Mariannhill is watching each special individual go through the waters of baptism and thanking God for every one of them….

Mariannhill is fitting about 20 people in one car in the most earnest of searches just to find a soccer field!....

Mariannhill is unfailing enthusiasm for everything to do with the things of God and spreading the news of His Kingdom….

Mariannhill is being there for 4 hours to run a simple one hour youth bible class and not noticing the minutes pass in the slightest!...

Mariannhill is having the road regularly blocked by the local bull….

Mariannhill is working with young people and seeing them come to understand and love the gospel and want nothing more than to serve God….

Mariannhill is seeing a child bathing in a wheelbarrow on the side of the road and loving it!...

Mariannhill is being welcomed into the lives and homes of people from such different backgrounds to us and becoming close friends as we share meals, special times and spiritual growth with them….

Mariannhill is a place of song and dance, where in times of joy and times of sadness, singing praise to God is a way of life….

Mariannhill is learning not to plan too much, as this only means that a plan exists to be broken….

Mariannhill is a family where all are welcomed and cared for as individuals, where it is not unusual to have over 20 people in a small house at any given time, each drawn to the love shown by those who are part of the ecclesia…..

Mariannhill is getting random SMS messages at any time from any of the youth….about any particular thing….

Mariannhill is sharing and working through life issues with a bible in hand, of experiencing first hand the awesome power of God’s word to help in times of need….

Mariannhill is seeing a wonderful group of about 25 youth develop from the original handful, as they invite their friends to share in the special treasure they have found…..

Mariannhill is a strong spirit of “ubuntu” (Zulu for fellowship and togetherness) and love between all the brothers and sisters…..

Mariannhill is watching the amazing hand of God grow a vibrant ecclesia from a three young people in just 12 months….an then throwing in the blessing of a wonderful ecclesial centre being built as a bonus!

Mariannhill is watching our lives steadily become so intertwined with those of others in every aspect, from school, bible classes, card making income projects and youth activities through to their families, health, personal issues and spiritual growth…..

Mariannhill is difficult to put words - it is more of the intangible than what you can see and feel. It is joy. It is life. It is the spirit of God working powerfully in a humble place that to so many others represents nothing extraordinary. Mariannhill to me is a symbol of God’s saving power, His grace, His active hand in everything around us and His gentle care for each of us individually.

I will never be the same because of my time spent at Mariannhill, nor would I want to be. As the song we have sung at Mariannhill so often goes “Never no more, turning back, no more turning back….let’s praise the Lord!”

Leah Egginton, Australia

Volunteers leave legacies

This is the Modimo Oteng crèche that the COPT helped to establish

 

This is the Modimo Oteng crèche that the COPT helped to establish, that Mpule wanted to start.

 

This is the Modimo Oteng crèche that the COPT helped to establish, that Mpule wanted to start, because she attended a crèche course that Leah and Amy presented to her and 9 other ladies.

 

This is the Modimo Oteng crèche that the COPT helped to establish, that Mpule wanted to start, because she attended a crèche course that Leah and Amy presented to her and 9 other ladies, because Leah finalised the crèche course manual..

 

This is the Modimo Oteng crèche that the COPT helped to establish, that Mpule wanted to start, because she attended a crèche course that Leah and Amy presented to her and 9 other ladies, because Leah finalised the crèche course manual that Jessica Russel started to compile.

 

This is the Modimo Oteng crèche that the COPT helped to establish, that Mpule wanted to start, because she attended a crèche course that Leah and Amy presented to her and 9 other ladies, because Leah finalised the crèche course manual that Jessica Russel started to compile, because she helped with the crèche activities at the Ubuhle Bezwe orphanage.

 

This is the Modimo Oteng crèche that the COPT helped to establish, that Mpule wanted to start, because she attended a crèche course that Leah and Amy presented to her and 9 other ladies, because Leah finalised the crèche course manual that Jessica Russel started to compile, because she helped with the crèche activities at the Ubuhle Bezwe orphanage that had a place to have the crèche because the P2P team put up a roof and cement floor there.

 

This is the Modimo Oteng crèche that the COPT helped to establish, that Mpule wanted to start, because she attended a crèche course that Leah and Amy presented to her and 9 other ladies, because Leah finalised the crèche course manual that Jessica Russel started to compile, because she helped with the crèche activities at the Ubuhle Bezwe orphanage that had a place to have the crèche because the P2P team put up a roof and cement floor there that was financed by the COPT.

 

This (the above) is just an illustration of how most volunteers in some way always play their part in leaving a legacy here in SA that inspires us to continue to preach the gospel every day – using words when necessary.

 

Love from all the brothers and sisters in Kempton Park

 

CHARITIES   ……. Christians Have Abilities Regarding Initiatives To Instantly Establish Support

 

 

Margate Crèche Graduation and Treat

Sunday December 14, 7:20 am Cathy accompany by Char in the passenger seat of her
Car pulled into the driveway of the Westville Hall with trailer in tow, with much difficulty we manage to packed the trailer full with goodies for the kids, and of course food.

Hyacinth do you know the way? The South African asks the Jamaican, yes I do. So we set off on our long journey, it’s 7:35 we must be there by 9:00. The memorial service is held at 9:00 am to accommodate the Crèche parent and children.

Today will always be special for all the kids but more so for Ayanda, she is the Crèche first graduate. The parent could not contain themselves some were dressed as proud as peacock.

The Ceremony got stated with Nelson as translator as most parent only understand Zulu. Alistair gave a short to the parent about Jesus return as king and pointing out that they too can find a place in his Kingdom. He also encourage Ayanda to continue to be as bright as a button. Each child was given a back pack with toy set lunch kit, colouring book, crayons and lots more, the parents were as excited as the kids.

Lunch was served and we all partake of tasty sandwiches, cake, juice, Ice-cream and much to the kids delight sweets. Every one enjoyed the day’s event, said their good byes and set off home.

Everyone had left, Cathy, Char and I were just about to set off when two parent arrived, they looked puzzled, it’s over we told them and ask Nelson to give them some refreshment and the kids their gifts, seabonga (thank you). Nelson told the Moms that I was their teacher and responsible for the days event, also that I was from Jamaica and would be returning home at the end of the month. They told Nelson to say thanks and wish me a safe journey home with Gods blessing.

One mom started singing in Zulu (talk together) Nelson’ mouth fell wide open, he then told me what she was singing. This mom child is two years and four months old, Nelson and Celia the Crèche teachers told me she could not talk, I have been talking to her over time and one day I gave her a snack and she said thank you mam, this child they say could not talk, taught her mom the song.

Hyacinth Linton Harvey, Jamaica

The first Durban youth day of 2009!

On the 31st of January, Lamontville Good News Centre was filled with 50 youth from Lamontville, New Forest, Mariannhill, and Umlazi (from Happy’s school for the disabled).

The day began with snacks and the youth had a chance to interact with each other and catch up on their summer holiday news.

We were not sitting down for very long before we were once again on the move, as an ice breaker was called, and an ice breaker it was….as this game involved people sitting on peoples laps. David White had up to 8 youth on his lap at one stage!

Once this was finished and we all new each other a little better we returned to our seats to listen to a talk on Faith by Tim Morse, a volunteer from the UK.

After this it was time for some games, as the weather was a scorcher these were water games. There had been a little scare as there was no running water at Lamontville when we first arrived, but luckily it had come in it time for these games!

So there were races to see which of the teams could fill containers with water the fastest making ping-pong balls float to the top, water bomb relays and the best of all, water bomb fights! A very wet group returned back inside for a talk from Paul Zilmer (USA) on people of Faith.

The day ended with lunch: hot dogs, sandwiches and fruit, along with some more “catching up” between the youth.

All in all it was a great day and a wonderful number of enthusiastic youth who attended.

Amy McClure, Australia

Modimo Oteng Creche - Week one

Modimo Oteng Crèche opened its doors for the first time on Monday 2 Feb 2009. It was a great feeling to see the hall that was so dirty and subdued the previous week turned into a warm lively area where young kids could play and learn.

 

Day one saw eight children of an expected ten enrol. Mpule, Cynthia and Dora (the three teachers) were in high spirit as their dream finally became a reality – to provide quality child care in their neighbourhood. The commitment of these ladies are remarkable if one considers that they are willing to look after the children from 7am in the morning to about 6pm at night time and still charge a relatively low tariff so that the poorer people in the community can also afford it. They have a long day ahead of them every day of the week but their resolve to keep the children busy constructively while having fun is strong.

 

So, with three highly motivated teachers, a brand new looking hall, a big soft carpet and lots of educational toys and equipment the children were in good hands and the constructive well thought out program and lessons kept them occupied and soon the first day was over. Not before Mpule got conformation, however that three more children would be joining them the next day! – So, it was all systems go and growth from day one.

 

The crèche is sure to live up to it’s name – “Modimo Oteng!”- God is great indeed!

 

Day two saw 12 children turning up at the crèche. It was even more lively than the first day. It is really impressive to see how quickly Mpule and Dora have managed to get the children into a well structured routine consisting of lessons, play time, rest times and also feeding times. During the day a father turned up at the crèche to enrol his daughter for the following week. One could see that he was impressed by the atmosphere at the crèche and the way the teachers were interacting with the children. Dora especially is a natural teacher and she does very well in teaching the children new things every day. A special thanks to Sister Amy Mcclure, Sister Trudy Clark and Dan and Leah Egginton for all their help and support as well.

 

We thank God for the wonderful way He is enabling us to make a difference in the lives of so many people and wait with expectation to see where He will lead us in this new exiting project.

 

Charitably yours

The Kempton Park ecclesia

 

CHARITIES   ……. Christians Have Abilities Regarding Initiatives To Instantly Establish Support