Art by children and youth of Helping Hand. (Ages 2-17)

We are so very thankful for those of you who helped sponsor our outreach trip to the KKNK last week. We have God’s promise that you will share in the rewards and blessings of this time. Thank you for all your faithful support and prayers for us; they worked miracles! God bless you! We just spent a wonderful week in Oudtshoorn, preaching the Good news of Jesus’ salvation, sharing God’s Word, and praying with the many visitors at the KKNK festival. We pitched our tent in the local high-school’s rugby field, just a two-minute walk from the main festival area. Each day we met with people, sharing God’s message, and many lives were touched and changed. Just over 3,500 Gospel Pamphlets and nearly a thousand Activated magazines and Gospels of John were distributed during this week. We prayed with hundreds of people for specific prayer requests and 69 people gave their hearts to Jesus. In the Epistles, Paul compares our Christian lives to a race that must be run with patience -as we keep our eyes on Jesus- and some of us had the opportunity to join in an early morning race while there. Below, some testimonies from our team members: I spoke to a young man by the side of a quiet street. After chatting for a few minutes I asked him if he was sure he was going to Heaven, to which he replied “No, I don’t know if I am or not. I’ve heard parts of the Bible, but no…I don’t know.” I explained to him how he could accept Jesus’ gift of salvation and be sure that he has an eternal home in Heaven. I emphasized Jesus’ great love and acceptance of anyone who will take that step and receive Him, (John 6:37, Romans 5:8, Luke Read the full article…

We attended Sive Nathi’s annual function, and were reminded once again how special the staff, caregivers, and children at this centre are. Even though most of the children cannot speak or do anything for themselves and need to be fed, bathed, comforted, and cared for constantly, the staff always exudes a spirit of love and happy efficiency. God bless them! One highlight was being shown by a speech therapist how she is teaching some of the children to speak; with a little girl even saying a few words to us! Wow! It was a blessed morning and we are honoured to continue be a part of this centre in any way we can.

This morning, eighteen of us participated in the Tyger Run, some running the 10km and the others the 5km. The youth made excellent time and even the little ones (ages 3-5) completed the 5km together with their adult companions! Today is World Down Syndrome day, and we were highly privileged to be able to run with Timothy,(18) the superstar of Helping Hand! You can see him here sprinting the last metres to the finish and being held up in celebration by all the guys! Well done everyone!

One of our regular beneficiaries, -a primary school with over 800 pupils- received bread and ready made meals. These meals consisted of staples like beef, chicken, rice, vegetables, potatoes, chickpeas, and more! Education is a precious gift, and we feel honoured to be able to assist the students by providing them with these food items.

Ready made meals, oats, samp, maize meal, bottled ice tea, and fresh bread went to a local creche. With 40 young children, this underprivileged creche appreciates every bit of assistance. We are so thankful to be able to put smiles on these children’s faces!