The three children here at the mission centre (4, 6, and 7 yrs) drew these Easter artworks and dictated the corresponding descriptions. Enjoy and a very blessed time remembering Jesus and His Great Victory over Sin and Death!

We were extended an invite to give a Gospel message to the children and parents from a rural school in Paarl at their bazaar; which of course we gladly accepted!

It was a more rainy day than anticipated, but still the mood was cheery and excited. We brought some healthy snacks – bananas and apples – to the bazaar, and to open, spoke briefly with the parents and children on the importance of mentorship, education, good examples, and faithful study. Then we gave a Salvation message, and invited any who were willing to accept Jesus as their Forever King and Best Friend. 61 did!

The lady who connected us with the school also sponsored 220 Karakterbou (character-building) books – one for every child at the school! And we were able to leave Gospel tracts in Afrikaans for the parents!

We have been praying for supply for these two communities in great need, and oh how the Lord suddenly answered! We were given hundreds of cabbages, which we cleaned and prepared, taking off the outside leaves and loading then into the van. And from every side, the Lord began putting the puzzle together through sudden donations of food and toiletry items (85% of everything needed), donations of funds, and amazing deals on the few things we needed to complete the parcels like maize and carrots!

Under 24 hours after receiving the cabbages, we were out in a drizzle at the first community distributing maize, bacon, cabbages, carrots, onions, apples, soup packs, cereal, tea, coffee, hot cross buns, COOKIES, tissue paper, sanitizer, and Gospel Activated magazines! It came together absolutely miraculously!

And that’s not all…

Before heading out, we prayed and asked Jesus to let the food last longer for each family than it usually would. And the answer came, though different than we expected! We allocated what each man, woman, and child would receive, and had the maize and carrots and hot cross buns and etc etc amounts ready. Soon after beginning, we saw there was somehow MORE than there should be. So we gave MORE carrots per person, and a cabbage to every single member of a family, not just the adults. Still there was more. We began giving TWO bags of maize to the people, or extra hot cross buns, and left extra cabbage on top of their own parcels.

And at the end of all that, with THREE full food parcel bags for every man, woman, and child in BOTH communities, there were still over 60 cabbages left over, which we took to a soup kitchen! It reminds us of the loaves and fishes miracle, and proves once again that God is still on the throne, and prayer changes things!

Our own Helping Hand champ Timothy (and many others of us and the children) participated in the 6km Tyger Run, marking World Down Syndrome Day and having a great time in the process! (Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…”)

We heard from Mama Rosie (who runs an orphanage and home with over 140 children in Khayelitsha and whom we have been partnering with for over 12 years) that they were in desperate need of foodstuffs. We told her we would certainly see what we could do, but we ourselves are very stretched in resources. Then a couple days later, we heard of 20 families in great need, with one parent of each working at a company which has severely downsized, and even the remaining employees have had to go on short time.

We could clearly see the need, and were in prayer for supply. Then, left field and unexpected, the Lord laid on someone’s heart to give us the proceeds for something they were selling… which was, amazingly and wonderfully, just enough to go out that same afternoon and buy bulk supplies! Then we worked late into the night to pack 3 full bags for each family, with toiletries and all kinds of foodstuffs!

The next morning, we were able to deliver the parcels, which were received with so much joy and thankfulness! And we had enough to fill up Mama Rosie’s bakkie with supplies too! The Lord is always on time – HIS Time, and with just enough supply to do what He puts before us.

Recently, Angela was invited to join in a “show and tell” event at the home for women in crisis where we hold weekly Bible studies. Each of the people that volunteer there regularly was asked to share a bit about their type of work (i.e. cooking, sewing, computer skills, etc ) Angela decided that the best thing to show and tell about who we are, what she does there, and our mission, was everything pointing to Jesus! Since we couldn’t show off cupcakes or dresses, we made the table a witness, complete with Gospel tracts, books, Activated magazines, fruit, sanitizer, and chocolates – with appropriate Scriptures! People loved the display and many took material home to enjoy or pass on to others!

Another unusual activity was when Angela and Amy visited a local clinic on multiple occasions in dress-up, specifically to cheer up the patients! And each time was a great success!

It’s so important these days that young people get computer knowledge and training. Yet in order to gain that, equipment is needed. What a joy to bring these various electronics – laptops, desktop, screens, printer, router, keyboards, headphones, software, office chair, and more – to this youth home and training centre in Phillipi. And right before we went to them, a dishwasher was donated as well, which they received most gladly!

When we arrived and opened the van, the two house leaders exclaimed “computers!” and then shared the most amazing story…

Two of the young people at the home had applied for a business course, been rejected, then finally accepted! And then, they found out having zoom classes WITH STUDENT VIDEO was a requirement for the course. And they didn’t have the computers or webcams, so were on the verge of forfeiting the course access. How amazing that not only were there laptops, but also a high quality webcam for them to use!

Laughingly, the house “fathers” then said “whenever you call and say you have something for us and can we use xyz… it is ALWAYS a direct answer to items we have been praying for. So you don’t really need to ask “can you use” anymore, as what you have to bring always seems just right.” We are so thankful and thrilled to hear these encouraging confirmations that our steps are being directed by the Lord!

We are so thrilled to have been able to share some tips, testimonies, and other info on witnessing in this special edition podcast – hosted by a fellow missionary in Uganda!

Please take time to listen, enjoy, and rejoice with us at what the Lord continues to accomplish for His Kingdom!