We had planned and prayed for these food distributions, and the Lord really came through! The DAY before, we were given hundreds of kgs of oats (unsolicited and out of the blue!) which we packed into individual bags. Then there were raisins, carrots, potatoes, apples, naartjies, bread, (which arrived on the morning of distribution!) tissue paper, and Gospel tracts!
We regularly support this small Christian-based creche with foodstuffs and educational materials. This time, our kids at Helping Hand helped bring a whole bunch of balloons for the kids to enjoy, as well as bananas and apples!
As part of celebrating women, we packed – and then held special distributions of – towels, sanitary items, and chocolates! These items went to two settlements, a home for unwed mothers, and a refuge for abused women. At the home for unwed mothers, we also had tea and cupcakes with the ladies! At each place it was so lovely to see the smiles and appreciation from the recipients. Praise God!
As the rain came down, we set up our tables and greeted those already gathered to receive their food parcels. Three vehicles full of soup packs, sweet potatoes, naartjies, apples, bananas, cereal, rusks, tea, raisins, beef stock, tissue paper, an Activated Gospel magazine, and more! Enough to give 500 people each a plentiful portion!
We began by faith, and very soon the rain slowed way down just as we had prayed for it to! With many smiles and “thank you’s” men, women, and children passed and packed their bags full. (three bags each to fit it all!) The hours passed, and the line went on and on and on… and finally came to an end. Great success, praise God! So though it was hectic, each person got their foodstuffs and they were so so grateful!
At a local creche, the 37 children each received two DVD’s to take home – with lessons on healthy eating, exercise, and getting along with others! Then a variety of character building books in Afrikaans, complete with activity pages and scriptures to memorize!
For our Sunday School kids, Amy gave a talk on our nation, diversity, and 1 Corinthians 12 (we are all different but parts of the same Body). Then the kids took turns placing coloured handprints on a large template, till the flag was created! While learning the important lesson of all working together they also had a lot of fun!
The pregnant ladies at this crisis centre were so thankful and appreciative of the various foodstuffs, snacks, and treats we brought to them!
All wonderful and blessed events, with a special focus on the future – children!
Parallel to our dedicated Gospel outreach throughout the week, we often meet desperate families and individuals who need prayer and counsel in addition to foodstuffs and physical help.
We’re privileged to be able to spend time encouraging and uplifting many families, (we also leave Gospel material with those receiving aid) and supplying effective centres, orphanages, and care homes with the means to keep on running. Thank you to everyone who makes this possible.
The Grahamstown (Makhanda) National Arts Festival Outreach this year was wonderfully blessed, exciting, and full of God’s setups! The team was able to spend quality time ministering personally to all those who were interested. Though the festival was much smaller this year than pre-Covid, the Lord certainly led and guided! They shared Scripture, discussed life issues and Godly solutions, and prayed for and with as many as possible! The Lord gave our team mostly good weather (though even the rain didn’t stop them from being out and active!) and even a roof over their heads! (God bless the family who provided their own little flatlet for the whole outreach duration) Hearing the testimonies, we could clearly see that the Lord brought such people across their path as He knew needed Salvation and more of His Love.
One of Bible-course students, E, asked for prayer for a special request – a television for his wife to use at home with their children while he is working. (She is fighting to overcome addiction, and having something to do at home would certainly be a big help.) Yet, TV’s are not easy to come by, and our friend certainly couldn’t afford one at this time. So, we all prayed together and committed it to the Lord, claiming Psalm 37:4! (Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.)
And then…
