Through a series of miracles and open doors, we ended up at this beautiful zero-fee school, which serves hundreds of children from the farming communities towards Malmesbury. The principal and teachers welcomed us gladly, and understood our goal of not only handing out school supplies and lollies, but most importantly, giving a talk with a Salvation message to the whole assembly. Wonderfully, 291 children responded, opening their hearts and lives to Jesus! Then, classroom to classroom we went, giving out the treats and stationary packs, character-building Afrikaans posters, and tracts – as well as chocolates and Activated magazines for the faithful teachers. It was an amazing time!

As soon as “Mama” Rosie – the founder and director of Baphumelele Orphanage in Khayelitsha – heard that we had stationery packs for not SOME, but ALL of the school-aged children she cares for, she began cheering and rejoicing and praising God on the phone! “Just yesterday” she shared, “the school was calling me saying how my children coming from the orphanage don’t have all the notebooks and things they need. And I was thinking oh Lord what must I do? And then YOU CALL!”

How wonderful! 121 dear ones from grade R up received their packs, and we were able to remind them how very Loved by Jesus they are. We were also privileged to have a long-term friend of ours join us at the event, and her loving grandmotherly care impacted out onto all the children in such a special way.

We received an early morning call to come collect multiple huge wooden bins of mealie corn! The young men loaded them all by hand into the van, and then out again at a soup kitchen which serves hundreds of meals daily!!

What a lot of work and a lot of joy; with each pack prepared one closer to the goal, and one more child that would get special gifts to assist in furthering their education!

Some of the ladies of Helping Hand stayed up nearly till midnight, preparing these special Valentine’s gift hampers for women at a crisis centre. We hold a Bible study there weekly, to help encourage and show God’s Love to each and every one, regardless of their background. (Wonderfully, over the years many of the ladies passing through the centre have given their hearts to Jesus, and their lives have been changed for the better!) This time, the special focus was the Love of Jesus, and how He will always be there for us, no matter if others abandon or disregard us. And all the women loved it!

We sent a box FULL of Bibles, Activated magazines, tracts, and much more material to a couple who are good friends and former Bible students of ours; now living and minstering near Mosselbaai. They use these materials to disciple those they have led to salvation, or are mentoring and encouraging.

We are all so inspired to see the fruit borne as others are taught to teach others, and show the Love of Jesus where they are. (2 Timothy 2:2) That’s the way the Light spreads into hearts and lives all over!

All puns aside, what a special thing to have the means to pull off this much-needed food distribution. With multiple kilos of carrots, 2 packs of cold meat, a whole bag of rusks or cereal, fresh bread, tissue paper, and Gospel material for each person, this was really a work of the Lord, with foodstuffs coming together plentifully from different directions to make the project a reality! We are so happy, and so were those that received it. With prayer before beginning distribution and praise both throughout and after, we continue to strive to point all receivers straight back to Jesus as the One Whose Love brought this to pass.

What a joy and privilege to be able to help this family’s two little girls with supplies to facilitate their learning. They all live on a small farm and are struggling to make ends meet. These everyday school and Gospel items will make such a difference as they strive to uplift themselves through education. Honestly, their smiles say it all!