Luke 4:16-18
He (Jesus) went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
Ginger, my ministry partner had a wonderful idea. While sorting about 300 book in January, 2012 at Charles primary school in Ntshongweni, Ginger said let's turn this book-heap of a room into a beautiful library. Ginger would say that it was while I took a break to read to the children that she got the idea, but I think it was just the Holy Spirit and Ginger working out this deal.
So the idea was suggested to Mrs. Mazibuko, the Principal who said she was praying for a library but we could tell throughout the planning process that she really had no idea what a school library really was.
God provided the manual labor and the financial means through CAN-DO Missions and the students of my alma mater, Concordia, Texas.
And so the week arrived. Ginger and I were to be at Charles Primary on Monday June 21 to help empty out the room of the estimated 10,000 books and scrap the walls.
so that they were ready for Wednesday morning when the team would arrive.
Besides being the room where all the rooms were 'stored', it also has served for many months as the living accommodation for the construction workers who were putting new roofs on several buildings (after 5 years of the roofs leaking!)
Here is their kitchen
Here is their bathroom - I love the Smirnoff Vodka.
Well, back to the story, we called that Monday morning before we went out and the Principal said No need to come on Monday. Oh, Okay.... guess they are taking care of it themselves. Silly Zeal
We arrive on Tuesday, T minus 24 hours until the team arrives thinking the room is prep'ed to paint; and NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING was done!!!!!!! Nothing.
So we begin...
Ginger is down in the staff room receiving the 10,000 books
and trying to sort them as they come in
I was down in the other room telling, yelling, asking, screaming in English to the students who spoke Zulu, to the 7th grade boys to move the books and then after lunch the 3rd grade boys. They thought it was a day to browse through books and even 'Free Book Day.' Clearly they didn't want to move 10,000 books any more than we did.
We worked until very late to try to just get the books in random piles, the 3rd grades just tossed the books into the room and Ginger wasn't leaving until there was a path. I wish I had taken a shot of the mountain of books that were dumbed on the floor.
Wednesday morning arrived and so did the most wonderful 10 female university students. The construction men's belongings were pushed to the center because there was nowhere for them to move it. The scraping begun with half the group and the other half was in the lounge sorting books.
Pat Flick, the CAN-DO director and an awful hard worker.
Where do you begin to sort that many books?
We scraped for 1/2 a day.
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’ ?
Time to put down the drop cloth and begin to paint - yippee
The team brought some supplies from the US and the Lutheran Church in Ntshongweni had some.
By the end of Wednesday the walls were painted and so very beautiful.
We took a break at the beginning of the school day on Thursday for their assembly.
No separation of church and state in South Africa. Jesus Christ is freely mentioned and praying is a common occurrence.
sorting and more sorting...
The team hired a local man to build bookcases.
He name is Royal and he did an awesome job.
Walls covered with 2 coats of new paint, the construction men's belonging were moved to the next classroom - and the class was combined with another class.
Time to mop the floor - which hasn't seen daylight in 20 years.
Sweep, sweep, sweep, with the new brooms.
Time to measure for the brackets for the book shelves.
Washing the windows, inside and out.
Jordan peeking inside as the room is transformed.
In all the rumble we found this slip of paper which we used to sort the 300 books in January.
Previous to serving the Lord as a missionary I served as a Director of Christian Education at Grace Lutheran, Pensacola, Florida.
Many of the students from Concordia are studying to be a DCE, like my new friend Hayley.
Luke 6:3
Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?
Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?
Brackets going up and up and up
looks awesome & ready for the shelves. 
bookcases bolted to the walls
Ready for the 10,000 books to be brought back, now sorted. Fire Brigade style.
Putting it all together.
Zulu material and books on the left - English on the right side of the room.
This was the teams' driver and jack of all trades, here he assembles and hang the new lights.
Even the construction man wanted to help us after his shift had ended.
The teachers' lounge is getting cleared of the sorted books.
So many books.
Taking a break to read to the 'neighborhood' children.
Let there be LIGHT. just in time, it was getting dark. Still Thursday.
Playing with the neighbor kids this evening.
Filling the bookcases!
I love the American flag. I would never be able to draw a South African flag before living here.
Pastor Thwala accepting a certificate of appreciation.
The certificate was presented by a member of the school board. The importance of this library reaches well beyond this campus.
The principal, Mrs. Mazibuko and staff came down to the new library singing and dancing in joy.
This is the first library in Ntshongweni, the one high school doesn't have one, nor do the other 2 primary school
happy group photo... the wonderful university students who worked so hard and the ecstatic facility of Charles Primary.
The university students, Pastor Thwala, Ginger and me.
Praise the Lord, Ntshongweni has their first library. Thank you Jesus.
and it is so very lovely
Ginger (L), Jasmine, Pastor, Thwala, Zeal (R)
happy leaders & student
Matthew 21:16“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’ ?”
