Tuesday, 15 January 2013

A day in the life of a missionary 9:20am

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville, Florida donated the necessary fund to purchase what is the most important item in the life of a child in Ntshongweni, South Africa.  A school uniform.  Children are not allowed to attend school without wearing the proper uniform.



Over 65 children, mostly from the Orphan housing compound, built by God through the Lutheran Church were the recipients today.


They were told to be at the church at half past eight.  It was 9:20 when we began the process of handing out the goods.  Waiting 50 minutes is NOTHING in the Africa culture - especially when the wait is so very worth it.


The first of December the sizes were gathered and mid-December Pastor Thwala went to Nu-shop in Pinetown to order all the loot.  The total came to over 8 000 Rand = $935.00


All the bags were kept in his office the past month.


Pastor ready for this annual blessing.


Nu-Shop packaged each order and wrote the child's name on the bag.


No one is more beautiful than the Zulu children.


Two community women were on hand to read out the name - my Zulu is very weak and the typical name is on average 5 syllables. 


Pastor Thwala welcoming everyone and explaining how this is a gift from God... and to stick around til the end for pictures.


And now the fun begins!


One by one the precious children came forward.


waiting, patiently waiting







Here is a familiar face... my dear friend Lucky.


Pastor trying to line up the boys... kinda like herding cats.



Success!




Showing off the goods... mostly shoes (yellow boxes) These are top of the line shoes.


Boys must wear grey trousers.



Lining up the girls.  It grieves my heart that there were more boys being blessed with uniforms than girls.  It is a proven fact that the most successful way to help someone in poverty is to give a female a school uniform.  A uniform improves their odds of completing school - giving them an education and decreasing the odds of pregnancy.



Ntshongweni's spiritual leader Pastor Thwala.



The whole group - say cheese. :)




Taking the love of Jesus home to get ready for tomorrow - the first day of the new school year.  
God bless each learner tomorrow and everyday.



One plastic left... and the empty boxes. Thank God for faithful Christians who donated to this extremely important ministry.



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