TWO ORPHANS AND THEIR MUD HOUSE

Sihli & Nkululeko are two orphans.  Their primary school principal, Mrs. Mazibuko introduced us in late October while telling us that they needed a shelter.  These boys have been living alone - they are in 6th & 8th grade.  Alone - Orphans.  I couldn't imagine anything sadder than being an orphan until we paid a visit to their house. 

Pastor Thwala meeting the 6th grader at the primary school.

Ginger with the 8th grader at the High School.

Saturday, January 26 we went to visit them.  Unfortunately, they were not at home.

Here is their house, no windows... made out of sticks and mud, with rocks holding the tin roof down.  The rain is eroding the mud.

Side 2

I see no electrical wires leading me to believe that they have no electricity.  How do they see without lights, without windows? How do they cook - although Mrs. Mazibuko told us they beg for food.

Front of the house.

I was trying to capture the rut in the ground from where the water is creating problems.

They have quite a large piece of property - this is the trail from their gate.

WOW

Glad to see a clothesline. 

Hole in the wall.

The sides are wearing away.

At every property a latrine was built by the government. There is no water on the property - they would have to haul it from the community tap.

Without gutters on the roof the rain is washing away the ground.

You can see that the boys packed dirt against the house to keep the water from coming in.

Our friend Khulekani came with us.

Khulekani and Ginger.

Okay, back to reality... the boys' gate.

The steep trail to their house.

We are praying that the Mercy & Grace of Christ Jesus will prevail.

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..."  James 1:27

To read the full story about these two orphan boys:

http://servingthelordwithzeal.blogspot.com/2013/01/doesnt-get-any-sadder-than-this.html

Woza Moya High School

Wednesday, January 23rd I left my flat in Hillcrest at 6:45am instead of the usual 7:15am for a special treat.

My ministry partner, Ginger, and I arrived at Woza Moya High School at 7:20am - which is excellent time.  We came today because the high school - the only high school in Ntshongweni - where I serve as a missionary was having an assembly.

It is so fun to know so many of the people in this great township.  Here Ginger is greeting our friends.

Like a trail of ants, 1,000's of students in grades 8 - 12 came down the road (in the center of the picture) to receive their education.

Unlike American high schools where each student drives a car - only a few cars are parked on this dirt. Only a few of the teachers have a car.  

When I think of high school assemblies I think back to Loara High School in Anaheim, California. I graduated in 1977.  I loved assemblies all the fun and excitement.  The band playing and games and antics.  At Woza Moya no cheerleaders.

Our sweet friends: (L) Ayanda; (R) Nqobile 

These beautiful girls are both in 8th grade and just began to attend high school.  Not every child in the township attends school - uniforms are required and then they only take a certain number, the high school isn't big enough for everyone to attend.

Our other favorities:  (L) Buyelani Grade 9; (R)  Nhianhia Grade 10

The assembly, which is held every Monday & Wednesday consists of students standing in a straight line, I assume by class.  The principal speaks - Mr. Mathi - who has a stick in his belt loop for corporate punishment - speaks to the group.

This boys tie is special, the writing and emblem states 2013 Matric (graduate).  Congratulations young man - you will graduate in December.  A great honor indeed.

 Here is Pastor Thwala giving his message from the Bible WITHOUT a mic.  From the book of Exodus he shouts to the 1,000 + youth in the very hot summer sun that they need a leader and that leader is Jesus.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is welcomed at the government schools and freely talked about.  They sang the most beautiful song to Jesus.  Yes, 1,000+ all singing to Jesus in their amazing, I-have-no-words-to-describe the Zulu harmony.  I thought I was in heaven.  Who needs silly games, cheerleaders and marching bands; the message of the love of Christ is all these young people need.

15 out of 12,461 I was asked to pick my 15 favorites

My home church, Grace Lutheran, Pensacola, Florida asked me to send them 15 pictures for their missionary web-page.  In random order... the winners are ~

A 'big brother' praying at Bible Camp in October 2012

Me and Nomusa at the 2011 creche graduation

Wishing my ministry partner Ginger were in the picture rather than taking it, here I am with Julia, Shara and Kaitlyn previous missionaries with our children in Ntshongweni, South Africa.

In red, my dear friend Nozipho and her grandson on her hip, mother (in white), her daughter between them, two nieces which she is raising since her sister died of AIDS and her 18 year old daughter (mother of grandson)

Newborn Mpilo January 2013

The children love my long, stringy hair - so different from their own

Africa is so beautiful

Egg on the spoon race - Bible Camp March 2012

Kruger Game Reserve leopard  February 2012

Pastor Mandla Thwala and I painting a house for orphans October 2011

Matthew Tohpak a seminary student from Liberia with me at the Lutheran Seminary in Pretoria, South Africa

We Three Kings at the creche December 2011 acting out the Christmas story

The preschoolers get breakfast - mealie meal - and a lunch at the Lutheran creche

Bible Camp October 2011 children wearing the Full Armor of God - Breastplate of Righteousness Ephesians 6:14

Getting my face painted at Moyo Restaurant September 2011