What happened in November?

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Published: Wednesday, 12 November 2014 00:00

Newsflash November 2014

Dear Friends,

Lots has happened during the last couple of months. Wish we could take you personally on our trips and let you experience life here. That’s why we start this update with some photo’s from the environment where we work, so you will get an idea on what life is all about in these communities. So have a close look at the pictures, then close your eyes, smell the woodfires, listen to the fast Zulu talking, with lots of laughter in between, and… there you are!! ;-)

Although the houses are small and dark, still they are build with bricks, very different from the townships you so often find in Gauteng. A kitchen is nowhere to be found, the people here cook their mieliepap on wood, outside. An average toilet is a longdrop, even if you build a toilet bowl on it… The toilet in the 3rd picture is the church’s toilet, where I give the women’s Biblestudies… not hard to imagine I usually try to wait going till I am ‘home’. ;-)

In the communities we work there is no running water. A watertruc comes once or twice a week and fills up all the vessels people have placed outside. (photo 5) A few weeks ago the truc did not arrive for over a week, maybe it broke down… the people started fighting with one another over the last bit of water that was left… so sad.

The roads in the communities are real bad, non-tarred and lots of holes. Sometimes we had to return because we could not carry on in our (borrowed) sedan. Leaving the car and walk the rest is not something you would do here… We hope to be able to buy a second hand 4x4 in the near future.

Let’s introduce you to our new employee of Recruiting 4 Missions! His name is Ice (derived from Isaiah), but he thinks Ice is much more cool… Meanwhile he is doing a great job with the children. He is introducing the Bible stories and sharing his fears and hope. The children love him and can easily relate to him. And he already speaks a bit of SeSwati, which is the local language here ;-)  

Not only have we been able to buy Ice with the money some of you have donated, but we have also bought learning materials and some outside play items for a local preschool. We have also met a young pastor who has set up a great children’s work in his community without any material. We were able to buy a soccerball and some craft items for them. (photo 3, below). Next time we will try to bring some SeSwati children’s Bibles for those faithful children’s workers. Thank you so much for all your contributions to our work here!

A local preschool was not having enough food for a while to feed all their children a proper meal. Our own children in the NL heard about it and immediately pitched in. We are so proud of them! That is how we could feed them some decent meals for a couple of days until the truc with mielie meal arrived. Look at those concentrated faces eating their jam sandwiches! That was such a treat to them. The teacher of this preschool is not getting a salary, but was 8 months pregnant, not able to prepare anything for the baby. Now we could bless her with some necessary things and organize some second hand clothes for the baby. She was over the moon!! (photo 3, below)

Also this month we have had many opportunities to teach. Steef gave his missionstraining to pastors and missionaries in training. I have given women’s Biblestudies. I also taught pastors in training on children’s work for two days! I was so thrilled. Usually pastors will send their volunteers. This time I was able to talk to them personally and show them the importance of children in their churches. Subjects like: How to set up children’s ministry in your church; how to select children’s workers; how to relate to the children as a pastor; how to deal with unanswered prayer in children’s lifes… were all dealt with in these days. It was a great opportunity!

Our trip has lasted for 3 months, we are almost at the end. The coming 8 weeks will be filled with our jobs in the Netherlands, but we will also be able to enjoy the company of our children and grandchildren!

Half January we will return to Africa and we will certainly keep you posted on this weblog again around that time. We wish you God’s blessing. Have a great Christmas and a healthy New Year!

Much love and appreciation for your involvement,

Steef and Tineke Van ’t Slot