The picture I included today is the "before" picture of one of the projects for 2010, a soccer field for the children. The house in the picture is being torn down, Margaret's old house, and the ground is being leveled. Donations have already paid for the grading and contributions next year will pay for the fencing and field. Along with the soccer field our plans for 2010 are to build at least one other home, either do some building or remodeling at a primary school, expand on the home garden project, continue with the sewing and cottage type industries out of the community center and working in the community with the families and of course get our creche up and running.
Here at Love of Christ Church, we are underway with our 2010 fund raiser. We will have our 2nd annual golf tournament on March 7th and this year will be a 18 hole tournament beginning at 1:00 at Leisure World Golf Course in Mesa. We are going to limit the field to 18 foursomes with some great prizes. The grand prize will be going to the golfer that brings in the most donations and that prize is a golf vacation to Torreon Golf Club in Show Low AZ. This is 3 nights at the golf villas, 2 rounds of golf for 4 and dinner and lunch--what a prize! Of course we will have plenty of food and beverage and many other prizes for the golfers. The money raised from this event will allow us to continue our work in Shongweni. Any donations will be greatly appreciated.
Our annual auction is also coming up in March--the 14th and will be held at the same location as last year--Deer Valley Air Park.Congressman John Shadegg will be there and probably auctioning off another trip to Washington and a tour of the capital. Last year's winners really enjoyed their trip. Linda Funk is working hard to make this another success.
I will be having an interest meeting in February for all those who would like to know more about next year's plans.
I have given several presentations about our trip to groups in the Phoenix area and have some scheduled already for next year. It is important that we touch as many people as possible about our mission.
Merry Christmas to all of you and thank you for taking the time to read our blog. Christmas is a time for children, so remember the children of Shongweni.

Story Telling Time

Last night the congregation of Love of Christ was invited to a presentation of our mission trip. We had a good response and most of our team was in attendance. There were plenty of snacks for everyone and of course coffee and juice. All the team members were asked to bring some articles that were purchased in South Africa and these were displayed on a table in the front of the sanctuary. The attached picture shows Glenda and Norma at the table with the array of different items. Many of those in attendance mentioned that we should bring back items with us to sell and benefit the people of the community. Perhaps in the future, we will be able to begin a cottage industry in the Center of Compassion to accomplish this and provide an income for the communnity. Many items were displayed reflecting their ability to create bead work, both jewelry and decorative pieces along with carving and local art, even a married ladies hat was brought to display.
Our program consisted of a slide presentation and that took everyone thru the journey from our luncheon before we began to our last days in South Africa on this trip. The first picture had not been seen by many of the team members and that was a picture of the waddle house that a family was living in before the mission began. I have included this picture at the end of the blogs, keep in mind there were 3 or 4 children living in this "house" and everytime it would rain, more mud would be lost from the walls. This home inspired the first visitors to Shongweni to form the mission in order to provide adequate housing for the orphan children. Bob and Linda Funk returned to the states after experiencing the conditions that these orphans were living in and dedicated their lives to improving their future. Thus the first home was built, the church was repaired and a parsonage built. Now there are over 175 children that share the results of this dream.
After the slide presentation, there was time for questions and then time to socialize, look at the albums of pictures and enjoy the deserts. Everytime a presentation of our mission is given, someone new is touched by the work being done in Shongweni. I will be giving presentations at my Optimist Club meeting on the 19th and then to 2 other Optimist Clubs in the valley. There are many other churches and organizations available and I hope to have an opportunity to share the message with them.
Thank you for your comments about this blog. Our work in Shongweni continues and our plans are underway for next year.

Home Again

Difficult as it was to bid Shara and our guides from African Exposure farewell, all of us looked forward to returning home. Ahead of us was the 35+hour trip beginning with a 4 hour ride to Durban to catch our first flight of four. Shara joined us on the bus ride and into the airport as did Bob and Alf. By this time next year Durban will have its new airport open to accommodate the crowds for the World Cup. Behind us were the many friends we made and the smiling faces of the hundreds of children that we saw. The flight to Jo-Berg is a short one and then on to the 18 hour flight to Washington via Senegal. In Washington we arrived before customs opened and had to wait a short time to pass and be accepted back home. That is no place to joke around--does anyone remember the Soup Nazi from the old Seinfeld show? That is what I feel like every time I go thru customs. Shannon Smith went her way in Washington and back to Minnesota. She will be able to spread the word about our mission before Norma returns to Onamia next May. Make sure you thank the people of Onamia for their support Shannon. It was then off to Denver and then to Phoenix. All our luggage was accounted for and Caleb was waiting outside in the bus to drive us home. Pastor Liles surprised us by joining Caleb and the team for the ride.

Your mind might realize that you have returned home but your body does not catch up for a while. At 3 or 4 in the morning your body is saying that you are late getting up and at 2 in the afternoon it is telling you that it is time for bed. This will clear up in a few days.

Now we begin to gather our pictures and analyze the work that has been done and start to plan the tasks for next year. I will be giving presentations to several clubs in the area and we will be reporting back to our local churches. There are still many unknowns about the success of our mission and we can only plant the seeds of hope for the children that we have touched. Will it be this generation or the next that will break the cycle of HIV/AIDS deaths in the Shongweni community? They have come so far already from the atrocities of apartheid only 15 years ago and the waddle houses that they lived in and the empty church that is now the center of progress and love and soon to be training and economic growth. An expression that I heard on this trip sums up our efforts--"Many drops fill a glass." Hopefully our 22 team members are considered one drop. I will continue this blog as we plan our mission for next year.

The Big Five

Saturday arrived quickly with a trip to the Indian Market in Durban to allow us to shop for local items. A side trip to the Muhti Market for a few of us was an adventure as always being full of herbs, bark, spices, animal parts and items not rcognizable. Of course our small group stood out in this mass of people. Pictures are not recommended because of some of the illegal items being sold but we did visit one of the stands that our tour leader was familiar with and were able to discuss some of the remedies cured by ingesting certain plant materials. Much trading was done at the Indian Market but of course none at the Muhti.

It was then off to the North, past the new soccer stadium built for the World Cup next year--4 billion Rand--did Nancy P. have something to do with this?

After a 4 hour trip we arrived at St. Lucia preserve and what a trip up the estuary viewing hippo families(pods), crocodiles and beautiful birds. Hard to believe the size of the animals in the water-5000lbs-right next to us yawning while we went by.

Sunday was rise and shine at 4:30 to jump on a safari jeep and off to the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Preserve. Our guide Patrick zipped up the canvas sides for it was a little chilly but we dressed for the ride. Immediately upon entering the park, Impala were spotted and as we found out were very plentiful in the 95,000HAC-235,000 acres-- park. This park is Africa's oldest established protected area. During our 8 hour tour, we did experience elephants, giraffes, white rhinos, kudu, cape buffalo and many other animals. The picture I included today show the big five, all in this park, but we did not spot any lions or leopards. At one time, not too long ago, there were only 15 white rhinos in the world but this park has led the way to build up the numbers and now this park holds over 3000. After a lunch in which the local monkeys joined us and pilferred some food, we headed back to our hotel in St. Lucia.

Final day with our friends

Goals have been accomplished and lives were touched and we have made a difference. Today was our final day of work in the Shongweni community. We have been blessed by the wonderful weather this week with temps in the 70s and 80s and usually a breeze in the afternoon and today the rain held off until our dedication ceremony at 3:00. Although we did not complete Margaret's house, most of the work was finished with just a slight bit more to work on and that will be done next week. She will be able to move in before the end of the month and then work will be started on tearing her old home down and grading of the soccer field. The children have so much energy they need a soccer field to burn off some of the excess. A Zulu bible was given to Margaret as a house warming present and we all met for pictures and ceremony outside and inside of her new home. She was at the job site all day working on the outside yard with a hoe, leveling the ground.

The picture I included today was taken inside the community center during the dedication. It took place after school so there were many children in attendance. The entire team was impressed by the gratification & joy for what we have done. Our work crossed multi-generational lines. Please hold Pastor Thwala and Shara up in your prayers.

The participation of the children for the day school we held increased every day to where it was around 20 in the afternoon today. Songs were sung with the older children, there were lots of hugs all around. Books were being read, children playing with toys and hula hoops and some making items with beads. All of us encouraged the children to work hard in school and know that Jesus loves them.

I had a chance to visit the home of Dorothy--the chicken lady. She is starting an egg business and now has 10 chickens. One of the last teams purchased a pen and feed and also the first chickens. She eventually wants to have 30 chickens and sell that number of eggs per day. This is a project of the ladies of the church and Dorothy and Pastor T. want to move the operation closer to the church. We will have to see how that will work out. This is a project that we can also encourage our children to help raise funds to keep this going. Several of us followed Dorothy to her home, down the road from the church, off the road from the church and followed many paths to her home. Going down the hill to her home was one thing but coming back up was tough. No wonder she is usually late for Sunday service.
Tomorrow will be a day to visit the Indian and Muthi market in Durban. This is always an experience for the first timers. This is where they get to see and smell the real sights and smells of where we are. Then in the afternoon we are off the St. Lucia, up the coast to a game preserve and some R&R. Probably no internet there so until we return home.....
Submitted by Glenda Haug

School Daze

Although today was the third time I have visited schools in the Shongweni community, it was still an emotional event. Here is a picture of the children-968 attend this school-with the principal speaking to them. We were sitting on a stage while they sang to us, each primary class seperately. All the principal had to do was raise his hand and you could hear a pin drop, silence. Out of the sea of faces we were able to pick out some of the children of our homes and they also found us. At the end of the program and while we were exiting, here the children came to give us hugs and shake our hands and thank us for coming. Overwhelming cannot describe the feeling. We took several bags of school supplies that we had brought with us and gave them to the principal. I believe there are 15 classes and you can imagine then how many are in a class and as I related in other emails that in most cases they sit 3 to a desk. Some of our team decided to walk to the church through the many paths that wind past the homes while the rest of us headed back to work. There are now 36 homes that have been built and these are housing 165 orphaned children.

Today was finish the block work and start on the roof. We had to carry another 100 blocks up the hill and then all the roof rafters. It doesn't matter--male or female--everyone is doing their share. Today was a little warmer-28C-but with a slight breeze.

We have made a decision to build a soccer field where Margaret's old house is and will be torn down. It will be necessary to solicit donations for the cost of the grading, fencing and soccer goals, but it will be a wonderful place for the children. We will be working to make this happen when we return.

We have had many children join us for activities after school everyday and already some of them have a favorite book that they want to look at or read again. The books and the temporary library that we have assembled has been a hit. Thanks to all who donated the wonderful selection of books. Although they come in the afternoon and play with the toys or use the books, everything gets turned in before they leave so it will be there the next day.

Tomorrow is dedication day for Margaret's house and she is anxious to move in. Also we will be winding up the sewing lessons and already there are several ladies that will be able to carry on the teaching and be able to produce some item that they can sell. Today the people of the community brought their handmade items to the job site at lunch so that we could purchase what we liked.

Thank you all for your kind responses to this blog and remember although we are here but a short time, the need continues every day. You cannot drive down the roads here without the children waving to you and always with a smile. We will leave here with those and many more memories and have shed many tears of joy and know that we have also left a memory with them of the white people that came from America to help them build up their community.

Contributed by Ken Ondrejko

Sew-Sew-Sew

Each morning when we arrive in Shongweni there are six to ten women anxiously waiting to start sewing--they are eager to learn. The ladies have made a small tote bag and today they graduated to fashion an apron. The sewing has turned out to be a great project and the women are very grateful for the sewing machines and lessons. It has been easy to teach them as most of them have a basic understanding of English. The women help each other to translate the conversations. The smiles on their faces after they have learned to make their tote bags and aprons are amazing. Everyone wants their picture taken and after I return to the states we will collect photos and sent them back to Shara to distribute.

We made good progress on Margaret's house today. A truckload of block arrived early in the morning and were carried or pushed in wheelbarrows up the hill. About 12 of us worked on the house construction today mixing daga, carrying blocks and shoveling sand. This work is no easy task for people that are not accustomed to this type of labor. Keep in mind that this is a house with only three rooms and Margaret is so looking forward to enjoying her new "dining room." One of the Team members asked when the electricians and plumbers would be doing their work. This house does not have indoor plumbing or electricity. We are duplicating the home that she will be moving from on the church property. Tomorrow the block work will be done and we will be installing the roof. Dedication is still planned for Friday, our last day in Shongweni.

The kids are flocking around and playing with the toys, markers, paper, lego blocks and hula hoops, and of course enjoying all the books.

Submitted by Norma Holen and Shannon Smith

Slowly - Ever So Slowly...

The sight of the Team SLOWLY walking down the hill from Margaret's house at the end of the day dispells all the ideas that this trip is a vacation. After a day of mixing daga, laying block, shoveling sand, carrying cement bags (50 kg), wheel barrows and tools up the hill creates need for a good meal and a good night's sleep. Progress was excellent today in that the weather was superb allowing several walls to be built up to rafter height, and all the blockwork should be finished tomorrow. What follows next is installing the rafters and laying the tin roof. What a view Margaret has of the hills, valley and community.

Heidi, Lisa and Del have been working on the decorative painting inside the community center. Our African Orphans project logo will be represented along with several AIDS symbols.

The new members of the Team have noticed how well the children look after each other. They crave our hugs, attention and photo opportunities. Women carrying five gallon buckets of water on their heads and sacks of flour or rice continue to delight and amaze us.

Today was the first time the ladies were fitted for the reading glasses we provided as evidenced in the above photo. Several ladies could not read clearly before being fitted with readers, and after trying several magnifications they each found one that was perfect, not only in vision but in style and not necessarily in that order! Before, no one was wearing glasses and at one time there were eight ladies sitting on the wall outside of the church all wearing their new specs.

Linda and Norma spent the day teaching sewing to a number of ladies, who thanks to the new glasses were able to thread the needle and sew a straight line. They made small tote bags and proudly displayed tham as they carried them home over the hilly paths. One lady brought her own sewing machine to the classes this morning perched atop her head. She had never used it for two good reasons: she does not have electricity in her home and did not know how to operate the machine. In the future she will be able to visit the community center to further develop her sewing skills.

The church was a hub of activity today with the humming of the sewing machines, the buzz of chatter and the glees of children. The activity in the church could clearly be heard as we walked down the hill.

The children have no problem pronouncing our first and last name but we have extreme difficulty in pronouncing theirs and they are quick to correct me.

In spite of the pictures we include and the pleasant stories we relate, everyday life is hardly bucolic. Recent statistics report that over 1,000 people a day die from the AIDS virus in South Africa, and the area that we are blessed to serve has an infection rate of over 60%. Please pray for the caregivers and children of the Village of Shongweni who live with such a devastating disease and in dire poverty.

Thanks to the people of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania. Delaware, Arizona and beyond for all your generous donations. We could not experience bringing such love and joy to Shongweni without your support.

Submitted by Ken and Laurell Ondrejko

Many Hands-Many Tasks-Much Work

Workday #1 and God is great. We had a fantastic first day of work. Included is a picture of the Team and of the team mixing daga (mortar). We accomplished much in our work day in Shongweni. We

transported block up the hill from the church to Margaret's house, mixed daga and laid block. A few Team members gave sewing lessons to several women in the community using the sewing machines we carried in our luggage. More lessons are scheduled for tomorrow. We sorted all the additional goods (clothing, books, school supplies, toys and sewing notions). An after school playtime was held in the community center. The children loved playing with the toy cars on the new road course rug that was purchased today along with new tables and chairs. Decorative painting of the community center walls was begun today by our artists.

Some Team members met with residents of the community to tour their productive gardens and renew old friendships.

Word has definitely circulated in the area that we have arrived and we were treated to many smiling faces, happy homeowners, and playful children.

Shara has been present with us since our arrival at the Durban Airport. Her dedication on Sunday was very moving and heartfelt. Shara has a challenging task ahead of her and has already become an integral part of the community. Pastor Thwala and Pastor Arnie conducted our Sunday worship and it was truly inspirational.

Todays blog submitted by Kelly, Char and Pat.

Quite a Welcome!!!

Sunday morning, after four to five hours of rest, we gathered in the dining room of the Pinedene Hotel. The service and food was as excellent as in years past and the surroundings have been renovated in preparation for next year's World Cup held in South Africa. All of us survived the grueling trip with only a few delays checking all of our luggage through the ticket gates and customs. Weighing all carry-ons in Johannesburg, redistributing the weights to meet regulations and finally running to the gate to make the last leg of our journey was a challenge. Rain met us in Durban - for those of you in Phoenix, remember rain???

Church services began at 10:00 with a full house. Children filled the front pews and Laurell and I had two young boys lead us through the Zulu hymnal. The choir moved all of us with their voices and even a neighborhood dog made an appearance with the choir. After services it was next door to the community center with all the children and members of the area to gather for fellowship and cake and tea provided by the ladies of the church. The children had a great time with balloons we provided and also hula hoops. The nursery still has some outside walls and roof to finish, but the community center is nearing completion. Talked to Hans Beier about utilizing some of the propery for a soccer field and thought we could make it one of our projects for next year.

Following the gathering we were off to the Pot and Kettle Restaurant for lunch and some shopping at the market, comprised of local artists and artisans. Jet lag is setting in and a good rest will be welcomed tonight. A 90 minute in-country briefing was conducted by Gavin, our tour director.

Tomorrow at 8:00AM begins our work at the job site with building and interaction with the children.

Technical difficulties when trying to send pictures--will try again tomorrow.

Only monkeys and baboons were spotted today--no giraffes!

Today was the day we held our annual team luncheon before we depart on our trip next friday the 9th. Twenty three volunteers including most of this year's team and members from previous trips joined together at Serrano's Restaurant in Mesa for fellowship and good food. Everyone was asked to bring the items that they have had donated and did they ever. The one end of the lunch roon was filled with sewing machines, books, clothing, school supplies, eyeglasses, toothpaste, toothbrushes and more. Glenda still had more in her suburban that we will be working on Monday and taken as excess luggage. I have to make sure that I have room for my new Okaboji University Graduate School shirt!!
The room was filled with anticipation of our trip and looking forward to install Shara as a missionary and dedicate Margaret's house and the community center. The next meal we will have together will be at the "Pot and Kettle" in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, South Africa. I will be writing this blog from the Pinedene Hotel in Pinetown S.A.

PREPARING FOR OUR RETURN IN OCTOBER

WELCOME TO OUR BLOG CONTAINING THE PROGRESS IN SHONGWENI, SOUTH AFRICA. OUR INTRODUCTORY PICTURE SHOWS THE TEAM FROM OCTOBER 2008. THIS WAS THE 2ND TRIP FOR SOME OF US AND QUITE A FEW WILL BE RETURNING THIS OCTOBER. LITTLE DID WE KNOW 3 YEARS AGO THAT THERE WOULD BE OVER 30 HOMES CONSTRUCTED AND A COMMUNITY CENTER AND DAY NURSERY(CRECHE) BEGUN AT THIS TIME. OVER 100 ORPHANED CHILDREN NOW HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE IN A DECENT HOME WITH A CHRIST CENTERED COMMUNITY AND CHURCH. THIS BLOG WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED OF THE PROGRESS WE CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE AND THE ADVENTURES WE ENCOUNTER WHILE WE ARE IN AFRICA. IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT IF YOU ONLY VISIT 2 CONTINENTS IN YOUR LIFETIME--VISIT AFRICA TWICE. WE NOW HAVE A TEAM OF 21 VOLUNTEERS PREPARING FOR OUR TRIP LEAVING OCTOBER 9TH. OUR OBJECTIVES ARE TO FINISH THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND DAY NURSERY AND TO BUILD ONE HOME.