THANKSGIVING IN SHONGWENI

I am writing this with one week until Justin Milan and I along with 12 other team members leave on our building trip to South Africa.  When we decided to join the fall team, November seemed so far away.  The second suitcase that all team members are allowed to carry has been packed with baby dolls, crèche supplies, books, soccer uniforms and equipment.  700 lbs of much needed, duty-free items for our families in Shongweni.  We will be on a flight from Phoenix to Dulles,

Dakar, Johannesburg, Durbin and then one hour of ground travel to our home away from home.

Our first Sunday will be spent at the Shongweni Lutheran Church to celebrate their 25th anniversary.  A luncheon provided by the ladies of the church will be enjoyed by all after worshiping and communing together.  It is not only in the U.S. that the Lutherans enjoy a good potluck!  I recall that on the first trip to this village seven years ago, the team communed with the locals, and that was the very first time that Blacks and Whites joined together at the Lord's table in Shongweni.  Much has changed but much has remained the same. 

On our second Sunday, we will join the congregation at Westville Lutheran Church.  This church partners with us in the Shongweni community.  We will participate and commune in a liturgy of both English and German.  During the time that we do not have a team in South Africa, the Westville Church reaches out to the Shongweni community with assistance.

Between the two Sundays there will be plenty of work to keep us busy building another home for a needy family and orphans.  We will be visiting a local school and of course spending time with the children. 

Due to the Thanksgiving school break, we are blessed to have three teens (along with their parents) accompanying us on our journey.  What an experience for the entire Johnsen family.

THANKSGIVING DAY FOR THE NOVEMBER AFRICAN ORPHANS TEAM WAS SPECIAL , AS IT WAS SPENT IN SHONGWENI, SOUTH AFRICA.  NO TURKEY AND DRESSING THIS YEAR, BUT HARD WORK AND A LOT OF LOVE AND APPRECIATION.  ALONG WITH THEIR PERSONAL LUGGAGE, THEY CARRIED 300LBS OF SOCCER UNIFORMS INCLUDING SHOES, WARM-UPS AND PRACTICE CLOTHES.  THE BOYS IN SHONGWENI SEND THEIR THANKS TO THE SCOTTSDALE BLACKHAWKS SOCCER LEAGUE AND PROMISE TO HOLD THE BLACKHAWKS NAME HIGH IN ALL THEIR EFFORTS.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE SOCCER UNIFORMS WAS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE TRIP, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY WAS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AOP'S 39TH HOME IN THE SHONGWENI COMMUNITY.  THE ATTACHED PICTURE SHOWS THE HOUSE(?) THAT THE SHABALA FAMILY WILL BE MOVING OUT OF AND INTO A NEW BLOCK HOME.  FIVE FULL DAYS WERE SPENT CARRYING BLOCK, MIXING MORTAR AND RAISING WALLS TO ROOF LEVEL, ALONG WITH INTERACTING WITH THE MANY CHILDREN IN THE AREA.  TO DATE THE AOP HAS HOUSED CLOSE TO 200 CHILDREN.
ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT OF THE TRIP WAS WITNESSING THE SEWING LADIES GRADUATING FROM THEIR ADVANCED SEWING CLASS.  THE AOP FUNDED 11 LADIES TO HONE THEIR SKILLS WITH 10 ADVANCED SEWING LESSONS BY EMBOCRAFT, HELD AT OUR COMMUNITY CENTER.  WITH THESE CLASSES, AND ANOTHER PROGRAM ALSO FUNDED BY THE AOP, THE LADIES WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE BOYS AND GIRLS SCHOOL UNIFORMS AND HAVE INCOMES FROM THEIR PRODUCTS. 
THE AOP IS ALREADY PLANNING TRIPS FOR 2013 AND EXTENDS A WELCOME INVITATION TO ANYONE WHO SHOULD LIKE TO EXPERIENCE A REWARDING ADVENTURE.  PLEASE MESSAGE AT KONDREJKO@YAHOO.COM FOR INFORMATION.

I had to include this picture showing a portion of the uniforms collected on Saturday, Aug 25th.  The collection included shirts, pants, socks, shoes, shin pads, soccer balls and back packs.  This collection will not only supply the boys in Shongweni but will be available for boys in other areas of South Africa that we may venture into.  Thanks to all the donors from the Scottsdale Blackhawks Soccer League.

For the past three years, the Scottsdale Blackhawks Soccer League has graciously invited the African Orphans Project (AOP) to participate in a collection of donated/used soccer uniforms and gear. Dave and Char Goodknight and Ken and Laurell Ondrejko hosted this year's event at the Salt River Fields Soccer Park on August 18 and 25.

Three years ago, proceeds from the LOC/AOP golf tournament provided the funding to build a soccer field adjacent to the community center and creche in Shongweni. Three soccer teams are now active and competing successfully. The boys were able to travel with their team to tournament play as far away as Johannesburg. This was quite an experience for children who have very limited transportation and little opportunity to travel. They also enjoyed an awards banquet at season's end.

Dave and Char will be representing Love of Christ on the November trip to Shongweni, South Africa to build our 39th home in the community.

God's blessings are abundant in Shongweni.

VISIT TO THE STATES

THE PARTICIPATING CONGREGATIONS IN THE U.S. ARE PREPARING TO WELCOME THE PASTOR FROM THE SHONGWENI LUTHERAN CHURCH.  THIS WILL BE PASTOR THWALA'S FIRST EXPERIENCE FLYING AND WHAT A WAY TO BE INTRODUCED--OVERSEAS!!  HE WILL BE VISITING CHURCHES IN DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, IOWA, PENNSYLVANIA, FLORIDA AND OF COURSE HERE IN ARIZONA.
PASTOR THWALA WILL BE TRAVELING WITH HIS WIFE  AND BE TRAVELING WITHIN THE STATES FOR ABOUT A MONTH.  PLANS HAVE BEEN MADE HERE IN PHOENIX TO HOST THEM AT A DINNER ON FRIDAY, JULY 20TH THEN HE WILL PREACH AT LOVE OF CHRIST LUTHERAN IN MESA ON SUNDAY AND ALSO AT CHRIST CHURCH LUTHERAN THE SAME MORNING.  BOB FUNK HAS TO DO SOME FANCY DRIVING TO MAKE IT TO BOTH SERVICES WITH OUR GUEST. 
ONE OF THE GREAT BITS OF NEWS THAT PASTOR THWALA WILL BE BRINGING WITH HIM IS THAT THE CRECHE HAS BEEN FINALLY FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA.  THIS MEANS THAT WITH THIS PER CHILD STIPEND, THE COMPLEX CAN BECOME PRETTY WELL SELF SUFFICIENT.  THIS HAS BEEN OUR GOAL FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.  WITH THE OTHER PROJECTS GOING ON INCLUDING THE SEWING LADIES,  THIS HAS BEEN A HAND UP ASSISTANCE TO THE COMMUNITY.
OUR NOVEMBER TEAM, LEAD BY DREW WEST, ARE MAKING THEIR PLANS.  THEY WILL BE SPENDING THANKSGIVING IN SHONGWENI AND WHAT A WAY TO GIVE THANKS FOR ALL THE MIRACLES THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE.  MORE TO COME ABOUT THEIR TRIP.

CONGRATULATIONS BOYS

THE SOCCER PROGRAM IN SHONGWENI CONTINUES TO PRODUCE WINNERS. HERE IS THE MOST RECENT RESULT OF SENDELAE'S HARD WORK. THE UNDER 13 SOCCER BOYS ARE PROUDLY DISPLAYING THE TROPHY THEY WON AT A TOURNAMENT.
MISSIONARY JULIE HAS NOW RETURNED TO THE STATES AND SHARA WILL BE LEAVING SOON. MISSIONARIES ZEAL AND GINGER ARE TAKING OVER AS PASTOR THWALA'S LEADERS. THEY HAVE BEEN SHARING THE GOSPEL THROUGH CHAPEL SERVICES FOR THE CHILDREN AT THE CRECHE, DEVOTIONS AT THE LOCAL SCHOOLS AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS IN THE COMMUNITY. SHARA AND HER COLLEAGUES SHARED THE GOOD NEWS WITH THE YOUNG WOMEN OF SHONGWENI AT AN EVENT THEY HOSTED CALLED FOCUS ON BEING FEMALE. TWENTY LADIES AGES 12-25 ATTENDED. THE LADIES HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE PAMPERED WITH MANICURES AND PEDICURES. THEY SHARED THE FACT THAT THEY ARE VALUABLE AND WORTHY BECAUSE GOD LOVES THEM.

A TIME TO SAY GOODBYE

OUR TIME HERE IN SOUTH AFRICA IS JUST ABOUT OVER AND TODAY WAS A DAY OF SHOPPING AND SIGHTSEEING. OUR DAY BEGAN WITH A TRIP TO AN OUTSIDE MARKET WITH STANDS OF FOOD AND ITEMS FROM PLANTS TO CATCHMENT EQUIPMENT TO JEWELRY AND TOYS AND NATIVE WARE. PLENTY OF THINGS TO LOOK AT AND PEOPLE TO WATCH. ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS MARKET IS WATCHING ALL THE DOGS THAT PEOPLE BRING OUT TO MINGLE WITH OTHER DOGS AND FOR PEOPLE TO OOGLE OVER. I HAVEN'T SEEN A DOG FIGHT YET BUT ENJOYED THE GREAT COFFEE AND CHOCOLATE MUFFINS--YUMMY!

IT WAS THEN OFF TO THE INDIAN MARKET IN DURBAN BY WAY OF A FEW AREAS SUCH AS THE CATO DISTRICT. THIS IS AN AREA OF POVERTY WITH SHACKS AND A CONTINUOUS SEA OF ROOFS. ANYTHING FROM CORRIGATED TIN TO CARDBOARD. SOUTH AFRICA IS IN THE PROCESS OF A CENSUS AND I DO NOT KNOW HOW THEY COULD POSSIBLY COUNT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THIS AREA.

AFTER A VISIT TO THE INDIAN MARKET IT WAS A WALKING TOUR OF THE MUHTI-MEDICINE-MARKET SO THAT THE NEWBEES CAN GET AN IDEA OF THE REAL AFRICA, BOTH IN SIGHT AND SMELL. WE EXTENDED OUR WALK TO OTHER AREAS OF THE MARKET THAT I HAD NOT VISITED BEFORE. PLENTY OF SANGOMOS-MEDICINE MEN-IN THE MARKET TO CURE ANY DISEASE YOU MAY HAVE. I AM GLAD I FELT WELL!!

OUR AFTERNOON CONCLUDED WITH A TRIP TO THE INDIAN OCEAN TO WIGGLE YOUR TOES IN AND ENJOY THE BREEZES. PLENTY OF SWIMMERS AND SURFERS TODAY. THERE IS ALWAYS A FEW CONTAINER SHIPS WAITING OR ON THEIR WAY IN TO THE HARBOR AFTER ALL THIS IS THE BUSIEST PORT IN ALL OF AFRICA.

TOMORROW WE WILL BE CATCHING OUR FLIGHT AT AROUND 5:00 AND THEN BACK TO THE STATES.

IT HAS BEEN ANOTHER WONDERFUL AND REWARDING TRIP HAD BY ALL WITH MORE FRIENDS MADE AND OTHERS REVISITED.

VISITING DAY

TODAY WAS THE ONE DAY THAT EVERY YEAR WE LOOK FORWARD TO AND THAT IS A VISIT TO ONE OF THE SCHOOLS IN THE AREA OF SHONGWENI. THIS YEAR WE RETURNED TO CHARLES PRIMARY SCHOOL AND WERE GREETED BY THE PRINIPAL WITH ALL THE STUDENTS OUTSIDE IN THE COURTYARD WELCOMING US WITH SONG. AFTER AN INTRODUCTION BY THE PRINCIPAL AND EACH ONE OF US STANDING UP, TELLING OUR NAME AND THEN BEING GIVEN A HELLO IN ZULU WE HAD A CHANCE TO VISIT EACH CLASSROOM. DISCIPLINE IS NEVER A PROBLEM AT ANY OF THE SCHOOLS THAT WE HAVE VISITED. WE DID TALK TO SEVERAL STUDENTS AT CHARLES SCHOOL THAT LIVER IN OUR HOMES INCLUDING A BOY NAMED SABU THAT WE HAVE BECOME ATTACHED TO. PART OF THE TEAM REMAINED AT THE SCHOOL TO PAINT SOME DECORATIVE PAINTING IN 2 OF THE CLASSROOMS WHILE THE REST OF US RETURNED TO THE CRECHE.
WORK CONTINUED ON THE STORAGE BUILDING AND THE WALLS SHOULD BE COMPLETED TOMORROW WITH FANI FINISHING THE ROOF NEXT WEEK.
THE SOCCER BOYS STARTED SHOWING UP AT THE CENTER AROUND 4:00 AND THEY KEPT COMING IN UNTIL THERE WERE OVER 60 AT AND AROUND THE FIELD. PASTOR THWALA CALLED EVERYONE TO THE CENTER AT 5:00 WHERE WE HAD THE NEW UNIFORMS AND TALKED TO THE BOYS ABOUT WHY WE WERE THERE. HE INTRODUCED SEVERAL OF THE COACHES AND THEN IT WAS PASSING OUT THE UNIFORMS SO THAT WE COULD TAKE PICTURES ON THE FIELD. THE COACH DIVIDED THE BOYS INTO 3 GROUPS-13 AND UNDER, 13-15 AND 15-17 AND PLENTY OF PICTURES WERE TAKEN. THEN ALL THE BOYS GATHERED FOR ONE PICTURE OF THE GROUP. THE BOYS REURNED TO THE CENTER AND TURNED THE SHIRTS BACK IN. THE BOYS WILL RECEIVE THEIR UNIFORMS BEFORE EACH GAME AND THE SHOES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED NEXT WEEK.
WE HAD SONGS FROM THE BOYS AND MANY THANKS ALONG WITH A GROUP OF GIRLS SHOWING US THEIR DANCING SKILLS. AFTER A DINNER PREPARED BY THE WOMEN OF THE COMMUNITY IT WAS BACK TO PINETOWN. THESE ARE ALWAYS DAYS TO REMEMBER AND MEMORIES SECOND TO NONE.

ROLLING, ROLLING, ROLLING

BACK AGAIN THIS MORNING UNDER SUNNY SKIES AND WARM TEMPS. PROGRESS IS BEING MADE ON OUR STORAGE BUILDING NOW THAT WE ARE EXPERTS AT LAYING BLOCK AFTER ONE DAY OF TRAINING. OUR SUPERVISOR, FANI, IS VERY PATIENT WITH US. IT IS NECESSARY FOR US TO WORK OFF OF SCAFFOLDING TODAY AS WE APPROACH 12 BLOCK HIGH.
THE PAINTING CREW FINISHED BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE DLUDA HOUSE WITH A BEAUTIFUL LIGHT CREAM COLOR ON THE OUTSIDE. THE ENTIRE TEAM MADE A STOP BEFORE LEAVING THE COMMUNITY AT HER HOUSE TO TAKE A TOUR OF THE INSIDE AND HAVE THE TEAM PICTURE TAKEN OUTSIDE. TO SAY THAT SHE WAS HAPPY ABOUT HER NEW HOUSE WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT AS SHE WWENT AROUND AND HUGGED EVERYONE. AFTER THE TEAM LEAVES, WE WILL HAVE FANI BUILD HER A PATIO SO THAT SHE CAN SIT OUTSIDE THE DOOR AND ENJOY THE OUSTANDING VIEWS OF THE VALLEY FROM SHONGWENI MOUNTAIN IN THE DISTANCE TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER BELOW.
A YOUNG MEMBER OF OUR TEAM, MALIK, IS GOING TO GIVE A TALK AT THE HIGH SCHOOL THIS MORNING AND WE WILL BE VISITING THE PRIMARY SCHOOL TOMORROW.
THE PICTURE TODAY IS DURING PLAYTIME AT THE CRECHE WITH HIS "MICHELIN" TIRE. THE LOVE TO PLAY WITH THE TIRES AND THE JUNGLE GYM THAT WE CONSTRUCTED LAST YEAR AND WAS ADDED ON DURING THE JULY TEAM'S VISIT, REALLY GETS A LOT OF USE. I STOOD AT THE DOOR OF ONE OF THE CLASSROOMS YESTERDAY AND WATCHED AS THE TEACHER READ TO 20 YOUNGSTERS AND COULD NOT GET OVER HOW THEIR EYES NEVER LEFT THAT TEACHER WHILE SHE READ AND NEVER GLANCED AT ME. THEIR MINDS ARE SO OPEN TO LEARNING.
WELL, IT'S OFF TO WORK.

THANK YOU LORD

WE ARE AGAIN HERE IN SHONGWENI AND HERE ARE SEVERAL OF THE YOUNG GIRLS GIVING THANKS FOR OUR RETURN AND OUR SAFE STAY IN THE COMMUNITY. WE ARRIVED WITH SONGS FROM THE NEARLY 80 CHLDREN IN THE CRECHE AND THEN IT WAS OFF TO WORK.
BLOCK LAYING BEGAN ON A NEW STORAGE BUILDING WHILE SOME OF THE TEAM WENT UP THE HILL TO PAINT THE LAST HOUSE THAT WAS CONSTRUCTED BY DREW'S TEAM IN JULY.
THE SOCCER BOYS WILL BE THRILLED WITH THE OVER 200LBS OF UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO ADD TO OUR LUGGAGE. THEY WILL BE GATHERING ON THURSDAY TO DISTRIBUTE THE GOODIES.
CHARLES SCHOOL WILL RECEIVE US THIS WEEK AS WE RETURN TO COMPLETE A COUPLE OF CLASSROOMS THAT ARE IN NEED OF HELP. QUITE A FEW OF THE CHILDREN FROM OUR PROJECT ATTEND THE SCHOOL. WE MADE A STOP AT THE HOUSES ON OUR WAY OUT TONIGHT AND TALKED TO SKUMBUZO--HE IS NOW 8 YEARS OLD AND WE HAVE SEEN HIM GROW UP OVER THE PAST 5 YEARS.
BOTH SHARA AND JULIA WILL BE LEAVING NEXT YEAR, OUR MISSIONARIES AT THE CRECHE AND ALREADY WE HAVE 2 NEW LADIES THAT WILL TAKE THEIR PLACE--GINGER AND ZEAL, SO THE TEACHERS AT THE CRECHE HAVE SOME EXCELLENT ASSISTANCE WITH THE CHILDREN.

WE ARE READY

HERE IS BOB FUNK REVIEWING THE OCTOBER TRIP TO THE NEWBIES-KIM, RENE AND ANNA, AND OLD TIMERS AT THE GOING

AWAY LUNCHEON BEFORE THE TEAM LEAVES ON OCTOBER 5TH. TO THE LEFT ARE THE EXTRA SUITCASES FILLED WITH SOCCER UNIFORMS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES THAT WILL BRING A LOT OF SMILES TO THE CHILDREN IN SHONGWENI. AFTER BOB WAS FINISHED GOING OVER THE PLANS FOR THE WEEK, I THOUGHT TO MYSELF IT IS A GOOD THING THAT THE TRIP IS 3 WEEKS THIS TIME ( ACTUALLY ONLY 10 DAYS). THE WEEK WILL BE FULL WITH WORK AT THE CRECHE AND CHARLES SCHOOL ALONG WITH THE BUILDING OF A STORAGE AREA AND HELP IN THE COMMUNITY. THERE WILL BE VISITS TO AN AIDS CLINIC, HELP WITH VBS ALONG WITH SHARA AND JULIA. THIS YEAR THERE WILL BE 3 TEAM MEMBERS JOINING THE PHOENIX CONTINGENT IN WASHINGTON DULLES FROM THE EAST COAST. HARD TO BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN 5 YEARS ALREADY SINCE THE FIRST TEAM TRAVELED TO SOUTH AFRICA. THANKS AGAIN TO THE SCOTTSDALE BLACKHAWKS FOR ALL THE SOCCER UNIFORMS THIS YEAR. GOD SPEED OCTOBER TEAM.

COLLECTION TIME

PREPARING FOR THE OCTOBER TEAM THAT WILL BE LEAVING ON THE 7TH, KEN AND LAURELL HAD THEIR COLLECTION TABLE SET UP AT THE NEW SOCCER FIELDS LOCATED AT PIMA AND INDIAN BEND--HOME OF THE TRAINING FACILITIES OF THE AZ DIAMONDBACKS AND COLORADO ROCKIES. FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR THE SCOTTSDALE BLACKHAWK SOCCER LEAGUE INVITED THEM TO COLLECT USED UNIFORMS TO SEND TO SHONGWENI. MANY THANKS GO OUT TO THE LEAGUE AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THEIR EMAIL BLASTS COMPLETE WITH PICTURES OF THE SHONGWENI TEAM WEARING THE BLACKHAWK UNIFORMS. BECAUSE OF THE TWO SATURDAY COLLECTIONS, MANY UNIFORMS WERE GATHERED INCLUDING SHOES, SOCKS, SHORTS AND SHIRTS. THESE WILL BE CAREFULLY PACKED IN THE LUGGAGE OF THE OCTOBER TEAM AND THE SOCCER BOYS WILL BE ANXIOUSLY AWAITING THE NEW SUPPLY.

THOSE OF US THAT ARE STAYING BEHIND THIS YEAR WILL BE AWAITING PICTURES AND REPORTS OF THEIR MISSION THIS YEAR. THE JULY TEAM COMPLETED 90% OF THE NEW HOME AND IT HAS BEEN COMPLETED SINCE THEY LEFT AND THE OCT. TEAM WILL BE DEDICATING IT WITH THE NEW FAMILY. THERE WILL ALSO BE PLENTY OF OTHER TASKS AROUND THE COMMUNITY WHILE THEY ARE THERE. THE WORK CONTINUES WITH SOME BOLD PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.

3RD ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

BLUE SKIES, PERFECT TEMPERATURE, GOOD FRIENDS AND GOLF, WHAT COULD BE MORE PERFECT THAN THAT? WELL, IF IT IS FOR A GOOD CAUSE AND THAT IS WHAT WE HAD ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF MAY. THIRTEEN TEAMS SET OFF FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A NEW MUSTANG AND HELP BUILD A NEW HOUSE IN SHONGWENI. THE SETTING WAS AGAIN AT LEISURE WORLD ON THE COYOTE COURSE AND THE SHOTGUN START BEGAN AT ONE O'CLOCK SHARP. THE VOLUNTEERS FROM CHRIST CHURCH AND LOVE OF CHRIST HAD THE CARTS IN THEIR PLACES AND REGISTRATION WAS HANDLED SMOOTHLY.

WITH ALL THE GOLFERS ON THE COURSE, IT WAS A TIME TO RELAX AND PREPARE OURSELVES FOR THE DINNER TO BE SERVED AT 5:30. WORK SOON BEGAN IN THE KITCHEN AND ON THE GRILL WHERE DEL AND LOREN AGAIN WERE ASKED TO PREPARE THE CHICKEN. LAURELL AND PAT ALONG WITH RUTH AND LYNNE HANDLED THE CHORES IN THE KITCHEN AND THE SERVING LINE LATER IN THE DAY. THE GOLFERS BEGAN ARRIVING BEFORE 5 AND SOME OF THE TEAMS, BECAUSE OF THE GOOD FELLOWSHIP, DID NOT COME IN UNTIL RIGHT AT DINNER. OVER 125 GOLFERS AND GUESTS ENJOYED A GREAT DINNER AND THERE WAS PLENTY FOR SECONDS.

EVERYONE WAS BROUGHT UP TO DATE WITH THE PROGRESS IN SOUTH AFRICA BY BOTH A VIDEO AND SLIDES. AWARDS WERE HANDED OUT WITH PAUL SCHULDT'S TEAM TAKING THE TOP HONORS AGAIN. MANY RAFFLE PRIZES WERE GIVEN AND EVERYONE LEFT WITH A SENSE OF PARTICIPATION IN THE SHONGWENI MISSION. THANKS TO ALL PARTICIPANTS AND DONORS TO PROVIDE THE MATERIALS FOR A NEW HOUSE FOR THE DLUDLA FAMILY. DREW WEST AND THE TEAM HE IS LEADING IN JULY, WILL BEGIN THE WORK AND THE OCTOBER TEAM WILL COMPLETE AND DEDICATE THE HOUSE. BY THE WAY, NO ONE WON THE CAR THIS YEAR--MAYBE NEXT.

AND THE WINNERS ARE................................

YES, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THE SHONGWENI SOCCER BOYS PLAYED IN THEIR FIRST TOURNAMENT LAST WEEKEND AND CAME HOME WITH THE TROPHY. THEY WON THEIR GAMES OVER THE WEEKEND AND WOUND UP IN A TIE. THE TIE BREAKER WAS PLAYED ON MONDAY AND THE BOYS PLAYED TO A TIE AND THEN WON ON A PENALTY KICK. THEY LOOK GOOD IN THEIR SCOTTSDALE UNIFORMS. HOPEFULLY MORE UNIFORMS WILL BE DELIVERED TO THEM WITH THE MISSION TEAMS TRAVELING THIS YEAR. KEEP IN MIND THAT THESE WERE BOYS THAT DID NOT HAVE A FIELD TO PLAY ON AND MOST OF THEM NEVER HAD A PAIR OF LACE-UP SHOES BEFORE LAST FALL. CONGRATS BOYS AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. LOOKS LIKE AN ADDITION WILL HAVE TO BE MADE TO THE CRECHE BECAUSE OF THE REPORT WE JUST RECEIVED FROM SHARA. THERE ARE NOW 88 CHILDREN IN THE CRECHE--WOW. SHARA AND JULIA ARE WORKING HARD TO OBTAIN GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE FOR THE CRECHE. WITH THIS HELP, THE CRECHE CAN BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT. WHAT A MODEL THE CRECHE, THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND THE CHURCH IS TO THE REGION. IF ONLY ALL THE SUPPORTERS COULD SEE HOW THE ORIGINAL PLANS OF PROVIDING DECENT HOUSING FOR THE ORPHANS HAS DEVELOPED INTO A PLACE FOR ALL TO WORSHIP, LEARN, PLAY AND DEVELOP INTO A PRODUCTIVE CHILD OF GOD FOR THEIR COMMUNITY.

WELCOME HOME SHARA

Shara Cunningham, one of our two missionaries in Shongweni, visited Love of Christ this past Sunday. Shara is from Phoenix and has been traveling in the states in order to raise funds to continue her work. She spent time in Florida with her family and visited several churches there along with Iowa and Phoenix. All three services at Love of Christ were planned around Shara's work and what a day it was. After enjoying Saturday evening with Kathryn Schusters family's hospitality, since they are close to LOC, she began the day at the 7:50 service. There was special singing at all three services with African music, an overview of the work Shara is doing and a sermon with a missionary theme from Pastor Liles. It was a quick trip to the Center of Compassion for the 9:00 service and we were joined by many team members from LOC and from Christ Church Lutheran in Phoenix. The picture today shows Shara joining Pastor Liles during the children's message. A video was shown at this service along with Shara's special message. Bob Funk surprised us by presenting Love of Christ with a plaque and thanks for the participation in the project. The service ended just in time for us to return to the sanctuary for the 10:30 service. Soon it was 12:00 and we had to bid Shara farewell. The African Orphan Golf Committee presented Shara with a financial gift during her stay with some of the surplus funds from last year's tournament. This year's tournament will be held on May 1st at Leisure World and the proceeds will fund the building of another home in Shongweni. We are in need of golfers and prizes along with donations.
God bless you in your work, Shara and Julia.

READY FOR NEXT YEAR

2010 IS DRAWING TO A CLOSE AND IT IS TIME TO PLAN FOR 2011. THIS YEAR HAS EXPERIENCED GOD'S HAND IN REMARKABLE WAYS WITH THE OPENING OF THE CRECHE AND COMMUNITY CENTER, THE WORK OF THE TRINITY IN SHONGWENI--PASTOR THWALA, SHARA AND JULIA AND THE IMPACT OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH IN SHONGWENI. THE PICTURE PLACED IN THIS MESSAGE IS ONE OF THE 36 HOMES ON THE HILL DURING CONSTRUCTION BECAUSE NEXT YEAR WILL SEE ONE OR POSSIBLY TWO HOUSES BUILT IN THE AREA BUT OFF-SITE. DREW WEST WILL BE LEADING A TEAM IN JULY TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION ON ONE OF THE HOUSES. THERE ALSO WILL BE TEAMS BEFORE DREW TO WORK ON CATCHMENT TANKS AT THE HOUSES AND TEAMS AFTER DREW. IN ORDER TO HAVE THE FUNDS TO BUILD THIS HOUSE, LOVE OF CHRIST WILL BE HOSTING ITS 3RD ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT ON MAY 1ST AT LEISURE WORLD IN MESA, AZ. THE PROCEEDS FROM THIS TOURNAMENT WILL PAY FOR THE BUILDING MATERIALS AND OTHER EXPENSES IN THE COMMUNITY. IF YOU ARE A GOLFER AND WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS REWARDING MISSION, PLEASE CONTACT US--KEN@602-692-7492. WE ARE IN NEED OF GOLFERS, SPONSORS AND PRIZES TO MAKE THIS SUCCESSFUL.

SHARA HAS RETURNED TO PHOENIX FOR A SHORT VISIT AND TO RAISE FUNDS FOR HER EXPENSES. SHE WILL BE RETURNING TO FLORIDA TO SPEND THE HOLIDAYS WITH HER FAMILY, THEN TO IOWA AND BACK TO PHOENIX UNTIL SHE LEAVES FOR S.A. IN FEBRUARY. AN EVENING IN HER HONOR WAS HELD ON DEC 11TH AND A GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL.

MORE INFORMATION TO COME ON OUR FUTURE PLANS BUT MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THE AUCTION IN MARCH, THE GOLF EVENT IN MAY AND EVEN CONSIDER JOINING US IN 2011 ON A TRIP YOU WILL NEVER FORGET.

CHICKEN-VEGIES-SOY AND RICE...

... THOSE ARE THE INGREDIENTS OF THE FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN FOOD PACKETS. WITH HAIR NETS IN PLACE AND RED TEAM SHIRTS ON, MEMBERS OF THE AFRICAN ORPHANS PROJECT MET AT LOVE OF CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CHURCH'S THIRD YEAR PACKING EVENT. THIS EVENT TOOK PLACE OVER THREE DAYS AND WHEN FINISHED ON SATURDAY EVENING, THE CHURCH'S VOLUNTEERS WILL HAVE PACKED OVER 550,000 MEALS DURING THE THREE YEARS.
THESE ARE THE SAME MEALS THAT ARE ON THE WAY TO OUR CRECHE IN SHONGWENI AND WILL BE AT THE DOCK NEXT THURSDAY, THE 18TH OF NOVEMBER. FROM THERE THE PALLET WILL BE TRANSPORTED TO THE CONTAINER ON SITE AND USED DAILY FOR THE CHILDREN'S MEALS.
MEMBERS OF LOC WERE JOINED BY TEAM MEMBERS FROM CHRIST CHURCH LUTHERAN INCLUDING PASTOR ARNIE FRANK. EVERYONE HAD A GREAT TIME AND MOVED PRETTY WELL IN TIME TO THE MUSIC INSPITE OF THEIR AGE DURING THE TWO HOURS. THE MEMBERS SPLIT INTO TWO GROUPS AND WITH THE ONE GROUP PACKING 29 BOXES THAT EQUALS 6264 MEALS AND THE SECOND GROUP, WE MORE THAN PACKED THE AMOUNT OF THE FOOD THAT WAS SENT TO SHONGWENI--7128 MEALS. MILLIONS OF THESE NUTRITIOUS MEALS HAVE BEEN SENT TO NEEDY CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD AND HAVE BROUGHT THEM BACK TO GOOD HEALTH.
MANY THANKS GO OUT TO THE TEAM MEMBERS THAT HELPED AND ESPECIALLY TO WALTER SCOTT FROM LOC WITHOUT WHO THIS PACKING EVENT WOULD NOT HAPPEN AND OF COURSE THE STAFF FROM FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN FOR THEIR DEVOTION TO THE HUNGRY OF THE WORLD AND THEIR CHRIST CENTERED ORGANIZATION.

GRAND OPENING

WE JUST RECEIVED WORD THAT THE CRECHE OPENED TODAY. THE NPO APPROVAL WAS GRANTED AND THE NURSERY OPENED WITH 36 CHILDREN AND THERE WILL BE MORE ATTENDING IN THE COMING WEEKS. WHAT WAS A DREAM JUST A FEW YEARS AGO HAS BECOME A REALITY. THE SHONGWENI LUTHERAN CHURCH AND ITS FACILITIES WILL BECOME THE CENTER OF ACTIVITY FOR THE COMMUNITY. NOW THE CENTER OF COMPASSION COMMUNITY CENTER PREVIOUSLY DEDICATED, WILL BE USED AS A KITCHEN FOR THE NURSERY AS WELL AS A TRAINING CENTER FOR THE WOMEN TO PERFECT THEIR CRAFTS. THE MOTHERS NOW CAN LEAVE THEIR LITTLE ONES IN THE CARE OF COMPETENT TEACHERS THAT WILL GIVE THE CHILDREN A SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION AS WELL AS A HEAD START IN SCHOOL.
CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT WENT ON TODAY WHEN THE CHILDREN EXPERIENCED ALL THE LEARNING TOOLS IN THE BRIGHT ROOMS THAT WERE JUST COMPLETED. THANKS GO OUT TO LAKESHORE LEARNING CENTER FOR THEIR HELP WITH MANY OF THE ITEMS IN THE CLASSROOMS. ALONG WITH THE DAILY EDUCATION, A HOT MEAL WILL BE PROVIDED. THE FOOD SHIPPED FROM FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN WILL SUPPLIMENT THEIR DIETS AND IS ONLY A COUPLE WEEKS AWAY FROM ARRIVING.
WITH THE PASSING OF HER FATHER LAST WEEK, SHARA WILL REMAIN IN THE STATES UNTIL JANUARY AND DURING THIS TIME SHE WILL BE WITH HER FAMILY AND THEN TRAVELING TO SOME OF OUR SISTER CHURCHES AROUND THE COUNTRY. JULIA HAS HER HANDS FULL AND PLEASE INCLUDE HER IN YOUR PRAYERS AS SHE OVERSEES THE DAILY TASKS OF THE CRECHE AND CENTER.
GRASS WILL BE PLANTED ON THE SOCCER FIELD AND BEHIND THE COMMUNITY CENTER THANKS TO THE DONATIONS FROM OUR GOLF TOURNAMENT HELD LAST SPRING. THIS EVENT ALSO PAID FOR THE GRADING AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE SOCCER FIELD AND WHEN COMPLETED IT WILL GIVE THE BOYS MANY HOURS OF ENJOYMENT.

AFRICAN EXPOSURE

NOW THAT WE HAVE RETURNED FROM ANOTHER BLESSED TRIP, KUDOS HAVE TO GO OUT TO A VERY IMPORTANT PIECE OF THE AFRICAN ORPHANS MISSION. WITHOUT THE HELP OF THE TEAM AT AFRICAN EXPOSURE, OUR TRIPS TO SOUTH AFRICA WOULD NOT BE SUCCESSFUL. SHOWN IN THE PICTURE ARE THE GENTLEMEN THAT MAKE IT ALL POSSIBLE, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT--CARL, BOB, ALF AND GAVIN. THEY ALL GO ABOVE AND BEYOND THEIR NORMAL DUTIES OF TOUR GUIDES AND HAVE BECOME INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHONGWENI COMMUNITY WHETHER WE ARE THERE WITH THEM OR WHEN WE ARE BACK IN THE STATES AND NEEDS ARISE. THEY PLAN OUT OUR STAY FROM THE ACCOMMODATIONS, MEALS, SHOPPING AND SIDE TRIPS WITHIN THE COUNTRY. THEY MAKE THE ADVENTURE ENJOYABLE AND KEEP US ON TRACK TO ACCOMPLISH OUR GOALS ALWAYS WITH A SMILE. THEIR WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA FROM PLANTS TO ANIMALS TO THE CULTURE OF THE PEOPLE IS APPRECIATED BY ALL. HOW CAN SOMEONE HALF WAY AROUND THE WORLD KNOW ABOUT OUR SHERIFF--JOE ARPAIO (ALF). ENJOY YOUR PINK UNDERWEAR!!

THANKS AFRICAN EXPOSURE FOR ALL THE LAUGHS ALONG THE WAY AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO A CONTINUING ASSOCIATION. IF ANYONE IS READING THIS AND IS INTERESTED IN A TRIP TO SOUTH AFRICA, WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND AFRICAN EXPOSURE.

SUNDAY BEST

SHARA AND JULIA SHOWED UP TODAY IN THEIR SUNDAY BEST AND ARE SHOWN HERE WITH THE DAUGHTER OF HANS BEIER. THEY WERE NOT THE ONLY ONES DRESSED IN THEIR HERITAGE CLOTHING. MANY CAME WITH BEADS AND TRADITIONAL ZULU SKIRTS, HATS AND JEWELRY BOTH YOUNG AND OLD. OUR ESTIMATES WERE SPOT ON, AS BOB RICKARDS WOULD SAY FOR THERE MUST HAVE BEEN FROM 300 TO 400 ATTENDING THE CHURCH SERVICE AND THE DEDICATION OF THE CRECHE. MANY PASTORS FROM ACROSS SOUTH AFRICA, PENNSYLVANIA USA AND OF COURSE PHOENIX USA TOOK PART IN THE CHURCH SERVICE THAT INCLUDED 2 BAPTISMS AND 2 CONFIRMATIONS. IT WAS THEN OFF TO THE CENTER WHERE THE GRANITE PLAQUE WAS UNVEILED AND SEVERAL SPEAKERS WISHED THE PROJECT WELL AND SPOKE ABOUT THE FUTURE IMPORTANCE OF THE CENTER. WE WERE ALSO BLESSED WITH NATIVE DANCING AND SINGING FROM THE CHILDREN.
THE COMMUNITY CENTER WAS PACKED AND THE CROWD EXTENDED OUTSIDE AS IT DID DURING THE CHURCH SERVICE. COMMUNION WAS ALSO GIVEN DURING THE CHURCH SERVICE AND EVERY TIME THAT I WITNESS THE COMBINED SERVICE OF WHITE AND BLACK, I HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT ONLY A SHORT 17 YEARS AGO THIS WAS NEVER POSSIBLE.
AFTER THE FORMALITIES, EVERYONE WENT BACK UP TO THE CHURCH WHERE THE LADIES HAD PREPARED LUNCH AND DID AN EXCELLENT JOB OF DISTRIBUTING THE FOOD TO THIS LARGE GROUP. THE CHURCH WAS USED AS A DINING HALL FOR EVERYONE.
ANOTHER TEAM HAS LEFT ITS MARK IN SOUTH AFRICA AND PREPARED A CENTER WHERE CHILDREN CAN BE SHELTERED, EDUCATED AND FED WITH NUTRITIOUS FOOD AND THE WORD OF THE LORD. WE HAVE TOUCHED MANY LIVES BUT STILL ONLY A SMALL PART OF THIS LARGE COUNTRY. OUR WORK HERE IS FAR FROM OVER AND WE WILL HAVE TO RELY ON THE LORD TO LEAD US IN 2011 AS WE PREPARE THE TEAMS TO TRAVEL TO SHONGWENI.
TOMORROW BEGINS OUR TRAVEL HOME, FIRST TO JO-BERG THEN ON TO DAKAR TO DULLES TO DENVER TO PHOENIX. WHAT A JOURNEY THIS HAS BEEN. HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED KEEPING UP WITH US. THE BLOG WILL CONTINUE WITH UPDATES.