On Monday Amber and I finally had a chance to bring the gifts to the orphanage. For those of you who don’t know, a while back I asked my mom to raise money back home for Selulasandla Vashti Ame Village. Which is an orphanage near our house that has 24 orphans ages 6-18. We stumbled upon this place one day when we were actually trying to find another orphanage we heard about. We walked into the yard of this orphanage with intentions to ask for directions. When we got there all the children were in the yard handwashing there clothes. They didn’t have much other than there school uniforms. We saw the clothes hanging on the line, and they were full of holes, and didn’t look warm at all. Since we knew winter was coming, we asked the Make( Ma-gay) AKA the mother who takes care of all the children, if we could maybe try and help them out. So I spoke to my mom, and she ended up getting about $100 from many different supporters. Which was so amazing, because that ended up being R780 in Swaziland’s money.
Amber and I went back and told the Make how much we had raised and got the sizes of the children, and asked where the greatest need was. She said the greatest need was for the 9 year old twins named Zihle and Thandokuhle. They were just brought to the orphanage and had close to nothing. She also said they were in need of winter jackets and polo necks.
So Amber and I did some shopping in town and were able to bring the twins new winter jackets, hats, pants and polo necks. Along with some other winter jackets, polo necks, sweat pants etc. for everyone else. We also got them a soccer ball, jumprope and coloring stuff. Which they loved.
Banele is a 9 year old boy who is so adorable, he is the only one who isn’t able to go to school this year because he spent most of the first term in the hospital. So we got him his own special little track suit because he loves to play soccer. He looks so CUTE!
My mom’s sunday school class back at home made painted cross window catchers and sent them with me to give to African children. So while we were there I got to present them to all the kids.
One little girl got one with the message ” Jesus gives me life”, she is at the age where she is just learning to read. When I handed it to her, she stared at it for a minute trying to sound out the words. She finally said ” Jesus gives me love” I was like, close enough, he does both. She was so proud of herself that she could read it, she ran all over the house reading it to everyone. :)
So I believe I have told you before about the ladies we meet with at the market everyday. I have been going there everyday now for the past month and a half.I have 2 stories about some of the women there I want to share with you.
*First off there is Nozipho. Who was 5 months pregnant when we met her. She finally had her baby on Tuesday. It was her 6th child, her name is Thandosiwe. We got to go visit her within the first 24 hours she was born. Nozipho is a very strong woman, she was only gone from work at the market for a few days before giving birth and was back to work with the baby 2 days! after giving birth. Pray that the baby stays healthy this winter, it’s cold, and she will be outside most of the day.
*I love those women. God has been changing there hearts like crazy. My best friend in Swaziland works there. Her name is Tengetile. She is 24 years old. She is and amazing woman. I have spent a lot of time getting to know her, sometimes she even gets to spend the night at our house. So last weekend she was sleeping over and she mentioned to me that she wanted to be baptized.
SO on Thursday she did just that. Denise and I brought her, and her friend Thul’sile to the Royal Swazi. to use there pool.
We got in the water and I read aloud Romans 6:4-6. Then she testified. She said” I want to be baptized today, because I have heard the word of God and it has touched my heart. I want to live a new life, and live for God.”
In the name of the Father,Son and Holy Spirit.You are now DEAD TO SIN AND ALIVE IN CHRIST!!!
She came out of the water singing and dancing. It was so beautiful. She had so much joy. We spent the afternoon celebrating over lunch 🙂
God is doing big things with TENGETILE LERATO SEYAMA!
