So long for now...

Well, my ministry to S.A. has come to an end, so to speak. My heart will always be with the people and children of South Africa and I will forever pray for the restoration of that country.

As I sit and reflect on this past year, my heart is filled with both joy and sadness. I rejoice that God has chosen to use me to be His servant, in bringing His Word of life to a few. I am also joyful because God has given me a greater vision of Himself, in pursuit of Him and His delights. As I rejoice my heart is also filled with sorrow. I really miss S.A. I miss the children and I miss the relationships that God has graciously given to me this past year. I am even more sad because of the overwhelming despair that a place can bring. The poverty, the sickness, the crime and the despair was at times burdensome. However, in all of these difficulties, I was reminded that God is the God of hope and He says that we are to fix our eyes on Him, and trust that His plans for the nations will be accomplished.

I have learned that this life is not our own, we were truly bought with the price of Christ blood, therefore we are called to honor Him in all that we think, say and do. This is so much simplier for me to write, but so much more difficult for me to live out. But what a joy that God takes our hands and leads us through this process!!! This life is so much bigger than we are, God's purposes goes beyond my temporary life and spread to all generations. I only hope and pray that as He sees fit that He would always lead and guide me in the way that He knows I will best bring praise and glory to His name.

Thank you so very much for following me on this short journey, please do continue to pray for S.A and if you want to keep up with Lambano, which I strongly encourage, you can check out their blog at lambano.blogspot.com

Please remember to love justice and mercy, remember to love the orphans, widows and aliens of this world. Our lives are so temporary, and only what we do for Christ shall last - so let us press on to know Him and excel in our love for others.

"...Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?

Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' "

(Isaiah 58:6-9)

"For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of the both the dead and the living." (Romans 14:7-9)

Thank you for all your prayers and support!

Love in Christ,

~Keisha

Since the last blog...

As my fingers are on the computer keys, I am trying to recall all that has happened since the last blog. As you know we celebrated Christmas and the New Year. Before the holiday season it was quite busy here at Lambano. If you receive my newsletter, then you were updated on a little of what I have been doing. If not, here’s a brief summary of what was mentioned in my last newsletter.

Throughout the month of November, I was busy attending Christmas plays, award ceremonies for 8 of our children. The kids at Lambano are so diligent in their school work. We were all so excited that they won various awards for such diligence. I also visited a local bird park with some of the kids. I went with them to their routine doctor visits. We are now experiencing the hot summer days here in SA, and let me say, it is quite HOT! But I have a really nice fan that keeps me cool. With the hot summer days we have enjoyed a few days of swimming as well.

Christmas Day!

My first Christmas in South Africa, was so much fun. One of Lambano's faithful supporters invited ALL 33 children to her home. We loaded 2 kombies and a car and we were off. The kids enjoyed a day of swimming, and playing with each other. We had burgers, potato salads, ice cream and lots of liquids. It was such a simple day!! Father Christmas a.k.a. Santa Claus a.k.a. Jesus, brought them lots of presents, which we praise God for!!!!










Zodwa with her new teddy!










Nkosi is excited about his toy!


Katlehong Ministries

- The high school bible study ended in early November due to exams and summer holidays. We will hopefully resume the study in late January.

- Kathorus Orphanage – I last visited these teenagers the week before Christmas. We had a Christmas party and talked about the true meaning of Christmas and the symbolism of receiving gifts that are undeserved and unmerited. This was an opportunity to share the greatest gift of receiving Jesus Christ as ones’ Lord and Savior. I will resume our time on the 15th of this month. I am planning to talk about forgiveness with them. I am concerned about this endeavor because these teenagers have had some horrific things happen to them. So, please pray that they will truly realize that they have been forgiven much, and in turn be that much more willing to forgive others.

Kids at 78

All of our kids are now on summer holidays, and this week I am spending some quality time with the kids at 78. I will leave for the states next month and they will return to school next week. As a result, I am taking advantage of this time to be with the kids as much as possible, so this week we are doing lots of “fun” things. Yesterday, we went to the zoo. We had so much fun seeing the different and beautiful African animals. The kids also enjoyed seeing the seals being fed their nutritional intake of fish. This trip to the zoo provided yet another opportunity for me to tell them about God. South Africa is so breathtakingly beautiful, and I reminded the kids that God made everything from the trees, to the sky, to the animals. One of the little boy who’s 6, asked, “did God also make the rubbish bin?” Of course the answer is yes, He gives man the knowledge of creating something that is so easily overlooked, but yet so necessary. But, the most, beautiful conversation occurred between my self and Thandazo who’s 8 years old. I live with the kids here at ‘78’ so we always talk about the Bible, and who God is, we talk about God the Father and Jesus His Son quite often. So, while at the zoo, this 8 years old girl said in the sweetest & most sincere voice, “but I still don’t understand, do we worship two Gods?” Ok, seriously you are 8, this is like such a theological question that I am still unable to explain. So, with the help of the Spirit, I proceeded to explain to her the doctrine of the trinity, in 8 year old terminology,of course. I simply shared that this is something that we cannot fully understand, but the Bible teaches us that there is God the Father, who sent His Son, Jesus Christ to die for our sins (sins are explained as the naughty things that we say, do and think), and in three days Jesus came back from the dead, and He is now alive in heaven, but He has left us with the Spirit, who’s also God, the Spirit lives inside all those who love and believe in Jesus, and the Spirit, helps us to know how to love and obey God the Father. I shared that there are 3 different person and they have three different responsibilities, but they are still ONE GOD. Whew!!! She still didn’t fully understand, but hey, neither do I. Nevertheless, I think she was satisfied with my explanation. But, I was just so happy for this opportunity, because it shows that she is actually thinking about the things we talk about.

(Note: If anyone knows how to communicate the doctrine of the trinity to children, I would really love your advice, please feel free to leave a comment on my blog)

Cute Sayings by the Kids at 78

Me: “Name one of the 10 commandments?”
Children: “Do not lie” “Do not steal” “Do not disturb”
*Sometimes I wish the latter was a commandment…joking

Me: “So what kind of people does God not like?”
Child: “Ugly people”

Me: “God says that one day we will live with Him in heaven forever!”
Child: “When is God coming to fetch us?”

Me: “So, I will leave soon, and I hope that you guys don’t forget me.”
Child: “I’ll forget you.”
*Clearly ministry is not a self-esteem calling :)

Child: “Why you sing like a girl?”
Me: “Because I am a girl!”












Looking at the horses!











Enjoying the scenery!





















The kids really enjoyed watching the seals being fed!

Katlehong Youths

Yesterday, I visited an orphanage in the township of Katlehong. Every other week I meet with about 12-15 teenagers to discuss life issues. It has been neat to look at the daily issues and challenges of the life through the lens of the Scriptures. These young people have questions that are so intense and honest. I learn so much from them! Yesterday, the topic at hand was fear. Fear, as you know is common within all of our hearts, Christian or not. I began by asking the youth, “what was it that they feared most?” Some of the answers were as follows:

- God
- School

- Dog
- Dying
- Rats
- Heights
- Snakes
- Fighting
- Ugly Person

We had a great laugh at some of these fears. But, nevertheless they were legitimate fears for each of them. For those who said they feared God, I asked what was it about God that they feared? One young girl said that she is afraid that if she does not do what God wants He will punish her, while another girl said, she doesn’t so much fear God but she respects Him. All interesting answers, of course. I went on to share that fear is a natural God-given emotion. And with everything God has given us, He has intended us to use it for His glory. We talked about the two different types of fear; Sinful and Righteous. Simply put, a sinful fear is having a dreadful emotion of something or someone that God has not permitted us to fear. For example, the fear of man, the fear of dying, the fear of circumstances… A righteous fear, or the right kind of fear is a fear that God allows us to have, and that is a fear of Him (1st Samuel 12:24; Proverbs 1:7; Ecclesiastes 12:13)! This fear is not to be afraid of God, as if He is some arbitrary god who is waiting to zap us whenever we fail to obey. Rather to fear God, is to be in awe of His vastness and power to the point where we revere and honor Him with our lives. This fear of God grants us the desire to pursue Him, not merely out of duty, but more importantly out of delight.
The youth were glad to know that if they belong to God, His perfect love would cast out all fears. (1st John 4:18)

Many of these young people are the product of broken families. After we finished, one young girl shared with me that she was basically ostracized from her family after she was raped. They have blamed her for the rape. Can you imagine the angst that she is experiencing within her heart? Honestly, to say that it’s challenging to talk with these broken children would be an understatement. However, God gives me the grace and strength to minister the truthfulness of His Word. This particular young girl has expressed a love for the Lord and she is fighting hard to love those who are her enemies, even if it’s members of her own family. Please pray for all of these young people. I hope to talk with them in the future about forgiving those who have abused and/or abandoned them.

Children!

Being here at Lambano is a constant reminder that children indeed are a gift from God. The children here at Lambano are so dear and sweet to me. I’ve always said, and I will say again, “I came to love these children, but they have in turn loved me.” What a joy it is for me to be here! Below are some pictures of a few of the children…

Ok, I know that I say I love all the kids and I really do. But, this little girl has a special place in my heart. She is soooo sweet! She came to us and we thought she was negative, sadly she has proven the opposite. She was recently rushed to the hospital because of PCP which is a complicated form of pneumonia that is common with HIV children. PCP can be deadly but thankfully she has been diagnosed at an early age. She is unable to breathe on her own so she is currently on oxygen. I call her my, "dolly wolly polly." Did I mention that she is sooo sweet. I love holding her and singing to her. I really love her so much!!! :)

This little boy has been back with Lambano for a few months now. He has hydroencephalitis which is water on the brain that causes pressure and a stunting of the brain which can eventually lead to death. Because of this he was sent to Lambano to die, he was however, negative, so he was placed in another home (Lambano is a home for positive children). While at this other home, he was left in a crib with minimal stimulation, as a result, he digressed severely. Another American missionary (Barbara) loved and cared for this child, she would not just give up on him. After, having repeated surgeries and a lot of prayers, he is now back with us at Lambano. Now, he is talking and singing, sitting up etc. God is an AMAZING God!! He is now in neuro-physio therapy in order to develop his muscles with hopes of someday being able to walk and have a normal life. I have the daily task of exercising his legs. Because of the tenderness of his legs, he screams and wails whenver I touch him. I became the mean Auntie. But, I think he still loves me, because he always calls me "Anti Tieta" and he lets me hold him. :)

Yesterday morning I went into the "baby house" to greet the children. As I was saying hello, I noticed that this little girl, who is permanently on oxygen for lung failure, was playing with her doll. What struck me was that she tied a piece of pink ribbon around her dolls face which symbolizes that her doll was also on oxygen. This was too cute!

"Children are a gift from the Lord...Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!"

(Psalms 127:3 , 5)

A child goes home to be with her Maker!

On Sunday morning at around 10am one of our babies went home to be with the Lord. This sweet little girl died at 13months. She had TB meningitis on the brain. I had the opportunity to go to the doctor with this little girl a few times. She made slow progress, but during her last days it was clear that her health was deteriorating. Lyn is one of the founders and the executive director. She is also the medical person of Lambano. She is an amazing lady and her love for the children here is evident. She was with the baby until her last breath.

Death is such a common thing here and elsewhere, of course. Within the past 2years I have experienced more deaths of loved ones than ever before. Last night I was thinking about the fact that life is so very temporary. Everything we have is a gift from God and He has all authority and liberty to take away what He has entrusted to us. As I was thinking about this heart throbbing truth, I became quite melancholy. But, I recalled and pondered on the certainties that we do have in this life, especially as Christians. I was reminded that although this life is brief and in constant transition, one thing that does not change is the character of God. He is the only one who will not be taken away from us. He has sealed us with the Holy Spirit and we are forever His. Nothing can separate us from God, not even death. (Romans 8:38) Our parents will die, our children will die, our brothers and sisters will die, our friends will die and we will die. Death is inevitable! But, praise God that for the believer, “death has no sting and the grave has no victory.” (1st Corinthians 15: 54-55) I am clinging to these truths and I am rejoicing in the only relationship that will not be extinguished. My prayer for you and I is that in light of the surpassing greatness of God, we will wholeheartedly live not for ourselves but for the One who died!

“When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1st Corinthians 15:54-55)

“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1: 21


Baby with mother a few
days before her death

Spring Day Outing!

On Saturday, we packed lunched, bicycles and of a course a first aid kit for a day at the park. The heavy winds, the threat of rain and the changing temperature is descriptive of our Spring Day. However, the unpredictable weather did not dampen our moods. We all went out and had a great day at the park. The children had so much fun riding their bikes, eating, and playing with one another.

Response to the 1st Bible Study

Thanks for your prayers regarding the Bible Study. In my opinion it went well. We had about 15 students who showed up, most of which are a part of the “church group” on the campus. During our time together, we prayed, sang songs in Zulu, and shared about why we desired to start a Bible Study. We also asked the students to tell us whether they were Christians by a show of hands. They all raised their hands, and then I asked, “what assurance do they have in their claim to be Christians?” Most of the students in the ‘church group’ did give us biblical reasons for their claim to being Christians. Kenneth, Nafe (Malawians) and my self were quite encouraged by their knowledge of the Scriptures. We are praying that more students will come who lacks the knowledge of the gospel and the Scriptures. We are also in the process of deciding whether or not to divide the study into two groups; those who are a little further in the faith and those who are new or uncertain about the gospel. There are pros and cons for both, but at this point, we are not sure what would be the most effective or beneficial. Please pray for wisdom for us as we make this decision.

Towards the end of the study, we had a Q & A time. This is always my favorite because we get to really hear what’s on the heart of the students. One question that was asked was by a young orphan girl, who we also work with at another orphanage in Katlehong. She asked if she had to go to church, because the church she goes to the pastor always calls them orphans. It seems that she didn’t want to always be reminded that she was an orphan, which is understandable. We answered the question by sharing that God has promised to give special grace to those who were orphans and that there is nothing wrong with being an orphan, in fact God has said that He will be a father to the fatherless. We also encouraged her to talk to her pastor.

In short, although we have questions about the fruition of how God will use us amongst the youth. We are confident that there is a need for the teaching of the Scriptures in this township. We do not know the specifics of what God is doing or when He will choose to work on the hearts of these young students. Nevertheless, we are confident, that God is faithful. His purposes cannot be thwarted, His Word will not return void and His plan and purposes will be established. Please continue to pray for us as we labor for His name and renown.