GRADUATION FOR TINY TOTS

ECD’s Christmas and Graduation Party

Nkosinomusa who is our ECD teacher threw a party for the little ones; she decorated the room and put up a Christmas tree, hiding little gifts for them in the tree.

This is Syamthanda who will be staying a few more years with us and he really enjoyed the party, probably thought it was Christmas already.

 

This is the 2012 class in which 4 of them are off to school next year.

From the blue chair toward the wall we have: Amahle, Akhona, Khumbulani, Snokuhle, Philasande, Thembelani, Syamthanda, Kwanele.

Please pray with us that the life beginning next year for these little ones is a safe and blossoming life that we can be proud of.

                                      

5th CELEBRATION

5^th Birthday celebration

Celebration took place at the family centre on the 21th of September. It was a great day and we really felt God’s anointing as we were worshiping and sharing testimonies of what God has been doing through the family centre. We had our carers of our children and bake for profit graduate and Ethembeni staff, dressed in their traditional outfit because we were not just celebration family centre’s birthday but a combine celebration. The celebration was a combination of MFC Birthday, Heritage day and graduations of bake for profit. We had one of the student from bake for profit to share how is the business of baking has changed her life as to inspire other graduate that it is possible to do your business only when you know that “the beginning of wisdom is to fear God” these was her words. 

Theme of our celebration was “Wahamba Nathi” which means he walk with us through the whole 5 years of the family centre without his lead we wouldn’t have reach 5 years. This walk has been a walk of faith through prayer as well. Every walk or journey has its own challenges but when he is the centre he shows direction and provider. He owns the centre, mentoring and visiting families is not an easy path. We always wish to help restore hope in these young stars and help them see with a different eye from where the community stands right now but we wouldn’t do that without the help of God. We also read Palms 117:1-2 because we believe that the more we spend time in praising him and make him the focus we won’t go wrong.

 The day was finished in prayer outside the family centre where we released balloons; balloons were carrying a thank you message from all who attended the celebration to God for what he has done in our lives. It will be a mistake if i forget to mention that ECD blessed us with music as well as the family centre staff. We would love to extent our thank you to all who have be praying and been part of the story of God at work in the family centre. It is evident that there is lot of people who pray and contribute to the growth of the ministry. I pray that our Father bless you abundantly in Jesus name.

By: Zweli Sokhela

ENCOURAGING VOLUNTEER FEEDBACK

Recently a team of volunteers from the UK Nigel, Sharon, Phoebe, Lydia, Naomi enjoyed the Ethembeni experience and shared a few things they liked most or found interesting:

The question asked was - what was your favourite part of the programme?                                                                                                                   

ANSWER: 

1. Difficult to pick just one but herewith the top 3: Home visits in the community on Thursday mornings with the opportunity to pray with and share God's word..... the opportunity to crotchet with the ladies knitting circle and drive the pick-up down some very rough roads
2. Practical projects - doing up Mr Ramahojoe's home and preparing him an allotment..... the kids mucked in hauling boulders and collecting dung in the back of the pick-up
3. Getting to know the kids better each day.

It's a first all round

The event is brand new ... "Mandela Day Marathon" and of course this was the first "Ethembeni  team" to participate in the event.

The vibe was amazing ... people united and eager to participate in this wonderful event.

The Ethembeni team are to be commended for their efforts .... great looking team too.

Perhaps next year more than one Ethembeni team will participate.... get ready folks.

The COLD kept at bay

Many families supported by Ethembeni benefited from the very timely donation of 90 blankets  from Welfare Director Julia Todd. These blankets came from the East Coast Winter warmth Campaign via the PMB Rotary.

The Midlands Meander area of KZN where Mpophomeni is found, experienced some really cold snowy weather for almost a week and these blankets brought warmth and comfort to our families.

The blankets were given to the Ethembeni Carers and volunteer groups for personal distribution to the families and were really well received, as one could imagine under the circumstances.

A HUGE thank you to all involved throughout the "supply chain". It is because of YOUR support that Ethembeni is able to help others.

God's provision for a needy family

Testimony by an Ethembeni Careworker – Thunyiwe Sokhela (In ZULU and ENGLISH)

Ngiyambonga uNkulunkulu ngomsebenzi owenziwa iEthembeni empakathini.

Kukhona umndeni osizakele kakhulu usizwa yiEthembeni. Lomndeni sawufica uhluphekile kakhulu. Umndeni unezingane ezingu 9 nobaba nomama.

Omakhelwane basebekhathele bezama ukuba babaphe ukudla nezingubo. Safika bengenawo ama ID books, izingane zingenazo izitifiketi. Kwakungekho imali engenayo.

Yanikela iEthembeni ngokudla, izingubo, nezicathulo, nama uniform ukuba abantwana baqhubeke bafunde. IEthembeni yabafundisa futhi ukuba balime ingadi yemifino nama vegetables.

Yabasiza futhi inhlangano yaseEthembeni ukuba bathole ama ID books nama birth certificates. Lomndeni wasizakala impela baze basizwa  nangamagrants abazali okugula nama support grants abantwana. Okukhulu kakhulu ukuthi uNkulunkulu wenza umsebenzi nasezimpilweni zabo. Banikela izimpilo zabo kuJesu. Ngokuba babehleli bengashadile befisa ukuba bashade kodwa babengakwazi ngenxa yokuthi wayengekho ozobalekelela.

IEthembeni yanikela ngosizo lokuba bashade. Bambonga uNkulunkulu bamdumisa.

Imisebenzi kaNkulunkulu iyamangalisa. Uma ngibuka amandla akhe awnza kulomndeni ngimdumisa njalo.

Enhlizweni yami kuneculo elifikayo uma ngicabanga ngomsebenzi owenziwa iEthembeni emphakathini.

Lithi: WE thembekile Jesu

          Nsuku zonke zikhathi
           WE thembekile Jesu

         : You are faithful Oh Lord

            Every day and every hour
            You are faithful Oh Lord

 Translation by Nora

I thank God for the work Ethembeni is doing in the community.

There is a family which has been greatly assisted by Ethembeni when it was discovered how poor they were. The family consisted of 9 children and the father and mother.

The neighbours were getting weary of trying to feed and clothe them. When we took them in hand, they had no ID books, the children had no birth certificates, and they had no income.

Ethembeni offered to help them with food, clothes, shoes, and uniforms, so that the children could go to school. Ethembeni also taught them to cultivate a garden to grow spinach and vegetables.

Ethembeni also assisted them to obtain ID books & birth certificates. Furthermore they also received disability and child grants. The greatest of all of God’s work, was that they received Jesus into their lives. Because they had never been married, they desired to have a proper marriage, but there was no one who could help them achieve that.

Ethembeni made that possible for them, and they offered praises and thanks to God. The work of God is amazing. God is good. When I reflect  on His power at work in this family, I never cease to praise Him.

LIFE TIME EXPERIENCE IN UK

Firstly I want to thank God for such an opportunity being out of the country for the first time and sharing a story of hope with our friends in UK. My eyes were open to lot of challenging thoughts about my country and about my work and also time management.

 Secondly a big thank you to my ticket sponsor Eye branding in Durban they made it possible that I go to England the land of the Queen, I tried my best to set up an appointment to have a tea with the Queen but it didn’t work since they were lot of celebration taking place in UK to some of you Jubilee might sound familiar, it was a queen’s birthday. Ethembeni Family thanks as well for dedicated prayer and love you share as I was away, I could sense that you were behind me with prayer and MCI my local church it great when you are part of a big family and it make life easy.

Well my time with in England was really amazing despite the weather that was always miserable and I must say I was warned just before I went there so I went prepared with worm clothes. Just a highlight the day is really long from 7 till 10  then the sun goes down, guess what the night will be really short which will course me to sleep until 12. Part of my experience there is that i got a chance to overcome my fears, Rachel took me to Alton Towers it unbelievable even now when i think about it i hard to think that i went to a place where 20 people die a day as i was told by my friends Khanyi (Claire in English) and Nonhlonipho also known as Rachel in England, i was so proud of myself after all the rides to survive Alton Towers. I was exposed to different churches with different set up which was great praise God that we can serve and worship him in different way and he respond because that shows that he is God for all and he is in all. Sharing challenges that our children in South Africa faces was an eye open as the youth of St Marys Church, as their youth were so engaging and asking question it made me realize the greatness of God and knowing that despise the distance or living in different countries but we can share the same vision caring for one another by God’s help.

I want to mention that if our leaders take their stand and fight for our town things will never be the same we will see change, I had a privilege to join street pastor they walk around street speaking to people making sure they are all okay and pick up substances that can be used as a weapon, And as we were walking you could sense that people know them and they feel safe to say what they think and feel. I pray we can have people like those in our communities that will dedicate their time and care for other people in that way. Without the teams and families we visited i believe my time in England wouldn’t have been so amazing and memorable taking Africa to England, Thanks to all our friends in England God bless you.

Written by:  Zweli Sokhela

Mpophomeni Family Centre

Testimony by Dudu Zulu

I would like to praise God for my life and for the amazing things He has done for me through Ethembeni.

Since I first came to Ethembeni in 2002, so much has happened in my life. With the help of Ethembeni I have developed sewing skills, and my self-esteem has been built up by love and encouragement, and their support has produced this kind of Dudu – the loving person, caring, confident, and able to make my own decisions.

God has used Ethembeni to fulfill His purposes  through my life – since I recovered from TB meningitis, stroke, TB spine and pneumonia, I did not think I would survive without Ethembeni’s support. Although my physical body still has many challenges, I praise God that I am able to do whatever I like in most cases. The few things I fail to do now, do not bother me because I accept the changes that happened in my life, without choosing it.

I see God’s blessings in being a part of the Ethembeni family for I’m a healthy living testimony without fear. Spiritually I am growing every day and to constantly learn new things means a lot to me. I am able to provide for my family and have a beautiful, lovely house, which is something that I would never have thought I could call my own. All this because Ethembeni made me into a responsible person.

Last but not least, my dream to be a counsellor has been fulfilled by God through Ethembeni. I’ve developed a lot of skills – that is why I lay my life before God and humble myself because I understand I have been chosen by God and I understand my uniqueness.

Thank you Ethembeni, for your loving, caring support and walking with me on this painful challenging journey. By holding my hand and walking with me, I am able to walk free. MAY GOD POUR HIS BLESSINGS UPON ETHEMBENI IN MANY WAYS. “PRAISE THE LORD”

Love you all, Dudu Zulu.

Sofe Lanhan - perspectives on Ethembeni

Mpophomeni Family Centre and Ethembeni has a magnetism that just draws you back again and again. Recently I returned to MFC for my third trip since 2009 and have had the pleasure and privilege of seeing some wonderful developments physically of MFC and also within the staff who work there. It has been amazing to see the changes in MFC such as properly tiled flooring, computer spaces, wonderful new ovens in the kitchen, brightened and painted walls in the ECD and activity room and a useable play therapy room, which when I first arrived was just a storage/dumping room. It has also been amazing to witness the changes in the staff who serve there; each of them with their own individual and defined role, yet also working together as one team. It has been possible to see the staff thrive under their different responsibilities and really be proud in the work that they do.

Since I first volunteered with Ethembeni in 2009, there have been a whole host of volunteers each year and it is wonderful to know that knowledge of Ethembeni, MFC, the staff and kids is now worldwide and continually growing. The way volunteers are now utlilised and cared for has developed hugely. It is also wonderful to see the increase in local volunteers from Howick and the surrounding areas who serve on a regular basis in multiple areas of the ministry. They have enabled long-term relationships to develop and the development of projects such as iPhepha beads and the such like which gives the opportunity to learn novel skills.

My visit to MFC recently, although too short was one which I once again thoroughly enjoyed and loved every minute of. Been given to chance to reconnect with staff and kids in person and develop new relationships with new members of staff has once again been amazing. It is a place which is very special and although left by a very many number of people, I know it is never forgotten. 

New Ethembeni and MCI ministry property?

The time has come where Ethembeni and Mpophemeni Church International jointly embark on an exciting project which requires a leap of faith. We are considering purchasing some land in order to relocate the care centre and have a permanant site for MCI. The new property would enable more patients in the local community to be cared for and allow staff to recieve training in designated rooms.The current care centre would then be transformed into a house for the frequent volunteers to stay in. This venture would also allow MCI to grow and build God's Kingdom as they would have a stable home in which to put roots down.

As a management team we visted this site, we are now at that point where we need to make a firm decision as to whether to purchase the property. It will be a big commitment financially, therefore would you please join with us in prayer as we seek guidance from God. We want to be wise and steward the resources God has given us. These are exciting times. Thank you for your continued support.  

A TESTIMONY OF GOD'S GOODNESS (Zulu & English)

Isisebenzi saseThembeni – Octavia Zikhali

Ngasindiswa esibhedlela ngo 1985 December. Lapho ngangigula kakhulu ngifika esibhedlela ngingakwazi ukuhamba ngiphakanyiswa. Impilo yami yathola ukusizakala ngokuba ngamukele uJesu njengeNkosi nomSindisi.

Yaqala yashintsha impilo yami ngakwazi ukuhamba ngawadla kahle namaphilisi, kodwa ngiqhubeka ngimbonga uNkulunkulu.Sekufana nephupho ukuthi bengingakwazi ukuhamba.U Jesu wayenginikeza ithemba lempilo uMoya oNgcwele empilweni yami ngaphuma esibhedlela.

UJesu wabeka ubizo lokusiza abagulayo, ngibashumayeze, ngibakhulekele, ngibanika ithemba elinguJesu okwazi ukusindisa umuntu enyameni naseMoyeni.

Ngalithola ithuba eThembeni lokuhambela abagulayo. Ngiyambonga uJesu ngalo, ngikwazile ukusiza imideni egulelweyo ukufakaza ngoJesu ngichaze ngempilo yami, ngayinika ithemba. Kukhona abakade begula kakhulu sebelahle nethemba ukuthi bazophila, ngabavakashela ngabafakazela ngoJesu osiza umuntu – izinyanga, nodokotela sebehlulekile, uJesu omsindise umuntu.

Ngiyayibonga iThembeni nabasebenzayo bonke, nabasilethela ukudla ukuze abantu baphile emzimbeni naseMoyeni, ngoba basindisiwe bonke. IThembeni ihamba phambili ngosizo.

Testimony of EThembeni worker – Octavia Zikhali

 I was saved while I was in hospital in December 1985. On my arrival at the hospital, I was very ill and had to be carried as I was unable to walk. My health improved when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour.

 Taking my medication, my health improved such that I could walk again, and I continued to praise God. That I had been unable to walk before, seems like a dream to me now.  Jesus gave me hope in the Holy Spirit, and I was eventually discharged.

Jesus called me to help the sick, to preach to them, to pray for them, and to give them hope in Jesus who can save a person physically and spiritually.  The opportunity to visit the sick arose at eThembeni. I always thank Jesus for enabling me to help out in families affected by illness, and to witness how Jesus healed me and gave me hope. There are some among those I visit who have lost all hope, and I testify of Jesus who is able to do all that witch doctors and doctors cannot do. Jesus only is the One who saves.

I wish to thank eThembeni and all my co-workers, and all who bring food to nourish body and soul, for they are God’s people. Ethemebeni is tops in helping others.

Translated by Nora.

Exciting things have been happening with Ethembeni's supervisors and managers over the past 2 months - it has been so encouraging to see them develop their business skills.

Shan Cade has been working with them on the CLIP System - check lists for improved productivity - a simple but effective way of improving office efficiency using check lists as a control tool.

After the first workshop we started the programme by introducing a "FOCUS" check list for each person within their job function. This took some getting used to but many of the team are really finding it useful in helping them meet deadlines, manage risk and also enabling continuity of service.

Well done team - keep on keeping on

Sports fun and Nonhlanhla prayers

During Easter time we had two weeks full of fun with a sports tournament involving all of the children at the family centre and Azusa Pacific University in AMERICA. The children really enjoyed it and were able to develop more in-depth relationships with the volunteers since they had to team up and compete against each other. The challenge we faced during this time was that ourstudent social auxiliary worker broke her leg. Nonhlanhla was taken to hospital by our volunteer Khanyi, and went on to have an operation. Praise God, she’s recovering well back at home. Thank you to the staff who visited her, prayed for her, and encouraged her. She appreciated your support - keep praying for a complete healing.

It's not ALL work

Kanye getting breakfast at market!!

Rouen practicing some shots before heading out on home visits and food distribution

Lihle taking a break on retreat

Phindile and Phindile on their way to training

Pastor Themba "lost his way" on retreat

Dudu taking a break at first aid training

First day of new sewing project in Kwa-Hasa

Respecting family and partners skills - Nokwazi's story

Nokwazi (not her real name) has been with us for about 4 years. She is still young, living with her brother and granny. Nokwazi’s father died last year December due to illness, when he died she was living in one of the home because the father was an alcoholic and the granny was too old to manage to look after the two children living under the same roof with an alcoholic man. Working together with the social workers in Howick we managed to walk with Nokwazi to make sure that she survive last year. Nanie our child care worker, she had to go with her to Durban hospital, spending time with her even overnight, Nanie was her mentor. Now Nokwazi has been placed at Impendle where other family members lives, then we decided that we have done enough now that she has been reunited with her relatives, but we are still working with the family since her brother and granny are still living in Mpophomeni.

Good choices that bring hope!

Hi Everybody Today has been close to one of the most important days in my life. My name is Esme Raw,(The Prodigal Volunteer), missionary at Ethembeni. Today we started a new sewing project in Kwa-Hasa. This day marks the start of a project that I have felt God calling me to since September 2011. This project wouldn't be possible without the help and support of my dear friends and colleagues Phindile and Thembelihle. We were offered a room in Phindi's mom's house, (thank you kind mother), and started today with 5 people. I cannot describe the wonder and excitement of something so small as the skill of sewing by hand, can bring to people. The lack of water or electricity didn't put anybody off, and it was amazing to see the creative gifts and talents made visible. You might ask if the sewing project can bring in a sustainable income? I don't know. Can it bring change? It's possible. But most importantly, can it bring hope? And with that, I can say a definite yes. Where God is made welcome, change is inevitable. Where God is present, hope is real. And as we continue this journey of helping those in need, I ask you all to continue supporting Ethembeni in prayer. All the glory to our God and Savior who is our hope. Esme PV

Honesty = HIV Awareness and Testing

Sunday 18 March 2012 was a most significant day for the community of the Metropolitan Methodist Church. Our journey to this moment began at our HIV/Aids remembrance day service in December 2011. At this service a medical doctor of our community offered an excellent update on the HIV/Aids fight, and the plight of those infected and affected by HIV/Aids. The outcome of the day was the desire to not only do our bit once a year for an hour or two at the remembrance service but to somehow be more effective in HIV/Aids awareness. While we have openly talked about HIV/Aids in our community we are very aware that for many people infected or affected there is a reluctance to open up because of the stigma still attached to Aids and the fear of the community’s reaction. We needed to create a safe place to speak about HIV/Aids and to offer a testing opportunity. Enter Ethembeni. Grant, Dudu and their team offered their services to speak a personal testimony and to provide HIV testing on the church premises. This past Sunday (18 March 2012) we hosted the Ethembeni team. Dudu shared in the service, and I volunteered to be tested in front of the entire congregation and to disclose my status. I believe that both Dudu’s testimony and my willingness to be tested offered a safe place for the congregation. Confidential testing stations were set up and 21 members came forward to be tested. I believe that this has been an important moment in the life of our church and my hope is that our community will know that we are a place that is understanding, compassionate and seeking to assist those infected and affected by HIV/Aids. My hope is that many other churches will open their doors to Ethembeni.
Alan Bester,
Resident minister – Metropolitan Methodist Church, Pietermaritzburg.

Mfanafuthi + Ethembeni Trauma team = restoration of hope

Mfanafuthi was a 17 year old young person, a hard worker at school, popular and easy-going. He had many friends and enjoyed spending time with them. One evening he and five friends, two male and three female, were walking and talking together along the road. A group of men, drunk and armed with knives, approached the friends and started to threaten them. The group dispersed and ran away.
The next morning Mfanafuthi was completely shocked as he came across a crime scene where police and community members were present. One of the girls he had been walking along with the night before had not got away and had been stabbed to death. After this event, Mfanafuthi felt shaky, helpless, fearful of going out at night, and mistrustful of any strangers. He could not get the scene out of his mind and his school work suffered as a result. Many thoughts and fears plagued him.

Mfanafuthi suffered a trauma. A trauma is a specific event which involves actual or threatened death, serious injury or threat to ones physical integrity or the witness of such to another person. A traumatic event is characterised by feelings of horror, helplessness and fear. In South African today there are far too many people who experience traumatic events, either directly or indirectly. Armed robbery, muggings, hijackings, rape, witness of violence, all types of abuse, and road traffic accidents are all examples of traumas. A trauma is indirect when it has occurred to a loved one but impacts upon you deeply. Some trauma is ongoing, such as a domestic violence situation, and some trauma is once-off, such as a serious car accident. The important thing to remember is that one CAN heal from trauma with support and counselling.

There is a trauma team at Ethembeni! Four staff members; Dudu Zulu, Faniswa Dlakavu, Zwelihle Sokhela and Thembekile Mkhize, along with Linda Smallbones are trained in trauma counselling skills. A member of the trauma team assisted Mfanafuthi to deal with his overwhelming feelings following the trauma of the night of his friend’s death and he is now doing well again at school and coping well in his life. Trauma counselling does not make one forget the experience, this is something one carries through life as a memory. However, it does help one to process the memory within a safe environment and help one to work through all of the overwhelming emotions and thoughts that accompany such an experience. Some people who experience trauma could be so overwhelmed by the experience that they turn to destructive means of coping such as drinking, drug-use, or even perpetuating the cycle of violence. We want people to be aware that such destructive “coping” is not necessary and that healing and help is available.

The trauma team are using Psalm 127:1a as their foundation for 2012. “Unless the Lord builds the house, it labourers labour in vain.” We believe God wishes to build through the trauma team in 2012; A safe space for people to talk, and restoration and healing for brokenness. We are aiming to present a Trauma Awareness Day to the Mpophomeni community in March and ask that you would pray for us in this endeavour. Our country needs healing. Our community of Mpophomeni needs healing. We wish to be part of God’s process of healing and restoring. If you have any further queries regarding our services and how to go about booking an appointment for counselling please contact: Dudu Zulu – 033 238 0596.