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.