Friday, September 28, 2012

5th CELEBRATION


5th 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

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

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.