Thembi

Thembelehle and I first visited this patient on the 27th January 2010. She and her two brothers had recently moved into the Qua Chief area, with none of them employed they had no food and so were both physically and morally very down. In the following 3 weeks Thembi was thrown out of the dwelling as the brothers were unhappy with her HIV status.

It was some 3-4 weeks later Thembelehle found Thembi in a shack – our subsequent visit was quite traumatic, she had only as much clothes as she could carry, no bed, blankets, utensils or stove – worst was the look of hopelessness and defeat in Thembi’s eyes.

At that visit we prayed for Thembi, prayed for material things. At this point I told Thembi that her name was in my prayer book and that God hears all prayers. Coincidently the following week Glynis asked me to list my patients with a brief summary of each one’s situation as her cell group wanted to pray for them. This resulted later in the month with pots, pans, bowls, a stove and then a week later a mattress, carpet and curtains – a neighbour gave a base for the mattress – WE SERVE A GREAT GOD.

Thembi asked for a Bible, which we supplied. It was so gratifying when she asked us if she could read a scripture Psalm 91 v 1 – “It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord”..... Verse 5 “O Lord how great are thy works....”

It is very heart warming to visit Thembi these days, to pray and give thanks to the Lord for prayers answered. This lady has grown in confidence and her walk with Jesus – PRAISE THE LORD – OUR WONDERFUL PROVIDER.

God's Special children (at the Family Centre) by Nora Levang

The world of today is full of despair
Troubles abound and life isn’t fair
Aids is claiming so many lives
As men succumb, and so do their wives
In care of their grannies the children are left
But they also die, and leave families bereft

Yet out of the darkness, there’s always hope
For those who are struggling ~ unable to cope
Those with compassion who really do care
Say, But for the grace of God, I could be there
A vision was born in the heart of man
Placed there by God for it was His plan
The plight of these orphans were no fault of their own
Why should they then have to struggle alone?

Children must learn and with schoolwork continue
Thus for their siblings was found a good venue
Where they with others could interact and play
Giving peace of mind to the families each day
Well cared for, well fed and protected from danger
Away from exposure to ill intended strangers

At close of school day the brothers and sisters
Afforded they were with homework, assistance
Then with nutritious meal each is fed
Can go with full tummies home to their beds

This service of care is extremely vital
For surely to best care these kids are entitled
To build up their self~worth and offer them hope
To face the future and with challenges cope
These little orphans belong to God
Have a place deep inside His father~heart
This service of love was by Him begun
May it continue! May His will be done!

Thabo Buthelezi's thank you

Thabo is 10 years old and attends Sfisesihle Primary School in Mpophomeni. He is doing Grade 3 in 2010. Zintle, our Home Based Carer who supports the Buthelezi family helped obtain a full school uniform for Thabo from the Singatha Uniform Fund operated by CINDI. Thabo's joy and gratitude is wonderfully captured in this letter he wrote to us. Please pray for Thabo and all 200 children who Ethembeni ministers to each week.

Ethembeni Beach Holiday 2009

A photographic memoir

With beautiful views to admire, local fishermen to watch, fun splashing in the waves with friends, or sitting on the beach quietly contemplating - this was a beautiful, relaxing holiday.





Our accomodation was pretty and festive with fun pictures on the walls and cheerful duvets on the beds. For those idle moments, there were also fascinating objects for us to wonder at and admire.




Not content to allow us to be lazy, Kathryn divided us into twos so we could decorate each other's T-shirts! Even those of us who don't pretend to be creative managed, and others were inspired. See for yourself :





We surprised Linda with a baby-shower in honour of her first baby, and ensured that she was suitably attired and that her baby would be thoroughly spoilt...



No Ethembeni gathering is ever complete without wonderful joyful singing and dancing! And so we praised the Lord and made a joyful noise at every possible opportunity.

Board of Directors

On Father's Day the first Board of Directors where annointed: Jon, Gordon, Rouen and Denzil

The complete Board Directors of Ethembeni are pictured here. From left to right: Mphuma, Gordon, Elliot, Rouen, Jon, Denzil and Grant

Praise be to God for their willingness to serve.

A tribute to Hlengiwe Mphuthini

Hlengiwe Mphuthini: died on the 10th August 2009, aged 40. Leaving her husband Albert, 6 children and Sipho. Ethembeni pays tribute to her for your faithful service and especially for her amazing legacy of caring for Sipho! Sipho was abandoned by his mother when only 20 months old. Hlengiwe offered to take him into her family home while Linda Smallbones found a more permanent solution. After only 2 weeks of caring for Sipho, Hlengiwe indicated that she was willing to take Sipho into her home permanently. Sipho and her had bonded - God's love had moved Albert to support his wife's desires to have their 7th child in their home! It was a joy for us to watch Sipho and Hlengiwe grow into all God intends for a mother and little boy relationship - laughter, tumbles, stern reprimands, forgiveness....unconditional love and acceptance! When Hlengiwe tragically died we were all afraid that Albert would return Sipho and ask us to find another home for him. But with tears in his eyes Albert told us of how Hlengiwe made him promise to never give Sipho up! He was to always remain part of the Mphuthini family no matter what happened! This is how she taught me to leave a legacy! How you care for people and the promises you make and keep while you are alive - are the witness that speaks powerfully about your life in Jesus! Hlengiwe we miss you and we promise to pray for you and your family faithfully.

Nomusa and the hopeful story of the Care Centre

In 2009, the Ethembeni Care Centre, with its focus on providing care for those who are very sick had 38 patients admitted to our 4 beds. Of these 38 patients, 14 went home better. Close to 35% of our patients can tell a story today of how the following services restored them:

1. Daily spiritual food including workship, prayer and bible readings.
2. Good nutrition: 3 meals a day with lots of healthy snacks
3. Correct and diligent medication.

We celebrate with Nomusa her restored physical health yet it is her spiritual joy and peace that excites us. She knows Jesus is with her for the rest of her life as she lives as a HIV positive person. This picture shows Nomusa with two of our care worker team: Luleka and Thembelihle. We praise God for His faithful restoring of Nomusa. Please pray for her today.

It is important to realise that over 50% of our patients are dying either with us or after being referred to hospital. This is becuase the care provided was too late! This leads me to two pleas:

• Know your status! If you are HIV negative, remain so! If HIV positive, then keep your immune system high so that you do not become sick.
• Make pro-active decisions to help those who are sick before it is too late! Please refer anybody to the care centre for a visit 033 238 0596.