South Africa Team

Missions team from Maranatha Baptist Bible College

Archive for June 18th, 2009

Visiting an Orphanage

Jun 18

Posted by Maranatha in Rebecca Manion

Dear Family, Friends, and Jon,

The last couple days have been so fun!!  Those of you who really know me will understand. Yesterday we visited a woman named Johanna who takes care of AIDS “babies” and elderly folks. In her home she had 11 “babies” which ranged in ages from 1 to 5 probably. We then went and visited the elderly folks who we gave suckers, which they loved! We also went to Bethesda, an orphanage in Pretoria. Last night we spent the night with Pastor Nicholas and his wife Steffane in Oppermann, a small village about 15 minutes outside of Pretoria. So many of the children we met in the village reminded me of our bus kids. They were so precious. Pastor Nicholas filled our minds with information about the South African culture as we sat around the campfire at night and bombarded him with questions. This morning we visited a government school and a day care and sang for them. I met a young woman named Marie at the daycare and it was so fun to connect when I shared with her that I had a similar job at home. If nothing else, we were able to connect through our love for our kids! Hope you are all well. Miss you!

Reb

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Happy 30th Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Jun 18

Posted by Maranatha in Angela Henry

I love you!

Today we went to a preschool and a school to sing some songs and play some music for them. You’ll never believe this- the Zaks have a nice violin, so I have been playing everywhere we go! So much for practicing a piano J No one has pianos. It was not what I expected, but at least I can play hymns and a little millionaire’s hoedown for fun. The people are so sweet- last night we stayed with Pastor Nicholas and his wife in their village, and they had a service for us last night. We got to share testimonies (I shared about how it was such a trust-building experience to raise money for this trip) and play music/sing. Pastor Nicholas was such a wise and Biblically-founded man. He had been to seminary and taught us so much about the South African culture and different traditions. Ancestor worship is pretty common here, but most people will tell you they believe in Jesus. I love it here- I would love to come back and stay with the Zaks or work with Johanna or something- Johanna is a woman that single-handedly runs a orphanage for babies with Aids and an old folks home as well. What a ministry she has! We still haven’t gotten our suitcases yet. I am living out of my backpack- thank goodness the Zaks are being amazing and letting us do laundry and take showers, etc. They have a beautiful home and are wonderful hosts. I have told them hi for you and from our church J They were excited when they found out I was a Henry. I love you and miss you! Pray for us, that we will stay healthy, get our luggage, and see God continue to do amazing things! I feel like I’ve been blessed more than been a blessing. Hopefully it will go both ways by the time I head home. Much love,

Angela

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Hi from South Africa!

Jun 18

Posted by Maranatha in Steven Munyon

Mozambique-0254Hi from South Africa!

I have had the very distinct privilege of being the official cameraman for the trip. It has been so much fun to capture moments that we will remember forever. Whether we were in the village with Pastor Nicholas or hanging out with the Zak family we have pictures of it. (the reason you have not seen many pictures yet is they are kind of big and the email / internet here is kind of slow) One of my favorite things was walking around the village taking pictures and then showing them to the kids or older folks. An older lady I showed a picture to said something about how the camera was like a TV. Everyone here loves to have their picture taken. When we went to the store to get nama (meat) one lady demanded that we take her picture. It’s been so much fun to see the smiles on people’s faces as you show them their picture. One older guy at TLC (the other place Johanna works) gave me a really big smile and laughed when I showed him our picture. I have gotten in a few pictures mom and dad, so don’t be worried. There is proof that I was in South Africa. Hope that you guys have a great day! Love to the family, Steven

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God is Great!

Jun 18

Posted by Maranatha in Hannah Boone

Mozambique-0082I would just like to start off by saying if any of you know me well, you know I always have a lot to say, but I will try my hardest to be concise and not write a novel. I want to say above all else how GREAT and AWESOME my God is. From day one getting on the airplane to day four being in Africa, God has never ceased to amaze me. Holding beautiful black babies, comforting dying men and women, singing and sharing testimonies of God’s great salvation in our lives, to using an outhouse have all been part of our everday lives here in South Africa. I can go on forever about the work God has been doing in S.A. and in the hearts of the team. Thank you all who have prayed for us, supported us, or who has had any part in preparing Team South Africa. Please continue to pray for us! Giz, I wish you could be here. I love you all back home and can’t wait to share my heart with you in full detail when i get back

IN CHRIST, HANNAH

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Learning the Culture

Jun 18

Posted by Maranatha in Eric Johnson

Hello to all!

We had a very full day yesterday seeing many people of all different ages. As the others have said, people such as Joanna and Pastor Nicholas were a huge challenge to all of us with their love of the Lord and of people. One of the things that impacted me the most yesterday was sitting around the campfire last night listening to Pastor Nicholas talk about South African culture. I learned enough to write a book, but what really stood out to me was the lack of jealousy and greed among most of the people here. In America it’s so common to see others with big houses, nice cars, etc. and want those things. In America, the mindset is that if we aren’t the best, we do everything we can to be the best. In South Africa, the people are content with where they are at, and if they see someone next door with a nicer house, they accept the fact that their neighbor has a nicer house and just focus on their own lives. It made me long for that kind of mentality in our culture. One other thing that happened yesterday was when we were at Joanna’s house with the AIDS babies, there was one little boy who cried and screamed when I put him down and had to leave! I nearly started crying. Please continue to pray for us, especially as the 9 days in Mozambique loom. Mom, Dad, and Casey, I love you and wish you were here to see some of these incredible people! Oh yeah, Mom, I ended up being the only one on the team WITH a watch :)

Eric

4 Comments