I hope this letter finds you well.  I can’t believe fall is upon us and Christmas will soon be here.  Where has the year gone? In fact, where has the last TWO years gone!?!

I can’t believe that in February it will be two years since I was in Africa with Heather.  When we were there, we had no idea what we’d be doing when we arrived. We just knew that God had called us there & we trusted that He would show us where He wanted us to do His work.  As you may know, on day eight, we were taken on a four hour drive through South Africa & into Swaziland, through winding mountains to a place that many back home didn’t even know existed - a tiny country the size of New Jersey, nearly forgotten by the rest of the world.  It was there that our hearts were ripped out from our chest & we were gripped with emotions that we still cannot find words for.  We saw young children, Sydney & Andrew’s age, alone without any parents.  These beautiful children live fearful lives, not knowing when their next meal will come, feeling insecure about their safety.  Our hearts broke while our minds raced thinking about the dangers that could befall them without a mommy & a daddy to protect them during the dark nights.

This mountain lacked food, parents & safety, but the one thing this mountain didn’t lack is hope.  Many of you have heard about Nomsa, a sister in Jesus Christ, a beautiful woman with beautiful feet who brings the love of Jesus to these precious orphaned children.  She has a spirit of encouragement, mustering up 28 other volunteers from around the mountain.

Two Christmases ago, this beautiful community was blessed with a gift that would give them hope - a gift that promises food, shelter and protection. A gift that would help create a self sustaining community – five industrial sewing machines.  These five industrial sewing machines will give them a way to provide for these hungry, scared children.  These sewing machines have no use unless they are put into commission.  They need a building to house these. This building will serve not only as a workplace, but a gathering place and safe haven to these beautiful children.

Sadness gripped our hearts because just days earlier, we visited two care centers in South Africa. The children were playing, smiling, singing & hugging.  On this mountain, there was no singing, no dancing & no smiles.  What was different?  These children were left on their own.  Every couple days they were visited, but for the most part they were alone. The children at the Lula Care Center in S. Africa had each other. They could learn about Jesus, play with each other, & feel the continuing love pouring out of their care givers.  They went back to their homes filled with the Holy Spirit, strengthened with love & hope.  We know that these 984 orphans will be able to feel that same confidence when they have a place that will be able to serve them.  Nomsa and her volunteers can only reach so many children each day, but if the children had a place they could come for encouragement every day, more children could be reached & the love of Jesus can be poured into their precious hearts every day.

Two years ago, this community received a beautiful gift for Christmas. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this Christmas we could tell them they can start on their building, so they can finally put this gift to use?  We have raised a majority of the funds over the past year and ½ and we’re anxious to bridge the gap of just $8,000 so we can begin construction on this building & see this project to completion.  Would you consider helping give a Christmas gift of Hope to Nomsa and her 984 orphans this year?

In His Service,

Brenda