Burtolyd in South Africa

Last weekend we visited the local beach - Richards Bay and then on Sunday we went to a Zulu Church. A young pastor and his family, planted the church a few years ago in a very rural area near Mtubu. The church is made up of mostly children as they have also started a Christian school to share the gospel with children who attend school. The Zulu church ⬆️ After church we went to Hluhluwe Game Reserve and saw a Rhino, so can say I've officially completed the 'Big 5' now! I also experienced a monkey stealing half my lunch too! Monday morning started with the weekly shop, as usual, however this week we were shopping for the children's home which is significantly more shopping than needed for the feeding scheme (which we did the week before). Half the shopping is done at the local 'cash and carry' which is quite the experience. Think Bookers/Costco but 100x more people and chaos! Then in the afte...

This week started with shopping for the feeding scheme in Ensoleni. Sounds like a simple task but when power outages (known as load shedding) are frequent and supermarkets close for an hour - it becomes a little more tricky! Most morning are spent prepping for the the children's home or feeding scheme. This could be shopping, marking home work, preparing lessons/activities, running errands etc. Then in the afternoon we head over to the children's home. Usually we'd help them with English and Maths, but this is the last week before Easter so instead I've had a chance to get to know the kids (and try to learn their names!), play some games and do crafts etc.  S ome of the little kids have also been trying to teach me Zulu - but it's proving quite tricky with all the clicks in some of their words! I've also been trying to understand and learn the Zulu culture here as it is quite different - knowing the basic do's ...

MusaweNkosi Ministries was set up over 20 years ago by missionaries Gavin and Elaine. It became clear there was a vital need for a children's home  in the rural township of Ntwezi, near Empangeni. At this time they found that the life expectancy in this area was just 38 years, 1/4 of the children in school were orphans and every home was affected by HIV/AIDS.  There were lots of additional factors too - poverty, no education, abuse of women and children, no food, substance abuse and illness. Yet, God is a God of the impossible and MusaweNkosi – which means God’s grace, was started in 2001. The goals were to identify orphans; support guardians; support schools and start a feeding program. Over it all, the aim was to show God’s loving kindness and point to the Lord Jesus Christ.  MusaweNkosi   Children's Home There are currently 38 children living at  MusaweNkosi   Children's home full time, aged between 6-18, 9 of which ar...

Yesterday afternoon I arrived safe and sound in the land of South Africa! I'll be here for around 3 months so I'll try and keep you all updated semi-regularly! I'm by no means a 'blogger" so don't expect amazing things haha but it just seemed the easiest way to update people who are interested and are praying for me :) So it will probably just be random updates about what I've been up to here, as and when I remember!  I left the UK on Friday afternoon and flew to Istanbul for a short lay over. I then had a 12 hour flight to Durban. Perhaps recieving a complimentary eye mask, pair of socks, slippers, toothbrush and lip balm was the highlight (thanks to Turkish Airlines!)   Once I'd arrived in Durban I was picked up by Gavin, and then traveled about an hour and a half to a town called Empangeni, where I will be staying for the next 3 months. I'm staying with a couple called Gavin and Elaine, who have set up and run  MusawenKosi Ministries ...