Kids Gospel Ministry

July 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

So much has taken place since last writing, please excuse the lack of detail in this letter.

100 ESV Bibles were given by Springs Baptist Church for the Tembisan Bible clubs. The children are now well trained in working carefully with their Bibles. These have already been used much in a short while.

Charmaine has helped me greatly with the Children Desiring God songs. We have been singing them together and where I have come unstuck, she helpfully played them on the piano. I shall be starting with these songs next term. This term which we have just completed, saw the children learning hymns. I asked the children from the three afternoon clubs what their thoughts were on learning hymns. The children not having been exposed to them before, said they had loved singing them. When asked why, one remark was, “most of the words we sing we can find these words in the Bible”. It has excited me to see as we have been learning this year the attributes of God, how the children have been picking up on these words in the hymn singing: glorious, creator, wise, faithful, omnipresent, loving, unchanging etc.

I have a tract table each Thursday from 12:00 – 2:00pm before the Thuthuka Bible club. Have been able to speak to many and present the glorious gospel of Christ. A description of some whom I have met from the community:

• A jobless man in search of work
• Christians already attending churches
• Groups of children from primary schools
• A shop keeper
• A retarded boy who learnt children’s songs amazingly quickly
• Mama Sarah the sweet seller
• Doctor who will be starting his job as a petrol attendant
• Mozambiquan men selling vegetables, Zimbabweans longing to return to their home country and an Ethiopian man quite settled in the township

The last couple of weeks I have been standing at the stop street specifically targeting the taxi drivers, they have so enjoyed receiving the tracts. If there are people who would like to sponsor the tract ministry, please let me know, I am getting through large volumes of literature per week.

Fran and Trevor were moving and dropped off at the flat furniture which was perfect for the children’s ministry: large table, three large sideboards and two smaller ones with sliding doors. They were quickly filled with all the children’s ministry materials. If anyone has a shed or container which is no longer in use, please let me know. A church has offered an area for KGM storage on their property, it would then alleviate my flat and garage.

I was able to share with the pastors and evangelists of AYE – Africa Youth Evangelism. We had a wonderful time of learning, singing and praying together as we spoke about children’s work in schools.

Constantia Park Baptist Church had an outreach group come to one of the arts and crafts sessions at Isiziba Primary. It was good to see adults and children alike working hard on making paper beads.

Roger from Trinity Baptist Church (Port Elizabeth) has begun writing poems for the children of Tembisa. The other day I sent an envelope to him full of letters many children had written to him saying that they love his poems and him ! They have asked for more poems and appreciate his love shown to them in the township.

Many goods given by people have been delivered to Helping Hands in Sangweni, a home based care. They are dealing daily with the sick and dying and have handed out the goods in homes they visit. Thank you to those who have given one black bag after another for this worthy work.

The Birchleigh Baptist team: Mandla, Nthabiseng, Rebecca and Khaya organised and taught the Saturday Bible club at Isiziba Primary. It moved my heart as I saw Khaya who was saved at the Thuthuka Bible club, leading the children in the learning of the memory verse. Mandla taught the lesson, Nthabiseng and Rebecca did the singing and Rebecca led the mission’s slot.

Visiting Pastor Ndhlovu from Ivory Park Baptist Church in Tembisa, and Pastor Simelane of the Bible Fellowship Church Tembisa proved a blessing to get to know and renew friendships.

Fleecy tracksuits were made by the Mission’s Workshop ladies of Constantia Park Baptist Church. Children from the Bible clubs benefitted from this. Children were holding the soft fabric to their cheeks with eyes closed tightly and lips pursed – they were appreciative of the ladies’ hard work and wrote to them as they had done to Uncle Rog with grateful thanks.

The first KGM meeting took place at the flat since KGM becoming an NPO – Non Profit Organisation. We have now applied for a PBO – Public Benefit Organisation number, which God willing should be through in five weeks. The PBO number allows for tax exemption.

Danie came to speak to the children on world missions and two American preachers came out with me to the township to preach in the market place at Rabasotho. Many were drawn to listen to them; one lady invited them back to her house to pray for her family.

Nthabiseng will be beginning a Saturday Bible club and Gayle a Tuesday Bible club. I will give you further feedback on these clubs in the next newsletter.

Information from Gayle on the Inxiweni Bible club held on Monday afternoons: Inxiweni Bible Club Report

Please see the attached KGM Prayer Guideline for July, thank you for your faithful prayers for the township work.

Bible verse to encapsulate the children’s work: 1 Corinthians 3:11 “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ”.

Serving the next generation,

Jenni