MACEDONIAN MINISTRIES
REPORT
January 2014
VULNERABLE CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
This ministry has been in existence for about twelve years.
Over the past few month significant progress/fruitfulness has become evident in
the lives of some those in the ministry program. We Praise Gog for is
faithfulness in using this ministry for the development and discipleship of
young peope.
Selection Process
The following steps form the criteria used for the selection
of vulnerable children to receive assistance from this ministry.
Candidates are NOT afforded the opportunity to apply for
assistance.
Selection of candidates is based on observations which come to the attention of
Mac. Min. Missionaries during the course
of events which take place whilst inter-reacting with and ministering to
communities on the field. All needy people are entitled to general humanitarian
care provided by Mac. Min. Irrespective of colour, ethnicity, age, gender,
religious affiliation, etc.
HOWEVER, selection for admittance to the vulnerable children’s
ministry is based on the following criteria :-
-candidates may include children up to the age of young
adulthood.
-the person must be vulnerable due to circumstances beyond
their control.
-these will include those who are sick/diseased, orphaned,
abandoned, alienated, displaced, etc.
-they must reveal a consistent seeking after the holistic
Gospel and it’s transforming power in their lives. In other words, when Mac.
Min. Missionaries become aware of vulnerable children who are earnestly seeking
to be transformed by the Gospel in a manner which lifts them out of their
vulnerability, we immediately, endeavor to find the best possible means do all
we can to grow these children into mature disciples of Christ. In most cases
the best way forward is a long tern/lifetime investment by care-givers/foster
parents, which in some cases lasts for many years......possibly from the cradle
to adulthood.
-the most obvious model is placement of these vulnerable
children in Mature Christian Homes, when available and present.
-another fruitful model is placement of older/young
adult/mature persons under the supervision/care of a capable mentor/s, where
accountability structures are clearly defined and kept in place.
Ministry Goals
To create THE most natural and Godly environment for these
vulnerable children to live in, in order for them to be greatly influenced by
the holistic Gospel; without necessarily compromising the ethos of their
ethnicity and culture.
To have them exposed to Christianity in an environment which
is conducive for them growing into men and women of God, who will follow and
serve Him for their entire lives.
To rescue children from the extreme hopelessness of the
despairing situations in which they find themselves. Usually these children are
victims of circumstances beyond their control.
To provide a way of escape for some children who probably
will otherwise be imprisoned in their vulnerability, for life.
MEET SOME OF THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY REACHED SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES.
SAKKIE
Orphaned in his early teens. Responded to
the Gospel in 2009. Revealed a sincere desire to be discipled and was
immediately enrolled into the vulnerable children’s ministry. Mentors intentionally
engaged all means to influence him to love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
They have also endeavoured to provide as much of his daily needs as possible,
for him to live a normal life in his community.
This has all born fruit. Sakkie is
faithfully following the Lord, serving in the local church, discipling and
evangelising his peers and recently, after intense Bible study on Believers
Baptism, decided to follow his Lord instructions and was baptised after a
Sunday morning service; in a river near his home.
ANELE KUNGWANA
We met Aleko [common name] when he was only a young boy. He
often joined us on fishing holidays, and would make himself useful by
collecting bait and cleaning our fish. A healthy friendship soon developed and
it was’nt long before he understood the Gospel. God began to work in his
life,drawing him to Christ as saviour. Aleko was converted 2002. He immediately
showed an ernestness in His following after Christ. A life of commitment
serving his Saviour followed. He was an exemplary son to his father and a model
student at school. His mother had passed away.
When he neared the end of high school, his father died
leaving him orphaned. We simultaneously sensed the call of God upon his life,
to follow Christ into fulltime Christian Service. He was sponsored through
Bible School, which also moulded and made him into fine young Man of God with a
huge heart for evangelizing his own ethnicity, the Xhosa people of SA.
Aleko graduated in 2011, accepted a call to the pastorate in
2012 and has witnessed God’s anointing on his ministry.
As is to be expected he fell in love with a beautiful young
Christian lady who agreed that the Lord had brought them together for marriage
and a future life in ministry together. They were married in Dec 2013. It was
Trevor’s great pleasure and privilege to preach at their wedding.
Our anticipation is that God is going to make them a wonderful
ministry team as husband and wife. And that HE will use them mightily together
for many years to come.
SHADRACK BENGU
We first met Sadrack some six years ago during evangelistic
outreaches in the Pietermaritzburg region. What struck us most was his passion
to reach with the Gospel to Zulu young and children. It soon became apparent
that we should be investing in this young man’s life. He was 32 years of age at
the time, single, orphaned and longing only to follow and serve his lord.
Sponsorship was made
available for him to attend Bible school in PMB. During these informative years
he spent long periods living on the premises with Mally and myself, where he
became a part of the family. This enabled us to have a close, hands-on
influence in his life. It has been our joy to mentor him through his
theological studies, which were life transforming to say the least.
Shadrack graduated in Dec.2013, and now waits for God to
open the door for him to commence fulltime ministry.
We praise God for these wonderful blessings through our
vulnerable childrens ministry.
Please pray with us that what has commenced will continue in
these lives and through them into many other lives, ALL for the Glory of God.
ALSO, pray with us that God will raise additional finance
for us to expand this ministry into other lives. Currently, there are a number
of deserving young people who we wish to assist but for whom there is
insufficient funding at present.
Give thanks with us
to God, for the wonderful manner in which He has used meagre efforts to greatly
exalt his name in the lives of these young people.
Blessings.
Trevor Eayrs
Jan. 2014
