NIVUYO PLAATJIE 15 YEARS……
Pastor
Aleko met this lad through his Evangelistic sporting program at Wittlesea. He
was rudderless, ignored by parents and home and heading for delinquency. The
family agreed that he move into the pastors home, for care and discipleship by
the church.
The
past three years have see a phenomenal change in his life, leading to his
conversion and development in Christ.
He
attended a youth leadership seminar, at which Mally and I taught. We found him
hungry for truth and growth and a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The
next few years are going to be crucial……Your prayers please.
SIYABULELA PETER
17 YEARS.
Another
hopeless young man heading in the wrong direction. Invited into a pastors home
for care and ministry, where he now lives.
As
far as we know his parents are alive but do not care in the least for his
wellbeing. He has spent a few years in our vulnerable children's program. Praise
God for his salvation and hunger to follow and serve Christ.
He
attended a youth discipleship weekend. “Devoured” the Word of God and
immediately on invitation requested to be Baptized. This took place in the local
stream. Siyabulela’s testimony on this
occasion was clear, biblical and heart warming as he shared his passion to
discover and follow the will of God.
I had
the joy of Baptizing Him. Unlike many of the guys his age, he is quiet, humble
(nothing is to much trouble for him to do for anyone), cerebral in thought
processes and cautious in the decisions which he makes.
We
have high hopes for his future and do not want him to be taken from our
care….Please pray.
MUSITEMBE
NXAXHEBA 13 YEARS OLD
We
met this young boy four years ago when asked by the community to visit his home,
in an effort to see if we could help with the adverse poverty.
On
investigation we found a single parent family of six. Father had died. The
heathen, middle-aged mother was particularly rude. Did know who the fathers of
her children were. Did not care. Informed us that Musitemba ‘s father was dead.
Also,
that she was unable to feed the children, as she had no income. Worst of all
she told us that we could have Musitemba as he was ill disciplined and
insolent. We took him, and one of our pastors agreed to care for him. He has since lived under the
care of Pastor Aleko Mnele in Wittlesea, about 150miles form his home, to which
he returns during school vacations.
Musitemba has been converted, is walking with
the Lord, loves everything about Church life, is most enthusiastic in worship
and serving the Lord , and is at all times teachable and loveable. He is doing
very well at school…..his English is outstanding.
We do
not want to lose him from this care……..PLEASE PRAY.
SAKKIE
We
met Sakkie six years ago. He lives in close proximity to a seaside cottage we use
as a base for ministry in the Cebe area of Transkei (Home of the Xhosa people).
A friendship developed and he was
initially employed to wash cars, care for the garden and collect bait. Over the
years he has been trained in many basic life skills, and simultaneously we took
every opportunity to share the Gospel with him by way of example and
especially though Biblical education. He started attending worship services
and youth meetings. It soon became apparent that God was working in his life. We
had the joy of leading him to the Lord in salvation.
Years
of discipleship followed, with personal training in servant leadership, leading
worship and lay preaching. Sakkie has grown into a young man of God.
He is
19years of age, an orphan, and most vulnerable.
Last
year he attended a youth leadership training weekend, which I had the joy of
leading. On the Sunday he together with five others followed the Lord though
the Waters of baptism…..took place at a stream near the church.
This
year he passed through the traditional initiation into manhood according to
tribal custom…..he was circumcised by the traditional surgeon, in obedience to
the elders of the clan. In order to guard his testimony he negotiated with the
elders to miss the graduating ceremony, which is en evil event, and rather have
his graduation take place on the Lords Day as part of the worship service.
The elders agreed……Hallelujah. Incredible breakthrough. He asked me to preach at
his graduation, which I was delighted to do. It was a wonderful Christ
exalting, God Glorifying occasion. After the service the congregation provided
a celebratory meal for the church members and Sakkies family and friends.
He is
presently writing hid final school exams and considering his future. Please
pray for him.
NOSIKHONA
MQPOYA - Stone 17 YEARS
Mally
and I met Nosikhona, nicknamed “stone”; by all and sundry in the community,
about six years ago.
We
loved his warm affection for people and most enthusiastic love of life and the
seaside where he lives with his family, who show very little interest in his
upbringing. His age, at the time, brought about a father a son relationship
between him and myself. He became my “fishing gillie’ (Young boy who collects
bait and cleans fish). He is most
responsive to my care, leadership, fathering and instruction in the Gospel.
We are good friends. He always
tries to please, and nothing is
is to much trouble for him to do.
HOWEVER,
THIS DISPOSITION COUPLED WITH HIS GREGARIOUS HAPPY OUTGOING PERSONALITY,
results in him having many friends from the community. Tourists to the area
soon get to know him and unfortunately many sinful habits are revealed and even
encouraged.
In addition, Stone, like many of us is not
going not going to graduate ‘cum laude’. It could be said that he struggles
academically. His decision making is not always the most commendable and he is
somewhat easily influenced, especially by the crowd/peer group pressure.
His
spiritual walk is somewhat “roller coaster”. HOWEVER, we see tremendous
potential and love him to “bits”…..He is like a son to me and I do not want him
to be lost from the Eternal kingdom.
Strong
prayers please for his faith in Christ to be cemented, resulting in an
uncompromising consecration to follow Christ faithfully and all the days of his
life.
