Friday (we've lost track of what number today would be)

Today was another day when the team’s skills, both old and newly found were used:
Papa George shared his “fishers of men” devo with “oh-so-cool” fishing props.
Mama Jane taught in the classroom
Laura found new skills as master brick cutter
Eric continued as the mean, lean, brick-layin’ machine
Pastor Bryan amazed and captivated children with his hand tricks once again (Children across Bethesda are removing their thumbs on a regular basis).
Ruth and Patti learned how to cook South African-style
And today’s greatest surprise - Doris Umstead may seem to be a mild-mannered librarian on the outside but on the inside she is “DORIS, THE ADVENTURER” fearless eater of worms and chicken feet!

Taking a break from our labors ( and recovering from the worms and chicken feet lunch),we visited the Mystic Monkeys zoo, then visited Heather Rumley and Tonya Small for dinner and a movie in their home.

Always, as we work, eat and play together, we are aware of the constant contrasts that exist in South Africa where first and third world cultures clash and intermingle. Bethesda is a place of well-ordered homes and happy faces, but the modern first-world facility is filled with children rescued from third world despair. The 45 minute trip from Bethesda to Pretoria took us from tin shack townships to a spotless upper middle class neighborhood. We are blessed to have a small part in the lives of these redeemed and rescued children. “Jehovah Jirah, our provider. He keeps on doing great things.”

Today was a “roll up your sleeves,” “get down to business” work day. Part of our team laid a brick sidewalk between homes. We moved over 1600 bricks across the compound, dug sod, transplanted it, prepared the surface and laid the bricks. All returned to the team center tired, dirty and sore. We discovered the Eric was a brick laying machine and all enjoyed the completing the task while working side by side with many of the South African nationals.

Three of the team members worked at the school, Jubilane Academy, helping in the classrooms. They also helped the students make 600 cookies which they gave away as part of “Appreciation Day.” They enjoyed the day of close interaction with the children and a chance to use the teaching talents God has given them. (Today’s picture features two team members, now dubbed “Papa George and Mama Jane hard at work making cookies with the children)

After lunch in the lapa (a South African gazebo), the bricklayers returned to work, some enthusiastically, others trudging along.

A pleasurable evening was spent having dinner with the families here in Bethesda, enjoying the questions and stories from the “Mommas”, “Papas” as well as the children.

Another magnificent African sunset!

Wednesday Update

Today the team had a glimpse of what worship in heaven may be like. Prior to the start of a training session we attended (held for the Bethesda parents and community) we were blessed to be able to participate in a time of singing with the other attendees. The true spirit of men and women was evident as they whole heartedly praised the Lord in song. As Americans, we had never experienced signing like that and all in our group were moved, most to the point of tears.

Tonight we are all tired after our busy day which included much more than the training session. This morning found us heading “back to school.” We presented the chapel program for students in Grade R (Kindergarten) through Grade 2 at the Jubilane Christian Academy here on Bethesda’s campus. We sang several songs and George and Bryan presented stories that encouraged the children to follow Christ and become “Fishers of Men.” After the chapel we all had a few minutes to enjoy the children, playing games, teaching them little hand tricks and getting to know them better.

Early this afternoon, we set up “shop,” displaying tables full of the gifts we carried (10 suitcases full) with us. The Bethesda Mamas all had a chance to come through and select gifts for the children.

Following lunch, the women of the team set to wrapping the piles (and piles) of gifts. Most men were anxious to attack a work project and they spent a few hours moving a “few” bricks (about 800) to a site where they will be used for a project tomorrow.

After a long day of work we were able to enjoy our first bit of sightseeing. We set out for dinner at a restaurant called “Carnivores” - the establishment specializes in roasted meats of ALL varieties (zebra, kudo, giraffe, as well as lamb, beef, chicken etc). It was a fun evening of new experiences. On the ride there we had an extra bit of excitement, as we drove past a game reserve we were able to spy zebra, kudo (a type of antalope), ostritch and several other smaller wild critters.

It’s off to bed for us now, tomorrow will be a FULL work day for us. We will be working on laying brick for a sidewalk outside a new building. Tomorrow evening we will be splitting in to smaller groups to visit the homes of the orphans and enjoy dinner with the families.

What a difference a good nights sleep makes. We are all feeling much more refreshed and are quickly adjusting to the difference in time.

This morning we packed 60 paloney (not baloney) and cheese sandwiches and took lunch to the orphaned children in the Township of Stinkwater. Once we arrived we spent several hours weeding the garden in the community. We also had time to play with the children, share some songs and a story and then gave the children lunch. It was touching to see many of the children “save” the lunch to take home to others in the family.

It was a long, emotional day, but very moving, the children where loving and very grateful for what seemed like such a meager offering.

This evening we enjoyed dinner and fellowship with several of the families of Bethesda. It was wonderful to get a chance to meet the children and parents. We enjoyed a meal and played games after dinner.

Tomorrow is yet another full day. We will be leading chapel at the school tomorrow morning and then wrapping all the gifts we brought tomorrow afternoon.

One thing to pray for would be for the children of Stinkwater. We were all struck with how little these children have. Young teenage girls have become the heads of their households and it breaks our hearts to think of the things they must do to provide for their younger siblings.

Day One

And we are here.

It's been a long day. After almost 24 hours of travel we arrived at our destination just before 11am South African time today. We had just enough time to clean up and we were off and running. The staff here at Bethesda have kept us busy to help our bodies attempt to adjust to the time difference. We have spent the day attending various orientation meetings and getting aquainted with the staff and children.

Tomorrow will be a busy day for us (they all will be) as we head to the township: Stinkwater and minister to the orphans (many from orphan led families), we will serve lunch, share a story, Bible lessons and songs with the children and help in the garden.

Due to limited bandwidth, our blog entries will be short and will only contain a sampling of our photos. We will be sure to post a complete photo gallery on our return.

And We're Off! (Okay - not quite - but almost)



Thank you to all who came this evening to pray with us. The final preparation of the gift bags and loading of the vehicles went smoothly. We will gather again at the church tomorrow morning at 5:30 AM and depart soon after. Below you will find some emergency contact information, family - this will be the best way to contact us in the event of an emergency.

Thank you all again for your prayers. Pray that the team will all rest well this evening as we are very excited!

For emergencies we can be contacted at the following numbers:

 Bethesda Office: 011 27 12 711 0087 between the hours of 1:00am and 10:00am EST

 John Mixon (Director): 011 27 82 854 0679

 Lois Mixon (team leader): 011 27 82 966 5103

 Mixon’s home phone: 011 27 12 567 1593

 Michele Geurink (team leader): 011 27 82 857 8468

 Bethesda email: bethesda-temba@boi.org

4 Days and Counting!

It's almost here. The team has had all the required shots, purchased and collected many gifts and are now currently trying to figure out how to get all of this to fit into their luggage.

We will be meeting at EBBC on Saturday afternoon to load the vehicles and make the final preparations. We would love to invite our church and family to come join us at 4:30 for a time of prayer and a brief send-off. Following the loading of the vans (with the luggage) we'll return home and try to rest. We'll join back at the church at 5:30 am on Sunday morning and hope to be on our way to JFK soon after.

Once we arrive in South Africa (Monday morning) we will do our best to find time to keep this blog updated with pictures and stories of the amazing children and all we have the opportunity to see and do! Thanks for keeping us with us during this time serving the Lord and the beautiful children and staff at Bethesda!