I'd like you to meet Jefta

Greetings again, another week and weekend are over so it is time to update the blog. It has been another busy week, on Thursday we farewelled a young couple from Holland (Stephan and Hanney) after they had spent three months here having a wide range of experiences including looking after our boys for three nights. We also said goodbye to Peter from the Board in Holland. He had been here for three weeks familiarising himself with NACMU and he was very supportive of many of the things we are doing. It is sad to say farewell to people but it generally means we have a get-together and a nice meal (this time Indian takeaways) so that softens the blow somewhat.
Saturday was Mark's birthday which we celebrated with a party here for 20 children who ate well, played well and generally had a good time as you can see from the photos. He wanted pancakes for supper so we went up to the Home for that and another cake. Marjorine was sick on Sat. so Marilyn helped out with the girls over supper. Marjorine has since had two nights off at her home, last night and tonight so Marilyn is sleeping next door as cover. It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase 'love your neighbour'. With the children at school during the day and with no sickness here it is quite manageable especially as we have a new person to help with the housework. Indeed the only reason I can write this now is because I don't have to do the ironing. Aunty Annette has made life a lot easier for us in a short space of time.
Now, I would like to introduce you to Jefta. Jefta is a boy who has some learning difficulties and some physical ones too, one leg is shorter than the other among other things. A week ago Jefta appeared at Sunday School, many of the children told us he was only four so we sent him back to the home. Much to our dismay we found out that he was indeed six, nearly seven, so he should be at our Sunday School. So on Monday when I saw him I told him how much I was looking forward to seeing him this Sunday. All week, every time Jefta saw me he would run up and tell me he was coming to Sunday School, I had to tell him how many more sleeps till Sunday he was so excited. Sunday duly arrived and so did Jefta. During our praise and worship time he sang his little heart out, it was a joy to see. He was fully involved in the activity of the day and all was well.
In the afternoon Jefta came to church (once you are at SS you are expected to attend church in the afternoon). In each service there is a time of testimony, a time for giving thanks to God for what he has done this week. Many adults are quite shy about this, not so the children. In amongst those who gave thanks that they were alive, gave thanks for new visitors, gave thanks for baby Dina being well , Jefta raised his hand and gave thanks for Uncle Warwick and Sunday School. My initial reaction was laughter, however, as it happened Pastor John's message was about how we treat and how we can learn from children. It made me realise that something I took to be quite trivial was VERY important to this young man. It taught me humility and I give thanks to God for a young man called JEFTA. We do indeed learn from the children. His photo is taken with Aunty Agnes who is the Aunty who supervises the under-fives on a Sunday morning for their Bible story and activity, another willing servant of God.
Some prayer requests please:
-for more helpers in Sunday School, we have about 60 children coming now and need more help
-for Aunty Marjorine and her health, she also lost one of her sisters yesterday, the burial was today and she is coming back still tomorrow.( She does have about 20 siblings.)
-for safe travel for those coming here this week (a team of 20 coming from Germany) and for the new guest houses to be finished and ready for them by Saturday
-for Piet and Pita and the multitude of decisions they have to make. Give them wisdom.
-for our continued good health with an extra portion of energy and patience
for the family units, that both the boys and the girls may continue to do what is right and be considerate of each other.
Well, that's about all for now, until next time
God Bless