My month of blessings began with a youth church conference in a community called Matsulu. First time to go to a youth church conference, we stayed at an orphanage. One of the children was Charles, he is one of those kids who people do not like to play with or hang out. It is Lucky we were there to show him the love of Jesus. Things started when a woman told Charles that he cannot come to the church, but I could not hold myself back hearing what I heard. I told her what she was doing was wrong “you can’t kick a poor orphan out of church”. I then welcomed Charles to church he sat next to me, ate with me and hung out with me, not only with me but also with the other youth from my church. I spent most of my time making new friends and telling them about what we are doing in our church. Many people invited me to their church to help with youth development. When we came back, we met as a youth to discuss doing something special for Charles someday. To bad i dont have a picture of him.
I had the privilege to lead the youth service, encouraging the youth to use what we learned at the conference. I instructed them to put it into practice. When we were about to finish the service one of the youth saw his friend walking in the street. He called for him to join us. We welcomed him and asked him a few questions, one of the questions was “What is one thing that you want to see happening in the community?” With honesty he answered,” I would love to be involved in a soccer team so that I can stay away from my addictions.” His name is Thulani. One of the youth committed himself to get Thulani every time there is something happening at church. Be praying for Thulani, that God will change his life and that we, as a youth, will continue to encourage him. He came to his first Bible study and the youth service he loved it! He also led a game for a few minutes.
God does things in His own way, one day while I was hanging out with the youth and one of the boys came to me and asked, “Why don’t you start a soccer team?” I said nothing, but just smiled at him. Thulani also mentioned soccer at church, I then felt led to begin one.
I had the first meeting with the boys, just telling them that we wanted to start a soccer team. However, I didn’t mention to them that we want to bring people the Gospel through soccer. All of them loved the idea; I then had a meeting with my pastor. He encouraged me and suggested to start with the boys from the church before we invite other people. The first thing to do was to identify a leader that I will be working with to lead this soccer youth ministry. After spending some time praying about whom can I work with. One young leader came to mind his name is Sinhle but he calls himself pastor S or handsome. I am now looking forward to walking with him in leading this soccer ministry.
We organized a soccer game with the kids from the feeding on the weekend we had a fun day. The purpose was to show the kids that we love them outside the feeding.
Sometimes I do crazy things
I ran a 21km marathon in Converse, without training, I didn’t even eat before I ran. I was crazy! I ran 15km very well without any problems. But at 16 km I was dying and when I was about to finish at 19 Km I couldn’t run anymore I had to walk my legs were so tired. One of the people who was giving out water stopped me and asked if they needed to call a helicopter, I was tempted to say ‘yes’. However, I wanted to finish the race even though it was hard. However, I did cross the finish line and I even got a medal. For a week after the race, I was walking funny.
Outreach to Swaziland
It is amazing to see what God is doing in our ministry, TTH is pouring into many people’s lives. One day two volunteers from Mbonisweni, Mbuso and Mzwadile along with Lennon and I set off to Swaziland. We went to visit the family there that TTH has an established relationship. We went to serve Petros and his family. The Photogenx team also came with us. At that time, God was doing something big in the lives of the Mzwadile and Mbuso. One day, we gave Mbuso the opportunity to lead us on how to plant vegetables. He did such a good job. At night when I spoke to him, he said to me “In my own community people don’t recognise the skills and the gifting I have but here in Swaziland people do” we then encouraged him by also telling him that Jesus once was not welcome in his own town. He continued saying that he felt as if God was renewing his love for kids. What he learned there he wants to do for his community and the kids at the feeding. we slept at a small shack that petros build for us.
Mzwadile, on the other hand, is growing into prayer. He was the prayer warrior! When he prays you can feel the presence of the Lord, you will end up crying without knowing why you were crying. He was also touched by the way; Petros and his wife care for the children, to see the love that they have for the children. The boys worked so hard, cutting wood for cooking, working in the garden, helping to stop the fire when we burnt a field of grass, playing with the kids. They connected with the kids very well. The next day we did construction, plastering a house and on that day, it was my birthday. At least I did have one of my top seven favourites on my birthday Fanta Orange.
One of the things that Mzwadile and Mbuso said was , “It would be good to bring the youth from Mbonisweni here to Swaziland.” On our last day, Petros met with us and he asked if we could bring the youth from our church to Swazi. I don’t know what God has in mind for the youth of Mbonisweni and the family in Swaziland. Nevertheless, we did make plans, if 15 youth from our church can get passports, we will go to Swaziland in December.
Prayer requests
Ø I have been sick, so pray for healing
Ø For strength and wisdom on how to empower Sinhle
Ø For God’s guidance on leading the youth soccer ministry
