I wanted to tell you all a little more about Ithemba. It is my ministry here in Jeffrey's Bay. It is a nafter school program that is in the townships. The townships are the very rough and poor part of town. I work there every day from 1-5pm. Some days are rough, but I love it. The day starts out just playing with the kids for about a half hour, then lunch time, then a bible story for a half hour. At three o clock we split up into classes. I teach grade R which is Kindergarten. I have 5 to 6 students that about 5 years old. Right now I am teaching them how to write their name and also the alphabet. It is very challenging at times with the language barrier, but God defintely helps me each step of the way. Then at four o clock we have an activity planned for them, either- music, games or a craft. The day then ends at five. There is about 50-60 each day at Ithemba- most all of them come from broken homes. Homes with single parents, grandparents or really no one to watch them at all.
I would like to ask you all to pray for Thando. He is in my grade R class. On Wednesday I noticed he wasn't acting himself and his eyes were both really red. He was holding his head and said it really hurt. He feel asleep in my arms and slept there for over a hour. I found out that he has bad eyes and probably needs glasses, but his mother doesn't have money to afford to take him to the eye doctor. So right then I decided that I would do that. I talked to the Nomsa (one of the women at Ithemba) and she said the mother was fine with it and would be very pleased. So Chels and I will be taking him to the eye doctor on Monday to find out what's wrong. It might be a lot serious then we think and he could need surgery or it could just be he needs glasses. Please pray that would be the case! Pray that the money would be provided from my team that Thando needs for this treatment.
I can't believe I only have seven weeks left until I come home for Christmas-time has flown by! I've enjoyed every moment of being stretched and taken out of my comfort zone. Thank you for your prayers- it is such a comfort to know I am lifted up daily to the King of Kings!
Love you all!
