Yesterday we drove around the area, looking for potential spots to do skateboard outreach and possible a youth center. Commercial property here is very expensive, and warehouses are outside of town in unsafe neighbourhoods. There are some old tennis courts very close by. Shaun has written letters to the school to see if we could use them. It would be a nice area. They are fenced in so the ramps would be secure. There is power nearby for music and sound and also some street lights and a couple of small spot lights. So this has become our first choice and we are praying that the school board would allow us to use the property. They only cost involved would be the lumber for building the ramps, and maybe a small fee to the school every month. The youth center / coffee shop at this point could be in the building that the church is in. They have a room upstairs that we could let for another $300 a month and could set up just for youth events and then we could start having some shows in the sanctuary. So if you could join us in praying, we are asking for favor with the school board because at this point that would be our first choice.
After lunch yesterday, we headed to the orphanage. I posted some pictures last night. It was a good trip. The buildings are a little rough, but they have a lot of space so there is much potential. They are pretty overcrowded. Right now she has 36 kids and legally is only supposed to have 16. She only gets paid from the government for 4, so everything else she is on her own. They have some chickens that I think they raise for meat more than eggs, and they are trying to grow some veggies. There were only about 10 of the younger kids there as the rest were still in school while we are there. The kids were like magnets. There was not a single second where one the kids was not hanging, climbing, or grabbing Jesse, Shaun, or myself. It was very kiff. Not sure how much interaction they get with men. The needs here are many and this will be the primary focus of our ministry upon moving here. The youth and skateboarding will just be more like areas in the church where we serve. We will go back again Thursday, a little later in the day so that we have a chance to meet all the children.
Today, we heading to the school nearby with Shaun where he does a devotional with the 9th grade guys. Then we are heading down to Durban for some more sight seeing of the area. Tonight we will have a meeting with the church where we will begin to discuss our vision and what is on our hearts.
This may sound weird, but I am seeking just one more confirmation from God. Call me Gideon, but this is a very big move and just want to make sure that this is it. I don't really even know what to ask for specifically, but if you could just pray that in His perfect way and His perfect time, He would just let me know clearly that this is what we are supposed to do.
blessings,
Shelby
No comments:
Post a Comment