Isithembiso

WELCOME TO OUR NEW DIRECTORS! It is with great joy that I pass on the program this week to Shelby and Andrea Render, our new wonderful directors! As I announced in our last newsletter, I am moving back to the States and handing the program to the Renders and our amazing Children of Promise team. I can not begin to describe how perfectly the Lord has provided for Children of Promise throughout this process of transition. I have spent the last weeks with Shelby and Andrea, training them, showing them the ins and outs of the program, and introducing them to the families and kids clubs. The more I spend time with them, the more I am overwhelmed with thankfulness that they have come to lead the program. They have such a heart for the vulnerable, they are amazing parents and know how to create family well, they are passionate, skilled in administration and just joyful people to be around. What an extravagant blessing they are! In the last year our team has grown and become strengthened in so many ways, as our local leaders have stepped up and taken more and more ownership. I am so confident that the Lord is taking Children of Promise into a season of even more breakthrough and fruitfulness! The week before last was a very special time as Kalyn, our former director, was able to be with us in our meetings as I was passing the torch onto the Renders. We had good times of praying and sharing together, thanking God for where he has brought us and charging the team to carry it on even further! God is so faithful. AN INTERVIEW WITH THE RENDERS I did a little interview with Shelby and Andrea so you can get to know this amazing family better! Tell us about you and your family. This month Shelby and I have been married 20 years. We have 5 children; Brie 18, Drew 17, Gabe 13, Eli 12 and Finley 3. We met at Bible college and have always been in ministry one way or another. Missions was always something on our heart even before meeting each other. Where are you guys from and how did you end up in South Africa? Shelby is originally from Indiana and Andrea from Florida. We were raising our family in Tennessee. 14 years ago was the first time we spoke about missions in South Africa, but it was 5 years ago when we knew that it was a calling for us and we needed to listen to God and go. We have now been here for 4 years. How do you see God using your gifts in Children of Promise and in Masi? Before we moved to South Africa, God spoke to us that we would be serving "the least, the last and the lost" and we had a heavy burden for the orphaned and vulnerable children. We are so thankful to be able to come into this team and be family with them. This program has been a dream in our heart for a long time, to get to step into this is an answered prayer. We as a family are uniquely equipped for working and loving these children. What are you most excited about in this new season? I feel excited that God birthed this calling 5 years ago and now we actually get to step into it. We are humbled and thankful for God's faithfulness. We are so excited to get to know each family and child, and begin deep relationships. What is your family’s favorite fun thing to do together? We are beach people. We each love the sun and the ocean. Andrea grew up surfing and now Shelby and the boys all surf. Brie works at the local surf shop and Finn loves to play in the sand and the water. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Although I am leaving, the finances, communication and the program in Masi will all run as normal. The locals are all remaining on the team and will continue to run the gatherings, clubs and mentorship in Masi. Mama Wendy is currently going through All Nations field CPx training, a new 3 week intensive church planting training. She has 2 more weeks of the training and then will be back in Masi. We are so excited for Mama Wendy to grow even more in her relationship with Jesus and to be equipped even more to reach her community! Shelby will be the point person for communication. You can continue to send your emails to our Children of Promise email account-Childrenofpromiseafrica@gmail.com. I will continue to check the account for a while to finish any email conversations that are in progress. Kalyn and I will continue to be a resource and will mentor the team from afar. If you would like to contact me, my personal email iswhitneyelise211@gmail.com. Please feel free to send us any questions or concerns you might have! Again, I am so excited for the future of the program. The Father has provided so abundantly by bringing the Renders to this team and raising up our local leaders! He is so good! It has been such a joy and honor to partner with you these last almost five years to reach the children in Masi. These children and this community will forever be in my heart. I am leaving with great sadness, but also with joy knowing the Father will finish what he has started. There is so much more ahead for Children of Promise and I am so excited to see it unfold! Richest Blessings and much thankfulness, Whitney Caldwell