Stories of Hope
"Let Us Bear The Burden Together"
The Nyembe Family
 |
| Their old home, unsafe and cold. |
During a visit to KwaMhlanga in September of 2007, the St. James' group accompanied an MCDC Home Care worker to the Nyembe's "house." The tin shack you see served as "home" for a family of 14. Needless to say the size of the shack did not allow for the family to even remain together.
Having immigrated from Mozambique the Nyembes did not qualify for any governmental assistance. Although the parents worked when and where they could, providing enough food for their family proved challenging, to say the least. The MCDC ministry was offering some help but their ability was limited. Rose and Randy Finkbeiner, missionaries in KwaMhlanga from California , agreed to oversee a project to offer hope to the Nyembe family.
The HIV/AIDS Ministry at St. James made available $10,000 to assist the Nyembe family. As the pictures show, with Rose and Randy's careful oversight and proper management, money can go a long way in this community.
 |
 |
| Their new home, made with donations. |
Beds for everyone rather than sleeping on the floor |
As a result, this family of fourteen are now united. And no one has to sleep on a one room dirt floor any longer. They now have a modest home. There are beds in which to sleep. Food can be refrigerated. Cooking now occurs indoors. There is an outside "pit toilet" that provides some privacy beyond the sticks and plastic previously used. The children now have the uniforms that are required for them to attend school. (Be sure and read the letters of gratitude from the Nyembe family which are linked below. They include numerous comments from the kids who are thankful they and their brothers and sisters can now attend school.)
 |
| Kids now have uniforms for school. |
In addition to having a place to live, assistance was provided for the Nyembes to establish a "Tuck Shop." Although this is a community of over 500,000, there are very few stores and markets. To get anywhere one has to walk. Therefore, people rely on neighborhood Tuck Shops where they can purchase essential supplies and food. The Nyembes now have their own Tuck Shop as a means of providing income to support their family.
Rose Finkbeiner, a missionary from California who lives in KwaMhlanga and serves with MCDC oversaw the project and interacted with the Nyembe family: "I looked into the shack they used to live in, and I couldn't believe they lived in that. .... Can you imagine how this family must be feeling right now? They are used to living in a very small one-room tin shack with a dirt floor, and now they have a four bedroom house! ...The family, especially Mrs. Nyembe, is so happy. As soon as the floors were ready, they moved in with what very little they had."
 |
| Their Tuck Stand for selling food, this helps support their family. |
When the September 2008 Team visited the Nyembes, the entire family was assembled, waiting and smiling. They could not stop saying "thank you." The Team was presented with letters from many of the family members expressing their deep gratitude for their new home. Be sure and take the time to read the letters by clicking the link below. You'll find comments like this from the mother who wrote: "My life has changed into a normal one. I even dream nicely." A child said: "We can now go to school because of you.I'm very happy because I know that at last I have a HOME." The fifth born child, David, wrote: "I'm very happy that you made us human beings today..May God bless you."
The Nyembe family is living out a Story Of Hope. God has provided for them through people who care. We look forward to seeing how God can now use the Nyembes to reach out to others.
Take a moment to read the letters from the Nyembe Family:
Nyembe Letters
Manaleni (and St. James) Kids Experience a Thrill
It may not seem like the "world" to many, but for 100 kids who have never been out of the desolate poverty stricken environment in which they live, going to the zoo or to a theme park is literally experiencing another world. During their visit in September of 2008, the Team from St. James, in partnership with the Reformed Church Riettvallei Congregation in Pretoria , arranged a field trip to the Pretoria Zoo for the kids 10 and under, and a visit to the Gold Reef City Theme Park for those 11 and older.
Having a fun day at the Pretoria Zoo and Theme Park. |
Buses were arranged to meet the kids at the Manaleni Center early in the morning. The kids were excited and ready to roll - but only after receiving breakfast at the Center. The day before each child was given a"St. James - Manaleni" T-Shirt which kids and adults proudly sported throughout the day.
On the way to the zoo and theme park, the buses were filled with singing and overall excitement.
Not only was the day a wonderful experience at the zoo and the theme park, it was also a terrific time for the Team to bond with the kids. After all, the ministry has said from the outset that we want to do more than financially sponsor the Manaleni Center . We want to form meaningful relationships with the kids. Without doubt, that's happening! (As evidence of the way the kids reacted take a look at the letter from Tshepo addressed to the Team.)
If you would like to read a letter from Tshepo, Click Here !
Gift Bags For Over 500
The Middle High youth at St. James conceived the idea of sending a bag of hope to each of the over 500 orphans and vulnerable children at the five Centers in KwaMhlanga operated by MCDC. The St. James congregation responded by filling 515 one-gallon Zip-loc bags with age appropriate toys and useful items to be distributed.
The Gift of Water
The Middle School Ministry at St. James (in addition to sponsoring a project that sent over 515 Christmas 
gift bags) has raised $2000 to be used by MCDC for the drilling of a well at Mandela Farm. Mandela Farm is where volunteers stay when visiting KwaMhlanga as well as serving as the site of the offices of MCDC and the permanent residence of a missionary couple who oversee the Home Care Workers deployed from Manaleni and the other Centers. Dr. Buys points to where the well will be in photo at right.
Hearing Is Believing
Before oneSt. James visit, a person outside of the congregation acquired and donated an MP3 player (similar to an IPod) containing the entire Bible. This Bible Stick was given to a 15 year girl, Idah, during the visit. Idah did not have a Bible until then. Takea look at what Randy Finkbeiner reported following the gift.
 |
| Kids joyously dancing at the Opening of the Manaleni Care Center |
"I just wanted to encourage you about something I noticed this week. As you know Rose and I have two girls who stay with us on weekends. I think you will remember Idah. Last week I was with her in the car and she was singing some songs that were in English that I had never heard before. They were Christian songs and I asked her how she learned these songs. She said she learned them from listening to the MP3 Kids Bible you gave her. She then recited to me the whole story of how God set the Israelites free from slavery including all the drama with Pharaoh. I was so amazed by this. I have bought her several batteries so I know she must listen to it a lot. Thanks for that gift to her.
Thanks, Randy"
St. James wants to make these MP3 Bible Sticks available to all of the kids at the Manaleni Center - and perhaps at the other four Centers - when they reach the age of 14.
Check out the ministry that offers these MP3 Bibles: Faith Comes by Hearing
