FCE News
eptember 2010
Tel/Fax: +27 (0)23 2310 208 info@fce.org.za
Dear Prayer Supporters Recently I received a call from a teacher inquiring about the National Teachers Convention that we are planning for 24-27 September in Bloemfontein. Her opening words knocked me for a six: “I am embarrassed to acknow ledge in good company that I am a teacher. I am ashamed to receive my salary at the end of the month because I was not allowed to work for it.” A few years ago one of my ex-students sent me a newspaper article from England titled: “Teachers crying in the corridors.” One of our teacher students did her teaching practice abroad. A child came running down the corridor and ran into her. When she tried to prevent the child from falling he pulled away from her and screamed: “Why are you touching me? You are not allowed to touch me!” In Africa there are remote areas where children arrive every day for school, then they sit and wait on a stone from 08h00 until 12h00 for a teacher, who receives his salary every month, but never turns up. I read recently in a local newspaper that some matriculants want to receive 50% of their examination marks free, because during the recent strikes in schools they did not receive tuition. This picture is not an exaggeration. This picture has been painted in the colours of selfishness, self-interest and self-righteousness. Then I know a principal who gives up his right to a holiday so that he can go on outreach with his learners. Together they experience the joy of giving and gratitude for the abundance they have. While staying with a friend in a country where God is not honoured, his four year old asks me: “Uncle, do you know Jesus?” Then just to make sure I understand the seriousness of the matter, he adds: “The real Jesus, the one that died on the cross.” I heard of a Namibian matriculant, sent as a delegate to attend a Convention in Vienna. She refused to sign the Vienna Manifesto (a document that deals with a new approach to Drugs and Prostitution). She did not refuse to sign because of rebellion, but because she is not convinced that everything they suggest can be a solution. A five year old girl walks up to the platform in front of a school of hundreds of learners from Grade 0 to Grade 12. She prays in a childlike but passionate way for the hungry children in the world. For weeks on end I prayed for finances with a teacher who dreamt of taking children, who have never been further than the bush that they were born in, on a field trip. On the day that he had to let go of that dream because there was not enough funds for the trip, the LORD made a way through a generous donation from a school on another continent. Every year I am involved in the training of teachers in Christ-centred Education. After four years of training they are prepared to teach the children in our Koti ni Eden school without remuneration. They find their joy not in what they are doing but in who Christ is in their lives. This picture is not an exaggeration. It is the reality of people who find themselves in their God-given calling and who live out their God-given potential. This picture is painted in the colours of faith, hope and love! So I call on each one of you: Let’s move out of the corners where we shine our lights only for ourselves. Let’s share our treasures that in any case are going to be destroyed by moth and rust. Let’s move out of our churches and cell groups where we warm ourselves around the “blessings” that we receive during worship services, prayer meetings, Bible studies and thanksgiving service. Let’s GO into the world and not be ashamed of the Gospel. Let’s touch the lives of children, by using our talents and giving our hearts to the world, so that Christ can be glorified, God’s honour can be restored and God’s broken image-bearers can be restored.
“… whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.” ( Mat.25:40)
FCE SUPPORTERS REACH OUT IN LOVE AND TOUCH LIVES.
Ted Boyce, Craig Murison, David Baskerville and Bob Frisken
Granny Beatrix...
...shows that one is never too old to be involved. She knitted a beanie for every child in the Koti ni Eden School. It not only warmed them in the winter’s cold, but her deed of love warmed their hearts also.
Farmers from Clanwilliam and Citrusdal District...
...renowned leaders in Christian education circles in Australia, came to evaluate our teacher-training. For a long time we have been praying about obtaining accreditation for our teacher-training course, so that we can send out our teachers with an internationally recognised diploma. These men are investigating ways in which we can work alongside each other. Craig and David will also give valuable input at our Teacher’s Convention in Bloemfontein.
Gordon Kershaw
...from Port Elizabeth spends many hours on his knees praying for FCE’s work. He is a prayer warrior and we are grateful for his daily commitment to bring us before the Lord. This man of God is an example and an inspiration to us.
...helped to establish the Kalungu Vegetable project. They have just come back from installing a new water pump and providing valuable advice. Kalungu won a prize for new vegetable and fruit varieties that they’ve cultivated, at the local Agricultural Show. They have also been invited to the inter-district show, to introduce the Earthworm project and the Herb project.
ss e n ing , l l i W ay r p to
Sampie van Rensburg, Danie van Dyk and men from the Balfour-Heidelberg Community have been involved in FCE’s building project for years. They are following the strategy that the Lord has given them. They first identify a project. On the home-front they work for their own support and they trust the Lord for the finances for the project. Then they mobilise those who are interested. As soon as everything is in place, they leave for Africa to put the project into operation. Their sweat, tears, prayers, perseverance and endurance are found in many of the buildings at Koti ni Eden, Kalungu and Malawi. This is what can be measured with the eye. Eternity will one day reveal what they have sown into human lives Derick and Sonja van Zyl and their two children from Grabouw are always responsible for excitement. This year they planned a children’s party for Masaiti and Kalungu. Children’s hearts were warmed with refreshments, party hats, balloons and gifts.
to do
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Masaiti:
We are in the process of uprooting ourselves from Masaiti and by the end of the year we hope to have planted ourselves firmly at Koti ni Eden. Staff are preparing themselves physically and spiritually for the move. The Great Trek has been planned for the middle of December 2010.
Koti ni Eden: Through the years Koti ni Eden has been built with the help of funds donated by the German organisation, Hilfe Für Brüder, as well as churches, and organisations in Canada, England, South Africa and Australia. Outreach groups, families, friends and acquaintances jumped in and offered advice, planned, demolished and built up again; and with the sweat on many a brow we trust to dedicate the new training campus in September 2011 to the Lord. The Mackay Christian Family Church’s congregation is enthusiastically involved with buildings, staff and learners of the Koti ni Eden School. When Willie Swanepoel and his team prayed for finances to take his class on a field trip, the Lord provided through this congregation. The children learnt to put faith into action, got to know Him as their Provider and experienced His goodness during an unforgettable field trip.
Doxa Deo School Pretoria bond with Kalungu
Since 2006 there has been a close bond between Doxa Deo School and the staff of the Kalungu Training Centre. Every year the learners, teachers and parents take on the long journey to Zambia in a truck. They are forced out of their comfort zones and they learn to focus on others’ needs. This year they built the channels for the Earthworm Project. They renovated the premises of the local primary school and experienced the multiplication of paint. They visited the churches and ate and played in the villages with the locals. Their service to FCE as well as the children, is invaluable. The principal and teachers get to know their learners on a deeper level - their fears, heartaches and insecurities - and so get opportunities to speak into their lives. They are looking forward to what the Lord has in store for Doxa Deo@Kalungu 2011. Read their full report on our website www.fce.org.za
“...trust to dedicate the new training campus in September 2011 to the Lord. “
FCE’s heart overflows with gratitude towards: The Lord who has throughout the years, not only called but also equipped us for the privilege of helping people to reach their potential, find their position in Christ and learn to serve others with their God-given talents. Staff and students who follow the Lord in obedience. Men and women who are not driven by big salaries or to reach top positions in life. People who are comfortable with who they are, are grateful for what they have and enthusiastically participate in spreading the Word of faith, hope and love. Prayer Supporters from the North. South, East and West for their willingness to pray, to serve, to give, to reach out and love, thereby lifting our hands in the calling.
BILTONG SHOP SPORTS A NEW JACKET read more at www.fce.org.za
After ten years, our Biltong Shop in the Lion’s Square Arcade in Somerset West now sports a new jacket. Talented Gert Basson with a head full of creative ideas, Carel Nel and Gerrit Nieuwoudt, who know how to make music with a drill and saw, and the electricity boffin Francois Pretorius put shoulder to the wheel and the end result is a winner!!!
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KING’S HIGHWAY GUEST HOUSES www.kingshighway.co.za
Our King’s Highway management team held their annual Guest House Conference in Okahandja at the end of August. Planning was done with great enthusiasm. Ideas were shared on how best to maintain the standards of excellence and to continue creating a Christ-centred atmosphere. They sincerely thank everyone who has stayed over or referred family and friends to the Guest House. Their greatest desire is that by providing this unique service they are also participating in missions. This year our greatest challenge was to market King’s Highway Somerset West. Marketing is definitely not inexpensive. The Lord answered our prayers by providing an opportunity beyond our expectation. During the weekend of 19-22 August a friend graciously provided an exhibition booth for our use at the Guest house Expo in the Cape Town Convention Centre. Gert, Riëtte and Francois Fouche designed a beautiful exhibition which immediately gained attention. Visit our www.kinghighway.org.za website for more details.
MATRIC QUO VADIS
Are you unsure about your future, direction for further study or where to study? Don’t just hang around. Allow FCE to show you how to make a difference. Consider our training prayerfully and contact the office for more details. 1. Discipleship-Mission Training (Condensed) 2. Discipleship-Mission Training (Foundation) 3. Discipleship-Mission Training (Advanced) 4. Diploma in Basic Education: 5. Certificate in Community Development Visit our www.fce.org.za website for further details or contact our office: P. O. Box 126 Wolseley, 6830, South Africa. Tel 023 231 02 08, Email: info@fce.org.za
Course dates: Discipleship-Mission Training (Condensed): 11 October – 21 November 2010 All other training: 17 January 2011, Wolseley Neels, Luke en Ameck say thank you very much for all the support during their recent trip to Canada.
Pray for children of FCE Staff. Pray that they will not feel neglected or unimportant because their parents are too busy with the joys and sorrows of others. Pray against the unrealistic expectation that they should be perfect missionary children. Pray that they will identify with their parents’ faith and that each one will have a unique walk with Jesus.