Follow-up Presentation

Sunday, October 30, 2011 @ 3:00 pm in the sanctuary of Victory Lutheran Church, the VLC Africa missionaries will be presenting a PowerPoint program with slides, statistics and commentary about what we did in Top Village, Molewane Village and Dihitshwane Village.

Please join us!

We are home!

After 20 hours on the plane, we have arrived back to Arizona. Thank you Sandy, Jeff and Bryan for picking us up along with our luggage!

Now the work begins!! Please keep the Orchard: Africa organization in your prayers as they expand their ministry into the Cape Town and Zambia areas. Pastors Mike and Michelle will be in the states (they have an office in Tempe managed by their son, Dustin) shortly. They will be having a fundraiser dinner on November 17th in Scottsdale - "The Orchard Ball." We will provide more info later. Please prayerfully consider joining some of the team at this very important event.

Be watching the bulletins and website for our follow-up event to share photos and testimonies about how this Missiin trip has affected us all.

Last day of VBS!

Our time was shortened but we had a great day at VBS. We played the "yarn game" and when the student was thrown the yarn ball, they were then given their picture frame which included the students picture on one side and the teams picture on the other so that they will remember our week with them. It was hard to tell them goodbye but we do believe that we brought them hope and joy for the time we were together! The team was surely blessed by all they gave to us!

Please continue to pray for the children of Top Village, Molewane Village and the Dihitshwane School and Pre-school. Also for the Orchard: Africa organization, Pastors Mike and Michelle Tessendorf for all they are doing to help these villages and children!

We will be leaving shortly for the airport. Please pray for our safe journey and we will see you all soon!

It gets better everyday!!

Today we headed to Dihatshwane Primary School. We presented an object lesson about Pharoah to four classrooms and sang to the Grade R Preschool. We gave the classroom students a health kit and they gave us song and cultural dances. The 6th grade class sang two songs for us. Many of us had "goose bumps" because their voices were such a gift of God!! Pastor Mpho stated that it was important for the students to give as well as receive. Principal Octavia was most hospitable and gave us fruit and fizzy drinks (Ginger Beer) when we were finished. She started teaching at Dihatshwane at the age of 21 and after 17 years is now the Principal. While we were in the Principal's office (no we had not been bad!!), at the end of our tour, four of the teachers sang us a beautiful song!

Grade 'R' (Pre-School)

 Kindergarten & 1st Graders

2nd & 3rd Graders

6th Grade

Traditional Dance

VBS

Roller coaster day!!

Today was filled with the harsh reality of life for too many in this area and the joy that comes with being able to make a profound difference. Our day started at the free clinic - it was baby day - vaccinations and check ups for babies and chronic care for so many others. None of us will complain about waiting in lines again.

Next stop was a cemetery that has been filled in recent years by many who died so young including infants.

Then we visited more families devastated by Disease. Today was tougher because so many were so young.

After our lunch, our next stop was the Lonely Park Village feeding project. We fed approximately 200 children as they concluded their school day. They were so grateful and so in need of love. When it was time to leave we had to pry them from the van in order to drive away. Several ran after the van yelling goodbye and throwing kisses.

Finally, it was Top Village. They're learning about prayer, so far through Moses and Jonah.

Molewane Village/VBS at Top Village

We started our day with the Molewane Village Preschool. There are 12 children in the program. We sang, played games and just gave our love to them all. We then toured the Village with the Caregivers. We visited and prayed for the patients. Very moving morning! Many of the patients were very appreciative and moved by the prayers that were said on their behalf. We had several Village children follow us on our trek and towards the end of our visits they even took part in the laying of hands. God is at work in the Village!

Pre-School Kids

Mr. Carnival Ride

Loved Hugs and Blessings

Superstars in Training

VBS was delayed due to testing at the school. While we were waiting for all the students to arrive, many (even adults) were showing their jump rope talents. Once everyone arrived, no words can explain the joy and fun that was had by both students and our team.

Papa Joe Showing How it's Done

Showing off the Skills

Water Balloon toss with Bed Sheets, Teamwork a Must

Bible Verse Puzzle

Pre-School Visit

An awesome beginning to a beautiful day.  Our day began at the Top Village pre school.  We met with Papa Joe and about twelve beautiful little faces.  We began with the children starting with roll call (which consisted of the teacher - Virginia -calling their name and the child standing and "yelling" - present m'amaam.)
and their job chart.  We sang songs and played games.

The children loved to see the photos and videos of themsleves... IMMEDIATELY!

Had a quick lunch at the house, did some final preparations for our afternoon VBS class.

Our class consisted of 20 children between the ages of 7 and 14. 

Today-Vacation Bible School

Today our work begins. Last night the team got every thing ready for our day of Vacation Bible School. Our theme for the week is "Prayer." So much is planned for the 20 students that will be arriving at 2:00 this afternoon. Hopefully they will be as blessed as we have been getting everything ready!

Remember to pray for our team and the children of Top Village that God will work in each of our lives to bring us closer to Him.

Fantastic day!!

The church service was very good. Lots of music that we sing at Victory. Lunch at Nando's (chicken dishes - no Mexican).






After lunch we went to the Mafikeng Game Reserve. Got some marvelous pictures of animals. To name a few: rhinos, giraffes, wildebeests, warthogs, springbachs, buffalo, eland, red hartebeest, zebra, ostrich, watbuck, impala and common reedbuck.

Are we ready for worship?

Pastor Mike and Michelle Tessendorf told us to be ready to leave our Luthernism at home!!! We are ready to dance in the aisles and sing as if no one was listening! (Pam says "Amen sister!")

This afternoon we will be going to the Mafikeng Game Preserve. Hope to post several pictures of the animals. Be watching, you don't want to miss this!

We are in the Mission House!

Bags in the Hotel Lobby

As I type the entire group is singing all of children's songs they know. How much fun is that! By the way Judy has a great laugh! Today has been amazing from beginning to end. The morning began with a great breakfast. Loading up the luggage was the most interesting part and the flat tire on our trailer. The girls were asked to pack lightly. Pictures to follow.;0)

Hotel Fountain

Not Quite a NASCAR Pit Crew!

Mission House Front Porch, Home for the next 6 days

We have been to Top Village holding hands is the best!

Making Friends Fast!

In atlanta

We are in Atlanta waiting to board the flight to South Africa. So far we have not lost anyone!

On our way to Africa!!

Today we leave for Africa!!!  It will be a long flight but everyone is soooo excited.  It took 20 suitcases to transport all of the school supplies, health kits, candy, frisbees and tennis balls to Mafikeng.  Can't wait to see the children's faces when they receive the above mentioned items.

Can you believe that we all packed our clothes in our carry-on luggage and most of the ladies are only taking two pair of shoes!!  That alone is an accomplishment!

Please pray for safe travel and that God is present with us in all we do in Africa.

Packing school supplies

Tonight participants packed the two hundred drawstring backpacks with the school supplies that were donated. We have to purchase a few items to finish the final 19 bags but all suitcases have been packed and are ready to go!

Thanks to all who donated the products and to all the dental offices that donated the tooth brushes and tooth paste. We had enough to do the 200 for the students as well as some that will be handed to the villagers as we are visiting their huts.

What a blessing!!

Carrabba's and Victory Lutheran fundraiser dinner

The fundraiser dinner went well. Thanks to all who came to enjoy the wonderful dinner of Ceasar Salad, chicken marsalla and pasta. It was delicious.

The silent auction items all sold to the highest bidders. All items were donated by Starbucks, Kenra Hair Products and Katie Finnie, Gold Canyon Candle consultant. Katie also made the beautiful center pieces. Thank you, Katie!!

We will do a follow-up dinner when we return where you will hear first hand of the life changing experiences from the participants.

Getting ready for the dinner

On Monday, September 19th from 5:00 to 6:30 pm our team, along with Carrabbas Restaurant, will be serving a delicious meal of Ceasar salad, Marsalla chicken and a pasta al fredo dish. There is a suggested cost of $15.00 for adults and $8.00 for children 10 and under.

There will be several silent action items and the crosses made by our youth will also be available. All proceeds will be applied to the cost of VBS materials and particapant costs.

We would like to thank the dentist offices that have donated tooth paste and toothbrushes:
B Well Dentist Office, Mesa
Dr. Ron Thompson, East Valley Dental Office, Mesa
Dr. James Smallwood, Neffsville, PA
Superstition Dental Office, Gold Canyon

The Pizza Factory Corporate Office who donated 200 frisbees and Sunland Village East tennis club who has donated 200 tennis balls for the children.

A thank you also goes to the many people who have brought in school supplies so that the children in the elementary school will each receive a drawstring backpack with the following items: a spiral or composition notebook, pencils, ink pens, colored pencils, crayons, pencil sharpener, scissors and glue stick.

The health kits will be filled with the tooth brushes and tooth paste donated by the dental offices along with a bar of soap and wash clothe.

Please pray for the teams safe travel, their health while in Africa and especially the children of Top Village who will reap the benefits of learning to know Jesus more fully through the Bible lessons on prayer that our team will be teaching.

Bible Study

Today we had our first group Bible study. We saw a short video about a 14 year old girl who is head of her household. Her mother has died and her 2 brothers, 1 sister and she live with her Grandmother (who has a mental capacity of a young child) in a small mud hut built by their mother before she died. Unfortunately, this is the norm for where we will be traveling to. Their births were not reported to the African government so the children were not allowed to attend school. Helping Hands (HH) has intervened and have helped with several items to make their life better! There is a caregiver that comes daily to look after the grandmother, the children have been logged into the government records and the younger children are able to attend school and the 14 year old is attending a vocational school. There was little food and all were malnourished. HH has made sure they are receiving vitamin enriched food and all are gaining strength.

All of us are proud to be able to go on this mission trip to do all we can do to bring Christ, love, joy and hope to villagers of Top.

Please continue to pray for the participants and our mission trip.

Crosses

The youth participants of the team are making lovely cross necklaces at a suggested donation of $10.00 each. The money raised goes towards their costs of the trip which is approximately $3000.00 each. They have sold over two dozen crosses already! You may see the crosses between services on Sundays and you may chose the color of wire to be placed on the cross. I will try and get a picture on the blog so you can see for yourselves what a great job these girls have done to create these beautiful crosses!

School supplies update

We collected another 44 pounds of items today! That puts us up to 395.5 pounds collected so far! We are real close to getting the items needed for each student. Our goal is to give each student a packet that contains the following items: a spiral or composition notebook, pencils, eraser, folder, box of crayons, box of colored pencils, ink pens, glue stick, scissors and pencil sharpener. Each child will also receive a health kit containing a wash cloth, bar of soap, tooth paste and tooth brush.

Thank you all for your prayers and donations!

Getting ready!

Victory Lutheran is sending twelve (12) participants to Africa for a mission trip through the organization of "Helping Hands in Africa" (they are changing their name soon to "Orchard: Africa" - more about that later).

Our group has been collecting school supplies and toiletries to give to the 200 students in the elementary school in Mafikeng. Our goal is to bring 500 pounds of supplies. We are at approximately 375 right now. Thank you all who have contributed!

We have offered a breakfast fundraiser where we raised almost $700.00! We will be offering another fundraising opportunity on Monday, September 19th. Participants will be serving a delicious dinner which will be catered by Carrabbas restaurant at the church (5946 E. University - Mesa) beginning at 5:00 PM. There is a sign-up sheet in the church narthex. You may also RSVP through this post if you will be attending.

Watch this post for further announcements from other partcipants!