Send love & freedom to kids in South Africa
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As you probably know, my passion is to help people grow in love and freedom. I normally do this through my podcast, my Instagram videos, writing and speaking at local churches to adults and kids. As a stay-at-home dad, it's rare that I have the opportunity to travel and speak but this November I will be doing just that!
On November 12, I will travel to Johannesburg, South Africa to teach, train and encourage the staff and children at a low-income daycare centre and at an orphanage. Founded in 1998 by Maria Gaba, an amazing woman of faith, Mpumelelo Day Care Centre provides care for children from the impoverished Windmill Park Settlement, south-east of Johannesburg. It is a city full of tremendous need, especially unemployment, poverty and abuse, but there are rays of hope.
Maria is one of them. Her story longs to be told. Growing up amidst severe poverty and abuse during the apartheid years, she experienced many miracles from a loving God who took care of her, enabling her to get out of the ‘no hope’ cycle so many live in. Her journey led her to Windmill Park and the beginning of a school, then a daycare centre, then a home for abandoned and abused children and teens, a ministry to HIV/AIDS sufferers, a sewing shop, and ministering to local women. Started with little money, Maria still does not receive any help from government or local authorities. The work continues through the generosity of others who provide finance, material aid and volunteer workers from abroad. What is happening here is the definition of grass-roots, boots-on-the-ground, first-line aid.
My father met Maria in 2010 and has been visiting the centre annually ever since, bringing financial and management support, as well as fun & games for the kids. This year, he offered teaching and equipping for the young men in the orphanage through some practical seminars. That's where I come in! I'll be joining my dad to teach and encourage these young men, plus mentor the staff and helpers, and also spend time with the kids in the daycare. I'll be sharing on God's immense love for them, how to live wisely as young men, and many other things.
We found very cheap tickets for the trip which was a miracle. As a writer and podcaster however the costs are still above my ability to cover alone. I am asking if you would sow into this trip and help me cover my travel costs. Anything raised above my airfares and living expenses while in SA will be used to support what Maria is doing.
Thank you so much for considering caring for these precious kids, the amazing women who serve them, and their young men who are desperately in need of Godly father figures.
(Left-to-right: Maria, my Dad, Maria's daughter Rebecca.)
On November 12, I will travel to Johannesburg, South Africa to teach, train and encourage the staff and children at a low-income daycare centre and at an orphanage. Founded in 1998 by Maria Gaba, an amazing woman of faith, Mpumelelo Day Care Centre provides care for children from the impoverished Windmill Park Settlement, south-east of Johannesburg. It is a city full of tremendous need, especially unemployment, poverty and abuse, but there are rays of hope.
Maria is one of them. Her story longs to be told. Growing up amidst severe poverty and abuse during the apartheid years, she experienced many miracles from a loving God who took care of her, enabling her to get out of the ‘no hope’ cycle so many live in. Her journey led her to Windmill Park and the beginning of a school, then a daycare centre, then a home for abandoned and abused children and teens, a ministry to HIV/AIDS sufferers, a sewing shop, and ministering to local women. Started with little money, Maria still does not receive any help from government or local authorities. The work continues through the generosity of others who provide finance, material aid and volunteer workers from abroad. What is happening here is the definition of grass-roots, boots-on-the-ground, first-line aid.
My father met Maria in 2010 and has been visiting the centre annually ever since, bringing financial and management support, as well as fun & games for the kids. This year, he offered teaching and equipping for the young men in the orphanage through some practical seminars. That's where I come in! I'll be joining my dad to teach and encourage these young men, plus mentor the staff and helpers, and also spend time with the kids in the daycare. I'll be sharing on God's immense love for them, how to live wisely as young men, and many other things.
We found very cheap tickets for the trip which was a miracle. As a writer and podcaster however the costs are still above my ability to cover alone. I am asking if you would sow into this trip and help me cover my travel costs. Anything raised above my airfares and living expenses while in SA will be used to support what Maria is doing.
Thank you so much for considering caring for these precious kids, the amazing women who serve them, and their young men who are desperately in need of Godly father figures.
(Left-to-right: Maria, my Dad, Maria's daughter Rebecca.)
Organizer
Jonathan Puddle
Organizer
Guelph, ON