had the opportunity to bring several projects to completion.
We are happy to say that the pre-fabricated home that Cliff and Rose led the team to build will stay on the site. The home is a
tangible gift to the village and a symbol of the power of prayer to our team. There were many ups and downs as we were
continually left to wonder about the fate of the home. Thankfully, God has provided permission in writing for this home to stay.
He has also provided connections to hopefully provide more homes for the people in the village.
hear God’s Word, sing songs, participate in games and crafts and to be loved on by each of us on the team. On Monday night,
the village gathered to view photos of the children in a multi-media presentation by Renee. The villagers then joined us in the
second annual Kayamandi Carnival. Singing and dancing groups entertained the enormous crowd as our team members
enjoyed dancing in the streets with children and adults alike.
gift items to be sold at the Mariners MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Christmas Boutique on November 19, 9:00 to 2:00PM in
The Tent. The profits from all goods sold will go toward The Purse Project, headed by Jan, and will enable the ladies in the
center to build their small business. Jan says, “Everyone is invited to the MOPS Christmas Boutique. Please come and spend
lots of money!”
Over the last few days as we walked through the village, we continually came upon children and adults whose shoes looked
very familiar. The Shoe Project, organized by Alla Peters, has been a very tangible way to bless many people in the village
with a new pair of shoes. We are blessed ourselves as we recognize pairs of shoes that we packed, unpacked and prayed
over. There are still thousands of tiny feet that run the bumpy paths through the village. There will always be a need for more
shoes. It is quite a joy to know hundreds of feet are now safer.
We also finished up the last of the Photo Legacy Project. We printed and framed more photos and took them to the homes of
people we had met and prayed for. Two families in particular that we visited now have much needed child sponsors! We had
met a very ill woman who was caring for her three children and a nephew. Each of the children, including the 20 year old son, is
now sponsored by members of our team. This means the son can finish his schooling and the family will have money for food,
clothing, school fees and supplies. This also means each of the children have emotional and spiritual support from their
sponsors. These relationships will impact these children (and their sponsors) for the rest of their lives. Another family that we
visited, with the mom in a wheelchair, is also being cared for. The two girls in the family are being sponsored by one team
member. There is a younger brother in the family who still needs to be sponsored. Child sponsorship makes a world of
difference in these young lives. For just $30 a month through Horizon International, you can make a huge impact in this boy’s
life. There are many other children just as desperate for financial and emotional support.
Dave and Bill, our team leaders, met with the senior pastor of Vrederlust, a local church near Kayamandi. Over the past two
years, our Africa team has been nurturing relationships with the leaders and members of this church. The senior pastor is now
very interested in how Vrederlust and Mariners can team together to work alongside one another in Kayamandi. It is a
wonderful event when Mariners sends teams to visit Kayamandi. Vrederlust Church has the opportunity to have an ongoing
impact in the village in a way that we, from the United States, cannot. We pray that the church will open their hearts to minister
to the dear people of Kayamandi.
Laura Adams, for the Fall 2005 Africa Team
