News From Delci Santos Orphanage Mozambique

God moves in mysterious ways.

During a 2007 visit to the House of Ants, projection equipment was taken and offered to enable the “Jesus Film” to be presented in the local Shona dialect.

Various churches and open air venues have been covered since that time resulting in a number of people committing their lives to Christ, including a teacher of the blind who heard the message and asked if further teaching could be given to his class of blind and partly sighted students.

Some of the House of Ants Bible School students started discipleship classes twice a week for this group, the result being that there are now 30 people hearing and learning the Word of God.

Since many cannot read or write a teacher from the Maputo University, who is also blind, has agreed to teach Braille to this group. At the same time a Portuguese Braile Bible has been made available and this teacher is printing sections of the Bible in Braile for those who are interested.

Delci Prayer Requests:

1) For wisdom how to proceed, as this group is growing in number, and since God has allowed the House of Ants to be involved in this project they feel it a duty to help these blind people to find Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

2) Each blind person coming to these classes is also accompanied by a sighted person who helps them, so in this way they also hear the Word of God during the lessons.

3) Materials and special paper to print in Braille are urgently required to enable more people to learn God’s Word for themselves.

Other Prayer Requests:

1) For many years a church in the USA had been covering the running costs of Delci’s apartment in the centre of Maputo, which includes feeding and clothing the 15 small children who live with her have any families who can care for them.

Without any prior notice the church has stopped the monthly gift of 500 US dollars, which has left Delci in difficulties, since she cannot use any of the other funds for this purpose, as these are required for the main House of Ants expenses.

2) A young man who works at the Bakery in the House of Ants is causing Delci much heart ache since he has started drinking heavily and spending his time in bars and clubs.

Delci has considered dismissing this young man, but knows that if she does so he will go from bad to worse since he has limited learning abilities. He has made a commitment of his life but never fully walked in the ways of the Lord.

Football Trip Cancelled

We have been planning for a number of weeks for the Choir to go over to some of the matches in and around Johannesburg but sadly when they go to the border they were turned away by the South African Border Control and told they could be arrested if they tried to sing near the stadiums.
This was really disappointing as its such a wonderful opportunity for people to be blessed by their singing dancing and their culture. I was asked by Sikhumbuso to write to Mr Mandela on behalf of the Choir so I have and it is below to read if you are interested.

Please pray that someone would be able to help them get permission to sing.

To the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Dear sir or madam good day to you
I would like to inform you about a group of Blind and Visually impaired young people who were turned round at the border of Swaziland by the S/A border control. Their intention was to travel to Johannesburg to sing and dance in traditional 'Swazi Style' for visitors, and possibly go to one of the football matches. They love football and in fact won a football tournament in Swaziland for the disabled 3 years ago, sadly, currently no funds or opportunities for them to train and represent their country exist.

We at Africa Equip brought the whole choir 12 members to the UK 20 months ago and we toured England and Wales with them taking school assemblies and sharing their experiences in churches and Colleges for the Blind They were so loved and welcomed. It was even arranged for them to play the England Blind football team at Hereford College for the Blind, But the England Coach Tony Larkin's Father passed away and the game was postponed.

It was a joint Idea with Africa Equip and the Choir to take the wonderful opertunity to share their talents with visitors from around the world so you can only imagine out disappointment when they were turned away last week. They had even wrote their own Football song.
They and other Blind young people are treated so unfairly within their communities due to their disabilities yet they never complain they just get on with life they are so full of joy and energy That they inspire and bless anyone who hears them I saw with my own eyes the impact that they had on people here in the England and Wales I saw strong men cry and alcoholics cry like children so moving was their Singing Dancing and Joy. They were this year awarded the top position by the Association of Christian Gospel Artists in Swaziland yet they were not given tickets to go and get their trophy, they could only afford 3 tickets! what an indictment!

So I am Appealing to you my dear brothers and sisters do not let this be a shame on South Africa please could you arrange for Mr Mandela to give them permission to come to South Africa I do not consider myself worthy to speak to Such a great man myself. I did make the journey to his old home in Soweto when I last visited, I personally stood against the discrimination of apartheid back in the 80's and went to hear bishop Tutu when he came to Birmingham. I love Africa and her people and have devoted my life to Her Service under the guidance of my God. ( you can read more of what I do at the Africa Equip website Africa Equip Website and My Blog my blog )

The Choir's request is to have a letter of permission, Just to be able sing on the streets near some of the stadiums and if possible to have one police officer near by to look after them but that may not be necessary.

Thank you in anticipation of your help

your servant in Christ

Brett

And on Behalf of Skhumbuso Khumalo Chairperson of the Christ Worshippers Gospel Choir. who asked me to write on their behalf to Mr Mandela.

Choir move house

The choir moved into their new rented accommodation yesterday, the move went well with just their braille books to collect today. Sadly no offers of help were forthcoming even though I let a number of people know. The road from the farm to the new house is quiet so they put the wardrobe on the roof of the minibus and drove slowly for the 2k drive up the hill, they then went back and did the same with the bed, they had to put the large fridge freezer on the seats through the side door and left it sticking out the side! the driver drove slowly and they managed to get everything up there safely.
When I called Last night they were settled in and really happy. The new house is three bedrooms one bathroom a small kitchen a small dining room and lounge. Outside the house there are two panels ( a panel is a small room able to accommodate to to three people like a small bedsit) three of the boys will be in one and the driver and Bongani will stay in the other.
We read psalm 37 and prayed together Percy shared from John 15:1-2 where it speaks of God pruning the vine in order for it to bare more fruit, he then paralleled this to how God has moved them into a smaller place in order to give them a bigger place in the future.
they have a number of needs :- furniture, cooker, plates and cutlery, curtains, most things really.
they also need a alarm for the mini bus as there is no garage at the new house.
The new landlord seems like a nice man and the rent is very fair less than half of what we were paying. This will greatly help our over stretched resources.

After over 18 months at the Farm we call Solomon House we have made the decision leave and find alternative accommodation near by. The main reasons are the cost of the house has nearly doubled since we started renting, due to the exchange rate, this with along with a large rent increase. But also with the problems they have had with neighbours. and
The choir are all packed up ready to leave Solomon House but as yet don't know where they are going !!!
There is a possibility that they will go to a three bedroomed house which has a living room, dining room and kitchen. The living room could possibly be used as a fourth bedroom.
Sku is taking the choir to the property tomorrow to see what they think. Obviously it is considerably smaller than Solomon House, but with all the problems ( still ongoing) associated with their present home they will probably be glad to move and adapt to a smaller living area. The locality seems good in that it has a proper tarmac road instead of a muddy track ! and is on a bus route and near to a shopping facility. It has mains water, and there is a local primary school. There are neighbours which could be a blessing or otherwise -- there is no way of knowing!
The property would be considerably cheaper to rent and to run which would indeed be a help to us as we really need to be focusing on funding the container and its forthcoming transport to Swaziland. School fees are also outstanding and need to be paid.

Senate's UK visit

Senate (she works for the World Health Organisation we met her on our last visit in 2007) is safely back in Swaziland after a visit to the UK. It was great to meet up with her again and show her all the things that we have for her ready to send in the next container.

some pics of the choir at Christmas

Some of the clothes and toiletries for the choir members

Big thanks to Senate who went up to Solomon House with some friends to spend time with the choir, and take them some gifts.



They shared a meal together and prayed and worshipped together.