Things This Side

Alright, finally I will update everyone on life this side!

I was able to go home for Christmas this time around and was so blessed to spend a lot of the December holidays with my family. I was able to drive down to my younger brother's university and check out his campus and meet his roommates and friends while getting some girl time with his amazing girlfriend! We went with my dad's side of the family to my favourite place, Dillon Beach. I was able to spend time with my mom's side of the family who is now spread through Ohio and Missouri. My mother, of course, fattened me up with the most amazing meals! Needless to say, it was wonderful to be with family and visit old friends. 

This year has been somewhat of a blur. I can hardly acknowledge that it is almost June and halfway through the year. I will be honest and say that I had expected a much more positive start to the year but I truly should have no complaints because it could always be much worse. During first term of the school year I was teaching grades 2-7 music, theology(bible) and preventative counselling life skills. I really enjoyed teaching even though their was many a time when I thought I might explode from the chaos and lack of discipline in some children! This term I am helping with the after school tutoring program where we break up into groups by grade and teach the kids that are struggling with english and maths through games and lessons. This I have found very challenging as there will be a huge gap of intellectual functioning between kids of the same grade/group and there is only one of me. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and some Saturdays(occasionally a Sunday too) I am working in Wells Estate where we have our new community centre Siyakhula(We are growing). We do tutoring on Mondays, home visits on Tuesdays, tutoring on Wednesdays, Jr. Youth on Thursdays, Sr. Youth on Fridays, Soup Club on Saturdays and a partnering pastor from the community holds a youth church service there on Sundays. My heart continues to burn for the community of Wells Estate. I really wish I could go so much deeper with the community. I have dreamed for so long to live in Wells and become a part of the community. I won't talk more on this for certain reasons but will share more on this when I feel the time is right and that God is closer to making a space for me there. The community is so excited for when that day comes and is fully supportive of it- which brings joy to my heart. It really is truly amazing how the acceptance and friendship the love of God brings when you are willing to be vulnerable and venture out from your comfort zones. When I first started doing ministry in Wells many of the kids and adults would call me "umlungu" (white person) when calling me or referring to me or asking for money only seeing me as a benefactor. This year it has been so amazing to hear all the children referring to me by name and the adults referring to me as "mama" or "sisi". Now, when a new person comes to meet meet me and calls me "umlungu" or asks for money there is a number of children or adults who will reprimand them, telling them to call me "Mama" or "sisi" or "Madi", and when they ask for money they will explain that we are on the same level and that not all white people are like what they think. I am so thankful for God creating this kind of relationship of respect and unity between such different cultures and backgrounds. 
Wells Estate and the farm school both have lots of things to improve upon, but ministry is becoming so much more fruitful as we deepen our roots with these communities. I look forward to future ministry and my personal future dreams for Wells Estate. 

My personal life hasn't been crazy exciting lately but that's quite alright with me ;  ) i have played some gigs here and there, still enjoying playing in the worship band for church(we got an awesome new drum kit that is so sweet to play!), help lead a life group and I have been spending A LOT of alone time late into the night with Harry... Potter! Haha I have been on a Harry Potter craze and have been reading the books. I LOVE HARRY POTTER. Really though, the magical world of wizards is such a neat place for your imagination to visit! -I know that there is a lot of Christian controversy on these books but honestly guys, when you are walking with people through some of the most depressing, hard, frustrating and complicating life situations, a book that can take your mind away for a little bit and provide you with a bit of relaxation and de-stressing - that's gold. Yes I love Harry Potter and find it interesting and intriguing,  yes I still love and follow Jesus and no I do not have some demon inside me or am I under the influence of witch craft. You would be surprised at how many Christians condemn me for reading a fictional book. -I do understand where they are coming from though. 

Thank you for those of you who have continued to support me through prayer and finances! I have just recently started giving a few private music lessons, It has been so awesome to add chicken into my weekly diet! I also love teaching the things I love so it is a win-win. 

I do have a few prayer requests if any feel up to it!

1) We have some really horrible cases of child abuse and there is not enough resources to get these kids the help they need. If you could pray with us for the safety of the kids and women of Wells Estate and for a Safe Home in the community which is a HUGEEEE need. 

2) Please pray for our team and our unity and compassion towards one another. This kind of work easily chips away at our selflessness and love for one another. 

3) Please pray for our families as we continue to live and work so far away from them- including the South African and African volunteers. 

4) Please pray for our spiritual discipline as we can easy let that fall slack. 

5) My visa expires this December and I am trying to organise a longer period of time to be back in the states to work ad raise money and renew my visa. There are a lot of complications with this!

Love you guys! Will try to update you all again soon! 

Mama Den & Mama K

A lot of things have happened since I last shared. Too much that I haven't fully processed and trying to write about all of it has been way too overwhelming. So to be truthful, I have actually been avoiding blogging. I will write up an actual update tomorrow and post it. I am still in Port Elizabeth, still working for One Life and still helping with Westside Family Church. Times have been crazy and confusing and more things than I can't even put words too. But this post it not about me it is about my mother.

Being so far away I am so sad that I could not be with her for Mother's Day. My mother has one of the most amazing spirits I have met. I think that Jesus and I have a special agreement worked out. I know that Jesus honours and sees the sacrifices we make for Him. I know the only way I would want to be honoured by Jesus is that through His care of my family. So when I invest in the lives of the families in our ministry I know that Jesus is investing in the lives of my immediate family. For Mother's Day I chose to take the money that I would spend on my mom and put it towards one of the mama's I work with. If you have seen any of my recent facebook posts, you will see that this mama has been very sick for a very very long time. At any moment really she could die because of her sickness. She has three young children and no family or friends in her area. She only has myself and One Life for support. This family has lived in a little shack made of old tin and wood and only last year finally got their government house. This has been the best thing of their lives! They now have a very small two bedroom house with a little kitchen with a sink and a bathroom. Transition from their previous dwelling they do not have much to fill their house with. Things like silverware, glasses, tables, clocks, oven etc that we take for granted, they do not have. So my mother has now blessed this family with her love and has shared a special day with this mama who has never got a mother's day present in her life! A woman who has not celebrated her birthday or any special day for her in over 20 years and probably her whole life. When I asked about her life and birthday last month she actually had to go check her birth certificate to see when it was only to realise it had passed two months prior. 

The text below is the same text that is in the card I made for Mama K and my mom(Mama Den)with the Xhosa translation as she does not speak English. It is such a neat experience to be able to connect with people on such a deep level. It brings so much more meaning to your ministry when you give the opportunity for relationships like this to form. Anyways, mom this one is for you! I love you more than you will ever know!!!!

"My mother’s name is Denise Brandt. She lives very far away across the world in California. That is where I am from. My mother is one of the most selfless people I know. She pours her life into our family and does everything she can to love and provide for our family. She has a heart that has no depths for those who need love. Her compassion knows no culture, no race or class but only that of those who breathe. Her life gives me a standard to strive towards. She is a leader by nature and because of this, people in all areas of her life gravitate towards her optimistic and accepting spirit. I am so proud to be a daughter of this powerful and selfless woman. 

A lot of what I see in my mother, I find in you as well. I have never seen a woman fight so hard against so many hard circumstances in her life, and do it all for her children. Your body may be weak, but your love is far stronger and holds on when you cannot. Since I have known you mama, I see that every breath you take and use is for your children alone. I am amazed by your ability to serve your family while in such pain. Although at times you may not feel it, I know that God is watching over your family and is pleased with the way that you love your children. Jesus has many many rewards waiting for you in His kingdom and cannot wait to comfort you when you get there. Only in Christ, do we find true rest, unending joy that does not fade and peace that we do not understand. You are an amazing woman Khunjuzwa, and are a true warrior.

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day. Since I have lived here, I only get to be with my mom and my family one time a year. Family is the thing that I value most above all else. It is very hard for me to be away from them because I love them so much. I am so glad that I am able to have you and your children as part of my family as well. When I spend time with you all I feel that Jesus takes a bit of my love through that and gives it to my family. I know that because I love you as my family, He is blessing my family and sharing His love with them even more because by that, He is blessing me. Jesus is taking care of my family when I cannot and for this I am so grateful. 

This gift is meant for two amazing mothers who both fight for their families with all they have. I know that if my mother was in my shoes today, she would be doing the same thing. She cannot help but love people. I pray for you often and tell my family about how you all are doing very often. Thank you mama for taking me as part of your family, you are surely a part of ours. Instead of giving something directly to my mother on this day, I am giving this gift to you and your family. This I feel is so much more meaningful to me and my mother. I hope that you know that you are loved deeply by your children, myself and my family, and most importantly by Jesus. I hope that someday my family will be able to meet you. Happy Mother’s Day mama!!!!!

Igama likaMama wam nguDenise Brandt. Uhlala kude eCalifornia, kule ndawo ndivela kuyo mna. Umama wam ngowabanye abantu endibaziyo abanobuntu. Usebenzisa amandla kunye nexeshela lakhe lonke kuSapho lwethu kunye uwenza yonke into ukusibonisa uthando lwakhe endlini nokusipha izinto esingenazo. Unentliziyo ogcwele luthando ongapheliyo for ababakudingayo. Uthando lwakhe abulwazi tlanga, bazi umntu ophefumlayo. Ubomi bakhe bundinika amandla okuqhubekeka. Uyinkokheli, nabantu bakwindawo ezinintsi ebomini bakhe bathanda ubumnandi bakhe nakunye umphefumlo wakhe. Ndiyaziqenya ngokuba ngumafungwashe womama onesipho esikhulu kunye namandla avumelekileyo. 

Izinto endizibona kumama wam ndizibona kuwe. Zange ndadibana neqhawekazi elomeleleyo ngaphandle kobunzima obuse bomini bakhe. Yonke into oyenzayo wenzela abantwana bakho. Umzimba wakho awomelelanga kodwa uthando lwakho lwomelele ukuqgitha. Oko ndakwazi mama, ndibona ukuba umphefumlo owumphefumlayo, ubusebenzisa kwabantwana bakho qha. Ndimangalisiwe bubumkani bakho bokunceda usapho lwakho. Ndiyayazi ukuba uThixo ukujongile kunye nosapho lwakho and uvuyiswa ngentandiso yakho kwabantwana bakho. Uyesu unentsikelelo ezinintsi ezikulindeleyo ezulwini lakhe, ulindele ukukonwabisa xa ufika pha. Sifumana uukuzola kuThixo kunye nobumnandi obungapheliyo. Ungumfazi olungileyo Khunjuzwa kunye neqhawekazi elilungileyo. Happy Mothers Day Khunjuzwa. Ulonwabele usuku lwakho mama"  

Things To Come!

So. Things have been up, down, and all around lately. I am amidst an ocean of transition(no pun intended)(okay maybe lol). This is an update of all the new opportunities coming up in my life. Right now I am too exhausted to allow my babble to tangent so rather I will use bullet points for now. 

Things that are changing or evolving:

• Oceans of Mercy dissolves under One Life Banner

-Nothing changes really on the ground other than titles; mostly a paper work deal (really awesome change might I add)

• Soyama Community Center is taken away from us; we move to Coega Primary School

-Due to unfortunate circumstances we needed to move out of our community centre (Also a really really good change). Majority of our sponsored kids go to this school. A number of grades have NO TEACHER at all and just do what ever in a class room all day or don't go to school at all because no one cares. The most vulnerable children are at this school. We have moved everything to this school and are blessed with the privilege of going even deeper with these beautiful children. I am also blessed to be able to use the school's hall for my growing youth ministry. We are mentoring and raising up AMAZING YOUNG leaders. Like seriously, they are freaking awesome. We are also starting to fill in the gaps and teach in the school. This is a challenging, incredible, and impactful transition for us all. Please please pray with us as we reach out to these kids and have an opportunity to change their character and thereafter their future and even after that, their community for ever. 

• I learn to become less independent

-I have an amazing new man in my life! He is awesome and constantly accepts, affirms, challenges, and encourages me in everything and every time I hang out with him I am pulled closer to Jesus. He rocks : )

-Also have a whole new perspective on racism as it is directed towards us. Apartheid has ended but it doesn't stop the dirty looks, comments, and gossip directed at us. This is a new thing for me coming from California, but am thankful to be an example of Christ's unity to a clearly non-unified South Africa. 

• I will be moving out of full-time Westside and into full-time One Life

-I am so so so so SO excited to be full-time staff for One Life 2015. I have been working with One Life since I moved here two years ago and have been living at the One Life mission base since Feb this year. I work 5 days a week with these kids and am so excited to have my own group of sponsored children I mentor. Previously, I was running a youth group in Wells Estate, helping with hw club and home visits, ding spiritual development and life skills as well as anything else is asked of me. This coming year I will be mentoring and working with a group of kids I have come to know very well, teaching music in the school, train student leaders to serve in their school, and teach a protective behaviours counselling curriculum with the students(prepares them to deal/prevent/become aware of abuse and rape as well as continue with previous roles. I can't express how much I truly LOVE working with these kids and being a part of their lives and families. I am so freaking grateful to Jesus for His love, care, protection, and trust. Please pray with me that I can live a life that points people to Jesus as I continue my work here next year. 

-I will still be working with Westside but will be pulling back in a few areas to allow more time for One Life. I am thankful for an awesome church community that I will continue to pour into next year : )

• I will be coming back for Christmas!!!!!!!

-God is good and has allowed me to go back to see my family for Christmas. I am so excited and this reunion is long over due. My eyes are filled with tears as I type this last part because I really do miss them that much. Living thousands of miles away really does put such strain on your heart when family is so close. 

-I have borrowed some money in order to buy tickets in time. If you would like to donate I still need a little more till I pay it off. Please message me if you would like to donate! 

Guys, I am really so thankful to GOd right now. I am completely exhausted by ministry but my heart is soaring because of what hope I know my Saviour has in store for these kids. Thank you for your support. You rock. 

I am Different Than Who I Was…

As I lie in bed, too tired/lazy to study and to awake to sleep I found myself watching a video of US Navy soldiers worshipping Jesus. It sounds like a strange thing to watch but it really was such a cool and encouraging thing for me. As I was watching this video I had the thought "Why am I watching this?". I paused and had a short but deep recollection of memories. I wondered why I spend my hours arranging music that praises His name, or loving on kids who are so vulnerable it hurts to think about, or why I spend a lot of my free time chatting with Him, about Him, or thinking about Him so I can teach others. I had a bizarre realisation that my entire life revolves around Him. I've been doing a lot of self-reflecting as I study counselling and if I put myself in my old self I would never imagine my future self to be living this way. The old me's life revolved around me. What a disappointing and lonesome way to live! Don't get me wrong, I had highs of all sorts. But they were deceivingly fleeting. 

At this moment right now, I am thankful. I think that in the midst of time and its inconsiderate character to yield, it becomes so easy to forget how different we have actually become(for better or worse). Tonight, I am amazed at the way I made bad decision after bad decision and somehow still ended up running, no -crashing, into the heart of God and have been able to experience the joy of His continual ability to cleanse and cleanse thoroughly. Shame and guilt silently follow me but He never stops giving me the persistence to unabashedly use my sin for His glory. I am different than who I was… I am changed. And as I am changed I am so thankful to be an agent of change on a mission to love. At this moment I am thankful.

Please do not take this as self praise. I am far from worthy of any. But God, He's great and I love Him : )Props to JC  

P.S. I am still trying to raise enough funds to fly me back to be with my family for Christmas. I now have an account with the sending project which allows you to make a donation via debit/credit card online! I will be posting some info soon about how you can do that if you would like to. Hope that you all are well; love and blessings to you!  

I'm Sorry

"Education is one of the most powerful instruments for reducing poverty and inequality and lays a foundation for sustained economic growth. "


Recently, I watched a short documentary with my new roommate and best friend(same person-Go Jesus!). Living On One Dollar follows the story of four guys who endeavour to live with the same financial and life circumstances (20%/1.2 billion people in the world live on less than $1 per day) as the rural villagers of Guatemala. For three months they live on varied amount of $1 per day; some days having $0 some days having more to simulate the villagers' unstable income. -check out their page http://livingonone.org/livingonone/

A lot of what I saw was familiar as I work with people who have the same and similar circumstances. Although I know these stories and I have faces and names that my heart is pressed between, this time I really felt the conviction. You see, growing up in the States I took education for granted. Our tax dollars provide public schooling for any citizen. Therefore, I was never concerned with or faced with the reality of not being able to get an education. Maybe university was another story but I knew that I would graduate high school at least.

In my house there was a small cabinet with old art supplies: crayons, markers, glue, scissors, etc. Whenever I had a project or birthday card to make it was ready for me to scavenge. Although we re-used old binders and note books, I always had what I needed for school and there was always a pen or pencil in some drawer or crevice in the house in case I needed back-up. 

Thinking back, I can remember countless times where I had mentally listed all the reasons why I hated school. I used to cut class on numerous occasions(sorry mom and dad and any teachers reading this!) and did everything I could to attend as little school as possible. I didn't value what I was being given and I surely didn't utilise my resources and education as best as I could of; as I should have. I spent time lingering on the negativity of my life and what part school played in that directly or indirectly. I didn't have much awareness of the struggle for education people experience outside of my bubble. 

This growing conviction started when I first came to South Africa but has come to its peak working closely in the schools and with the children/youth here. Our community centre/orphan care centre in Wells Estate held a talent show not too long ago. Having no electricity there we had no microphones or speakers but did manage to use a pathetically low volume CD player for anyone who wanted to dance. The kids LOVED to show off any and all talent they had and it didn't matter if it was ideal or not. All the attention was on them for a short time; something that is quiet rare in their lives where they are normally neglected. My heart cried from the cuteness of a group of boys probably 3-6 years old dancing their hearts out to the clapping beats of the audience. We had a few artists come and do a live drawing, girls with amazing voices sing, and even spiritual dancing! It was a hoot and we all shared a wonderful time together. One act in particular struck something in me. 

"Honey" is a 14 year old girl in my youth. Honey is not one of the sponsored children of One Life but benefits from the soup club, home work club, youth group, and Saturday programs at the community centre. She is super smart and very much committed to fight for her future. Honey has wonderful english and enjoys writing poetry. She decided to share one of her works at the talent show. Her poem was so beautifully spoken and embraced a defiance of emotion which stood against the effects of poverty on a level of its own. Her heavy lines, spoken staccato and strong, encouraged others to value the privilege that education is and to not waste it or let it slip away with careless decisions. This young woman had such compassion for her peers, for her community, and urged them to take ownership of their part in the fight against poverty; against the conditions and situations in their life they had no choice of. I was thoroughly impressed with her and with Jesus for creating such a beautiful soul. 

I know I have spoken about our homework clubs before but just in case you don't know, here's a quick glimpse. Kids from all over the community can come to Soyama. Here they have a safe, clean, and generally quiet place to do their homework, get help, and even slowly learn to read, write, and do mathematics. The children who come, often have maybe one uniform, that which is worn out, dirty, ripped etc. -some don't even have a uniform or school shoes let alone shoes. While I had everything I needed, a lot of these children don't even own one pencil. Many can't afford transport for school so they don't go, or they attend schools where there are not enough teachers, no discipline, lack of equipment, text books, desks... and the list goes on. 

In the documentary there was this 12 year old boy who had only a grade 3 education and was forced to work in the fields to provide for his family. He desperately wanted to go to school but had no way to as their family couldn't even afford proper food for themselves. When the guys from the film stayed in his village, he hung around them as much as possible and eagerly ate up all of anything they could teach him. I am ashamed. 

I am ashamed at my thoughts and actions concerning my education. Despite my disinterest and care for my education I am still so much more ahead than people my age and older in the townships here (concerning knowledge and there affected status). I didn't deserve what I received. I was able to go to college because of my privileges. Working full-time and with the help of government grants I was able to pay for my schooling. Being that it was what I wanted to do and coming out of my wallet my attitudes about school changed and I attended every class and studied hard(I'm also still slowly working towards my degree in online seminary). I had a slightly bigger understanding of the real world but not outside of my world. I really had no idea what educational circumstances others fight in the world outside the States. 

-I'm so sorry to all those who have no way of getting an education. (Just needed to confess that for me) 

Although, these kids may never know this part of my story I am so grateful that Jesus is allowing me to work with them to change that part of their story. Again, I am ashamed but hopeful. If you are currently getting an education of any kind I encourage you to do some self-reflecting. 

Other than that, things are kind of the same here. I have a bad sinus infection that I have been fighting and finally got some medicine for so I am excited to get better soon I hope! We will be working more in Coega primary school (the majority of our Wells Estate sponsored kids go here). Our plans are to step in where we can and teach the grades that have no teacher; the government will not pay for them to have any more teachers so three to four grades continue to go on without anyone teaching them. I personally am looking forward teaching/doing music with the kids there. On another subject, I am still in need of funds for my plane trip back to visit my family and then return to my work here. If you would like to be a part of that let me know! 

Here are some interesting facts i found concerning education/poverty:  

• More than 100 million children remain out of school. (Source:UNFPA)
• 46% of girls in the world's poorest countries have no access to primary education. 
• More than 1 in 4 adults cannot read or write: 2/3 are women.
• Universal primary education would cost $10 billion a year – that's half what Americans spend on ice cream. 
• Young people who have completed primary education are less than half as likely to contract HIV as those missing an education. Universal primary education would prevent 700,000 cases of HIV each year – about 30% all new infections in this age group. (Source:Oxfam)
• In our world today nearly 11 million children under the age of 5 die in the world every year – well over 1,200 every hour most from easly preventable or treatable causes. 

Crazy stuff. You can check out more here…

 http://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/food/vitalstats.shtml or http://www.banzaid.org.nz/resources-125/articles/63-poverty-stats or https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-education-around-world

If any of this stirred anything in your heart and you would like to ask me any questions or would like to find out how you can help (we can ALWAYS use supplies/volunteers) contact me!! I would love to hear from some of you anyway! Be blessed guys, I love and miss y'all. 

Hope Sleeps/ Kwathu Children's Home

I held a beautiful child. She slept in my arms. She probably doesn't even know my name but she trusted me. She has no idea where I am from or anything about me. Hope is only two years old and what she does know is that I love her. 

After school we run homework clubs that children can come and have a safe and productive place to come do their home work and get help with their subjects as well as a snack. Hope, a tiny toddler cute as a button, walked(it is quite a ways for a little girl to walk) with her friend to the community centre (orphan care centre) and was left there; no friend, no parent, no one wondering where she was or anyone caring enough to find out. So Hope stayed with me during homework club. I felt her heart take true rest as I held her head so she could sleep comfortably. This beautiful little girl breathed softly against my chest and I prayed for her as she slept. I prayed that she could feel the love of our heavenly parent who always watches, always protects, always loves, is always faithful, and never failing. 

I truly thank God for those moments. To so many of these kids, we are the only ones who ever really show them that they are loved and valued and beautiful. My goodness, how that breaks my heart. What motivation and purpose it provides me with though. I am so thankful for God allowing me to continue ministry here. Thank you for those who make that possible. You provide these children with hope.

This got me thinking about our ability to rest. The only time we can truly rest is when we trust our environment. Not many people sleep well the first night in a new place. We can only rest superficially, but not deeply until we believe that we are protected and safe. Spiritual rest can only happen when we sink deep, confidently trusting the arms of Jesus to keep us safe through life's shadows. Hope was so tired. She is so young and already must take care of herself without the proper knowledge or means to do so. She lives in a loud and dangerous place where it is every man for themselves mentality. Only once she trusted in the arms of the one who cares for her was she able to rest and rest well. I feel privileged and honoured to be able to show the love of Jesus to her in that way. I asked myself these questions after thinking back on this and would like to extend them the same to you. Are you truly resting? Are you truly trusting? Spiritual resting does not imply physical resting although it can be both. Spiritual rest does not mean that everything goes 100% in life either but you are comforted in the loving protection of a loving Father. If you are struggling with rest, you may be struggling with trust, a struggle I battle as well which stems from willingness to give up control. I would check things out if so, and try your best to cling onto the peace that is only provided through Jesus. Think about it :  )  



The below is some information about my amazing friend Natalie who is doing some amazing stuff for Jesus : ) She is looking for some places to share about the children's home she helps run to create awareness and try to get some support. Contacts are below if you can help out. Love you all and hope this post finds you well!

“My heart is at its fullest when hearing the home buzzing with the laughter of our 12 beautiful children. Every Saturday between 10am and 11am we set aside time for worship and devotion with the children and I’m reminded of a specific, beautiful Saturday morning where, with my guitar at hand, I encouraged the boys to grab some Djembe’s (drums) to give us a beat, and the girls to join in with dancing and singing. From the youngest at 3 years old, to the oldest at 14 years, together we made such a joyful noise to Father God. My heart skips a beat when I have the opportunity of hearing and worshipping along with the children in their native languages of Zambia. 

My name is Natalie Spronk, a 26 year old South African missionary and worship leader, currently serving at Kwathu Children’s Home, a non-profit, community faith-based home in Livingstone, Zambia that provides shelter, education, psychosocial support, care for the HIV infected and affected children, and life skills to vulnerable children in a healthy, stable and safe environment. 

Kwathu Children’s Home is a registered charitable project, registered charitable project, registration number ORS/102/53/233 under The Societies Rules Act Cap 119 of the Laws of Zambia.

On the 9^th of October 2013, I left South African soil to take up my role in assisting in the administration and fund raising of Kwathu Children’s Home together with assisting in the daily lives of the children and staff at the orphanage.  I find myself in the privileged and blessed position to share love, life and faith with these precious Zambian children, empowering and growing the future generation with the truth that they are fully accepted and fully known and that no matter what life may present to them as an obstacle or set back, Father God can take it and turn it into a testimony of His saving Grace.

At present Kwathu is renting a property which makes it expensive to run the home. For sustainability of the project, Kwathu has however secured land of its own. Building our own houses will largely reduce the running cost of the project and allow more children to be cared for who are displaced. A staff house and a borehole have already been placed on the property, and we are currently in the process of completing our first children’s home on the property which will be home to 16 children. Our next goal is to raise enough funding in order to start erecting the next building on the property.

I have been invited by our partner organization, Grace Klein Community, to share the heart and vision of Kwathu Children’s Home in the United States of America and will be hosted in Birmingham, Alabama between the 8^th of October and the 8^th of December 2014 in hopes to build relationships, create further connections, and raise further funding for the completion of the dream and vision of Kwathu Children’s Home. 

Currently my schedule is open to travel in the United States to share about Kwathu Children's Home, to share my own personal story and to serve by leading worship or playing worship music for new friends.

Can you help me find some places to share?

• Bookstores
• Coffee shops
• High Schools
• College groups
• Singles
• Retirement homes
• Book Clubs
• Ladies Groups
• Women’s Retreats
• Student Sport Teams
• Churches
• Youth Groups

Also, take up my challenge to give $1 towards the children’s home and ask others you know to do the same. Every Dollar makes a difference! If one person can donate $1 USD to the home and encourage two other people to do the same, and those two then encourage another two people etc. it can make a world of a difference in a child’s life.  

Donations in the US can be made through the Grace Klein Community website (www.gracekleincommunity.com). All contributions are tax-deductible. 

Blessings, 

Natalie Spronk

Kwathu Children’s Home

PO BOX 60021, Livingstone, Zambia

Website: www.kwathuhome.wordpress.com 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kwathuhome

Email: kwathuoffice@gmail.com

A Way Back

Hey guys! Things have been going well, as I said before I am still so fulfilled and encouraged by all that God allows me to do here. School holiday is over which means I am a lot more busy! We have a missions team coming in from Kansas City which I am excited for their journey here, I have school assemblies this week, and have an exam and paper to write(I am taking one class at a time in online seminary trying to finish my education if you didn't know this) as well as homework club, youth, and music! Never a dull moment in the adventures God supplies us with.

Being a stubborn and independent person I am very reluctant to write this part of this entry. I would really really love to see my family this Christmas as I wasn't able to last Christmas. I need to get a round trip as my work here in SA is still not complete. If you are able to support me in anyway- prayer too!- please send me a message and we can exchange the necessary details. I have the blessing of a month off from ministry to come, I just don't have the funds. I hate to ask for help, but I do need help to make this possible. I just checked plane ticket prices and they range from $1700-$2000+. I have $200 saved right now, but am not able to save much with what I receive every month. As soon as I have enough I will update everyone so that I don't take anything unnecessary. 

Thank you all for your love. Please pray for our "permanent" missionaries as we are all dealing with some spiritual attacks. Satan is not happy with God's work here but we will press on even harder, for the joy of the Lord is our strength. :  ) 
Cheers and Blessings!! 

Proud Mama

A lot happens in life. I would be lying if I said I am successful  at updating people on what goes on. Recently I took my Westside Family Church youth on a mission trip to the Transkei. It was fulfilling, fruitful, exhausting, refreshing, frustrating, hilarious, fun and -did I say exhausting? 

5:30a.m. I manage to pull my cold body out of bed, shower, eat, ready a few final details, and finish most of my computer work for  Westside. Trailer and bakkies(trucks)now full of supplies, tools, bags, and humans we head out to the open road where thoughts run free with each passing shrub and memories linger like the music forcefully trying to drown out any feeling of nausea. We arrive 10 HOURS LATER. After many a time of windows down and heads like dogs trying to gulp down the fresh air instead of letting something else spew out, we stretch our legs for the final time and ready our places at the Bambisana Oceans of Mercy mission base for bed.

The next few days were spent waking up early(sometimes not sleeping at all!), ministering to children at the different soup clubs Oceans runs there, basking in the hugeness of God at the Magwa Falls, worshipping Jesus through music and prayer, hanging out with the youth and children of the different villages and even catching some of the World Cup. 

The most amazing thing about this trip was that I was on the sidelines. I challenged my youth to create the teachings and teach the teachings. They did it all! At first there was some push back and tension but as they saw this was possible (and not something to get out of lol) they hustled through and created an awesome program for the kids. The first two teachings you could see that their confidence was low. Their posture, tone of voice and expressions let the children's  attention escape them. After a pep talk, some debrief, and brainstorming they were ready to go again at the next soup club. EVERYONE could see the difference in their performance and boy did they put on a great, active, and alluring program! They also got the chance to share and speak with the older youth on the last night. For many of them, it was only their very first or second time speaking and they shared parts of their stories they never had before with people. Yet they spoke with out quiver or deviating thoughts. They sounded amazing and drove a touching and vulnerable yet practical lesson home to the youth their. It was such a cool thing for me to see them step up and be the leader, even amongst their peers!  

The past year and a half these guys have been sorting through the big rocks in their life and they are now at the point where they are now the leader, they are now the one who disciples. Their fruit is ripe and ready to be picked and shared with those they influence. 

Having such a small group of youth in our church has provided me with an amazing opportunity to become really close with these guys and be able to go so much deeper than I would if I had more students. I consider them to be truly family. I really do love these guys with all of me and would do anything for them. Together we have become a family- they often treat each other like brother and sister too lol. They joke with me all the time when we are together in public often calling me "mom" or if they want to make a bigger joke... "grandmother"(Makhulu in Xhosa). But all laughs aside I really have felt so incredibly proud of who they are in Christ. They are people of such integrity. They are people of honesty. They are people of love. They are people of joy. They are people of kindness. They are people of faith. They are people of power. They are people of courage. They are people of praise. They are people of God. And only by God have they become these. 

It has been such a joy and honour doing life with these students. I am so filled with thankfulness and awe as I see who God has made them to be thus far. I only look with more excitement into our future. I can say with full confidence that the world is truly a better place with them in it. I have no doubt that what ever this world brings to their path, they will have success in Christ.

Thank you to those who support me through prayer and finances, you too are a part of their story.  

Shut up, Sit down, And Listen.

For some time I have been ignoring this blog in hopes of avoiding processing any unwanted thoughts I would be much "happier" repressing. For the past few months I feel that God has been silently taking me through little deserts where I am reminded of my brokenness and the brokenness of this world and the people I roam it with, and trusting me to transition through it with integrity. At first, I felt guilty because in my mind having integrity  paralleled 'emotional strength'(or what I perceived as strong). With the death of my friend, stress of inadequacy, falling behind in seminary, lack of accountability and support, and huge financial issues, my emotional strength was at a low. I was weak and poured guilt into my mind because I questioned my integrity. "Doesn't integrity imply strength? Aren't church leaders supposed to exude strength? Am I a bad leader because I am not strong?" I had concluded myself a failure and my mind began to twist anything remotely negative into a personal prick to the skin of my heart. But praise God that He intercedes! Jesus gave me a good kick  in the pants and showed me that integrity does not invalidate my emotions. Jesus was an emotional being as well. He feared Luke 22:42. Jesus grieved John 11:35. He got really angry Matthew 21:12-14. He was so stressed that HE LITERALLY SWEAT BLOOD (Hematridosis) Luke 22:44. A lot of the "Christian" world sees these as weak negative emotions and condemn people for not fully surrendering to God if one is overcome by any of these. Yet Jesus, kept His integrity through all of these situations. And Jesus is victory. So how can emotional "weakness" coincide with strength? 

Be still. Be still. Be still. Be still. Be still. Be still.

I constantly battle with this. Living in a place where you are always around people always, I find it hard to be still. Splitting the functions of my brain between different roles of responsibility and already having poor attention/focus while still trying to be present with people because I work in a people's ministry makes me suck at being still. God is always working in our lives but as I mentioned above, He has being doing everything so quietly. He is being still. And so He keeps trying to wean me back in to the place of stillness where He is. Recently, through the stillness, I have been hearing Him. 

To try and understand a bit more about what God is trying to teach me, I did a scriptural study of every place that mentions "being still". I will list my favourites below:
Exodus 14:13
Numbers 9:8
Joshua 10:13
2 Chronicles 20:17
Nehemiah 8:10-11
Job 37:14
Psalm 4:4-5
Psalm 46:10
Hebrews 3:11
Mark 10:49
Luke 7:14
Luke 18:40 

If anyone has the time, I would encourage you to check out these scriptures and invest some time to be still. I myself, am continually working on and learning what it means to do so. It is a very healthy challenge for me. The following are 4 things that I pulled, from all of these verses. 
1. Stillness= the ability to  actively stop, watch, and listen to God do His thing 
2. Experiencing God requires stillness
3.Knowing God requires stillness 
4. Making decisions requires stillness 

I would expound upon these but there is really so much inside them that it is better I let you do your own exegesis, it may be more meaningful than reading mine. What was really neat to mesh together was the realisation that when I am still in the Lord it is okay to feel whatever I am feeling. It is okay to be weak because weak is what I truly am. But when I am still in the Lord I take on His strength. So my weakness is actually a very helpful thing because there is more room from what I lack for God to fill with what He is. God beautifully designed my weakness and His strength to perfectly marry. Therefore, there is no need for my guilty nonsense.

I hope that this has given you something to ponder- we'll be pondering together! Some other updates on my life include:

• my youth are trying to raise funds to go on a mission trip to the Transkei (google this!)
• there are a lot of hard and healthy changes happening in the Port Elizabeth Oceans of Mercy branch -more to come soon
• my youth group in the Wells Estate township is growing like crazy! God is doing amazing things in the kids lives and I am so stoked to be a part of the journey.
• Music ministry is incredible and so fulfilling-more to come on this as well 

I have to go now. On my way to our Westside Family Church Staff meeting! If anyone reading this wants to donate or support any ministry mentioned above please please let me know. I would love to share more information on the needs of the kids with you. There are a lot of places that your help would make all the difference. I hope that those of you reading are doing well. I love and miss you all! Cheers and blessings my friends. 

p.s- this is not proof read and more of a rant so I apologise if none of this makes sense lol 

P

It would be 3 in the morning and I was still awake shivering my buns off snuggled deep into layers of whatever thick clothes I could put on without looking incredibly awkward. Winter in Cape Town is harsh (keep in mind that I am also a Californian). Most of the time it was a constant high volume snore. The kind that sounded as if it was coming from a very old and hefty size man. Here and there I was blessed with shrieks and mish-mosh phrases that made no sense. The shocking fact, was that underneath those covers lay a small young woman. Not a bear. Not a fat old man. 

Patience, was my roommate during my internship with JAM. She was one of the most intense sleepers. She would have the most hectic dreams vividly displayed in her unconscious state. Sometimes I would pray for her, other times I woke her up (with a nudge or a shout), and there were those moments where I experienced a conglomeration of angry thoughts and proceeded to pray for forgiveness... What I thought was so interesting was that whenever she would wake up from in the middle of a dream, she was so peaceful. Like nothing was happening inside. Confused really as to why I was nudging her awake she'd smile and still half-asleep, say something that made no sense. 

On nights when we both couldn't sleep, we would stay up and chat and get to know each others' stories. Cultures apart we became fast friends. The one thing that sticks out in Patience, like a mormon at a Slipknot concert, was her joy. She had such a beautiful belly shaking laugh. Even her fake laughs were so convincing they contagiously brought you real joy. You see, Patience had a past that was filled with pain and rejection. Plenty of reasons to wake up in the middle of the night screaming. But her joy. That is what people remember about her. Something only Jesus can supply to a person's soul. 

She had this thing she did with her head where she would tilt it to one side, often in a silly way (whether she realised it or not), when she would ask a question. Sometimes if she got really excited or if there were multiple consecutive questions, it would  tilt from side to side and back again. Even if you were trying to have a very serious conversation with her she had a way to work a few giggles out of you. 

Besides her joy, she had this fearless trust in God. Ironically, she had many fears which included water because she couldn't swim. But that didn't stop her from doing things (like kayak in a pond for the first time in her life by herself without a life jacket…). She loved experiencing new things in life and lived with a childlike wonder of God. Something i always respected. She saw God through a telescope not like the rest of us as we often take out a microscope. She new what God had brought her out of and that fed her fearless trust in her heavenly Dad. 

From a young age she was parentless and became a mom to her younger siblings. She was young but her innate strong nurturing heart enabled her to take care of her sisters. Inside and out sis was a weird mix of sweet and spit-fire. She could be so sweet and yet so sassy all at once. 

One of my favourite things was the way she said my name. Always so sincere she pronounced the "a" as a low "ah" and a very sharp "d" sound. After the internship ended and we were no longer living in the same room, I loved getting these recorded messages on my phone. She always started the message with my name even if we were in the middle of a conversation. 

Then death came. Saturday night was the worst. And I tried to compose myself as I sat in the Sunday service the next day. Every time a lyric or example of Jesus dying was presented I immediately jumped back to Patience. I know that day is supposed to be all about Him, but on that day for Him, it was all about us. And I couldn't help but to think about Patience. Death came. But with it came life. And as Jesus lives so does Patience's baby girl. And although her daughter may have some of the same struggles Patience did, it will be part of God's story of her. And God will make a way. And it will be beautiful. 

I am writing this just to try and process through her death. It has been a real hard time for all of us who were close to Patience. Wanted to look back at my memories of her. She was too young to leave so soon. And I often catch myself in a destructive playback of what my mind imagines how things happened that day. But God has other plans. And although I cannot see the good in it, I trust in God's grace. And I know that she is experiencing the most joy she has ever experienced in life. For her, it is good to be where she is. 

Please come alongside me and others in prayer to support those grieving who Patience has made such an impression on.