Special Ministry Update - Street Children Project

As we reported last month, we have been prayerfully considering our ministry relationship with the Street Children Project here in Worcester, South Africa. After much prayer and consideration we have officially decided to make the Street Children Project a part of the ministry of Equippers International, South Africa. We want you to be aware of this decision so you can be praying for us and this important outreach to street children in our community. We also want to take the time in this month's update to share with you our past involvement with the Street Children Project and how we will progress forward with this ministry.

Over twelve years ago we met Erena van Deventer in Worcester. At that time she was acting as the director of the Kibbutz El-Shammah which is a Christian ministry that exists to reach out to the hurting community of Roodewal, which is the poorest area of our town. Erena's heart and ministry was always focused on the street boys of this needy community. Over the years we have related closely to Erena and supported her efforts in ministry at the Kibbutz. We have also worked very closely with Ivan & Sophia Williams who have been an intricate part of the ministry to the street boys since 2000. In the last three years the Street Children Project has been operating autonomously, but still in relation to the Kibbutz organizationally. In the recent years, since moving to South Africa, Cliff was asked to act as an elder to the Kibbutz and the Street Children Project. During this time, Erena has resigned from directing the Kibbutz and has also left the Street Children Project to begin a new ministry effort that has been on her heart in the area of prayer and intercession. During this transition in Erena's life, Ivan and Sophia Williams have stepped in to direct and lead the Street Children Project. Ivan is a former gang member from the Roodewal community who has been serving the Lord now for many years and has a heart for his community, especially street boys. During the last two years, the leadership of the Street Children Project has felt strongly that the time was coming when the Street Children Project would develop a new ministry affiliation that would facilitate the outreach to the street children more effectively. It has become evident that the Lord was directing us to adopt the Street Children Project as a formal ministry of Equippers International and to provide the necessary organizational affiliation as well as the spiritual oversight and care. It is in this context that we have now formally accepted the Street Children Project as part of our ministry efforts. Cliff and the existing board of directors of Equippers International, South Africa will act as the governing elders of the Street Children Project and Ivan & Sophia Williams will be directors of the ministry on a daily basis along with their leadership team.

One of the biggest steps in this transition is securing a location that will be suitable for Ivan, his family and the boys. As we shared last month, we have located a property (see below) and have currently come to an agreement with the owner to rent the house for 12 months, during which time we can fund raise the necessary money to purchase the house for the ministry. We believe strongly that God is going to provide this money (approx. $50,000US) over the next year. There are also the monthly running costs of this ministry which include the basic needs of Ivan, his family and the seven boys currently living in the home with them. While God has always been faithful to provide the needs of this ministry over the years during its affiliation with the Kibbutz, we are excited because we believe this new affilication with Equippers International is going to open up new avenues of provision as many of you may have a heart to give to this type of ministry.

We are asking that you hold this important ministry to street children before the Lord in prayer. Pray with us that the transition will be smooth and that God will continue to move on the hearts of people around the world to give to this project. We will also be in charge of all the administration and correspondence for the Street Children Project. We will keep you updated on developments in the ministry on a monthly basis as well. If you have a desire to support this project with financial gifts you can give through Equippers International and 100% of your support will go directly to the Street Children Project.


We will update you on our family next month. We are all doing well and enjoying the blessings of the Lord daily!

Thank you for your continued love and support.

Cliff, Stephanie, Camille, Natalie, Wesley and Katie