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A Word from Ivan
Our
family is doing good and going through what all families experience. I
personally have been struggling for the fact that there is so much to do
on the new house and the finances don't permit us to do everything I
would like to do. Lately a couple of old friends have passed away and
others have moved away. So personally I have been having a rough ride,
but it is okay nevertheless.
Joshua and Chazeel are growing fast and
keep us and all the boys very busy. It is just funny how they are
waiting for many of you who have visited to return again! Joshua is
really looking forward to Grade R next year. Chazeel is just trying to
keep up with his big brother. Joshua is now 5 and Chazeel is 3. Dear
Sophia, mother to all the boys, is getting a degree in tourism in
addition to running the home. As a wife and mother she has been a
great support and encouragement throughout all this time. I could not
have been blessed with a better friend, wife and mother for our
children.
I want to thank you in whatever way you have supported us
as a ministry. Be assured that your support extends much further than
you know. Through your blessing we are being a blessing to others.
May all the seed that you have sown in our lives produce a harvest a
hundred fold in you.
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Samuel
Making Progress
One of the older boys in our program, Samuel, is making great progress. Samuel has continued to stay very closely connected to us in relationship. He has a great heart to grow and do what he needs to do to make a good life for himself. As with all the boys as they get older, Samuel needs a "break" or an opportunity to prove himself. Recently Cliff was able to speak to a friend who owns a local car dealership and gas station. He has agreed to consider making Samuel a part of his gas station crew and to use the opportunity to train Samuel to learn discipline and commitment to working. This would be a great opportunity for Samuel. He is very excited. Please pray with us that this will come to pass and that it will be a great stepping stone for Samuel as he matures into a responsible young man.
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Dear J. Cliff,
We trust that you are doing well. It has been a long time since we updated you on the progress of the Worcester Boy's Home (previously the Street Children Project). A lot has happened in the last eight months and we want to take this opportunity to catch you up on all the details. In addition to updating you on all the boys, we also want to let you know of our basic needs for the house. God has been so faithful to provide what we have needed on a monthly basis to keep the house running. There are still many practical needs and we are trusting God for those. We want to ask that you prayerfully consider partnering with us financially so that this ministry in the lives of these boys can continue. You can obtain all the necessary information for making a financial contribution by clicking here. In addition to our monthly needs, we are still trusting God for the capital funds to pay off the house. This will take approximately $30,000US. Please trust God with us for this amount. Paying off the house will relieve the ministry of a large portion of our monthly budget requirement. We hope you are encouraged and blessed by reading about what is happening in the lives of these wonderful boys. As you will see, they have all come so far since being "on the streets." God bless you! |
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Goodbye Eddie!
 Our long time friend to the ministry and house monitor, Eddie Swanepoel, said goodbye to the Boy's Home earlier this year. Eddie is now back in YWAM where he is in a marriage and family counseling school. He is still in Worcester, but he is no longer living in the house with the boys. Eddie was always a great blessing to have around and worked wonderfully with the boys. We are excited for him as he moves on to do what he believes the Lord is leading him to do with his life.
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The Brothers
The three brothers, Pieter, Leno and PJ, are doing well and all growing through their different challenges in this stage of their lives. PJ is now 13 years old and in his last year of primary school. Next year he will be attending Esselen Park High School. He is a numbers guy and does exceptionally well in maths. He is also a peacemaker at school and in the house. Leno, 16, is working at the Eden School which is located in the same neighborhood as the house. Leno is working in the garden at the school and also participating in other extracurricular activities. Leno is an excellent swimmer and soccer player as well. The educational psychologist at Eden School is working closely with Leno and he is learning many necessary skills now that are preparing him for the future. Hopefully next year Leno will be working either at the Pioneer School where they manufacture furniture or in a local mattress factory.  Pieter, who is now 19, is learning some hard lessons in life right now. He and his girlfriend are expecting a baby. Although Pieter has been very committed to finishing high school over the past two years, it seems that those plans have been put on hold. He has made the decision to move out of the house and take responsibility for his new family. We are in close contact with Pieter and just praying that he will continue to look to the Lord during this challenging time.
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The Rest of the Boys We're still involved in the lives of Samuel, Lemille, Adian, Johan, Reginald, Cardwhan, and Benjamin (Pinky) who are all staying with extended family or friends. They have not been able to make the progress that we are still believing for in the area of jobs and skills training. Ivan and Cliff are always seeking out ways and means to help the older ones in any way they can to find opportunities in this area. Lemile is doing well. He is currently trying to get his ID replaced (which takes a really long time!) and will hopefully be working soon. There are still others that we have lost touch with and new boys now on the streets!
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Charlie, 14, is in his first year of high school. He was accepted into one of the best high schools in town. He is struggling a bit with his school work. He spends a lot of time worrying about his mother. He also struggles with asthma. The twins, Kyle and Kurt, are now 15 years old. Both boys are very involved in dancing and rapping. Kurt (left) is especially involved in dancing and participates in local competitions regularly. He is also doing well in school. 
Kyle (right) recently decided to go back home to live with his mother. He felt there was some reconciliation that needed to take place in their relationship. 
The Lord has done some good things in their relationship, but he will probably return to the house due to an abusive situation with his step-father. All three of these boys are maturing in many ways and will surely grow to become fine young men.