Social Ministry Centre

Yesterday we all went down to the Drop-in Centre. Here are Alex and Paty. We had a good chance to chat with them. Please pray for this couple. There is no doubt that God has called them to this work and gifted them for it. The kids they are working with just love them and they are seeing permanent fruit for their labour. There are times when the work is tough and thankless. Paty shared yesterday through her tears that last year (when we were on deputation) was really hard though she recognises that God has really taught her so much. There are about 12 kids who are living close to their home and stop in whenever they like. This is tiring but they find it hard to say no, especially when these kids depend on their friendship and support. Last night after we had our meetings with Beto and Sandra they took us up to the places where the kids are renting. How amazing to see these kids doing what kids do - laughing, joking around etc. and the respect they have for Alex and Paty. They were so proud of their little homes. At one stop the boys were all playing on the concrete football pitch in the dark right in front of their little flat (2 rooms). The beds were just blankets on the concrete floor and as the game finished they all came in, splashing water over their heads from the barrel of water outside their door. On the wall were proudly hanging the bags they had made with the Washbasin team. It's not much but they feel like kings and queens and the happiness is obvious to all.

Below is one of the kids working in the drop-in centre making pictures to sell. This will help him with rent payments and gives him self esteem. I will translate his testimony in a new post later tonight.
This is a work bench again where kids have been able to find a way to keep themselves off the streets.
This is the side of the Drop-in Centre that will hopefully be remodelled in the near future. Please continue to pray as the plans proceed.