News update from Joan Adams - April2009

2nd April 2009

Dear Morning Star Friends

We give thanks to those whose prayers have brought down the blessings we have experienced at Morning Star over the past weeks. Amidst the pain of burying 4 of our precious children since my last letter to you, (Thato Mponeng, Tisetso Mokhoema, Tseko Zim and Bongani Siko), God continues to reveal Himself to us and confirm, in umpteen little ways, His hand upon the ministry that is Morning Star Children’s Centre. Ebenezer! Thus far has our Lord provided!

Superseding the deep loss of precious Morning Star children of late has been saying goodbye and coming to terms with the departure of our beloved Operations Manager, Betts Ward Able, who left for Port Elizabeth at the end of March. Her going is a huge personal loss and I’m still struggling to come to terms with it. But, she was loved and well respected by all at Morning Star so many a tear was shed at her farewell function on Wednesday 25th March. Amidst partying and the joyful song and dance performed in her honour that day, I was able to draw aside from the celebrations and thank Almighty God for sending her our way, in the first place. Having Betts at Morning Star these past 21 months has been an immense privilege. Her life, witness, integrity and hard work have spoken volumes and we’re all enriched through our association with her. She hasn’t found employment in P.E. yet. God’s provision, really, as a suspicious lump has been detected in her breast which has to be removed surgically and urgently! (Can you believe it?) What I know without a doubt, though, is that wherever our Lord finally sends her, she’ll only ever be a blessing and a joy.

Bett’s post at Morning Star has not yet been filled so Elizabeth v d Westhuizen (who accompanied me to the UK last year) is helping us out temporarily/until the right person can be identified.

The Scripture verses that keep ringing in my heart are from Isaiah 30:15b & 18: “In quietness and trust is your strength” and “The Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him”.

Stopping to count blessings always puts things in perspective, doesn’t it? And as ever, we have so much to be thankful for. Our weather is still hot and mostly sunny, we’ve enjoyed lovely rains this summer, our children are generally healthy and well cared for at home and our prayers regarding the long-awaited, official document from the provincial government is in the process of being answered. Since my last letter to you, and after regular phone-calls to top government officials in Bloemfontein, 2 delegates from the Dept. of Public Works were sent to our premises to measure and take photographs of all our facilities. Subsequent phone calls to the relevant departments have met with favourable results. According to Ms.Ouma Tsopo’s (MEC of Social Development) personal secretary, it has been confirmed from top level that we meet government requirements in every respect and that we will definitely be able to stay on where we are! Isn’t that wonderful news? What could change is that we might be asked to pay rent for our facilities in the future. But, on the other-hand, we could be officially/legally taken on as a Dept. of Health Project and thus enjoy full exemption from all related expenses. Wouldn’t that be something to celebrate?  God is surely at work! I’ve especially requested – and we’re earnestly praying – that the long-awaited document be in our hands before South Africa’s General Elections on 22nd April. Who knows what changes will take effect then, or how sympathetic new government office bearers will be to our cause? So keep praying that the letter materializes. Without it we still haven’t got a leg to stand on!

This time last year Elizabeth and I were almost ready to fly off to the UK for Morning Star’s annual fundraising trip! This time round we’re still in the planning stages and I have a thousand things to do before leaving on 1st May! Our trip is a week shorter this year. Having only recently finished with chemotherapy, I thought it wise to plan an easier route for 2009 so as not to be too exhausted by the end of it. Liza Mans, our assistant accountant at Morning Star (new name for our assistant bookkeeper), is accompanying me to England. She’s never been on an aeroplane before, let alone travelled oversees! You can imagine her excitement! She, too, has a daughter living in England and will have the opportunity of spending a bit of time with her towards the end of our stay.
Liza will be doing most of the driving and the promoting of our Tshedisanang Project’s merchandise (Attached, please find a summary of our preliminary itinerary) while I’ll manage the talks and become increasingly more proficient with my brand new UK Power Point Presentation, expertly put together by Peter Barham from Woodgreen Evangelical Church, Worcester. (I’m hopeless when it comes to modern technology so am practising synchronizing my laptop and projector here back home so as not to make a complete flop of myself when I get to you!)
Because our trip is shorter this year we won’t be able to visit as many churches/schools etc. as previously. I do hope you’ll understand. What each unvisited church or group will be receiving, though, is a personalized power point presentation of Morning Star, (also put together by Peter) to keep you abreast of our current situation and needs. He’ll get them off to you soon after our itinerary is finalized and I’ve sent him your contact details.

Peter & his wife, Glenys, have just spent 2 very productive weeks at Morning Star. In addition to sharing their many skills with us, (Bible studies with staff, managerial skills, computer technology, life-skill presentations at local schools) they also had time to experience life at our Morning Star Centres firsthand. It’s always good to have overseas visitors in our midst. They see we are really striving to implement what we stand for and we gain by their individual skills, different perspectives and stunning ideas. An enriching experience all-round!
Janet Cross (originally from Canada but presently fellowshipping at the Old Baptist Chapel, Bradford-on-Avon) and Phyllis MacPhail (Canada) have also just been in Welkom on a whistle-stop tour. They didn’t have time for much more than observing & photographing, but, hopefully, they returned home enriched, enthused and eager to organize a fund-raiser for us in the not too distant future.
Our next spate of volunteers is due in June; Amy Lozier from the USA and Joel & Clare Daubney from Wycliffe Evangelical Church, Sheffield. They’re in for a wonderful time!

Our 4 overseas visitors arrived just too late to send us off on our 2009 Sea Trip. What a thrilling, blessed time we had, once again! For the 14 new children chosen to go, all between the ages of 11 – 15 years, and the Morning Star staff who accompanied them to Durban on the 4th March, a dream came true and they all got to experience a little bit of heaven on earth! From the majestic Drakensberg Mountains and the rolling, green Kwa Zulu Natal hills, to the awesome cascade of water rushing down the Howick Falls, the first taste of sea water, the feel of beach sand between toes & the force of waves breaking over skinny brown legs, all were magical and created memories to cherish forever!

If I could have one wish (no, 2 – I would still like to be able to speak the Sotho language overnight!) it would be for you all to experience the wonder of the Morning Star sea trips just once in your lives! No words can describe the awe, the deep joy of being part of a life-changing experience in the lives of under-privileged children, ones with a death sentence hanging over their heads, at that!

One of the adults who accompanied us was 38-year-old Josephin Maliea. Her account of our trip to Durban so moved me, I thought you’d appreciate reading about it too. She writes:
 “I found out on 28th February 2009 that I was going to the sea on the 4th March. I was excited and nervous; I did not know what to pack. I could not sleep. We left Welkom at 8.00am; 14 children and 7 adults. We were so happy, we sang all the way. As we drove through the Free State and Kwa Zulu Natal we saw hills, mountains and trees; they were so beautiful, so natural. I wished we could stop and walk close to admire the beauty of nature.
 We ate lunch at Estcourt and then drove to Howick Falls, the second highest waterfall in South Africa. Women were washing their clothes on top of the hills there. We were told that some years ago Howick had heavy rainfall that flooded gardens in the neighbour-hood. The waterfall was so wild; people had to wear raincoats when they came to watch it. From Howick we travelled to The Lily of the Valley, a village near Cato Ridge, where we were staying.
The next morning, after breakfast, we drove to Durban and went to the South Beach. I had never been to the sea and this was a wonderful experience for me and the children. We were amazed. I am scared of water and I can’t swim but I enjoyed standing in the water. Boys and girls were so excited, they ran into the water. They were very brave.
From the beach we went to uShaka Marine World. I loved the place. First we had lunch at Wimpy and the children had a chance to choose what they wanted to eat. For a moment they forgot about their illness and had fun.
In the aquarium we saw different types of fish and other creatures that live in the sea. We saw stone fish, rock lobsters, eels, seahorses, turtles, devil fire fish, sting rays, dolphins, penguins and 3 different types of sharks. The sharks looked nice and harmless behind the glasses. We also saw snakes. I don’t like them so I just walked past them and went outside. I didn’t even see their names!
We also saw how different types of fish protect themselves. I like the jelly fish. They looked so tiny and beautiful. We learned that male seahorses give birth to the young ones and not the female. Now we know that a sea turtle can hold its breath for 4 hours under the water.
On the way back we sang songs of praise, thanking Almighty God for the wonderful opportunity and all the wonderful creatures on earth.
I want to say thank you to the people who made this trip possible, especially the people from England. I will always be grateful”.

Back in Welkom we’re in the process of altering our former waste recycling premises (before that, a mortuary) into a spacious, bright Grade 0 Classroom for our 5-6 year olds. It’s been exciting to watch the transformation step-by-step! The classroom is nearing completion now and will be ready for occupation after the Easter weekend. Staff member, Portia, and her group of 16 children won’t know themselves in their new surroundings! They’ll be eating there, having their lessons there and resting there. And, back in our main MS building, we’ll be able to have a separate dining room and schoolroom for our pre-schoolers once again. Ever since the Dept. of Education visited and notified us that our Grade 0 learners needed to be separated from the rest of our children, we’ve struggled with space!

The other exciting development here is that we’ve finally ordered our 4th vehicle – a new Mercedes Benz Sprinter 416 cdi Commuter Bus, 23-seater! We’d earmarked this vehicle back in January already but have been awaiting additional funds to be deposited into our bank account and for our driver, Sam, to pass his Code 10 Drivers’ License so that he can drive the new bus. Oh boy! Has he struggled to get even his learner’s license all over again! Questions and methods of asking have changed over the last 45 years, you see! Only yesterday did we get the good news that he’d passed at last! So, as soon as the new bus arrives – or possibly even before that – Sam will be able to do his driving test (and, hopefully, pass first time) and we’ll be able to put in motion the plans we have re: the utilization of all 4 vehicles to transport our 125 children more effectively AND employ our 4th driver, Andries Mathobisi.
Ebenezer! God is so faithful!

We’re not much further in our quest for premises in Thabong Township, I’m afraid. We finally decided against the option of the old beer hall there, having been advised that the building couldn’t be changed/used as is, and would have to be totally demolished. This of course, would’ve taken time, much effort and been very expensive. We’re now awaiting feedback from our local Dept. of Housing re: an alternate site/small hall, with much better potential – but presently being utilized as a church over weekends! We’re also awaiting input from a local Estate Agent who is also on the look out for a sizeable piece of ground for us, no less than 100sq metres in size. Being granted permission to remain in our Welkom premises does signify that we don’t have to find alternate facilities in a hurry anymore. But, at the same time, there are over 100 children from just Thabong on our waiting list at present – and we have very little means of assisting them!

We now have a staff, 38-strong, working for the two Morning Star Children’s Centres – 29 in Welkom and 9 in Kutlwanong Township. Quite breath-taking and scary all at the same time! As you can well imagine, there are always problems abounding with so many diverse personalities working together! Sometimes I’m at wit’s end determining the appropriate punishment for the deed! 2 of our Child Care Workers even physically attacked each other last week! Both women are in their forties! However, in addition to the odd theft, misunderstanding, fist-fight and jealous streak that occurs between our women (and men) quite regularly, there are presently several employees with massive personal issues being addressed at home.

• The 14-year-old daughter of one of our staff members was raped towards the end of 2007. The case has been ongoing since then, was sealed and proven, and now, all of a sudden, has been thrown out of court through lack of evidence! (Bribery is suspected and being investigated).
• Another staff member is regularly beaten and abused by a persistently drunk husband – one who shows no lasting remorse; and in full view of their small daughter and teenage son! She is at the end of her tether!
• Still another collided with a taxi whilst travelling home on his bicycle recently. The taxi (illegally) reversed down a road to pick up a potential passenger, didn’t see our employee and rode right into him! Both staff member and bicycle landed under the taxi! Fortunately, our man wasn’t as badly damaged as his bicycle was! But, it’ll be a miracle if the taxi driver agrees to buy him a new bike, let alone pay for the repairs to the old one!
• A fourth’s husband’s job on one of the local mines is being threatened right now – and he’s only one of hundreds!. The mine appears to have gone bankrupt and its workforce has been without salaries since December 2008. In South Africa, it’s always the poor who are affected most!
• Sr. Patricia’s young nephew was shot and killed in Cape Town recently. It was reported that he’d been shot in the eye – but when the family went to view the body at the mortuary (traditionally, a very unusual thing for black folk to do), they discovered that both eyes were intact and that he’d been shot in the abdomen! So, who knows what really happened??
• Val’s back injuries are permanent. The neurologist she saw down in Bloemfontien at the beginning of March ‘09 told her plainly that an operation wouldn’t cure her and that she’d have to manage her pain and discomfort as best she could for the rest of her life. The doctor altered her medication slightly and gave her new simple exercises to do – which have definitely helped – but that’s as far as it can go.

I could go on and on! But, to end on a lighter note ……

• Ron Adams visited our Tshedisanang Women’s Project recently to check on the air conditioning he’d installed there awhile back. Imagine his horror when he found two bare-chested men sitting at the sewing machines, sewing away, and who, on closer investigation, turned out to be two of our women sewing topless! He was thoroughly flustered and made a quick exit but indignant when informed later that the Project women hadn’t used his healthy evaporative cooling system for months because they were convinced it made them sicker! (Paddy wasn’t at work that day; but was as disbelieving as Ron had been when she heard about the incident). Perhaps we should transfer the cooling system to Morning Star’s main office block? Some of us would certainly love to be cool and dry whilst we toil away at our desks!

Until we meet ….
“May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you”. (2 Thess3:16)

Yours because we’re His
Joan

PRAYERS NEEDS

• Please pray that the official letter from government re: our Welkom premises will be in our hands before the SA Elections on 22nd April. At the same time, praise and thank our Lord that there's been progress regarding this document over the past weeks and that it's almost certain we'll not loose any of our facilities.
• Pray for our recently bereaved families: (All 4 children died in March '09).

• 6-year-old Tseko Zim's grandmother and other relatives
• 17-month-old Thato Mponeng's grandmother
• 11-month-old Tisetso Mokhoema's young mother
• 4-year-old Bongani Siko’s grandmother and other relatives

ALSO

• Our 6-year-old Mosa Mohapi's mother died last week

AND

• Thabo Radebe and Sipho & Siphokazi Mngakeya’s 16-year-old uncle was killed when a truck out of control struck him down on his way home from school. Pray, especially for Ellen, the teenager’s mum, who is absolutely devastated and broken-hearted.

• Our sick children and staff members:  
• Tshidi Mothupi (7 yrs) – still in hospital – but slowly improving.
• Karabo Mokoena (6 months) – dehydration and mouth ulcers
• Joyce Motshebe (16 yrs) – wasting away – chronic diarrhoea and anti-retroviral psychosis.
• Mpumelelo September (15 mths) - severe malnutrition & neglect
• Val with her ongoing back problem and Holygate, struggling with ill-health, once again.
• Praise and thanks for the improved conditions of:

Nompi Fihle, Poppie Mzweli, and Karabo Matsididi, all out of hospital/ back at school. 

• Our recently abused children:
• Rethabile Nthapho - sexually, by step-grandfather
• Wandile Nangu - physically, by grandmother
• Please continue praying for a new Operations Manager to replace Betts Ward Able.
• For Elizabeth vd Westhuizen who is filling in as Operations Manager until such time as a permanent replacement can be identified. Pray for strength for her and the ability to manage a full day at Morning Star combined with her pastoral duties at home.
• Betts Ward Able’s upcoming surgery, prognosis and recovery and her need of a job in Port Elizabeth. Also that she’ll settle quickly.
• Our staff members with their diverse needs/problems – but mostly that they’ll all come to know Christ as Saviour and be able to put their trust in Him for all things.
• Liza & Joan’s upcoming UK Fund-raising Trip (1st – 25th May ’09) and for Elizabeth vd W. who’ll take the reigns at Morning Star in their absence.
• South Africa’s General Elections on 22nd April 2009

We rest on Thee, our shield and our defender!
We go not forth alone against the foe;
Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender,
We rest on Thee and in Thy name we go.

We go in faith, our own great weakness feeling,
And needing more each day Thy grace to know;
Yet from our hearts a song of triumph pealing,
We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.

- back to News -