Its halfway through the year and it is strange to think that six months have just flown by- and what a busy six months it has been!
With winter settling in, as is customary, the men on the farm have been busy burning fire breaks around the property. The process of creating fire breaks involves making a fire, in order to prevent a fire from spreading past the break- it’s the reason behind the saying “fighting fire with fire”. While the saying may have a few negative connotations, it is in fact a great metaphor for how life works- the harsh but good truth is that the Lord often uses the refiners fire to teach us how to live and prevent us from having to walk through the dangerous fires that a life outside of Him has to offer. Even more so, it is through the refiner’s fire that we grow closer to God and where He reminds us through Psalm 56:3-4
Even as a ministry we have had to walk the long and difficult road of the Lord’s will, often feeling as though we were in the center of the refiner’s fire- but even in this, we never forget God’s promise and his goodness.
We have seen His goodness in the rebuilding and development of the Mphakatsi Centre, our community building that got destroyed in a storm. The funding for the rebuilding came from various fundraising efforts including the raffling off of a rugby ball signed by 1995 World Cup Fullback for the Springboks, Andre Joubert. Congratulations to the Jones family- who won the ball! Another bit of building that has been happening, is the building of the new male dorm, Caleb. The dorm will house 10 new patients and has been a key skills development project- teaching the residents about building, wood, concrete mixing etc. The team of male residents who worked on the project have all expressed their gratitude in being a part of this project and being able to learn and grow as the building has grown.
Sadly we have also said good-bye to beloved staff member George Georgas, who left us in June. George has left in pursuit of opening a half-way house for those coming out of primary care. It was also a great pleasure to have two former volunteers, Savannah Lucas and Liesl Brenzel, visit us for a week in July. Liesl, a former patient, shared with the community her victories and struggles since being a patient here in 2010- and inspired to group to not make compromises in recovery.
In other exciting news- over the we have been extending out tent pegs and increasing our space of influence. Not only did we have the privilege of participating in a Praise Party at the Monthly Mighty Wings Empowerment seminar, but one of our staff members, Giles Fourie, had the opportunity to interview with SABC radio and shared information about the program and the impact Healing Wings can make for those whose live are under the scourge of addiction. Another staff member whose had an opportunity to spread Healing Wings’ influence is Suzaan Van Zyl, a Nelspruit local who shared her testimony and the work of the Ministry in the Get-it magazine. We congratulate and thank them both for assisting in increasing the mandate given to Healing Wings.
The most significant impact made has to be the presentation of the Healing Wings play to schools around Nelspruit and a two day special roadshow and outreach we did in the Lydenburg area. A special thanks to Gabisile Nxumalo for co-ordinating it.
We can only than the Lord for this goodness and for all His blessings.
The post July 2014 News appeared first on Healing Wings.