May 2016

 

 

If you haven’t yet heard, we will be in the US in about 7 weeks from now. We will be there for just over 6 weeks. We are already preparing for our trip and getting very excited to see friends and family that we haven’t seen in a while.



A few weeks ago Piet facilitated our first business training course for the year. Eight students graduated and are working toward improving existing businesses as well as starting up new ones. We are always encouraged by our students and their passion and drive. If you get a chance to hear us speak in July or August you will hear that to take our business skills class costs each student about $20 (R260). If you are interested in sponsoring someone, please let us know! We are running an additional 6-day course at the end of this month. The total number of graduates is now over 40! We are so humbled to have helped so many that will additionally help others.



The conference

One evening during the conference "let your light shine"

The mentorship of the business students is continuing. Piet does the majority of the mentorships. He follows up with each one, checks their financials, and gives them new ideas if need be.




The collapsed building

Shortly after our business training course finished, our church, AFM, hosted a mission’s conference. Piet and many of the men from the church built an additional outdoor toilet to accommodate everyone. Some people came from South Africa to preach and encourage our church. It is quite rare to here Africans teaching and preaching about missions. It’s just not a central subject matter in the African church. To hold a mission’s conference in our church is very significant. We are blessed with a pastor and leadership team that are passionate about reaching out to the community and the rest of the country. On the Friday night of the conference, about 15 people were upstairs having dinner when the second floor of the church collapsed and everyone fell through. Multiple people were injured and ended up in the hospital. We praise the Lord that no one was beyond recovery. There were broken bones and stiches, but everyone is making a recovery.

Big Sister reading to Little Brother



As mentioned earlier, we will be in the US in July and August. We will be giving presentations and sharing testimonies about the work that we are doing here as well as fundraising for our future. We welcome all visitors and hope to connect with as many of you as possible!


Loving Africa,
The Bakers