March 2017

Hi friends and family

The past few months have been a great time of seeking, reflecting, and crying out to the Lord. I find myself in the tension of feeling great joy in ministry and great personal struggle. Life is funny that way.

In our last update, we had alluded to the fact that we have new vision and passion for education here in South Africa. We have decided to start a non-profit organization for our ministry. We are only a few weeks away from making it official!


Since the middle of January, we have been helping 6 young people in a very rural area with their school work. They have fallen behind, often needing to repeat grades because they are receiving little to no help at home with homework and studies. We have started a grassroots tutoring center in someone's house (shack) in the "informal settlement". We hope to organically grow, recruit other volunteers to help with the tutoring and hopefully build a center where these kids can gather. Our heart is for the high school students and senior primary students (grade 6+) as they are nearing the end of their school career. We see such a deep need not only for tutoring and homework assistance, but for personal mentorship as well. Many of these young people have no one to look up to, a lack of good parental influence, and huge lack of hope.

We long to give them this hope for the future that they are lacking.

Already, we are so excited to report increased test scores and an increase in knowledge and understanding! My heart is so fulfilled that these hours spent after school has not been for nothing. Some of these kids come to our house on the weekends as well if they have a test to study for. This has been one of my greatest joys to provide a safe environment for them. I wish we were able to do it more!

Studying at our house

We go into the community as a family, and Harmony and Lesedi run around in the streets with other children their age. It is really fun to see them engaging with other kids, eating different foods (which they love!!) and experiencing the "kasi" lifestyle. For them, everyday is an adventure and it doesn't feel foreign at all. It's a blessing to live out our "ministry life" everyday with them.

Personally, we are struggling a bit. Please pray for our spirits to be lifted and our hearts to be enlightened. Life seems very challenging and discouraging at the moment. We know that God is always good, always takes care of us, and is always with us, but sometimes it's hard to keep that into perspective.

We have seen God working miracles in our lives in the past and we are confident that our future is in His hands.

Thank you for your words, your support and your love.
We know for certain this work cannot be done without YOU.

Loving Africa

The Bakers