A Graduation Story

Last Saturday December 4 was another graduation Day for Evangeline Ministries. Eleven students, nine women and two men received their completion certificates for computer work and their sewing course. One of these was Matolwandile Ntwana, easily the best student of the class. This was the first time we had a male student who completed the requirement of sewing the graduation garment. He was impeccable in the trousers and vest he made and his rich baritone soared as we sang the Christmas carols and traditional songs. He had every reason to celebrate. When he arrived in Masiphumelele a year ago, he planned to get a job so he could support himself and his siblings but he could not find work. Worse, because of his HIV health status he was in out of the local hospital here. He writes: I was roaming about the streets of Masiphumelele when I met this God-sent man, Mr. Mkapi." Mr Mkapi is a Living Hope Support group leader who steers many of his students to train with us and who himself is currently one of our computer students. Matolwandile says, "I had so physical and moral support from him," and especially as he spent six months at the Living Hope Health Center as he built up his health.
he became part of the group that tended a vegetable garden at Living Way which he said "supported me so much," and then he came to Evangeline's classes. He told me, "I was struggling so much until now, " and was the last one to buy his material for his graduation clothes. His work was amazing especially as he had never sewn before the class. "I am so happy, I am so blessed, " he kept saying and fittingly he received his sewing machine on Saturday from Mr. Mkapi . "There is always a light at the end of the tunnel," he said, "God is always there when you need Him. And he sent a million thanks to each one who brought him to this point in what I believe will be a most successful rest of his journey here. Thank you Matolwandile for giving Evangeline Ministries a reason for doing what we do.