December 2011 Graduation Celebration

It was a grand celebration-

The second Evangeline 2011 Graduation. Eleven students, two men and nine women received their Sewing, English and Computer certificates along with their brand new sewing machines. On Saturday December 3. We were so pleased to welcome Laura McDaniel, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Virginia Womans Missionary Union of the Baptist General Conference and her mother Ginger. For the past five years, the VA-WMU has been a major sponsor of the work of Evangeline Ministries and Laura came to celebrate the partnership and deliver the main graduation address. We were also pleased to welcome Brejgie Piper of the WHEAT Foundation whose sewing machine support has enabled work for EM graduates. And then we formally unveiled our partnership with the Masiphumelele Corporation and Trust and welcomed Chief Executive Officer Andrew Smith who descibed the plans for 2012 to double the current skill development work of EM. This not only means twice as many students but a full employment for the teachers and an expansion of the business arm of this ministry. Yes, there were so many reasons to rejoice. And yet we did so with heavy hearts at the sudden loss of Rachel Twasile our lead sewing teacher who succumbed to cancer on Thursday December 1, two days before graduation. Rachel came to us and made a significant difference to our program. The quality of our work improved and we were able to take sewing orders with confidence to boost our reputation and help the teachers earn extra income. Why she shouuld leave us at this critical time in our EM life we leave to God's hands but are so thankful for her warmth, excellence and deep Christian faith. We knew her family well and will continue to love and see how we can be of help to them.

As we celebrate this Christmas season we thank God for the birth of a Savior who cane to love and serve the poor and opressed and disadvantaged. We thank God also for you, each one who readws this blog and pray for a blessed and joyful Christmas season for you.

Our class and Chapman's Peak

Our class at Chapman's Peak
Last year our Evangeline Board agreed we should add an event to class life to broaden the world view of our students, all of whom come from the confines of shack life. Today, in what was a first experience for most of the eleven students, we drove over Chapmans Peak, a magnificent sweep of ocean and mountain in a drive named one of ten most scenic drives in the world, and a must see when one visits Cape Town. I was touched that some of them were terrified of heights but they enjoyed the drive and even ventured out of the taxi to take pictures. Others soaked it all up and made their phone cameras work overtime. After a fish and chips lunch in Hout Bay, we went over to see the work done by men and women who also live in a township and who, under the supervision of Jill Heyes, does the most amazing art work on tea-bags. They were encouraged to see what they could do with imagination, hard work and God's help. Soon, December 3, they will graduate and they are working extremely hard to make the deadline. It will be a well earned time of celebration when they get done.

A Model We Love

Nosiphiwo was one of eleven Evangeline students who graduated last July 9. It was such a lovely occasion and, normally quiet in class, she sang and danced with such joy as she received her sewing machine, Bible and three certificates for English, computer and sewing work well done.

Married and the mother of three children, she has faced huge hurdles in her life . Thankfully she works for a friend of mine who values Nosipiwo's potential. Janet asked me to include her in the class and I came to love Nosiphiwo's work ethic and sense of humour. She was so afraid to get into the small ferry boat at the Cape Town harbor when we had the class visit, but she told us she asked God to help her. She hugged the Nelson Mandela statue at the Waterfront as she recognized the man who had won her freedom in South Africa. Janet is not letting her rest now. She has invested in Nosiphiwo and how excited I was when they visited me with the most beautiful of place mats and cushions that Nosiphiwo made. Janet,her mentor, has made a financial investment in her and these superbly made items are ready for sale at one of the nicest stores in town. Nosiphiwo is also sewing traditional clothes for others- all this from a new graduate. Janet has plans too for Nosiphiwo 's computer skills in her business. I am so encouraged by this model and how we need more local business or interested people like Janet to help our graduates with a hand up and not a hand out. There is much promise in this area and we are looking ahead to more opportunities for Evaneline gradutes as the year moves ahead.

Bread for Life

Bread for Life

After a break it is so good to be`back sharing this beautiful ministry through this blog. As I write, winter- an unusually mild one-is giving way to spring and the whales are strutting their stuff, playing with their babies and leaping with delight to our delight in the bay. Our class is a month

old and the learners are making good progress with their sewing. They have so much to learn to be ready for the December 3 graduation. Evangeline's program in Cape Town includes computer, sewing and English classes. This is part of the skill development we give to the students, most of whom live with HIV and AIDS. We also include a healthy lunch in the days's schedule. Once we learned how hungry the students who came to us were, we realized we needed to offer them something to eat. Along with the physical food we show them God's love and care for them and for the world as we study the Bible, the bread of life. It is always interesting for me to see the change in attitude from the time we start to the conclusion of our study time. It takes some time to cross the language barrier. Almost all speak Xhosa and the Bibles Evangeline gives are Xhosa Bibles but the study is done in English. So far they are involved in the study and

readily answer the questions asked of them. We have a varied class and this is a good challenge.

Off to a cold but excellent start

It is a rainy, cold day here in Cape Town but we are not complaining. we need the water and we did not get the snow that confused others in parts of the Cape. At Evangeline Ministries we are delighted as today marks the start of our second 2011 Skills Development Class. This class of twelve is at once the same and yet quite different from the class that graduated three weeks ago. In it we have students from two HIV and AIDS support groups from Living Hope and there are two men. They are ready to go with the graduation date set for Saturday December 3.

They willhave computer, english and sewing classes.

When I asked them if any had had computer instruction, not a single person raised the hand. When I asked why they said because they had never had the opportunity and they are too poor.

I told them God sent them to us and us to them.

I explained that Evangeline is there in the name and under the Lordship
of Jesus Christ who has come to give them "life to the full." I cooked the meal of stew and served with an apple and some cookies and said goodbye to them for a month as I head off to the US.

Each class is a special thrill to my heart. I delight to do this work here and will write more about the many opportunities coming our way and the partnerships we have. This is the day the Lord has made, and we are so thankful. And we are thankful for you friends, supporters, prayer partners and all who read this blog.

Congratulations and Celebrations

Congratulations and Celebrations

These go to the Leesburg Baptist Community Church Evangeline Ministries class of July 2011. Eleven women received their sewing machines, Bibles and certificates in what was the best class since Evangeline Ministries began this skills ministry in 2006. The sewing machines for this class were donated by the Leesburg Baptist Community Church in Virginia. Almost all of these ladies excelled in the English, Computer and Sewing classes they did for the past six months. They danced and sang and could not stop showing just how happy they were when they received their awards. They twirled and posed in their stunning outfits and I was impressed that one woman made a three piece suit rather than a traditional dress. I noted too that for the first time some of the husbands attended and this is a breakthrough since, in the past, it was rare to find one who had come to support his wife . Our speaker for the packed out graduation ceremony was Bishop Eric Pike, born in the Eastern Cape, former home of all of these ladies. He urged them to remember at all times and in all circumstances that they are "made in the image of God." This too is my prayer because everything around these women tell them the opposite and believing this will make all the difference in their ability to succeed.

The next step now is for them to find work , either generated by EM or themselves. Already one friend of mine has contracted with one of the women to have her do the computer work for her business and sew things to sell . We need so many more like her. I am also encouraged that people are calling constantly asking about EM's graduates for work, and however small the start, we are so thankful for this business for these ladies. We move on now to the next class that will graduate in December and we will build on all the things we have learned in this class to do even better in the days ahead.

July 4 in South Africa

Freedom Celebration in Cape Town

It was such fun to be part of more than 200 Americans in Cape Town who met at the residence of the US consular Officer, Dr. Alberta Mayberry for our July 4 celebration. Yes there were more than 22 applep pies in the bake off. In that yellow tin are my otameal cookies that went in a flash.

What I loved most about the event was meeting fellow Americans, almost all of whom are helping South Africans in need, in one capacity or another. Aomg us were a group of students from Coldorado Springs who were at the event with the students from the University of the Western Cape with whom they are working on entreprenurial issues. True to American hospitality, Dr. Mayberry invited children from three groups to attend: the children and staff of the South African Children's HOme in Cape Town, those from the Siyaphambili Orphan Village from Langa and those from Priscilla's Helping Hand from Wellington. Those kids ran around with their painted faces and jumped for joy in the jumping castle on the lovely grounds, framed on one side by Table Mountain and the other, the sweeping Victoria and Albert Waterfront. I will especially remember thebrief chat I had with a student f rom the Cameroon who wanted some advice on how to sell her paintings, based on what we had done to sell Evangeline Bags. I left stuffed with good food, apple pie and the joy of meeting other pilgrims on the philanthropic way.

Thank you to the US Consulate and the American Society for South Africa. And to all, let us always celebrate and teasure our freedom.

It takes time

It takes time.

Our Evangeline Class is nearing graduation date,Saturday July 9 and we are all excited, anxious, happy and sometimes short tempered and that includes me. I am anxious that they complete all they need to do and anxious that they understand what I am trying to say to them. Sounds just like me. One of my biggest challenges is to get the ladies to respond and especially to the Bible teaching they read. Some days they do so eagerly. Yesterday for example we read Psalm 23 and they knew that Psalm. In fact when Pumeza offered to read it, I later realized she recited it from memory since she had to learn it in school. We all laughed when they asked her to slow down and read with the full stops and commas. Today, one woman was left out in the lunch count and I was not pleased and when it came to the Scripture as you can imagine, getting them to respond was like pulling teeth. And yes I deserved it, so feeling a bit discouraged, mostly with myself, I shared my concern about the Bible with Mandisa, the computer teacher. After we chatted for a bit, she said, you know Wendy, it takes time. They do understand what you are saying. Mandisa backed it up with this example. One student came to her and said for the first time in her life, as she studied the Bible, she realized she has to care for the other person and that means the people in her class. When she saw another student was not yet here and had already missed Tuesday she phoned her to ask what was the matter. She learned the student was having some trouble with her feet but was on her way to class. She did something she had just learned, acted in a caring way, and that meant so much to her. My heart warmed to this story. Yes it takes time for them and for me to learn to do what Jesus asks us to do. Caring for your neighbor is not what you do in Masiphumelele where poverty makes you do whatever to survive. There are too many stories about greed and corruption after the recent massive fire when people from the surrounding communities and government poured in supplies and help. But that is not only true of the township. With rising petrol and food prices and scarce jobs, I think all of us have to remember what Jesus taught us, to love our neighbor as ourselves. So thank you Evangeline student for your example to me too.

New Cutting Board

Thank You to our newest partners Masicorp who gave Evangeline Ministries a much needed gift, a properly sized cutting board. The most special part of this gift is that it was made for us by Claire, a journalist who is an excellent carpenter. The women in our class and so do I watch with amazement and great love and gratitude. This board comes just in time as the women work on their garments for graduation on Saturday July 9 and from what I can see they are creating some beautiful outfits. It is winter now but we are blessed with lots of sunshine in between the cold and rain and for us at Evangeline, with gifts like this.

A Trip to the Waterfront

A Trip to the City

The Virginia and Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town is a must see for any tourist who comes here. fFramed by the square jawed Table Mountain, this sprawling waterfront is a shoppers delight, a gourmet;s drean and the place to hop on the ferry to visit Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was jailed for too many years. It is also a place where local crafters aim to get a spot to showcase their goods to the thousands of people who pass through the Waterfront. Our class trip there was such fun but I noted their excitement when they came to Nobel Square and saw the bust of Nelson Mandela, one of four Nobel Peace Prizer laureates from South Africa.

At the class stalls this July graduating class had he chance to see beautiful goods and ask the vendors about them.

An unexpected bonus was a five minute ferry ride from one side of the Waterfront to the other because the floating bridge was not available because of extensive repairs being done to the complex. Evangeline Ministries wants each class to have memorable experiences and the students, most of whom had never visited to the Waterfront before enjoyed it all.

Learn to Earn

A fabulous partnership

When I first arrived in Cape Town, I met the Chief Executive Office of Learn to Earn Roche Van Wyck . So impressed was I with his compassion and vision for the poor in South Africa that I later wrote an article about him. Learn to Earn is known throughout South Africa and the world as a model of Christian economic empowerment that gives opportunities to thousands of people in the massive township of Khayaleitsha and now beyond. Their motto is " a hand up not a hand out" and among the many skills they offer are sewing which we also do. More than that Learn to Earn is supported in South Africa by businesses that use the talents of their students and workers. How pleased I am that Learn to Earn reached out to us and included our women in one of their latest projects. It has taken quite a while to lay a foundation for these kinds of opportunities but all the work and wait is worth and now we have begun to see the fruit from the learning skills we planted. Here you see the three women, Sylvia, Rachel and Mandisa who went with me to the training and then our work team at Evangeline's Sewing Class. The first batch of work is in and provided it is done excellently, there is much more of it to come for the ladies. And we are so thankful.

Sublime Confectionary

Evangeline Ministries was at the famous Cape Town Food and Wine Festival thanks to Sublime Confectionery staff Melanie who contracted with Mandisa, shown here and Sylvia, one of our first graduates to make aprons and bags for their booth. I was so excited and yes, very proud of their work. Here I am at the booth with that hot pink apron.

Along with their own label, Sublime Confectionery added an extra Evangeline label so people can learn about our work and employ our graduates. We are now beginning to see a steady stream of work come in for the women, great fruit after years of planting hope and skills into their lives. We hope soon to be able to offer some of these products to people elsewhere. It is your support that makes all of this possible so we say thank you.

A very special day with Bishop Pike

Bishop Eric Pike and Evangeline Class

Last yearI was invited by a friend to attend a retreat on Celtic spirituality. Since I needed a break and it was being held in a beautiful country side retreat, I went and it was there I met Eric Pike, who retired as the Anglican bishop of Port Elizabeth in 2001 and who now lives with his wife Joyce about three minutes from me. What attracted me at first to Eric and still does was his love of Jesus and the sense of Christ's presence you feel when you meet him. Added to that was the fact that he grew in in the Eastern Cape, home of our students, and was an evangelist to the iXhosa people there. To find someone like him who not only love the Xhosa people but speaks their language was such a treasure to me that I immediately asked him if he would speak to my class then. As it happened Joyce who excels at craft, was instrumental in getting the retreat ladies to agree to give us two beautiful praise tapestries for our rather bare classroom. We made it a grand occasion for them to come and hang and bless the banners and as Eric spoke then I could see how much that October class loved it. And so I prevailed on him to come to this class and he did today. Prior to this I attended his book launch as as I read the riveting account of his life what happy insights I saw. His book about Jesus describes how God led him through high school to teaching and through the loss of his first wife to cancer. And then in one of the surprising turns of his life, God called him to ministry and more improbably, to be an evangelist in the townships around him. In all of this, go gave him the courage to protest against the apartheid system and stand up with people like Desmond Tutu when priests were beaten and jailed. This cost him a relationship with his father, which eventually was repaired. I was so moved by the way in which the Holy Spirit touched his life and amazed that he and Joyce walked the Camino de Santiago at the same time my dear friends Ian and Betty Bain did. So today Eric came and conducted a service for the class and he spoke, they sang and he then prayed for each person individually with a blessing. It was a time of celebration and though I could not understand all he told them, I could see the powerful effect and their tears and his. It was a time of pure love, God's love for His precious children, so beat up by township life and its hardships who today felt His gentle but so pwerful presence of love.

What a very special day, and thank you Eric` and Joyce and you dear Lord Jesus!

A day in Evangeline Class

A Day in the life of Evangeline Class.

On Tuesday May 17 as I sat in the sewing classroom I was so moved at evidences of God's love for our class and the love of our neighbors both here in Cape Town and around the world who make this class possible.

We are looking ahead to some special days; first a spiritual emphasis day with a former evangelist to the Eastern Cape, Bishop Eric Pike and his wife Joyce. Next on June 9, we will go down to the Virginia and Alfred Waterfront, the shopping and design mecca of Cape Town. None of the students or teachers have been there and they are so excited. I am keen for them to see the craft shops with goods made by people in villages across South Africa. On Saturday July 9 is Graduation Day, the day for them to receive their sewing machine, Bibles and computer and sewing certificates.

We have one sewing room and our Bibles are part of our class. Just seeing them gives me such joy. Hearing the students read and discuss what the Lord is saying to them is one of the most satisfying parts of this ministry here.Already the women have made some lovely items such as the seat cushions you see here. They use them to make their chairs more comfortable. Then it was a special moment when I handed out blankets to Pumeza (l) and Ntombekhaya. Both of these ladies lost their homes in the recent fire and these beautiful quilt blankets were a surprise gift from Mrs. Joyce Pike. To see the delight on their faces was truly a precious gift.

A New Friendship

Masiphumelele Corporation

Today was my first day as a volunteer with the Masiphumelele Corporation. I joined Milli Firth at the library, seen in the picture as part of the Adult Literacy Class attended by one of my current students.When I am more settled and the students know me better I will take a photo of the group. For a long time I have wanted to volunteer in another ministry since I believe working for others is so important as we build ministry relationships. What was significant about this class today was that there were people who had been affected by the massive fire that rendered more than 5000 people homeless last week. I am impressed with the magnitude of the response from individuals, groups, churches and organizations. I am equally moved at students from my class and others today who continue with their lives after losing all they had in the fire. Today at the Library I came across Tamara doing some Early Childhood Education training and the Library, built and run by MasiCorp is the educational hub for the community. This relationship with Evangeline and MasiCorp is something we will develop in the future so EM can be a stronger presence in the community and connect with others who are helping in Masi. Today I was thrilled to be part of the group as they learn English to help them cope in the larger society outside the township. I will help with Reading skills and I so look forward to that.

A New Friendship

Masiphumelele Corporation

Today was my first day as a volunteer with the Masiphumelele Corporation. I joined Milli Firth at the library, seen in the picture as part of the Adult Literacy Class attended by one of my current students.When I am more settled and the students know me better I will take a photo of the group. For a long time I have wanted to volunteer in another ministry since I believe working for others is so important as we build ministry relationships. What was significant about this class today was that there were people who had been affected by the massive fire that rendered more than 5000 people homeless last week. I am impressed with the magnitude of the response from individuals, groups, churches and organizations. I am equally moved at students from my class and others today who continue with their lives after losing all they had in the fire. Today at the Library I came across Tamara doing some Early Childhood Education training and the Library, built and run by MasiCorp is the educational hub for the community. This relationship with Evangeline and MasiCorp is something we will develop in the future so EM can be a stronger presence in the community and connect with others who are helping in Masi. Today I was thrilled to be part of the group as they learn English to help them cope in the larger society outside the township. I will help with Reading skills and I so look forward to that.

A New Friendship

Masiphumelele Corporation

Today was my first day as a volunteer with the Masiphumelele Corporation. I joined Milli Firth at the library, seen in the picture as part of the Adult Literacy Class attended by one of my current students.When I am more settled and the students know me better I will take a photo of the group. For a long time I have wanted to volunteer in another ministry since I believe working for others is so important as we build ministry relationships. What was significant about this class today was that there were people who had been affected by the massive fire that rendered more than 5000 people homeless last week. I am impressed with the magnitude of the response from individuals, groups, churches and organizations. I am equally moved at students from my class and others today who continue with their lives after losing all they had in the fire. Today at the Library I came across Tamara doing some Early Childhood Education training and the Library, built and run by MasiCorp is the educational hub for the community. This relationship with Evangeline and MasiCorp is something we will develop in the future so EM can be a stronger presence in the community and connect with others who are helping in Masi. Today I was thrilled to be part of the group as they learn English to help them cope in the larger society outside the township. I will help with Reading skills and I so look forward to that.

A New Friendship

Masiphumelele Corporation

Today was my first day as a volunteer with the Masiphumelele Corporation. I joined Milli Firth at the library, seen in the picture as part of the Adult Literacy Class attended by one of my current students.When I am more settled and the students know me better I will take a photo of the group. For a long time I have wanted to volunteer in another ministry since I believe working for others is so important as we build ministry relationships. What was significant about this class today was that there were people who had been affected by the massive fire that rendered more than 5000 people homeless last week. I am impressed with the magnitude of the response from individuals, groups, churches and organizations. I am equally moved at students from my class and others today who continue with their lives after losing all they had in the fire. Today at the Library I came across Tamara doing some Early Childhood Education training and the Library, built and run by MasiCorp is the educational hub for the community. This relationship with Evangeline and MasiCorp is something we will develop in the future so EM can be a stronger presence in the community and connect with others who are helping in Masi. Today I was thrilled to be part of the group as they learn English to help them cope in the larger society outside the township. I will help with Reading skills and I so look forward to that.

Only five zincs

Pumeza seen here in this photo wrote on the board during an English lesson, "I am poor, I live in a terrible house." Two nights ago that house burned to the ground and Pumeza is one of 5000 homeless people in the township of Masiphumelele where I work. Today I went to see the after effects of the fire and to search for Pumeza and Ntombekhaya,my bright English student who also lost everything. As I walked among the crowds, lined up to receive their supplies, I ran into Tamara. Last December she lost her shack home to a fire and had only just restarted when her new place was burned again on Sunday morning. Thankfully we had not as yet replaced her sewing machine which was lost in the December fire. Already government officials ringed by hundreds of police, were handing out materials for people to rebuild these flimsy shacks. Pumeza lamented, "only five zincs each", a zinc is a sheet of galvanize and five could barely cover the shack. It seems to me an endless cycle of impoverished people living in places not meant for homes with hardly any room to breathe between them. This makes it difficult for the fire fighters to get to the blaze and there is much damage before they can begin to put the fires out. The fire started in an area called the Wetlands and this past year has seen more fires than ever before. Careless or more often inebriated people come home late at night, knock over paraffin lamps and a disaster is born. As I reflected on what I saw I first realized that neither Pumeza or Tamara seemed bitter, just resigned to do it all over again. The stores and neighbors, church groups and non-profits are again helping and I am so thankful to be here giving women like Pumeza and Tamara skills , sowing seeds that I pray will produce wonderful fruit in their lives-to include a better house.

Pray with me for the government to find the will and resources to provide masses of low income homes for people who live in townships like Masiphumelele. They are there because they are desperate for employment and see living in what is the one of the leading tourist areas of the world as their best chance to earn a living, educate their children and help their families back in the Eastern Cape. Pray also for these precious women to keep hope alive.

Easter Greetings

Easter Greetings to you from Cape Town

As I think about the meaning of Easter and the ministry in which I am involved here in Cape Town, a verse of Scripture from 2Corinthians 9 means so much to me. "For you know he grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor that you through His poverty might become rich."

This describes the message of hope I share here and it is a message I deeply believe. As I listen to the comments of the women: "I enjoyed lunch today," or during class, "I know the answer," and in Bible Study, "I can give my problems to Jesus," I thank God every day that I am here with such a message of Easter hope. Recently we spoke about death and the fear of death, something so close to all of us. How happy I was to show them from the Bible that we do not need to be afraid to die because Jesus died and rose again! Our ministry here is open to all and we work with all God sends our way, but at its heart is this Easter message. May all who read this blog know this Easter hope and joy.

God's Favor Through Friends

This ministry in Cape Town is wonderfully supported by friends and family in the United States and here too in South Africa. Today, thanks to my friend Amelia seen in this picture, I took possession of a chest freezer which will make it easier for me to cook and store healthy food for my class. Amelia too is a missionary here in her home country. Called by God, she left her work as a banker to help feed the homeless and destitute in the communities around her. Thanks to her, Evangeline is included in the food donated by the local food stores and this has helped me hugely to make it here. When I first expressed a desire for a small freezer I was amazed when Amelia said she would try to raise the funds for it, but I should not have been at all surprised since I have seen her faith go to work many times to meet ministry needs here. So thank you so much Amelia we all say. And as if it were not enough, Evangeline also received a big gift of sewing materials and small equipment from a man who closed out his sewing store. I see all of this as God's favor, unmerited and undeserved blessing from the gracious hand of a Heavenly Father and I am humbled and enormously grateful.

Another look

The highlight of this past week was a tour of Masiphumelele.Now this might seem strange to you since I work with people from Masiphumelele but this was a tour with a difference. I guess you could say I needed to hit the refresh button on my life here to see again the wonderful hope and the huge help needed in Masi, as we call it. A township that started with about 3000 people now houses ten times plus that size, about 38,000 people, a challenge to their community, the government and the surrounding communities. Anyway as I walked with someone who is making a huge difference there, I was delighted to be greeted by Evangeline graduates. There was Busie, looking radiant. "I am still sewing," she assured me with a huge smile. And yes, i will write all of these stories. On this tour I saw so many hopeful signs, new apartments and single homes, a beautiful square and a library anyone would be proud of. I had coffee at the colorful coffee shop in the library courtyard. I could not believe I was in Masi. I visited Nkululeko's shack and saw the care with which he had built it for himself and his family. There was a shiny new stainless sink even though he has no running water. As I photographed him, I was moved by his home, just like yours or mine with the family pictures and some fine china. But I also realized there was a huge difference between his and mine. With the cold and wet winter season coming, I marvelled as to how he would do in a cardboard lined shacked with newspaper stuffed in the seams to try and keep the family warm. My host told me something I had forgotten, that most people there, after they paid for their back shack, electricity, school fees, and transport had approximately twelve rand or two US dollars on which to live and eat. The income gap between those who have and those who do not is so big as to defy reason. Yes there is hope in what we and others like us do, but so much more needs to be done and for Evangeline, that means increasing our work here. Will you help me pray and think more about how we can best do this.

Our first English Test

Our first test.

"You did terrible' I told Ntombekhaya.when I handed her her test results. Her face fell and then broke into a mega smile when she saw what I had written-Excellent-for her 99 percent grade. Truthfully, I had expected another student to do better but the results showed me who was understanding our English classes and how much work I and they need to do. It comes as no surprise to qualified teachers of English as a second language how hard it is to learn English and how the thought patters in the language are so different from other languages. This I believe is especially true of tribal languages and how I wish I had the discipline to learn the difficult Xhosa. Well we have a few months together and my hope is at the end that we all will have learned how to work with each other and better understand each other. My friend Johnni Johnson Scofield sent me an article about English in South Africa and how much it had come to dominate a culture that has at least eleven languages.

Where I live three are most used, iXhosa, Afrikaans and English. In other parts of the land it is Sotho or Zulu and others but is is true that English is used by Parliament and in all business dealings. If our students are to succeed in any entrepreneurial work or even work for others they must understand English so we try to help here. The skill level of our class is low and it is a challenge for them to think in ways they are not used to, but, in spite of some frustrating times for them and yes, me, for the most part, the greater part, we are having a lot of fun.

Another chance

Another start

Sylvia was one of the first graduates of our Evangeline Program which started in 2006. She distinguished herself with her excellent skills and was also one of the original bag ladies as they were called. Back then she made quite a bit of money from those bags which sold like hot cakes.

During the time she attended our classes, she had her fair share of tragedy and I remember the time her son was murdered and I prayed with her in her shack in the wetlands. She was also one of the first women to benefit from a buisness class we had then. Once she finished her course she went out on her own and for a time sewed another bag for another client. I had not seen her for a while until she showed up at the Ikamva Labantu Seniors Club at our site. She cooks for the ladies, fourof whom are part of our current sewing class. When I asked her how she was doing, she told me that she had no work now and even worse, her sewing machine had been burned in the shack fire last December. I had no answer but soon one came my way. The fabric shop in town had given us yet another recommendation and soon a call came for sewing help for a new business venture. Already I had been thinking of expanding the current crop of sewers and Sylvia was now the right person so head up this new venture. Once it grows, as it will, because the products are stunning and upmarket as they say here, other EM graduates will join Sylvia in this new venture. Now I will have money to pay for my kids, one at university and the other at college, she told me. Looking ahead, I am so excited because there are possibilities for the women to once again start their own business, this time with excellent local help from organizations that will help them organize, fund their work and mentor them. I had prayed so much about the next step and now that next step has become so clear and I will continue to let you know how we proceed.

English Classes

We are having so much fun in English classes. I wrote before that I always planned to do this but now the time seemed right to add it to the running of the class, cooking and buying supplies and all that is needed to make this program work. We have no books and I speak litle Xhosa and they broken English but we are on our way. We have begun with the basics, just like I learned so many years ago and instead of giving them handouts, I ask them to create their own learning documents and they enjoy the challenge of it.

This week I asked them to write theiw answers on the blackboard and they were so enthusiastic about it. Here is Susan, a fast learner, writing her sentence on the board. This is just another of the skills we give to help them make it here in their very challenging world.

We are One

We are one Human family
If only we all believed that to be true. If only I always believe that the differences we have do not in any way negate the truth that we are one human family and, I believe, created in God's image. And this along with some other reasons took me to a lecture on Geno mics and Global Health, where one of the principal speakers was Dr. Francis S. Collins, head of the National Institutes of Health. I went because I have a family member who works at NIH, because Dr. Collins , known for his leadership of the Human Genome Project is involved in Diabetes research, something that is in my family . But I was there also because he and others were there to speak about diseases such as HIV and AIDS. I did not understand any of the medical or scientific terms but I did understand the reasons for the outstanding genetic work that is being done, as represented by Collins and others. The conference that brought him to Cape Town was on Heredity and Health in Africa and he reminded his audience that after all, we believe humankind originated in Africa. I was so pleased to hear him speak too about his work as a missionary volunteer in a hospital in Nigeria which he said transformed his life. While he is concerned about HIV and AIDS and malaria and other diseases for which Africa is so well known, he wants to broaden the base of research in on the continent that show non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and heart problems kill many more people. And so many more are killed because of war. More and better research will lead to better treatment and prevention and health care reform. But my focus is on the spiritual and human underpinnings of his work.Through the study of genomes or genes we we see the shared humanity we all have he said and all of Africa and the future are knitted together. He shared that Archbishop Desmond Tutu had submitted his genetic code for testing because Tutu said, he wants to provide a voice for the region, for medical research and because all of us belong to one global family.
I left the lecture and after a brief meeting with Dr. Collins encouraged that in Africa I am at the right place at the right time and so thankful for people like Dr. Collins. Itis clear that what he does comes from a heart touched by Christ.

A great partnership

When I first arrived in Cape Town to work with women who live with HIV and AIDS, one of the first Christian business people I met were Ann and Bill Eames. They employed women who lived with the HIV virus, taught them jewellery making and put them to work to make fine but inexpensive, beautiful items that are sold all around the world. They were the first to accept the hand made bags of Evangeline students and have worked so well with me to give other women income. Now we are trying to rebuild the bags business but in the meantime Ann employed Noncedo about whom I wrote earlier to make the bags and even more, she has agreed to put the Evangeline tags on all the bags. I was so happy to see this and here is Veliswa who helps to manage the store holding up the bags with the Evangeline tag. As we work here to help women, what matters is not so much what we each do, although every part is important, but how we support each other and in Ann and Bill, I have that and I am so thankful.

I Just Want to say Thank You

Last December Matolwandile seen here in the brown and white graduation clothes he made, finished as one of two men who graduated from our Evangeline class in 2010. He was an outstanding student and I was so moved when I heard his story which I have shared in a previous blog here. Today he came to class. He was on the computer when I saw him and then he moved on to Rachel to sign up for her advanced cutting class. We beamed at each other and then he asked if I received the thank you he sent me for Christmas. I did not and asked him to send it again. This is what he wrote. "To Wendy Ryan Have a wonderful happy and prosperous New Year. I am so proud of you. You've changed my life from misery to the most wonderful, happy bright future. From your proud computer and sewing student, Matolwandile.

Soon after I returned to South Africa, Tamara contacted me. She is a July 2010 graduate who received her certificate from Alberta Mayberry US Consul General here. Over the Christmas holiday a fire had raged through Masiphumelele. She woke from sleep to find the fire so near her bed and she escaped but everything was lost and that included her sewing machine.

She asked me for some shoes and I found some for her and then, a precious donor offered to replace her sewing machine. She wrote me: "You have healed some other wounds in my heart and the power you have is from Jesus. Please keep on praying. The blessings are gonna come straight to you. Thank you very much, Tamara. And I thank you Lord for the honor of being here with special people like Tamara and Matolwandile or Chris as I call him.

New Beginnings

Here we are at the start of a new class and yes the women just love their brand new experiences with the computer. And yes, there I am, in what is for me, something new for the class. I now teach them basic English and writing and we are having a great time. I did not remember how many things you could say about the verb to be that teach proper grammar but also life's lessons. As I prepare for classes, I now fix lunch, teach Bible studies and English, a fukk load but I so enjoy it.

Speaking about Bible studies, I have also been asked to teach a women's Bible Study for homeless women and you will hear more about that when it begins. There is something about a still new year that encourages opportunities. Soon Rachel will begin a sewing class for women who do not qualify for ours but want to learn for a small fee. This will be called Rachel's class and they will use our sewing equipment so this too will be an extension of our reach in the community. Already Mandiswa, our computer teacher has her extra class of women. I have just been approached about another refugee who has a computer degree and he wants to teach others, even though he now works as a security guard until he can find better opportunities.
All of this excites me and I describe it as the Evangeline ripple effect and the empowering of local leaders in our community. I sense there is more to come and am praying about new economic opportunities for our graduates and above all, that they will know how wide and deep is God's love for them.

Here we go again

The start of a new class is something I never get tired of and today, a glorious, hot and alternately windy day, was no exception. I am not sure who was happier,them or me, as I hope our picture shows. Each class is composed of a different set of people, and this one has some seniors who are rethinking their decision about computer lessons. They now want to try at least and I love that already they want to try new things, even at their age. I love the sense of hope the women bring to us. They need that hope. In the paper today there was a report that showed unemployment levels among young people unacceptably high. My eye caught the results of a study that show nearly14 million social grant beneficiaries in South Africa during the 2009/10 financial years. Of those ,nine million child support grant beneficiaries made up the biggest share. The old age grant was the second highest with more than two million getting help. Our class has some of both and the seniors wanted to learn to sew because many of them have to care for grandchildren who have either lost mothers or whose mothers have no work.
As I read this article I thought of the uphill climb our students face. With the rate of joblessness around them they have almost no market and need us to provide a market. I was so pleased to see another report in our town paper that the City of Cape Town will meet to discuss how to provide ways for people in Masiphumelele to learn new skills, and showcase some of the excellent things they do and also plan other improvements that will give the more than 30,000 residents new pride of place in their surroundings. I am so happy to be here, part of this.

Born out of Need

I realize as never before how the work of Evangeline Ministries was born out of desperate need. We are about to start a new class and there was such excitement as the women came to tell us about themselves, their plans and more realistically dreams. I am not sure why but I was almost shocked when I realized that none of the ladies to came to us had had any work for a long time. They are desperate for something to do but there is so much more. I learned some things from them. Word about us is spread far and wide and each person came because of the recommendation of another woman. Others because they had seen the garments made by graduates. I am pleased to work together with a seniors club from Masiphumelele and four of their people will participate in the classes. Everyone committed to stay the course. None had even touched a computer before so that will be quite a challenge for the teacher. They all wanted to sew to start a business and none had any experience except for one lady who told me she was successful in selling tupperware! One woman perhaps summed it up best when she said she had done some sewing at school but never had a chance to learn properly. "I like sewing and this is my chance now," she said. And a word about the teachers, Namgamso, Paul, Mandisa and Rachel. I was so proud of them as they did the interviews, each one taking turns to ask the prospects the questions. We have a big responsibility to these students, something we gladly accept with God's help and yours.

Another New Start!

It is so good to be back in Cape Town to begin again a new program in a New Year! Today I met with our teachers and before we even began our planning, an unexpected donor had left a most needed gift for us, a huge box of cloth that we can use for our classes. I do not know who it is but they had heard about Evangeline Ministries and wanted to bless us. We are so thankful. And then I learned from Rachel that our December 2010 graduates are already at work making beautiful garments for sale and I can hardly wait to write that story. Our first class will include some of the ladies from a Seniors Club in Masiphumelele and you can see them in the picture. The Living Way campus is beautiful, at its best in the summer and it was great to be welcomed back as part of what is a life changing program. So yes, we are ready for another new start.