A Brand New Berakah

Look what the Lord has done

Berakah has two "classroom blocks". The older one, built with bricks and containing two classrooms and two bathrooms, recently underwent a phenomenal transformation thanks to God's generous provision through churches and donors in South Africa and in Texas. Aren't these classrooms gorgeous! We are so thankful!

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Back to school!

On 16 September, after six months of Corona-induced forced closure, Berakah welcomed 4-year-old and 5-year-old learners back to campus. The sound of children learning, playing, and singing is music to our ears!

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Digging deeper

Mike was invited to help facilitate Hatfield Christian Church's "worship and music track" for its Year of Your Life program. The students dug deep into what worship as a lifestyle means, dimensions of revelation and expression, and even wrote collaborated songs in small groups. A wonderful and productive time that we trust bears long-term fruit in their lives.

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Running hard and getting real

The James 1:27 Trust recently partnered with Jesus4Real, a ministry that rescues trafficked young women and begins the long, painful process of rehabilitation in a safe house in town.

The house Jesus4Real has been occupying is up for sale (it had been "rented" to them for free), and they are raising funds, using the Trust's giving platform and a page Mike built, to purchase it as a "forever home" for the ministry and for the women they journey with.

Two Saturdays ago, the fundraising drive was launched with a 127km weekend run by two friends of the Trust. To build awareness, others were encouraged to run, cycle, or hike 5km or more and post on social media. Our family hiked 5km, and Mike ran an additional 10km.

On the weekend, we able to raise about R25,000. A great start! We'll keep you posted on Jesus4Real's journey to home ownership.

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Transformation in a new season

Much like the trees and fields are coming to life as spring arrives in Pretoria, and Berakah's classrooms have come to life once again, we trust that God's transforming life will awaken new vision for you in the "post-Corona" season that is coming.

What the new season means for us

Here are some ways you can pray with us for the new season ahead!

• 100 kids who attended Berakah last year cannot return due to the facility constraints mentioned above. Please pray for wisdom and guidance as we wrestle with possibilities such as renting converted containers, temporary buildings, etc. until we're able to build a proper classroom block.
  
• Pray for favor with the City of Tshwane municipality, that they would quickly grant the Occupancy Certificate so that we can plan and build for the future.
  
• Charis finishes high school in two short months! We can't believe it. Please pray for direction as she considers her options in the adventure unfolding before her.