God has given me the wonderful opportunity to lead a high school girl’s bible study. It has been such a joy and a challenge all at the same time. The joy comes from the chance to teach these girls the truths of the Word of God. It has also given Sasha and I the opportunity to build relationships with these girls which were slow moving before we started our study. Before we (Sasha and I) started the bible study the girls might have told us hello, but we did not have much interaction with each other. Now it is hard to walk by them without getting a hug or a friendly hit on the rear end. They have been so much fun to get to know. Starting on the left is Thobile, Ste, Sli, and Patience.
The challenge comes in their limited English. They understand more than they can speak, but it is still limited. God has taken care of the language issue. I wish that I could say I have mastered the language. But, I have asked my friend Thandeka to join the bible study to be the translator when needed. She is the cook here at the orphanage. The girls work closely with her as they help in the kitchen and enjoy her very much. The other challenge was figuring out how their study could continue after I left. I am praying about asking Thandeka to take over the bible study when I leave. Praise the Lord, Thandeka became a Christian a few years ago and is such an amazing believer. But, she is not confident to take over the bible study when Sasha and I leave. Pray that God would work everything out. Pray also as I study. We have been going through Philippians the past four weeks and the girls seem to enjoy it. This bible study has been very good for me as God continues to teach me through my studying of His Word.

The children here had their school break from April 2-13. During this two-week period Sasha and I lead a VBS. It was so much fun.
We asked the high school girls to tell the Bible stories and Sasha and I lead the songs and the games. Praise the Lord all went well. The first week we spent our time in the Old Testament. We started with creation lead into sin and our need for God. We played games that coincided with our stories. For example instead of “sharks and minnows” we played “Saul and David”. The second week we spent our time studying the birth, miracles, death and resurrection of our Savior. It was so much fun to see how the kids learned the songs and enjoyed the Bible stories. At the end of our second week the caretakers and a few other people involved in the orphanage were invited to our rap up of the week. They listened to the kids sing songs they had learned, heard them answer question about the bible stories and heard them recite their bible verses—John 3:16 and John 14:6. Again praise the Lord. The Kids enjoyed performing for their audience—as most kids do.

I have asked you to pray for Charmaine in the past. Please continue to pray for her. I had a wonderful visit with her the other day. She seemed very well and even walked us half way up the road when we left. When I first met charmaine she was almost too weak to get out of bed. We could not stop praising the Lord for her health. Also pray that God would protect her at her home. She has unsaved family that live near her, but they do not look out for her well being. Just lately a man that had abused her before came looking for her again and her family let him know where she was living and housed him for the night. Praise the Lord, he was unable to get into her house when he came looking for her, which is a miracle. I would be able to break down her door no problem.
Thank you again so much for your continual prayers as I am here. May the Lord be glorified.