2009 september newsletter
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Sanibonani! Your prayers have carried us safely to Cape Town, South Africa, a land full of hope and promise...TRANSCRIPT
Cape Town, South AfricaA Voice for the Voiceless UpdateSteve & Diane Schallert
Sanibonani! Your prayers have carried us safely to Cape Town, South Africa, a land full of hope and promise. The word of the week has been “transition” as new members arrive, others leave, while many of us stay the course and hope in love to see change come to this land. We are in a new country, with a new focus, as a new project begins. The official start date of the 2009-10 Track Project is September 24th, so please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we begin to plan initiatives and seek the Lord in what our focus should be for South Africa.
Africa is truly a beautiful land. The mountains climb high into the clouds as the sea rushes in on all sides. So much peace and freshness is all around, yet the
depravity of humanity is inescapable here. Our little house is just a ten minute walk to Capricorn, a shanty township filled with nearly 2,000,000 people. The unemployment rate is at nearly 80% and HIV in the high 30%. There is a constant state of unease in the air, as violent crimes are every day life here. The deep chasm between wealth and poverty is in-your-face street by street. But hope fills our hearts for this land.
It has been a blessing to see and fellowship with Paul & Susi Childers (our founders and leaders) as they are here working with us to get the Track Project off to a good start. Susi took off today for Swaziland and Mozambique to follow some possible project leads concerning
“Child-Headed HIV Homes”. There are currently over 15,000 such homes in South Africa full of children orphaned by HIV. These “homes” legally can not receive any of the government grants allocated for such HIV homes because the head of the household must be at least 16 years old to apply for grants. During our first couple meetings together we have felt a strong leading to work with these Child Headed Homes. Please be praying for her trip and that doors might open.
Thank you all so much for your continued love and support. We will be in touch soon!!!
“The challenge of Jesus is the political dilemma of how to be faithful to a strange community which is shaped by a story of how God is with us.”
- Stanley Hauerwas {from Resident Aliens}
THE SCHALLERTS :: PHOTOGENXS
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Steve [email protected]
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Financial Report - Current Monthly Partnership:
$560 a month.
Remaining Monthly Need:$540 a month.