Jesus Transforms an Abusive Teenager

Kay and I have the awesome opportunity this year to expand our youth group experiences within Children’s Cup from our two CarePoints to all 19 CarePoints! This means less attention to the youth, and more attention to the CarePoint teachers and training them up to be youth workers.

February marked the start of youth clubs (ages 12-18) at all but two of our CarePoints.

March we were able to travel around and help, encourage, and evaluate how each youth club was developing.

April marked the start of our three-week youth outreach. Kay, myself, and our new Swazi youth worker Harrison Magagula (whom we’ll introduce to you later) are visiting all 19 CarePoints in a 23-day span. In Swaziland, we would say, “Eish!” But praise the Lord, we are able to have fun, play games, give candy and T-shirts, and minister Jesus to so many teenagers. We are seeing on average of 30 kids at each outreach event, with a potential of reaching about 570 youth, all for Jesus’ sake. Hallelujah!

One of our CarePoints, Mvutjini, has already turned out a youth club transformation story. Bonsile Simelane is a 14-year old double-orphan in 5th grade. She lives with her grandmother and her siblings. She has an aggressive and bossy behavior, often beating her siblings and fighting with others.

Since attending youth club and meeting Jesus for possibly the first time, the Lord is changing Bonsile! The grandmother noticed a change and came to the CarePoint to ask the teacher what’s going on. Bonsile is now reciting Bible memory verses at home, respecting others, leading prayer at home, and helping the cooks at the CarePoint. The teacher confirmed this change in Bonsile, and gives all glory to God.

We are so thankful for the vision that God has given us: to minister the Gospel to the Swazi people. Thank you for praying for us and for giving towards the ministry as you are led. We cannot do this without the Lord and all of you partnering with us. Thank you (and in siSwati: “Siyabonga!”).

With much love,
Mark and Kay

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