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News Bulletin From Jae & Debra Evans |
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February 2008 |
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In this Issue Special Links
How to Donate
MCM Web Site
Contact Us Praise Report: Please join us in thanking God for the following items: For our safe return to Africa and arriving with all our luggage. For new small group leaders being trained and many more children attending small groups. For open doors in the high schools to do life skills training and develop Christian Clubs. Prayer Requests: Please join us in praying for the following items: That God will continue to develop in us an intimate relationship with Him. This is first above all else. For Debra`s continued improvement in strength and health, and for the complete healing of her cancer. That God will continue to touch those who are willing to support us monthly as we work in South Africa. For the continued success in the completion of the Food Center and distribution to feeding programs within the community. For many to be drawn to God`s word in our startup of the small groups and school programs. For our new small group leaders and interns to be strong in their witness, attend church, and for their daily protection. That God would be glorified in all our work, words, and ways. |
We made it safely back to Paarl, and let me tell you - IT IS GREAT TO BACK! It has taken us a little longer than I remembered to get over the jet lag, but both Debra and I are back on the South African clock now and sleeping through the night.
So much has happened with the ministry since we have been gone. It is just amazing to see how the Monte Christo Ministries team has grown. What a blessing it is to see how others on our team steped into the gap while we were gone. I am not sure yet what all we will be reengaging in. We may just let some of the team carry on in some of the areas. We also want to let Debra ease in to her ministry areas slowly so that she does not over do it. On the other hand I am ready to jump back in with both feet. I am really excited about getting back into the MCM Food Center project. Things are moving quickly there, but there is still a lot of work to be done before we start making soup but we will be baking bread within a few weeks. You can read more about it below.
One of the neat things that we are seeing since we came back is how the new MCM Interns are doing. This is the first year of the Intern Program. We have 4 young adults from Mbekweni and two from the U.S. They are all living in MCM House together, going to training classes (taught by MCM staff - my turn is coming up), and working in the ministry. It is great to see them all leading our small groups. I will try and give you more of an update in next months news letter.
This is sooo awesome! This is the first harvest of table grapes at the MCM Farm which was done all by MCM, and it was great. Previously, we had a contract with a local farmer to do it all, and then MCM received a small payment for renting the land. But this year it was all managed by staff members of MCM, with a little bit of expert help brought in from time to time.
It was quite an adventure to say the least, and at times it was like being on a scary roller coaster - white knuckles and all. The outcome exceeded our expectations and we were blessed with an exceptional crop. Unfortunately Debra and I arrived back a little too late to experience the harvest first hand, but we sure are planning to be here for it next year.
Coming in from the vineyard Good enough to eat
The camp dinning room - again a pack shed Getting ready to ship
The income from the harvest will all go back into the ministry. The farm production is just one part of the overall strategy of MCM for the ministry to one day be completely self sustaining. We call it our Sustainability Strategy (catchy name isn't it), and it is made up of the farm, Coffee Shop, bottled water, and bread sold from the MCM Food Center. I'm sure there will be others as we continue to develop. The general idea is that MCM can produce enough income to totally cover the daily operating costs of every area of the ministry. We are still a ways from achieving that goal, but the grape harvest will help.
Big things are happening at the MCM Food Center - and I mean BIG!. We have just completed a transaction whereby MCM has taken over the bakery operations of JEPSA (JEsus Peace South Africa). This is wonderful since we were a bit concerned about starting a little bakery without anyone who had experience in running a bakery. Well the Lord provided this neat opportunity to take over the JEPSA operation, all their equipment, and their experienced staff.
This gives us such a head start that we will be baking bread in about three weeks. Some of the product we bake will be sold to local grocery stores and the income will be a part of our Sustainability Strategy which helps to cover operating cost of the Food center and other areas of MCM.
The BIG ovens arrive Getting them in the Food Center...
..took the help of two of our interns Finally in place
We have also purchased three stainless steel sinks which will go in the bakery and the soup kitchen. There are just a few more items to purchase, but the list is getting shorter. A few more stainless steel tables, another large soup pot, and our last big item - the delivery truck, and we will have what we need to start. We also need to finish the construction, and that is scheduled to start up again next week. Soup and bread are just around the corner.
Just so we don't forget why we are doing the Food Center, here is a little picture I took the other day of some kids eating sandwiches at the Chris Hani Community Center.
Kids having juice and a sandwich
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