Children are being tutored after school, getting help with their homework, and learning English.  

Three young adults are now tutoring the older school children twice per week.  More are needed as the education in public schools in the area are substandard.  The younger children also need support, especially in English language learning.  Over a certain grade, all exams (tests) are in English!  If the kids have come to us before age 6, they have an early start learning English in the mission preschools, but not everyone have been assigned to us that early.

 Dear Mission Friends,

We  have been fighting in a Spiritual warfare this year more than usual. We have seen how this has been seen in the children’s behavior at school and in the homes. We have been praying much as we realize that we are up against the forces of darkness. Praise the Lord, about 10 days ago there was a spiritual break-through. The Lord has set the people free from this dark cloud that has been over us. The rebellious children’s behavior is radically changed and they are attending class. Not only is there a change with the children but also among the adults there is a change according to Hoppy. We encourage you to stand with us as we face these onslaughts.

We have been thinking on how we may provide more education support for the children.  As what seems to us to be an answer to prayer, a missionary based in Cape Town, who has had a special ministry in the education area, in the last several years in the farm lands in Western Cape, is willing to see how she may assist.  I have solicited her support to review our situation and provide recommendations.  When she is available to come in January for three weeks, she will meet the children to assist them and to train the house mothers as well as other staff involved.  An exploratory and introductory visit will occur in early October, shortly after I and my wife have arrived.

The team from Red Bank Baptist church had a very powerful impact on the people they ministered to. Hoppy is very grateful for teams that come. They visited 2 high schools and shared Christ with the students (learners). The 2 team pastors lead 20 pastors/lay leaders in a 3 day course on discipleship. This was very well received and there is an indication that the same leaders may come once a year for a repeat session.

Another matter that has been on our minds the last several years is how we may engage some more permanent ministry support for pastor Hoppy.  As the mission is growing, more leadership resource is inevitably needed.  A possibility has opened up and we ask our friends to pray for this.  The Lord's clear guidance is sought.  More in another update.

Amalinda Forest

In early August, there was a great celebration and excitement in the Church. Every year they have a service of thanksgiving, celebrating that God has taken them from the garbage dump and brought them to Amalinda Forest. It was a very moving, humbling service. It was also a children dedication: 25 children. Picture 1 shows part of the dedication. Picture 2 shows those who received a their new uniform, warm clothing for the cold winter.

Scenery Park

The spiritual movement among the young continues and it is very exciting.  Hoppy says: Please pray for the older folks to be more accommodating.

AIDS Home

No news

Biko Village (a.k.a. Chicken Farm) and New Life

Awaiting news about the application to acquire the land we found on the New Life village map.  Pastor Luzuko reported through Hoppy that he has two home Bible studies ongoing now.

Kayalitsha
The US team spent  an afternoon there and had a outreach with the children. This is the first time that there has been a children outreach. Over 120 children came. Praise the Lord for the team!

Other
Hoppy has started planning for his annual overseas trip.  Tentative departure on October 19, going to Tampa, Fl, first and ending in Colorado in December.

Praise for
           1.  The Lord's continued provision and blessings.
           2. The faithfulness of the 4 XGM pastors in preaching the Word.
           3. The Home Mothers for their passion for children.
           4. The AIDS home caregivers diligence in caring for the patients.
           5.  The social worker working with the children and care givers.
           6.  The teams from the USA willing to come to minister in various ways.
           7.  The many children having heard the Gospel.   
           8.   The two home Bible studies in Biko village.

 Pray for
         1. The ongoing Vision of reaching into areas around East London
         2.  The Pastors to be strong in the Word and to keep preaching the Truth.
       3. For land in Khayalitsha and Biko/ New life to enable church and school building                  constructions. 
         4.  And a home for the Luzuko family in the area.
         5.  The possible education support.
         6.  Support of the ongoing ministry of XGM and the added social worker.
         7.  Wisdom for Hoppy as he heads up the mission.
         8.  Children to get well bodily, mentally, spiritually.
         9.  More support for the many children to do better in the schools.
        10.  Safe arrival of Hoppy's grand daughter anticipated in October.
      11. Establishing cooperation with the sound, healthy, Christian alternative to traditional                 manhood ritual.
        12.  For Clara, one of the long-serving house mothers, that the doctors will provide the                  best treatment for her cancer.
        13.  For the young pastor who will explore ministry possibilities together with Hoppy.
Blessings, Bo

  2Attached Images in email to be sent on request
​

www.xhosagospelmission.org

Conceptual layout

Xhosa Gospel Mission has very recently acquired land in Scenery Park. The size of the land is 9000 sq ft. We purchased this property from the Salvation Army. It has been a long time coming, so we are very thankful!  It took 2 1/2 yrs to purchase the land. This land adjoins our children’s home. On this land we will be able to build 2 more children’s homes. This will be an amazing development. This will give the children a playground. There will also be space for a garden. We are looking at development as soon as the Lord provides for us to build the homes.  Donations and volunteers are needed.  Here is a Google map of the land:

January 15, 2014 marked the first day of school for Achuma ('Smiley,' 8 years old) and Ayabonga ('We are Thankful,' 9 years old).  They live in one of our children's homes.  This was an exciting day, and we are happy to hear that they had a good first day of school!

That these children are receiving education is wonderful.  Here is a quote from Wikipedia, from an article titled Education in South Africa, viewed 2/15/14: "According to the national census of 2011, among the South African population, 35.2% of black/African, 32.6% of coloureds, 61.6% of Indians/Asians and 76% of white citizens have completed an education of high school or higher. 41.7% of the total population has completed an education of high school or higher, whereas 8.6% of the population aged 20 years and older has not completed any schooling.[4]"  That is a rather sad statistic!  

The children housed in the Xhosa Gospel Mission's homes go to different schools, and there are fees for these schools.  The small children go to Kindergarten schools. The fees are $12 (US dollars) a month, which would equal $144 a year.  The older children are at various public schools. The fees for their schooling are $7 a month, which equal $84 per year. The school fees come out of a government grant of $80 per month, per child. This covers school clothing and other clothing, food, school fees, and transport to schools, if the schools are not in the area.  One child travels by taxi mini vans to school. We have a contract for 2 of the children to go to these schools which are far away. The rest are within walking distance from the homes.