August 2011 video

Here is a video from the recent August team.

http://www.blackbird-portraits.com/2011/08/26/south-africa-twenty-twelve/

Sewing Update

Sewing Business Update!

Hi everyone.

We wanted to give all out there an update on the sewing business in Sweet Home. While we were in South Africa many of our team members were able to meet with and work with the CHE’s and help with the business.

Jessica B. has a couple updates from the the ladies!

The sewing business ladies have had some trouble with the their sewing machines but have been working on getting them fixed. They have two machines from which two women know how to sew on and our helping teach they other ladies.

Currently they are making bags to sell to tourists and locals in the township and these bags are also getting sold in the Gift Shop at the Academy! [Many of our team purchased them :)] They want to continue to grow their sewing skills by learning how to sew clothes and tracksuits for the people in the township.

There many ways that you can pray for the sewing business

• That the machines will keep running properly and that the women are able to find ways to fix them when they break
• That they are able to keep learning and growing in their skills
• That the business keeps flourishing and they are able to help support themselves and others from it.

Thank you for your continued prayer for the people and students that we came into contact with. Please continue to pray for the new team as they are begining their training!

South Africa Barbeque

We are having a community event on Thursday September 8th from 7-10pm on the ROCKHarbor patio. Please come and learn more about the South Africa ministry. There will be people from every team that has gone so far and many people who have just returned. Come and get all your questions answered. Everyone is welcome.

Also, Matt & Kristy Andre are moving to South Africa to work with Bridges of Hope and need to raise support. We're hosting this Barbeque to send them off and help them raise a little money.

Come have dinner and say goodbye!

Suggested donation of $10.

Please RSVP so we buy the appropriate amount of food. Invite as many people as you can!

See you there!

The Andre's are moving!

About 3 years ago, Matt and I were on the first Rock Harbor team that went to Bridges of Hope. We were just friends at the time, but we both had discussed how much we'd love to live there. Matt and I went back with teams for the next two years, and we knew in our hearts that we really would love to move there. About a year ago, we married and continued to seek God and ask if it was His will to move. We've made some great relationships in South Africa, and it is so hard to go for a few weeks and then leave. Now as we are preparing to go, we are just so excited and amazed by the way God has directed our path. It is definitely hard to leave our friends and family here. As a teacher, it was really tough to leave my staff and students. We agree that there is a need here, but we do feel like in this season God has called us to the need in South Africa. As always, we know that we will probably learn more from these amazing people than we could ever teach them. We are humbled at this opportunity and can't wait to be there. Matt will be using his gifts of accounting as the Assistant Retreat Center Director. The Retreat Center is the place where our teams stay, but the hope is to bring in others while teams aren't there and rent out the retreat center to make the Academy self sustainable. I will be teaching at the Academy, and working with the amazing staff there. Please pray for us as we begin the journey ahead. For updates, prayer requests, pictures, please follow us @ andresinafrica.blogspot.com. Comment on this post if you'd like to be added to our mailing list.

With love, Matt and Kristy Andre

I know the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. Psalm 140:12

 

Matt and I (and team members) with Sibusiso 2008



Kristy with Soso in Sweet Home 2009



Matt and Akhona in Sweet Home 2009



Matt and I with some kids in Phillipi 2010