Ten Thousand Homes

Sewing with the Thread of Hope

Kacy — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:02:21 +0000

Anneke Price, TTH staff member, is pioneering SowSew, a project to build hope through providing a creative outlet and marketable skill for local community members. Gloria, a long-time friend to TTH, is thriving as she learns to sew alongside Anneke. Last week, hope broke through in a way we never expected. A ministry and passion unfolded in Gloria with a sewing machine and a 10-year old girl named Nandi. When staff members asked Gloria if she would be interested in working with Nandi, she shared that Nandi had knocked on Gloria’s door late at night two years ago looking for a place to sleep after she ran away from home. The police dismissed Gloria’s call, saying she always runs away. That night, God told Gloria she would help this girl. Gloria never knew how until she was invited to teach Nandi to sew. We believe that Nandi will not have to run away anymore as she becomes the center of positive attention with a role model from her own culture. Gloria’s looking forward to the difference she can make in Nandi’s life and is already dreaming about the potential to impact many more girls in the future.

Anneke’s faithfulness in the value of imparting her skills, and Gloria’s diligence in believing what God says is providing an outlet for God to transform lives. When our hearts and hands align with God, we all have something to give that has the power to change a life. Whether your sphere of influence is in your home, your family, at church, at work or in art, use the authority God has given you this week to impart a practical skill. Ask God to birth hope and transformation through it. Pray for Gloria and Nandi’s developing relationship this week, as well as the funds needed to complete the SowSew training area at University Village so the ministry can expand.

Little Hands and Big Hearts

Kacy — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:10:03 +0000

A friend recently shared a story with me about something special God was doing in her children’s lives as they learned about the work of Ten Thousand Homes. Her children, ages 5 and 8, were saving up their money for a certain item. Everything changed when they heard about the orphaned children Ten Thousand Homes ministers to. With childlike faith and incredible perspective, they said, “The children in Africa need this money more than we need the toy we’ve been saving up for.” In addition to donating the money they worked hard to save, the oldest child did extra chores so she would have more money to give. These precious children placed their donation in an unmarked envelope because they wanted their gift to be given secretly.

My friend was so excited to see her children thinking beyond themselves and looking to the needs of others. We can all learn from the example of sacrifice and generosity that these children have given us. This week, set aside some money or time that you normally spend on yourself and find a creative way to bless someone else through your sacrifice. Whether you give up your Starbucks or take the time to cook a hot meal for a neighbor, you will find there is so much joy in putting the needs of others before yourself.

Checking Our Perspectives

Kacy — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:57:20 +0000

Terence Joseph is visiting Ten Thousand Homes with a team of young adults from around the world. He has been making a difference since his arrival in South Africa!

“On our very first day of ministry, we went on a prayer walk through Mbonisweni in teams of two, plus a local church member. It was very exciting to see how different it is to evangelize and talk to people here, compared to The United States. The highlight was sharing with two girls we met sitting on the road. Emily shared about Jesus, her best friend. The girls knew about Jesus, but I think they realize now that He wants a relationship, and He cares about them. Both were ready to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I led them through a prayer, and Stanley handed out Bibles. We were very thrilled that God worked through us and won two more souls for God’s Kingdom! Praise the Lord!”

Your perspective matters. Terence saw more than poverty on an afternoon walk through Mbonisweni. Emily saw two girls who didn’t know that Jesus could be their best friend. What kind of difference could we make for the Kingdom of God if we choose to see through God’s eyes? As Terence and his team continually transform South Africa with their hearts set on hope, pray for them as you change your perspective too. Pick one seemingly mundane daily task to give to God. Let driving to work, cleaning the kitchen, or walking the dog be transformed by prayer, worship or simple thanksgiving every day this week. Find a creative way to infuse your earthly tasks with heavenly perspective.

An Old Friend Becomes a New Creation!

Kacy — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:46:38 +0000

Ten Thousand Homes staff member, Carla Shaw became friends quickly with Ncobile 2 ½ years ago after climbing up a mountainside to meet this single mom, who had just delivered a baby alone in her unfurnished shack. Carla and Ncobile have been pressing into God’s word together for the last two years. God’s word has been constantly in Ncobile’s heart and on her lips. Ncobile lost her home to a fire in 2011, and her first response was professing from Psalm 23 that the Lord is her shepherd and she shall not want. After long workdays, Ncobile climbs up the side of a mountain with her two young children, and fills her neighbors ears with God’s word and the lessons she’s learned from Carla. Recently at University Village, Carla had the honor of baptizing Ncobile as she publicly professed her faith in front of staff and friends. Ncobile rose from the water with joy as a new creation with an unstoppable passion to make Him known.

The power of speaking out God’s word has transformed Ncobile and become a contagious force around her. She stays strong, although her circumstances remain difficult. Pray for Ncobile’s continued strength this week as you exercise yours. In a moment of discomfort or hardship this week, let your response be to speak out a truth or promise of God. For example, if you experience a loss or unmet need, speak out the same Psalm Ncobile did; “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” It will take practice for His Word to be on your lips in the hardest moments, so start practicing now!

Paving the Way for Miracles

Kacy — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:25:47 +0000

As you read through the Gospels, you always see Jesus giving thanks to God before a miracle happens. Examples are when the multitudes were fed with a few loaves and fish, when Lazarus was raised from the dead, and before Jesus was crucified and then rose again. Giving thanks somehow prepares the way for God to move. I believe there is an offering of gratitude and thanksgiving that we need to make that will pave the way for the last $30,000 to come in for University Village. We need to celebrate the $45,000 we have seen come in this past month! We need to thank God for what he has done, is doing, and will do through Ten Thousand Homes in the future.

As an act of faith, we challenge you to post on the Ten Thousand Homes Facebook page (or tweet, blog, or post on your FB wall) about one thing you are thankful for involving TTH. Maybe you have spent time with us in South Africa and God has transformed your life and perspective through interacting with the kids at the feeding programs. Maybe you’ve grown in your walk with God through our Discipleship Training School. Maybe you have heard someone share about TTH and you’ve caught a glimpse of God’s heart for the orphaned through their stories. As you proclaim this offering of thanksgiving, continue to believe with us for God’s miraculous provision for our property.

Sealing the Cracks

Kacy — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:00:43 +0000

After seven months of learning, growing and adding one piece at a time, the Evangelical Reform Church in Mbonisweni has completed a masterpiece! Every month this year, TTH staff member Kacy Chaffin has taught the church about who they are in the Family of God. Kacy challenged them to know and believe in the health, hope and the promises from God for their families. Parents, mothers and fathers learned their specific roles in their families and committed to do their part by placing their unique piece on the artwork. At the end of the year, they watched plywood covered in scraps of broken tile, discarded wood and rocks become a masterpiece as the cracks between the pieces were sealed with grout. It was a transformational moment for the church when they began to understand that, because Jesus died on the cross, the sealing grace of forgiveness was released and a collection of broken pieces become one complete masterpiece. The church began to receive forgiveness in Christ, to extend forgiveness to their family members, and to see themselves as valuable pieces in the Family of God.

A simple piece of art has become an image of the Family of God, just as we were created in the image of God. A church in Mbonisweni was transformed from a house of broken pieces to a masterpiece of His image. God is not finished with them yet, and we believe this is the beginning of their role in ending the orphan crisis in South Africa! Believe with us and know that the same grace and sealing transformation are available to you as we end 2011. We believe God’s masterpiece will be enhanced, redeemed and expanded in 2012, and we are thankful for art to remind us to celebrate His work. As you pray for more transformation in Mbonisweni and in South Africa, take a moment this week to enjoy art. Pray for the church to stand up in their roles in the Family of God and for God to show you your place as you peruse an art museum, appreciate photography or even create your own art!

Leaving a Trail of Grace

Kacy — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 07:00:40 +0000

Former staff member, Keri Dodge left South Africa with a bang by hosting an end of the year worship night for the youth in Mbonisweni. Ten Thousand Homes has poured into this specific group of young people all year, believing that Hope and Home grows out of discipleship. We had a tremendous and Spirit-filled night of celebrating the fruits of discipleship, relationship and God’s love for these youth! Keri served a feast and planned an entire night of speaking Truth into every young life present. Together, we prayed for each person and acknowledged the ways God has worked in their lives. Praises rose and worship was unstoppable for an entire evening.

It is amazing how God unveils more of Himself as we look back at His movement in our lives. The end of the year is a perfect time to reflect and celebrate God’s faithfulness, as we celebrate His faithfulness in sending His Son to earth for us. It is our Christmas gift from God that we have complete access to Him and His presence in our daily lives. As you prepare for the holiday season, take a few moments to remember the events of the year. Write just one sentence about each month, and ask God to reveal Himself there. As you remember your year, remember the youth in Mbonisweni and the mighty ways God has moved in their lives. Pray for more discipleship moments and that these young people will be able to see God’s hand moving in their lives

Holding Nothing Back

Kacy — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:00:54 +0000

The Sizinani Home-Based Care workers from Dwaleni are full of joy at the end of a year of selfless giving, generous loving and serving the poor, orphaned and vulnerable without pay. Ten Thousand Homes recently celebrated these special women with an appreciation luncheon at our property, University Village. TTH staff, community members and the volunteers themselves prepared special songs, prayers and speeches for this time of celebration. A mixture of formality and freedom opened the way for beautiful worship and an intimate reverence for what God is doing here through these women. In honor of the impact the volunteers have made in our lives, we ceremoniously placed a mosaic stepping stone they made together in our garden for everyone to see the beautiful footprints they have left in their communities, in us and in the Kingdom of God.

Beyond logic and reason, it is obvious that the more these ladies serve and give, the more energy, joy and provision they have. It is a beautiful example of the way Christ teaches us to love! We have learned so much from women who, materially-speaking, have so little. This week, pray for more provision and more energy for these volunteers to love. Honor them this week by giving one material possession you have away to someone who needs it, remembering that the more you give, the more you have. Even the smallest act of service will bless you and bless others to immeasurable degrees.

Hope All Over Our Faces

Kacy — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 06:40:47 +0000

The summer month of December is a time to break away from normal activity in South Africa. Schools are closed, leaving the communities filled with young people without supervision and unsure of how to use their time. The women at Ten Thousand Homes seized an opportunity to share with the young women in Mbonisweni their value and show them positive ways to use free time. Staff members, Kacy Chaffin and Mimi McMillian, invited the young ladies over for dinner and “girl time” with no set agenda. Everyone was thrilled as the night took off with watermelon and cucumber facials, an art project and worship music. With cucumbers on their eyes, the young women dreamt together of positive ways to spend a holiday season that often takes a dangerous turn in South Africa. As they talked about baking, avocado facials and painting toenails, one of the youth shouted, “This is going to be the best December ever!” It was truly a joyful night as relationships grew deeper and the young women saw a new side of hope through cucumbers and giggles.

Hope is not something you can see, but something you can choose to hold onto. Whether your December will be extra busy or extra slow, giving the ways you spend your time to God and the relationships He’s given you will manifest who He is in your holiday season. Pray for the young people in South Africa this month. Many will not be surrounded by the Christmas message or an overwhelming presence of family. Pray for protection against alcohol-inflicted abuse and temptation. As you pray for these young people, think of one person in your life who needs a taste of hope for the holiday season. As Kacy and Mimi did with the young ladies, be an example by showing one person a positive way to use their time. You can shine a light on hope, whether you put cucumbers on your eyes, bake Christmas cookies, or watch a game together

Backyard Miracles

Kacy — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:52:04 +0000

We are just weeks away from the completion of our first house to be built in Dwaleni! We met 18-year old Busi in August and felt sure that God had put us together to build a home where a shack for four orphaned siblings stands now. We have been amazed at seeing Hope and Home be established in a huge way on Busi’s tiny plot of land. The youth from the neighboring community, Mbonisweni, run straight out of school on Thursdays to Busi’s house. We sing worship songs, pray and share Scripture together, proclaiming Truth. We see God establishing Hope and Home throughout Dwaleni as the neighbors come to join in the singing and dancing, and as Busi stands up to lead worship songs and share Scripture. We’ve had such incredible moments of worship together, we have not one, but two videos to share with you!