Homeward Bound

The last week has been an amazing time for all of us here in South Africa. The team have been at Ikemeleng, but have also visited a school next to Frank Shayi's church in Zekariyya Park, been on Safari, enjoyed an African banquet, done a tour of Johannesburg on an open top bus, been to the Apartheid Museum and attended Frank and Maria's church. Now it's time to come home and we are looking forward to seeing everyone again!

Bafana Bafana!

Team photo at Montecasino.

Friday 16^th:

Another great day at Ikemeleng! We spent a calmer morning preparing for an afternoon of arts and craft and for the assembly at Alex High that we would be giving on Monday. We are still amazed at how loving and enthusiastic the children are, and how genuinely happy they are to see us.

We spent the evening at Monte Casino (don’t worry mums, we weren’t actually gambling) which is a hugely realistic indoor Italian themed village, with lots of restaurants and shops. We spent a lot of our time enjoying Steers burgers and chips (with Katie’s favorite seasoning). We also managed to “stumble” across the shop ‘Sweets From Heaven’ and by chance bought a few supplies.

Saturday 17^th:

Waking up at 5:55 would usually be an unpleasant experience, however since we were ready for ran action packed day at the Nelson Mandela tribute concert in the FNB stadium, we woke up full of excitement (even if we were abit tired). 

The Redland Barmy Army!

The first football match was the South African master VS the Italian legends. There weren’t many people in the stadium at this point but we still enjoyed blowing our vuvuzelas, and getting behind the local team. Sadly the South African team lost, though everyone was still hyped up for the games to come. The next match was again football and was Bafana Bafana VS barkina faso. The atomosphere was incredible and we loved painting our faces (which were shown on the screen many times) with the South African flag. The final score was 2-0 to Bafana Bafana. We loved seeing how happy Khe Khe and Jono were (volunteers at Ikemeleng who we invited along with us). The match we had all been waiting for was the Springboks Vs Argentina. For this game, the 94,000 seater stadium was almost full, so the noise and support for the Springboks was incredible. The Springboks won with a score of 73-11! We ended the day with a concert of traditional South African music. The day was so great but tiring and we were fast asleep, in bed by 10pm. 

The Springbok kicker converting one of many kicks!

Sunday 18^th:

Today a lie-in was much appreciated as were the pancakes that we woke up to, made freshly by Zac. Our day was restful and involved many games of volleyball and jungle speed with some of Davina’s friends who came over for a Braii (Thanks Marcus!). We ended the day with a movie: Batman - The Dark Knight Rises, and we had another early night in preparation for the assembly tomorrow.

Monday 19^th:

We were again up bright and early, at 6:00 am, for our assembly at Alex high school. We were greeted by a warm welcome of singing from the 1,000 voices, which even started to calm our nerves of being up in front of so many people. The assembly was about perseverance and goals and included a lot of audience participation. The rest of the day we spent at home preparing for the week ahead, and catching up on some much needed sleep.

Thanks for reading the blog, and for the many prayers that have been spoken, they are much appreciated. We would really love prayers for energy and for a great last week in Alex, so that we can spread God’s love as much as we can.

Emily and Katie.

The Girls' getting in the spirit.

Results Day!

Since Sunday we’ve done so much! We had a chance to visit Davina’s church (Bryston Bible Church) where we experienced a warm welcome and had a great time meeting the members. We left the service feeling spiritually pumped, after a powerful message that in Christ we are saints.

On Monday we started our work at the homework club at Ikemeleng. We were initially quite anxious and uncertain about the challenges we would face but thankfully after prayer, ideas started flowing, allowing for an awesome day of games, drama and fun activities for the kids!

Having fun with the kids!

These past few days have been exhausting but it’s been so rewarding to develop friendships with the kids and share God’s love. We have been gradually realizing the hunger for love that these children have.

Kara giving cuddles!

Giving a supportive arm!

During the homework club this week we’ve been focusing on the theme of self esteem with Psalm 139:14 as our memory verse, which says ‘I praise you Lord because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.’ Because of the harsh society in Alexandra we have been trying to communicate self worth to these children through drama, song, games and helping them one on one with their homework.

Ruth helping with homework!

The volunteers that help at Ikemeleng have been a massive inspiration to us. Jono, Juddy and Khekhe (the supporters) have been so supportive of all of our work.

Today a few of us received our AS/A2 results. Thankfully we all received what we wanted which was very relieving.

Almost daily we have been sharing our testimonies with the team in the evenings. These testimonies as well as regular worship sessions and quite times have helped us to grow closer to God, seeing him in different lights and putting our trust in him.

So far our trip has been immense with God working in all of us and team unity growing.

Thanks for praying,

Will and Joe.

Parachute games!

Update from the team!

Our first team photo!

We arrived on Wednesday AM to be greeted by a very welcoming Davina, Rod and Frank. We spent the day settling into our new ‘home’. Davina, Marcus and their three children: Mia, Michal and Corbin couldn’t have been more welcoming and hospitable and felt like family.

One of the van Wyk family's wall decorations!

On the second day, we went to Kadesh Barnia camp. We spent the time bonding as a team and learning what we would be doing during the three weeks. We did lots of activities including swimming in South African freshwater lake and a big game of sardines in the dark over the premises. On Friday we did lots of different challenges to see how we work as a team. We learnt a lot about listening after being stuck in a human tangle for 35 minutes! We also did challenges testing trust by being blindfolded and led through a wood with obstacles on the way. On the way home we visited South Africa’s biggest dam.

Our 'Faith Walk'

South Africa's biggest dam.

Yesterday we visited Ikemeleng for the first time. This is where we will be spending most of our time serving by working with Davina and the other volunteers; Jono, Keke and Judy. Alexandra Township was full energy and excitement, which we started to understand while walking round. We had a guided cycle tour and visited the house where Mandela lived when he first came to Johannesburg.

Our cycle tour of Alex!

One of our hosts for our tour of Alex.

We have bee truly blessed by those we have encountered and we would appreciate prayer for continual team cohesion and work to glorify God’s Kingdom. 

God bless,

Izzie and Ruth. 

POST FROM ROD - Wednesday 7 August

So, here is the evidence! The team arrived safely this morning, touching down at Oliver Tambo International Airport at around 10.00am local time. A welcoming party from the Ikemeleng Committee was there to meet them, alongside our host Davina Van Wyk and Frank Shayi.

The team went back to Davina’s house to relax and settle in - the boys are sharing the double garage, which makes a brilliant dormitory - and the girls are sharing Marcus and Davina's daughter's room. (Marcus and Davina have three children, and they are all sharing together for the three weeks!). Kara and Zac have a guest room. The children are loving having so many people to play with already, and Max (a labrador + ? puppy) is over the moon!

After a game of Ultimate Frisbee (for the guys) and cards and chat (for the girls) Dan Nichols produced some food and then Verity and I headed off to ICBM and will be taking Verity to her Doug and Anne Forsyth, her hosts shortly.

I have been here for a couple of days now and taught my first class yesterday morning. I am staying at the College Guest House and am enjoying reconnecting with people here.

Thank you for your support for the team - I am sure more news will appear shortly...

(PS If you do need to contact one of us in an emergency, my phone is 0027 60 494 7432 and Kara's phone is 0027 76 434 5472).

(PPS - I have just realised that the photos are not particularly good evidence, but you can just about work out one or two team members!)

We've SMASHED through our fundraising target of £2500 and are currently just about £3600!

Fundraising Total

From the people who bought you Cake Sale Ep I and Cake Sale Ep II comes the third part in the epic trilogy, Cake Sale Ep III.


Also, we had a fantastic banquet the other night to raise some more money:



The total money raised towards the team reaches a whopping £2460, that's just short of our target with over 3 months to go.
The banquet successfully raised £1877 towards the team. A further £425 was raised towards individuals in the team from their promises.Yesterdays cake sale raised £88 towards the team.


Thank you so much to everyone who has kindly contributed with your time, effort and donations.

 And now time for another interview from the team: