Newsletter - November 2024
RESTHAVEN’S NOVEMBER 2024 NEWS
Dear Friends,
Here we go with our last Newsletter of 2024! Today, I am more committed than ever.
I am more committed than ever to seeing every person as precious, deserving of safety, love and opportunity. And I am more committed than ever to care and gentleness. To the wisdom and strength of the soft way.
To our sustaining donors, we thank you from our hearts that you are always prepared to ensure that our children and elderly are well cared, which they so richly deserve.
You are truly the pillars upon which our organization is resting and there are no words to express just how much we appreciate you!!! You are fueled with as much passion as we are by reaching out a helping hand time and again. Together we shall overcome!!
We are hoping and trusting that in 2025 we shall have more resources, so that we can aim and reach higher, and in doing so, hire more staff, build infrastructure, expand programs or services, tackle capital improvements, and create or add to the service we already render, by God’s grace!
These past few months have been an extreme challenge to ensure that our beloved children and elderly receive the care they so richly deserve. I know that we are not the only ones feeling the pinch, but also wanted to share that we feel for you! We are totally trusting in our faithful Heavenly Father that 2025 will bring joy and peace to all!!
The Christmas parties for the children has started already, and – as usual at Christmas times – our children are totally enjoying the visits, gifts and groceries that they are blessed with. Some pictures below show just how much they are enjoying themselves:
They are looking forward to more visits, gifts and groceries as is the norm this time of the year and absolutely love the attention they receive at Christmas times 😊 They have, so far, had picnics, a visit to Santa, and one of our boys actually went to the Rhino Park with a donor!
Our Keegan graduated from Grade R with much fanfare, and our Gracie is determined to become a SCIENTIST!! God says we must dream big, and this little girl is adamant to dream big dreams!
Our kids have been very busy making their own Christmas decorations 😊
We are having our new offices repainted and general repairs done, and we still have to move our walk-in fridge/freezer up to the new premises.
Our Urban Farming project, together with SoJo, is well on track and the interns are beyond happy with the progress. One of them came to tell us personally that he had planted his first lemon tree ever, and he was so chuffed!!
We will be closing our offices on the 13th December and re-opening on the 10th January, which is why we are working non-stop in trying to garner funds so that our homes lack for nothing during this period.
Our Year End Function will be held on the 13th December encompassing the entire Resthaven Ministries – children, elderly and staff all together celebrating the reason for Christmas.
At Camelia House, they have had visits from the church ladies who brought cake and enjoyed tea with the elderly. Fellowshipping with these ladies bring much joy to our elderly. They are also sharing a Christmas Cheer luncheon with them.
Their Bingo afternoons came to an end on the 18th November, and much fun was had by everyone with prizes, and a lot of praise and worship.
Our one big concern is our Auntie Angie, who at the age of 91, is not doing very well ☹
Oh, and I almost forgot to tell this great news!!! Our two boys who are interns in the Tourism Industry made the big decision to get baptized yesterday. For young men of 19, this is a very important step and we praise God for the mindsets of these two boys!!!
Well, I shall be sending you all Christmas and New Year wishes soon, but – once again – let me reiterate that each and every one of you are appreciated for your interest in our homes, children and elderly!! And may I leave you with a last thought? God’s Word says that the more we give, the more we receive – which is why we always assist other NPO’s whenever we can. I also believe that gratitude for what we have, opens the door to more blessings!
May God’s Face shine upon you and keep you safe during the December holidays and into 2025, until we chat again!
Love and gratitude to you all, Resthaven Fundraisers