Ben Rodgers

Cup Team and Mission of Mercy Saving Lives

2011-10-18T14:05:00.000-07:00

Lomasontfo is a beautiful 12 year old girl full of confidence. She is currently top of her class and reflects gratefulness for all she has. If you were to look at Lomasontfo today you would never have realized that she almost died 3 years back.

Lomasontfo had a quick growing tumor on the left side of her jaw. What started as a small swollen bump would soon consume the left side of her face. A double orphan,

Lomasontfo lived in a mud and stick hut with older brothers and sisters who were scrambling to take of their own children. Many times left to fend for herself, the food served at the CarePoint became her only meal for the day.

As the tumor grew bigger her family would send her into town begging for food and money from onlooker who would take pity on her.

While the tumor was still small Lomasontfo was discovered during a routine Children’s Cup mobile Medical Clinic at the CarePoint. Children’s Cup medical teams assertively search for doctors all over Swaziland who would know how to treat this growing mass. After months of taking Lomasontfo from one doctor to another it was concluded we needed to seek medical treatment in South Africa.

As Children’s Cup prepared medical and visa papers to go to South Africa we endured obstacle after obstacle for months. For a time it appeared like a hopeless situation. As the tumor grew we feared that she would die before we were even able to get her treatment in South Africa.

But the Lord heard our cry for help!

With the generous special medical funding from Mission of Mercy for children with extreme medical needs we were able to take Lomasontfo to a hospital in South Africa. She traveled back and forth for months visiting doctors. When it came time to treat the tumor they had to remove half of her jaw and insert a metal plate to reform her jaw. With the accompaniment of a diligent missionary, Lomasontfo stayed in the hospital for a month and a half, and after surgery had her mouth wired shut for 6 weeks.

Following the initial surgery there were frequent follow up visits to the doctor in South Africa. Today it is barley noticeable that anything is wrong. We continue to take her yearly to the doctor in South Africa with the prospect of another surgery when she is older.

Lomasontfo was an extra mouth to feed at her home and we watch her struggle to survive. God put the needs of Lomasontfo on the heart of a local business lady with a husband and family. This family from the same community she was living in saw the needs of Lomasontfo and took her inside their house as one of their own. Lomasontfo is now receiving the love and support a child needs to thrive. No longer looking for her next meal and knowing the love of a family the transformat

ion in Lomasontfo is unbelievable.

She is now healthy not only in body, but also in mind and spirit. From the very start we watch an orphaned child used to being ignored and fended for herself, to a child who now know the care and love from others. Lomasontfo, a child who would eat everything in sight and hoard food, now know that another meal will come again.

The Lord truly hears our cries and provides for our needs! The Lord’s provision of His children shines bright through Lomasontfo’s life, and it’s only the beginning. Lomasontfo who was literally rescued out of a hopeless situation has a bright future!

A miracle growing up!!

2011-08-04T14:31:00.000-07:00

Impact!! That is the one word that comes to my mind after spending the last three weeks in our projects in Swaziland, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. The lives of our African staff have been so impacted that the love and truth that they have received cannot help but spill over in the lives of the little ones they are working with in the Cup CarePoints. Even the people in the communities surrounding the CarePoints are being touched as our kids our learning to serve and give back to the hurting around them.

Wow!! I’m overcome with gratefulness to Jesus and to our partners for allowing us the privilege of working with so many precious little ones and watching them walk through the path of healing from hurt to hope. That is really what Children’s Cup is all about is reaching out to rescue children like my friend Tinotenda that was rescued from a pit toilet as an infant. After years of nurturing love and care he has healed physically and emotionally from his past and is looking forward to a bright future. Now he is excited about giving back to help other hurting and disadvantaged people. The cycle of poverty and hopelessness is broken and a new cycle of love, hope, and even influence is has begun.

That is what we mean by our slogan…

Bringing hope, inspiring dreams, changing worlds

Thank you for being part of changing a life….

Changing a life by something as simple as a meal

2011-06-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

Sibonelo is a beautiful almost 3 year old girl whose eyes now shine bright. But as young as Sibonelo is she has already lived the unthinkable. She was first discovered staying at a step grandmother’s house where, although the other children at the homestead where well fed and loved, precious Sibonelo was treated with disdain. If she wasn’t being locked up alone in the outdoor corn storage cage she was chased away from people and food being referred to as “that animal”.

Her finger tips where dirty, swollen, and infected from scratching at the dirt looking for something to eat to ease her hungry tummy. She was so malnourished at 1 ½ years old her skull had not formed together still displaying a soft spot on the top of her head.

Through the compassionate and proactive steps of a Children’s Cup teacher, Sibonelo was rescued from this heart breaking and deadly situation. With quick action from local doctors in Swaziland placing her on Plumpy Nut (a high calorie fortified peanut butter) and a daily diet of Manna Pack Rice from Feed My Starving Children, Sibonelo is alive today.

You see, children like Sibonelo who are greatly malnourished will quickly gain weight on a short term hospital provided diet high in calories, proteins, and vitamins. Yet when healthy and no longer eating the food the hospital provides, many children go back into the same environment that caused the malnutrition in the first place. This then creates a dangerous cycle of malnutrition that many times ends in death.

For Sibonelo, this cycle will end in life. Through the partnership of Children’s Cup providing care for orphans and vulnerable children in Swaziland, and Feed My Starving Children providing a well balanced and fortified meal through their Manna Pack Rice, children’s lives like Sibonelo are being saved daily.

Sibonelo and the children of Swaziland thank you for their full tummies of nutritious food. Tonight Sibonelo, no longer fighting off hunger pains, will sleep peacefully with a full tummy knowing she is loved.

Check out our partner Feed My Starving Children at http://www.fmsc.org

Children's Cup is healing the hurts!!

2011-06-09T07:22:00.000-07:00

Children's Cup not only reaches out to the children in the communities but also connects with the women in the community that come out each day to volunteer to cook (4 to 6 hours a day) for the children at the CarePoint. This report is all about how one of these volunteer's lives has been so shaped by the love and care of Jesus that she has found through Children's Cup that she is now reaching and to love and serve those in need in her community. SUCCESS that keeps on giving!!

A GOOD HEART OF A COOK

Thuli Mdluli is one of the cooks at the CarePoint who has a heart that is so caring and so loving.She has compassionate heart,she has shown this by stepping up for 3 kids that don’t even belong to her.

As the discipleship team visits the CarePoint my eyes fell in love with a small boy who was just playing with other kids,just curious to know about him,I did not know the reason why I was so attracted to the boy. The little boy has a painful story.

His name is John Deusoza, John was abandoned by his mother to his father who is married. He feared for his marriage, because the wife wanted to leave him because John was not her son, so the father decided to harm John, in fact he tried to kill him by throwing John in a homestead where there were fierce dogs. Poor John was rescued by Thuli “Two-lee” who saw this incident,she took the small boy in her homestead where she is also living with Phephile “Pay-pee-lay” and Muzi “Moo-zee” and Rosenna Chissano who are also double orphans.
Thuli is taking John with her to the CarePoint everyday, he is too young to attend the pre school class because he is only 3yrs old, but it is amazing how God is moving in John’s life. The boy just flows with joy ,one time he came to me and sang a song that they sing at bible clubs and he shared a Memory verse from the bible club and I was so amazed at how he can take the Word in his heart,he was stammering saying 1John 16:16 “I…chose… you… to.. go… and… bear fruit “, that was awesome, the recovery that the Lord is bringing in the child’s life is awesome.May He be praised”

All this kids that Thuli cares for have been abused in different ways.
Phephile and Muzi came to stay with Thuli when they were 3 and 5 yrs old, now Phepile is 18 yrs and Muzi is 20yrs old and they are very active youth at the CarePoint.Their education is being sponsored by a nearby school.

Rosenna Chissano is a double orphan (which means she has lost both of her parents) who is 5yrs old who was also rescued by Thuli as she was staying with her uncle. The unfortunate part was that the wife of the uncle did not like and did not want anything to do with Rosenna,she was abusing the child emotionally and physically in unthinkable ways,the uncle’s wife will strangle the child and torture her by putting a hot iron on her forehead and it so sad that even now she still healing from the physical scars.So sad”but God is restoring her,she is now a happy child attending CarePoint school and bible clubs and playing with other kids and feeling the love of Christ through Mama Thuli!!

Logic vs Faith

2011-05-28T08:56:00.000-07:00

It seems to me that so many times that my faith is diametrically opposed to my logic. The voice of faith constantly reaches out into the unknown the unseen and calls things into existence that are not currently. Faith simply says if God says it then it is real.

However, the voice of logic is at work around every one of these faith thoughts. I’m good at thinking things through and finding the logic path to a conclusion. That ability made me a good computer geek but it seems to cause me to stumble in the process of growing my faith.

I look at what Jesus has done through Susan and me in Africa as I contemplate this battle. The one thought that comes streaming to the front of my mind… “What if we didn’t obey the voice of faith”. We had so many logically reasons to stay in our comfortable suburbean life but for some reason the voice of faith kept stirring in us. As we continue to seek Jesus about what that “something more” was it became apparent that the Lord was asking us to make a very illogical leap of faith into the life of missions. Leaving behind everything known to go to a place on the planet that everything seemed exactly opposite of everything we knew and had experierened.

I’m so thankful for the grace that God gave us to make that leap. I see the love, the cycles of hopelessness broken, the transformation happening because we won that battle. Now our family faces another faith vs logic battle as we re enter life in the United States to share the story of how Children’s Cup is breaking into the hopelessness of thousands of children to bring a ray of love and hope that leads to transformation.

As my father-in-law Dave Ohlerking would say “Hope’s name is Jesus”.

A scripture I keep chewing on as I face the battle between logic and faith is found in Corinthians 10:4-5

For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,

⁵[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),

I hope by reading this you will be encouraged to let the voice of faith overthrow and destroy the strongholds of reasoning and fear that keep you bound. God has plans for us that far exceed what we can come up with on our best day. They are huge.

GO FOR IT!!

2011-05-09T16:05:00.000-07:00

Hlengiwe Mazibuko

Hlengiwe Mazibuko is a sweet spirited young lady who is a very hard worker. She lives in the “I Am Not Forgotten” orphan home in Mpolonjeni because she has lost both of her parents to HIV.

Hlengiwe is 13 years old and in the third grade. She is ranked number 4 in her class out of all the students, and she is very proud of her accomplishments so far this year. Even though she is one of the older girls in her class, it doesn’t bother her because she is very thankful that she can even attend school and receive an education. Because life was very difficult for her growing up, she was not able to attend school every year……the school fees were to expensive. Therefore, she values her education and knows how important it is. When asked what she liked most about school she said, “School helps to give me an understanding about life and how to cope with things that I face on a daily basis.” She said when she grows up she would like to be a teacher. Hlengiwe has a real love for learning and wants to be able to teach others everything she has learned.

Thank you for investing in Hlengiwe’s education and helping her to accomplish the goals she has set for her future.

Help Send a child to school by getting involved in our Back2School Project at:
http://childrenscup.org/get-engaged/back-to-school-bags/

Not what I wanted but what I needed

2010-11-20T17:44:00.001-08:00

I came across this short thought as I was reading a Voice of the Martyrs book. It is so true

I asked for strength
And God gave me difficulties to make me strong

I asked for wisdom
And God gave me problems to solve

I asked for prosperity
And God gave me brain and brawn to work

I asked for courage
And God gave me dangers to overcome

I asked for love
And God gave me opportunities

I received nothing I wanted
I received everything i needed

My prayer has been answered

From the family of Michael Job an Indian martyr

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Dave Ohlerking's nuggets of wisdom

2010-10-20T00:31:00.000-07:00

Share your strength. Save a child.

-Hope’s name is Jesus

-You can change a child’s life forever

-It’s about the children

-Once you go to Africa, you’ll go back in your mind every day for the rest of your life.

-Pray. Give. Go.

-If you don't hold onto something, you will let go of everything. What is there that you will refuse to let go of?

-The safest place to be is in God's will.

-Jesus said, "Go everywhere, tell everybody."

-When Jesus said, "Come," He meant all the way. When He said,"Go," He meant all the way.

-If we do not predetermine boundaries, how will we know when we've gone too far?

-The highest reach of our faith is to have faith IN Jesus rather than faith FOR what we want.

-You can hold more in an open hand than you can in a clenched fist.

-"Can I go home and live with you?" I have been asked this by many children in many countries. Something in me never stops crying.

-Advice to new missionaries: It will take a year on the field before you really see what you're looking at.

African pastor wishing to honor me said, "You may have white skin, but you have a black heart." I was honored.

-My ability to do God's will in my life is not subject to other people's decisions.

-Godly meekness is not weakness.Godly humility is not timidity.The strong resist unGodly desire to bluster and brag

-God spoke the world into existence. Is His Written Word any less powerful than His Spoken Word?

-Honesty goes both ways. It acknowledges both weakness and strength.

-If your future looks scary just remember God is already there and He ain't afraid.

-Sometimes the best use of power is not to use it.

-Imagine being an African child who doesn't have $1 worth of anything and then receiving a Tori Box full of school supplies and toys!

-God is bigger than any challenge you face.

-If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

-It is possible for believers to live in such a way it becomes natural to experience the supernatural.

-Being with caring, loving, giving Filipinos who live in poverty challenges my personal financial priorities, God bless them and forgive me.

-"We hours" of the morning again. Wonderful sense of the presence of God.

-Many cultures consider forgiveness to be weakness, but to forgive is to defeat evil by doing good.

-Like ears crave sound, and eyes crave light, my soul craves the presence of God.

-How would it feel to find out in Heaven you gave the dollar that won the last soul before the rapture?

-"Think it not strange" that every evil hell can muster is aimed at the followers of Christ. It's always been that way--but we win!

-One of our greatest thrills is watching our children and grandchildren sell out to Jesus. We are blessed!

-The highest reach of our faith is to have faith IN Jesus rather than faith FOR what we think is best for us to have.

-If I tear you down, and you tear me down, we both lose. If I build you up and you build me up, we both win.

-God has let me live long enough to have a memory full of awesome things He has let me see and do and be part of.

-As evil deepens and accelerates, so does God's grace and anointing.

-There is a place in Christ that can only be gained by totally losing one's self awareness. Why don't we go there?

-By definition lie (untruth) proves the existence truth. Truth's name is Jesus.

-Should our embarrassment to witness cost the untold one his soul?

-You will either sacrifice your present to your future or you will sacrifice your future to your present.

-Everything God does is redemptive. He does not waste our experiences--good or bad.

-Personal peace is one of the surest evidences of God's power in your life.

-God is incapable of doing wrong things

-I believe God just asked me, "What are you willing to let go of so a hurting child can live?"

-52 years ago today was the first time I kissed Jean! It was so good I'm gunna keep right on kissing her.

-To find God’s will, seek his presence.

-Touching the world from the heart of America

-Changing the world one child at a time

-Have you ever seen fever in the eyes of a child.

-Giving hope, inspiring dreams, changing worlds.

-Train up a child.

-"Hopeless children. Unwanted children. Diseased children. Unloved children. Raped children. Forgotten children. Enslaved children. Prostituted children. Abused children. Hungry children. JUST CHILDREN."

"I cannot walk away from the children."

In Honor of Dave Ohlerking

2010-10-15T23:45:00.000-07:00

We are so thankful to all of you for literally hundreds and hundreds of comments, texts, emails, phone calls, and visits that have been full of encouragement and support. It means so much to see how greatly “Pop” is loved.

Thanks to some God-given favor and the help of our friends Dave Van Rensburg and Greg Evans on the ground in South Africa, Ben has been able to successfully arrange to have Dad’s remains returned to the USA early next week. And we are very thankful to Pastor Dino Rizzo for allowing us to hold Dad’s funeral in the Healing Place Church Arena.

Mom has said several times that she knows Dad wanted this to be a celebration of his homegoing. So that’s what we’re planning - a celebration to be held in honor of Dad, the blessed and full life he lived, and the ongoing legacy he leaves behind.

We invite you to join us on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at:
Healing Place Church
19202 Highland Road
Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA 70809
Visitation 9:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Memorial Celebration 11:00 a.m.

Dad told us many times that he didn’t want a fancy funeral, because he’d rather “see that money go to helping the ‘Cup kids.” So we have set up a memorial fund to honor this wish of his. Instead of sending flowers, you can make a gift to this fund, either by marking a check “Dave Ohlerking Memorial Fund” or by going to www.childrenscup.org then clicking on “Donate Now” and choosing the fund from the list of designation options.

Thank you again so much for your prayers and overwhelming support for our family during this time. Please continue to stay connected at www.childrenscup.org and http://facebook.com/childrenscup for updates.

Hope’s Name is Jesus.
The Ohlerking Family

The secret to helping without creating welfare

2010-08-07T22:41:00.000-07:00

There is a huge issue that doesn't get talked about a lot in ministry to the poor. That issue is how do we help people that need assistance without creating dependency??

This is a big issue on the plate for Children's Cup as well. We help thousands of children throughout the world and our vision is to see them raised up to be world changers for Jesus that are contributors. That means that they will have to learn to work hard and take the initiative to take advantage of opportunities that come their way.

One of the ways we do this is by having SERVE DAYS at our CarePoints. We work together with the community to decide a way that all the kids can best serve the community to show the love of Jesus and to teach the children that our purpose as Christians is serving.

This past week my family together with a little army of orphaned children did exactly that. We had a little rally to talk with the kids about the importance of serving. Then we marched out in the community to help a homestead of a very elderly couple that was in desperate need.

Wow, did it mess me up to see ORPHANS out there serving... washing clothes, cleaning the house, raking the yard, and collecting firewood. Levi and I were with the other boys on the firewood patrol. We walked for about a mile and a half to the little forest to cut some firewood for the elderly couple. Our little group of 7 year old to 12 year olds promptly went to work cutting trees and chopping them into small pieces to be used for a cooking fire.

All the kids had a great time, an elderly couple experienced the love of Jesus, and the next generation learned that it is better to give than to receive.

Anyone Hungry?

2010-07-12T06:51:00.001-07:00

Today is was an exciting day at the Children’s Cup Global Leadership Campus. We started moving in all the kitchen equipment to the dinning hall. The water is being connected to all buildings and the electricity is being hooked up to the buildings.

We are excited as Cup takes training and equipping young people to a whole “nudder” level. As the kids in our CarePoints grow and mature this will be a great place for them to be trained to be world changers for Jesus. This 12 acre campus and facilities for 60 young people will be a great home for our Ignite Global Internship Program. The goal of this program is transformation from orphans to young people with purpose and a sense of destiny.

SCAM

2010-06-14T11:15:00.001-07:00

Please note that someone is using my name to advertise some apartment in New York. This is a scam so be advised. I'm trying to notify the authorities so they can track down the person that is trying to do this.

Leadership Development

2009-10-18T23:47:00.000-07:00

I've lived in Africa for the past 8 years now and have seen and experienced many things. One theme that has emerged as I have traveled around Africa is the need for Godly, servant-hearted, leadership. As John Maxwell says "everything rises and falls on leadership".

As Children's Cup we have been working hard on being intential about developing leaders at every level of influence that the Lord has allowed us to have. We know that in the long term our effectiveness will be defined by our ability to develop leaders.

Children's Cup (thanks to our many partners) works with almost 30,000 children in sub-Saharan Africa everyday. We believe that many of tomorrow's leaders will emerge from these children. Children that the world has kind of written off. (I love how God values people the world considers worthless)

We are building intentional programs to foster character in all the children that God allows us to connect with. Like our kid's club program that teaches kids how the Word of God applies to their everyday life in a fun and relevant way all the way to the new DreamCenter (drawing that is above) that will be used to help train young leaders in an intesive one year leadership academy.

Children's Cup is greatly influencing the next generation in Africa. Check out the blog posts over the next several weeks to read more about the details of each of these awesome program.

2009-09-02T09:50:00.000-07:00

The Chambuta Crusade report from 25-28 of August

When we arrived the people were all waiting to receive us, we had a good welcome and they were so excited. Our team of about 33 people blended well with celebration Chambuta team. They had cooked for us. The people there are full of love and they are hospitable.

The first day, the excitement and the atmosphere was conducive for a crusade. It was a power full time in the Lord as the people flocked to the crusade, the place was electrified by the presence of God as our worship serving team ministered on Tuesday in Chambuta .We witnessed 210 people come and experience God and 22 of them receiving the Lord Jesus .

We left Chambuta on Wednesday in the morning with our team and all our instruments to go to Chibweziwe. It was powerful to see people waiting to serve us in Chibweziwe. We had a team of about 60 people that came from Chambuta to camp together with us as we used the school for camping.

This crusade almost turned into a conference as we had devotions with every one in the morning. Pastor Noah took leadership lessons with all the leaders, Maggie was teaching the worship team, in the after noon we all went for sports where we played with people from the community.

In the evening God was at work as the sound traveled a long distance attracting many people. Our attendance grew to up to 860 people and 357 got saved.

There is a lot of potential in Chibweziwe to grow a 500 membership Church. As we walked in the community many people who came for the crusade and got saved promised to make Celebration Church their home. There is also need for a trained Pastor on ground or to empower the Lay man on ground.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to minister, it brought exposure to our team. May God richly bless you.

Pastor Samson Saurosi.

2009-09-02T08:12:00.000-07:00

Check out this video about our new internship DreamCenter.

Sunday

2009-08-24T08:36:00.000-07:00

We are up early for quiet times and breakfast. The place where we are staying has a tradition of singing before breakfast. So all of our guys break forth in Hillsong music and the lady that runs the place starts to cry. (at that point I did too cause they really did a great job)

We eat quickly then off to church. Pastor Isaac and Carol Williams have really done a great job over the last two years working in the community of Nkobe. The really have turned the church into a Healing Place for a hurting world. I think they must feed 300 plus orphans everyday, help build houses for widows, visit and pray for the sick. Do you get the drift... a real church that is making a real difference.

We get there and enjoy worship in a different language. It was fun and lively. Then I get the chance to share with Pastor Isaac translating. We are talking about a receipe for a heart for missions. I cannot tell you how hard it is for me to share with people that have almost nothing about giving. However in my time in Africa I have realized that is exactly the message that Africa needs. It was fun to share with Isaac translating because of the interaction. We had a sword fight with a pocket knife and a cake knife at one point.

After church we had some lunch with the Mozi guys and headed for home. I have never seen young people more tired than I did yesterday. It was a good kind of tired though. The kind that knows that you did the will of God and left everything on the field.

Thank you to everyone that helps make Children's Cup and HPC Swazi work. Lives are being changed everyday.

Day 2

2009-08-24T08:25:00.001-07:00

Saturday we are up early to have a time of devotions. Our youth intern Tyrone shares about looking down on people. Very interesting because Swazis look down on Mozambiqueans because in general they are poorer. Great discussions

Then we are off to pick up some supplies but not before we have our first run in with the Mozi police. They see our foreign license plates and stop us to see what were doing. For many of our young people this is the first time to see a police man with a AK47 strapped to his shoulder. After a few minutes he is satisfied an off we go.

We get to the CarePoint and work with the members of HPC Mozi to visit church members, widows, and the sick. I made friends with lots of the kids. Giving them cookies to take to the children in the community and inviting them to church. (Who says you have to be an adult to start a Servolution)

We then have some partially cooked chicken for lunch and we go back to the church for the weekly youth meeting. This is a first for our Swazi youth to do anything in a place where they cannot communicate with anyone. Everything has to be translated (our Swazi youth speak English but in Mozambique they only speak Portuguese). We had a great time dancing, shouting, and praising God. Our Swazi kids learned that Mozi vibe is awesome. They did a drama without words to communicate the importance of serving. Karl Marx, HPC intern, then shared a brief message to end things up.

Then off to town to grab some grub. On the way back to our place to stay I got lost and made a illegal turn. But thankfully the Mozi police were there again to help us. They very kindly (not really)pointed out to us that we had commit ed a very serious crime. As I was busy trying to plead my ignorance our youth's eyes were getting bigger and bigger. The police then decided to help escourt us to the place we are staying. So one of our girls has two policemen on each side of her with their AK47 guns in their laps. They helped me to reach our place then wished us well... (in a Mozambiquean police sort of way)

then in bed a little after midnight....

Swazi Missionaries?

2009-08-24T07:43:00.001-07:00

This past weekend I had the privledge of leading a team of youth leaders and interns from HPC Swaziland to our sister church in Mozamabique. For many of these young people this was their first experience outside the country. As HPC and Children's Cup we want to see the heart for others (MISSIONS) instilled in these young people. We know they will be much more effective in reaching their generation in Africa than I will ever be. So we invest, train, encourage, and love these young leaders greatly so they will bring Jesus into the middle of all the issues in Africa.

So here is a little recap.

Friday:
It took us a little while to get everything together. Everyone is upbeat and excited. It's a 3 hours road trip from Mbabane, Swaziland to Maputo, Mozambique. Going across the border in Mozambique is always a bit intimidating. Swaziland is so laid back and Mozi is just a little more aggressive about everything.

We have a little KFC (KFC is taking over the world) and then we go off to the sands of Nkobe where HPC Moz is located. The sand is deep so it is like driving in the Baha5000 (which I love). We have a few hours for everyone to get the tour and play with the kids.

We tried to play dodge ball but our team of Swazis learned quickly that communicating cross culturally is very difficult. The kids all jumped on the ball like a Rugby game. Then super man Karl Marx jumped in and taught his great Zimbabwean dance moves. I think I know now where Michael Jackson got his moves.

We had some supper and then off to the bed but wait.... We have to sleep under mosiqtoe nets. It is like sleeping in a spider web. Everyone was really tired so it didn't take long for people to enter lala land.

check out pictues at:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32765&id=1418732406&l=c39210c823

A Great Testimony from Zimbabwe

2009-08-05T01:22:00.000-07:00

This is a note I just received from one of our pastors in Zimbabwe that is doing a fantastic job in an area that is one of the most difficult places I have ever been. It is difficult because almost nothing grows in this area and the people are very poor and hard towards many things. Take a look at this report.

CHAMBUTA CHURCH “TESTIMONY”
The lord remembered me by allowing the man of God in to my life. I was ill most of the time before I met Pastor Mafukidze. I usually felt dizzy and had a heart attack. Before the Lord was introduced in my life, this problem hounded me for a long time. When I was introduced to the man of God I received my healing.
The Pastor did not stop teaching me that with God all things are possible .I also had a marital problem because my husband had gone to South Africa to seek for employment and had not returned for a period of 2 years. This was a very difficult time for me and the children. I had no money for school fees food, clothes, and other necessities. I introduced the matter to the church and we prayed over it . I am happy now to say my husband has since returned home.
I was hoping for something good after his arrival but he wanted to divorce me. I went to the Pastor for councelling.The man of God did his best to help me as he was lead by the lord. Our marriage was restored praise God.
Having failed with the above trials, the devil thought if he could introduce illness in the house I could be blamed for demon infecting my child. My child became very sick that day that people were so astonished.Pst Mafukidze prayed with us and our child was miraculously healed.
For our daily food the lord blessed our field the moment the man of God prayed for the seeds and the field. Even working in the field was not tiresome because we prayed every time before working I the fields.
This shows the power of God in my life with God nothing is impossible.
A testimony from Mrs. G Samu
SUBMITTED BY PASTOR .G.MAFUKIDZE

HPC Swaziland's future looks bright

2009-07-11T12:27:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday I had the privilege of watching the fruit of our youth ministry known as "412". 412 comes from

1 Timothy 4:12 Don’t let anyone look down on you for being young. Instead, make your speech, behavior, love, faith, and purity an example for other believers.

Check out some of these quotes all from young people under the age of 21.

"We can't manufacturer love for God its a response to his love, grace, and mercy." Waterford student

"When I have faith it puts a smile on God's face" an HPC intern

"If there is not any pain, giving, or sacrifice its probably not real love" HPC Intern

"Prayer is talking WITH God not talking at Him" HPC Intern

Do you see what I mean? These are young people that have decided to live fully committed to Christ. It was hard to fight back the tears of joy in seeing these guys minister God's truth in such a proficient manner.

This event sums up what Children's Cup/Healing Place Church's purpose is to see the transformation of a generation of young people and children that the rest of the world has written because they are orphans. Isn't it so much like Jesus to use a bunch of kids like this to CHANGE THE WORLD!!

Check out some pics at:http://www.hpcswazi.com

2009-07-10T21:55:00.001-07:00

The effect of our GoGlobal conference that happend almost two months ago here in Swaziland is still making waves. We had a pastor's breakfast yesterday to follow-up with some of the pastors that attended. Many of them shared how the messages rekindled a passion in the hearts for the lost and hurting. They wanted me to be sure to pass along their gratefulness to everyone that helped make it happen. Eternity will be different because of some people deciding to get out of the boat.

You can check out some pictures of the event at http://www.hpcswazi.com

Father's Day Tribute

2009-06-16T04:55:00.000-07:00

A Tribute to my Father

Like many kids growing up I tended to be focused on the things that my father wasn’t that I have largely overlooked the things that he is and the great things he instilled in me.

Here a just a few things that my dad is:
1. My dad loves people and has taught me to do the same. My father is not a pastor or a touchy feely kind of guy but I have watched over the years time and time again where my dad would go out of his way to meet a need of a neighbor, an employee, or someone who was hurting.

My dad ran his own business for most of my growing up years and my brothers and I were personally involved for working for him. He always pushed people to work hard but also demonstrated servant leadership in that he would never ask someone to do something he wasn’t doing or willing to do. He cared for his employees and would try his best to meet their needs. His businesses goals never seemed to be how much money he could make but it was more about being a person that treated people fairly.

2. My dad taught me how to work hard. It’s very true that most of my growing up years I really didn’t appreciate this character attribute very much but I have seen through my life that this one character attribute (other than giving my life to Christ) has been the most responsible for any success that I’ve experienced. I remember my dad putting a little shovel in my hands as a little kid as I was planting little trees for his nursery and landscaping business. It was through a lot of experiences with landscape crews (which always had a few questionable characters) that I learned to lead, care for people, and work as a team. Those experiences and the example that my father provided me the foundation of who I am today.

3. My father is comfortable being who he was made to be. This is one character attribute that I did not get from my father. I’ve always admired it greatly and I’m growing in this area of my life but I have always marveled at regardless of the situation my dad is himself. It’s like he has a shield around him that protects him from what others think of him. He isn’t prideful in this but just REAL. His ability to be real always makes people comfortable around him and willing to be themselves too.

Thanks Dad

2009-05-13T09:15:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick video of our volunteer cooks retreat. It was an awesome time of joy, love, and new found hope. Take a peek.

African Angels in Skin

2009-04-21T06:03:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to give everyone an update about a huge event coming up for all of the incredible ladies that volunteer everyday at our CarePoints. Many of these ladies are widows or single moms but come out everyday rain or shine to cook for the thousands of orphans that Children's Cup is helping. The amazing part is they are volunteers.... Check out this post from Jacci, the lady working for Cup that is in charge of ministring to these ladies, about this retreat.

Please pray with us that this event will be the start of many new beginnings for these ladies!

Dear Friends,
I, along with my Cook’s Discipleship Team (Karabo & Nelly) are gearing up for Children’s Cup first ever Bomake (Women’s) Camp, next week April 28-30th! And it’s been quite a faith ride! Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 21st, we’re having a day of prayer & fasting for this camp. At the beginning of this year, we sensed the Lord placing on our hearts the deeper work He wants to do in these almost 110 women’s lives that we disciple – healing of deep wounds in their hearts & freedom from strongholds that keep them from living the fullness of life that Christ intends for them. We’re not saying that it’s all going to happen in just 3 days, but we are believing & asking for the Lord to do a powerful work in their lives that He will continue to build on. – And that ground that the enemy has stolen in their lives would be taken back! Please join us in prayer for this! We believe that things happen in the spiritual before we see them in the physical (2 Corinthians 5:7; Ephesians 6:12)

SERVOLUTION Day 4

2009-04-07T05:44:00.001-07:00

Today we took lunches to people around the office complex where HPC Swaziland is located. We cooked it up for 250 people. (no small task)

Many people are really shocked by a church that would give something out for free. One man said the only people that give something for free in Swaziland is the LOTTO!!

The best part of this is to see the joy in the eyes and hearts of people that are part of HPC as they start to experience the awesome benefits of serving

SERVOLUTION Day 5

2009-04-07T05:40:00.000-07:00

Today was the day to go out and serve at our local fuel stations. In Africa they still have full service fuel stations but they have stopped washing the windshields.

The coolest part of this day is serving a fuel station that is run by a Muslim man. He is very perplexed at why we would want to serve him as Christians. It is awesome to see people's curosity draw them closer to Christ.

It's not about me

2009-03-26T06:54:00.000-07:00

Here is a note written by one of the minsitry interns here at Children's Cup that recently went with me to Zimbabwe. He has lived all of his life here in Swaziland and this trip out of his comfort zone brought home the reality that its not all about me!!

“It’s not about me!”

I had the privilege of going to Zimbabwe for about a week and I feel that there were several things that God showed me through the people and experiences I had there. The main thing I would say is that we live life not for ourselves but for Him and to bring glory to Him – its different for all of us but is something that was clear to see in the people that I got to meet at Celebration Church Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe is a country that has been and is still going through some pretty rough times and with the situation the way it is, you wouldn’t really blame anyone for having a negative attitude towards life in general. But, the people there don’t let what’s going on around them affect their attitude towards life and mainly towards the way they act towards others – us. Everyone that I met there - just - made me feel at home and welcome… they went out of their way to look past what they can see and see it the way God does - through His eyes.

I know that it’s not by chance that I made the trip to Zimbabwe at this time and I feel that it was God’s way of showing me something very important. He showed me that its really not all bout me but about Him… in the end it doesn’t really matter what I think or the way I want things to be… but all that matters is that I trust in God, that no matter what I may be going through or no matter how things look to me, God has the master plan and its always going to be better and greater than anything I could ever imagine.

Paul

2.6 Million Meals in 2008 in Swaziland

2008-12-22T13:57:00.000-08:00

We have been working hard to help the orphans in the country of Swaziland but as I was preparing numbers for summarizing 2008 even I was shocked that we were able to provide all of those meals. A big thank you to all of our parterns for making that happen.

Recent News Article about girls in Swaziland

2008-12-08T05:09:00.000-08:00

This report is disturbing but true from what we have seen. Please pray with us that this evil of sexual abuse will be broken.

One in three Swazi women has suffered some form of sexual abuse as a child; one in four experienced physical violence, a new United Nations survey revealed this week. The study by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) is the first of its kind conducted in a country where anecdotal evidence suggests an alarming number of female children are victims of abuse. More disconcertingly still, the mushrooming population of orphans and vulnerable children in Swaziland provide yet more opportunities for...

Check me out on Facebook

2008-12-08T04:57:00.000-08:00

Hey guys,

I haven't blog for a while because I've fallen in love with facebook. It has been really hard to post blogs because of our intermitted internet connections.

Check it out at http://www.facebook.com

Then look for Ben Rodgers (using my email ben@childrenscup.org)

or Susan (using susan@childrenscup.org

Christmas Party 2008!!

2008-11-01T04:18:00.000-07:00

It is that time of year again. The time that thousands of kids get really CRAZZZYYYY. Children's Cup is putting on Christmas parties on for close to 10,000 orphans all around Sub-Sahara Africa. The day is so pack full of energy that I've already started eating my Wheaties.

We start with lots of fun games, inflatables, candy, food, fun, and most of all a big drama about the true meaning of Christmas. For many of these kids this is the only Christmas they will experience and they are pumped.

To make that happen we are working on asking our donors to sponsor a CarePoint Christmas party. It takes $1,250 to cover all the food, games, and Christmas presents for the kids. We still need to fund 10 more CarePoints.

If you can help, please contact Jean Ohlerking at jean@childrenscup.org

Baby Girl Kicking It with her friend

2008-11-01T04:11:00.000-07:00

Can you tell that I'm a proud pappa. This is my baby girl Trinity with her friend Rene at her gymnastics class. Rene is a little girl of a friend of mine. About six months ago she almost died from a bacteria infection on her brain. God did an awesome miracle in healing her. She is back up and giving Trinity a run for her money in the handstand competition.

Clean Water

2008-10-24T10:34:00.001-07:00

In our CarePoint at Mapiveni in Swaziland we just hit water!! The people of this community only had one source of water before... A river with dirty water that is infested with crocodiles. The community has lost 17 people in the last two years to the crocs. This includes one of our CarePoint kids. So having a well by the CarePoint that will be a clean/safe source of water is a great blessing not just to our CarePoint but to the thousands of people in the community.

A look at a short-term trip to Swaziland

2008-10-15T12:03:00.000-07:00

Hey this is a video from a young lady from River Valley Church in Minnesota. Check it out.

Watoto In Living Color

2008-09-26T13:21:00.000-07:00

I'm with some of my favor men in the world. Pastor Mark Stermer, Mike Pier, Greg Evans, Isaac Williams, and Pastor Dixon Changara. We are in Kampala, Uganda attending a conference put on by Watoto. Watoto is an awesome ministry run by Pastor Gary Skinner. They are working to equip the local church to care for orphan and vulnerable children.

It is so awesome to meet others from all over Africa that are on the same page concerning bringing the transformational gospel to a generation of vulnerable children and young people.

God really is bringing together his body to make a difference. What a team!!

What is my life about?

2008-09-25T06:24:00.000-07:00

I've been doing some reflecting lately about what God says in His Word about justice and how it should affect me.

In Jeremiah 22:3 (TMSG) This is God’s Message: Attend to matters of justice. Set things right between people. Rescue victims from their exploiters. Don’t take advantage of the homeless, the orphans, the widows. Stop the murdering!

I know that Isaiah 58 also goes into what touches the heart of God.

Isaiah 58:7 - 9 (TMSG) What I’m interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. Then when you pray, God will answer. You’ll call out for help and I’ll say, ‘Here I am.’ A Full Life in the Emptiest of Places

As a missionary, I have to make the decision everyday if I will enter the world of the hurting, abused, and forgotten or if I will be like the "good religious"people that were way too busy in their religious projects to help someone that was hurting.

Oh Lord, please make justice, serving the hurting, and reconcilation part of the DNA that defines me. Please help my heart break for the same things that break your heart...

A Day at KaKhoza (Gigi's Place)

2008-09-24T07:26:00.000-07:00

Hey I thought I would write a quick blog on a day with my kids at the CarePoint. Last week Kayla and Levi went down to our CarePoint (I'm responsible for overseeing KaKhoza CarePoint and making sure everything is running smoothly).

We had a great time hanging out with the ladies (cooks). My favorite cook is a lady named Victoria Thalya (nick name XXX... we call her that because of her clothing size). She is an awesome lady that is looking after many orphans from her community. I did a little bathroom repair work, the kids played soccer, Levi taught some of the boys American football, and we gave out sweets.

It was an awesome day especially as I see my kids serving. I don't think there is a better feeling in the world than to see your kids serving it up for Christ. Please don't wait to get your kids involved in the lives of those that are in need... If a child can walk they can get involved!! I want to leave a legacy of people that are reaching out and serving the hurting.

The Experts in Children's Ministry

2008-09-02T07:24:00.000-07:00

We had the privilege of hosting a crew from Petra Children's Ministry College in South Africa. They were checking out the ministry that Cup is doing with the 10,000 kids we are work with everyday. They are partnering with us to train all of our CarePoint Coordinators in new strategies to better communicate the gospel to this generation. It is awesome to see how they help make children's ministry so inviting and so much fun for the kids. They will be helping us do training during the December school break.

Please pray for our coordinators. A parent would be closer to job description for the array of jobs each of these awesome people do than a teacher. Each of these special stars of Children’s Cup helps with medical care, teaches children how to read, counsels, and teaches a myriad of other things that every child needs to know before they grow-up. Most of all they daily demonstrate the tangible love and care of Jesus Christ that loves them even greater.

The Music Man

2008-08-20T12:11:00.000-07:00

I'm so proud of all of my kids. I came across this picture of Levi playing his guitar and thought I would throw it out there for you all. He is so passionate about praising the Lord by playing his guitar. It's awesome to help our kids plug into their God given talents.

His big sister Kayla is learning to play the piano so we are having musical jam sessions (well almost) at our house all the time now. I'm telling you it won't be long and you will be buying the CDs.

Servolution

2008-08-17T06:48:00.000-07:00

Anytime you can get 75% of a church out to serve the community it is a great day. That's exactly what happened on this past Saturday. Around 120 of our church family from Healing Place Swaziland rolled out into the community of Msundunza to help some widows and orphans.

We fixed up houses, cleaned up trash, built a soccer field for orphans, and even had our HPC kids serving at a local orphanage.

Check out more pics at hpcswazi.com

Singing in Swaziland

2008-08-12T13:08:00.000-07:00

Wow, we have been really blessed in the last few weeks to have the music artist, Sarah Kelly, visit us here in Swaziland to check out how we are helping to change a generation.

She came out to see first-hand how our sponsorship program with Mission of Mercy works. She got the chance to meet her own sponsored child and many others along the way. Sarah and Ben Pluimer also shot a video with that will soon be released and shown at her concerts.

She is an awesome worship leader who taught some of our church’s musicians how to start writing their own music. Look out, world…HPC Swaziland original songs coming your way soon!

Where does my Mind Park?

2008-08-01T01:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a tough day. Susan took one of the ladies that helps us around the house to the doctor to get some help with her continual medical problems. This is where she learned that she is HIV+ and has TB. Then last night one of the ladies from the church broke down during church because she is struggling right now. She is coughing up blood consistently, (most likely from TB). Some days it feels like disease and death surround us on every front. It is so easy to slide down the slippery slope to hopelessness. Can I blame the people of Swaziland for feeling hopeless? They are constantly watching their friends and family die from HIV/AIDS.

BUT

I know that my God is great. He can do the things that man says are impossible. I experience everyday how God uses us, as Children’s Cup, to bring hope to thousands of children and the adults that surround our CarePoints. I know that He is using us to help change the direction of an entire generation. I BELIEVE THAT!! I TRUST HIM FOR THAT! That is what gives me strength everyday to carry on when things don’t go the way I think they should.

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10 (NLT)

I have to continue to be aware if I worry (which is concentrating and making the problem bigger) or do I concentrate and meditate on God's Word.

The difference between which of these I choose to do has a huge impact on me and the impact I have on the people around me.

Hunting African Style

2008-07-17T12:53:00.000-07:00

Look out David and his little sling shot. Here I come.. Taken down a big Kudo with five smooth stones.. I have a picture to prove it.

Well this may be a suprise to you all but I just went on my first hunt. (actually I didn't do any hunting just alot of holding the guns for other guys)... I was hosting Pastor Mark Stermer and Mr. Joe Martin while they were hunting.

As you can see that Pastor Mark is a wild man.. He chased this wildabeast down with a bush knife and slayed it.. (not really but it sounds like a great story)

If you look at these pictures you can tell who the real hunters are by the way we are dressed.. I have to get with the hunting garb deal. Anyway it was a great day in the bush with guys that I dearly love.

Learning to Serve

2008-06-22T11:42:00.000-07:00

We had a great weekend at Healing Place Swaziland. Our mission is to be a healing place for a hurting world. Our desire is to see people get plugged into their destiny in serving others around them that are in need.

This past Saturday, we had some fun with our young people... playing paintball. This was first paintball game without taking a bullet (or paintball). We had a great time.

Then we moved on to help Peggy Dlamini. She is one of the Children's Cup CarePoint teachers that looks after many children that have no place to stay. It was awesome to see these young people's lives change right before my eyes. They started to see the impact they can have on a life...

Finally, we rolled out to help Patrick and Jordon at their CarePoint youth meeting at the Makholweni CarePoint. We had a great time playing, praising, worship Jesus, and teaching his word. Once again young people's lives were impacted. Both from the CarePoint at from our team. It was a day that none us will soon forget.

It is such a great honor to be used by God to show people the power they have to love another human being. God's love is a powerful thing!!

The Newest Member of the Cup Team

2008-06-17T11:23:00.000-07:00

Please welcome Baby Parker Chapman, the newest addition to the Chapman family here in Swaziland. He was born in South Africa on June 5th. Lad and his wife Crystal our missionaries with Children's Cup overseeing our discipleship programs.

KIDS CAMP FUN

2008-05-21T01:27:00.000-07:00

Check this quick video out of our Kid's Camp that we do to help punctuate the love of God to our kids. We take kids from all of our CarePoints based on age and get together for a blast of games, food, fun, and the Word of God broken down to easy to understand themes.

Xai-Xai how do you say that?

2008-05-08T03:20:00.000-07:00

"Shy-Shy" i think would be the phonetic way to say the name of this town in the country of Mozambique. It is about 3hours north of the capital city of Maputo. It is also home to our newest church/carepoint comibination in Mozambique.

Celebration Church Texas along with our parnters Mission of Mercy are helping to make this project a great light in a community that is in desperate need.

The other really cool part of this project is that it is 5 minutes from a Indian Ocean.

You can check out a few more pics of the community at our smugmug site

Time to Celebrate With Celebration Church

2008-04-11T02:49:00.000-07:00

We have been busy... that is why you don't see very many new blogs from our guys in the last few weeks.

The last week in March we had the privledge of hosting 15 young people from Celebration Church's internship program. Wow, we had a blast... From dramas and dancing with young people to building retaining walls, to sharing the Word of God at Healing Place Church Swaziland. They did it all.

Celebration Church (in Jacksonville, FL) are a big partner in helping a church plant and care point in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe that ministers to more than 400 children everyday. Some of the team from Zimbabwe was also able to come down and connect with the JAX team too!!

Lots of friendships established, lives forever impacted, children loved, and hopefully a few new missionaries called ???

Cooking for Christ

2008-03-24T14:00:00.000-07:00

Our home church in Baton Rouge, LA has a ministry called Cooking for Christ. It is such an awesome ministry that helps the body of Christ prepare large meals for all kinds of outreach functions. Plus it is awesome food!!

Well we decided for Easter in Swaziland to start up our own version of Cooking for Christ. We were working on feeding 200 people for our Good Friday Celebration. We spent most of the days chopping, baking, and boiling. It was awesome to see the people enjoying themselves last Friday night. All of that hard work really paid off!!

Thanks for the inspiration guys!!

Haircuts Anyone?

2008-03-24T13:47:00.000-07:00

Hey Kayla and I had a great time this past Saturday when we went down to the little orphanage by our house (where my favorite little Swazi girl, Pepe and her brother are staying) to give the children haircuts. Unfortnately, I only know one type of haircut... THE BUZZ...

So boy or girl they all got the same. Kayla and I had fun giving the kid's all kind of funny haircuts like mohawks and funny designs which got all the kids rolling with laughter. (We did fix it don't worry.) It was a such a great way to serve some wonderful little kids!!

Who is in Your Driver's Seat?

2008-03-24T13:33:00.000-07:00

This is my first illustrated sermon. We had not built a stage in the church yet so I drove in a minibus, (the most common mode of transportation among local people in Swaziland)

The main point of the message is” Who is in your diver’s seat? “ Who is in control of your life? I have never preached from a car or minibus before. But I think it helped some people “get it”. We had a great time and several people make a commitment for Christ!!

We continue to strive by all kinds of crazy means to make church a fun and exciting environment for people to understand God's truths.

Hello World!!! HPC Swaziland is born with a bang

2008-03-16T05:33:00.000-07:00

We have been meeting for the last three weeks as believers, and some non-believers, to begin Healing Place Church Swaziland. Our desire is to reach the hurting, left out, and neglected among the city of Mbabane, the capital city of Swaziland)

In the first three services we have had a wonderful time enjoying food, fellowship, worship, and the word of God. We are currently meeting on Thursday nights until we get our facility remodeled. This past Thursday night we had nine people make a first time commitment to Christ. Our prayer is that the Lord would make us a great nursery for new believers to grow in their relationship with Christ.

We are still working on the facility that we are renting to make it presentable.. We are getting there slowly. It is interesting how I feel like Jesus is preparing me much like we are remodeling our worship space. It’s like he is taking things out of this spot to make more room for what He wants to do in me.

You can check out a few pictures from our first service at http://www.benrodgers.smugmug.com/gallery/4475549_EkxgW#263229274

African Angels

2008-02-22T13:30:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was an awesome day for Children's Cup Swaziland. First, we were hosting a women's team from Mission of Mercy that helped us put on a party for all of the ladies that come out everyday to the CarePoints to cook. (almost 100 women) These ladies work all day most days to cook the food for 200 to 400 children that attend their CarePoints. Wow, enough said.... They are awesome

Secondly, during the party we had a great time of worship, personal testimonies from the women's team, and felt impressed to ask if any of the women would like to accept Christ as their personal Saviour. We had 22 women that responded to the call. Awesome!! It was a exciting experience to see the hunger these ladies have for the love of Christ. The great thing about this is as these ladies experience more of God's love they are more able to pass that along to the children.

Coming Soon: Healing Place Church - Swaziland

2008-02-11T21:21:00.000-08:00

In addition to continuing to lead Children’s Cup in Africa, Susan and I have begun developing a team to start a new campus of Healing Place Church in Mbabane, Swaziland. A huge part of the purpose of this is to strengthen our reach orphans and their Caregivers. The church is a partnership between Children's Cup and Healing Place Church to further extended the mission/passion that both organizations share to provide hope and healing for hurting children, youth, and adults.We are also excited about the opportunities this partnership will help develop to ignite this generation of young people in Swaziland. Our goal is to see transformation in the lives – taking children that are hungry and seeing them grow to be young people that are full of purpose and are willing to provide servant leadership in future Care Points or any other places where there are hurting people.

Back and Awake

2008-02-08T16:41:00.000-08:00

We made it. Back to Africa... So many things that are familiar and some things like driving on the other side of the road after three months in the States that still feel a little strange.

The flight was great.. (I would really recommend Delta now. Best leg room and they even have little tvs in the back of each seat (yes I’m talking about coach class… still haven’t tasted the fruit of business class other than walking through when you get off the plain and seeing the chairs laid out like a lazy boy.)

Right now we are in a little hotel room in Johannesburg and none of us can sleep (its 2:15am) thanks to jet lag. So I figured I would post a blog. We are so thankful for our time in the States. It was great to hang out with so many of you that help make Children’s Cup happen. It was great to soak in the presence of God in so many life giving churches that we visited.

So here we are refreshed, renewed, and ready to get after all the God has for Children’s Cup in 2008.

Check out Photos from Cup's Work in Africa

2008-02-02T08:28:00.000-08:00

Hey Now you can check out my photo gallery of pictures from all of our work in Africa... and a little play as well.

The link is http://benrodgers.smugmug.com/

Hear about what a Care Point Is

2008-02-02T08:05:00.000-08:00

Here is a great little video that explains the concept of a Care Point. Check this out.

Another Saurstown Production

2008-02-02T08:01:00.000-08:00

Here is the second act of the same great show below.

Care Point Kids in Zimbabwe Online

2008-01-29T05:48:00.001-08:00

Hey Check out this video of our kids singing their hearts out for Jesus. Well done Pastor Dixon and our Zim team.

Been Baptized?

2008-01-28T17:41:00.000-08:00

A very proud moment for Susan and me.... Seeing our two older kids baptized at Healing Place Church in Louisiana. They have been asking for a while now to be able to make a public statement of their faith by being baptized (even if it was a little chilly brrrrr)

I'm so proud of Kayla and Levi. They really love Jesus with all their hearts and are already sensing a call on their lives to serve on the mission field. Levi is feeling a pull to Zimbabwe and Kayla believes God is stirring her heart for India...

Susan and I are still relativly young but all ready the Lord is putting a big burden in our heart about training kids to reach kids. I think Kayla can all ready explain God's love better than me.

Baby it's Cold Outside

2008-01-22T19:59:00.000-08:00

These are a few pictures of the Christmas break we had in Iowa with my family. It snowed several times much to my kid's delight. I don't think it broke freezing most of the several weeks we were there.

It was the first time in four years that we have had a Christmas in the States so we enjoyed everything to nth degree.

UPWARD

2008-01-22T19:38:00.000-08:00

Our kids have been so blessed to be part of little sports teams during our visit back to the US. Kayla and Levi are playing basketball and Trinity is cheerleading (mommy is very proud as a cheerleader from years gone by).

It has been great for our kids to be able to make new friendships and educate their world of friends all about Africa. (who says you have to wait until they are teenagers to talk to them about becoming missionaries).

We are heading back to Swaziland in just a few short weeks but we have really enjoyed the time with friends and family her in the States.

Feeding Starving Children

2007-12-28T08:45:00.001-08:00

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit Feed My Starving Children's headquarters in Minnesota. These organzation is a friend of Children's Cup in reaching hungry children in Southern Africa. Their concept is so cool. They get volunteers to come in and pack food for children throughout the world who need it. They even go to churches and get the entire church involved in "hands on ministry" to pack food. We recently received a 40ft container of food and have been using it to supplement our feeding programs at the Care Points. Many children can now take food home with them for a much needed second daily meal. Many of these children are HIV+ and cannot take their medicine without extra food. For these children this food is literally the difference between life and death.

If you are interested in Feed My Starving Children to come to your church (they do require a certain amount of financial commitment to come to your site) feel free to contact that at http://www.fmsc.org/

P.S. these pictures are a home school group that came in to pact food in the Minnesota office. Wow, what a great thing to involve your homeschooler in to teach them about missions!

Cup's New Missionary Family

2007-12-26T12:25:00.000-08:00

We really enjoyed our time with some old friends and new co-workers, the Chapmans. Lad and his wife Crystal and three boys (and another one on the way!) are going to be joining the Cup team in Africa in January. Our family was able to stop by before Christmas and enjoy camping out together.

Lad will be helping direct our discipleship programs for children, youth, and volunteers. As you can see from the pics our kids really enjoying hanging out! Please pray for the Chapmans as they prepare to pack up and move back to Africa, (they had lived in Swaziland for three years previously and are coming back to join our team).

C3 is Christ to the Third Power

2007-12-18T10:49:00.000-08:00

This past Tuesday we were visiting with Pastors Matt and Martha Fry at Cleveland Community Church (thus the C “3”)in Clayton, NC. Wow, talk about a great church with huge vision to reach out to their community. Pastor Matt and crew are just finishing up their expanded worship space that will hold over 2,500 people. While we were waiting to meet Pastor Matt we met up with several children that were packing Christmas gifts for children in need. (Even the children have latched on to the vision of the church).

Pastor Matt Fry His wife Martha Fry

I was listening to one of Pastor Matt’s tapes as we left and heart him talking about having double vision. Having vision and setting things in place for you to be twice of your current size (no, I don’t think he is talking about going out and buying a bigger pair of pants). He was talking about having the foundation laid to go bigger; preparing leaders, growing more personally in character and abilities, and stretching the tent pegs!!

I really feel like this is a place where Children’s Cup is currently. God has blessed us with more people, more influence, more hurting people to help. We want to continue to run towards those children that have been abandoned, orphaned, and forgotten.

FOR THOSE THAT ARE NOT YET HERE!!!

Team 31 on Their Turf

2007-12-16T06:46:00.000-08:00

This past year Children's Cup had the privilege of hosting a team from the Christian 107 Radio station listening area. Our family had the opportunity to go back to Fayetteville, NC and reconnect with them this past week.

It is awesome to see how God is still at work in each of the team members heart and how the Lord used Africa as a catalyst to move them into a deeper walk with Him. This team of 31 already has three members that are working at coming back and working in Africa as full time missionaries and several more coming to help in short-term projects. We were also able to share on Christian 107 about the opportunities to sponsor a child in one of our Care Points through the upcoming 28 hours of Mercy they will be doing in cooperation with Mission of Mercy. (You can also check out Mission of Mercy website to sponsor a child at one of Cup’s Care Points in Swaziland or Mozambique.)

Some Great Missionaries

2007-12-12T20:26:00.000-08:00

In all of our road travels we try to sneak in times to visit friends and family around the United States. On Monday night we had the chance to visit our friends the Poes in Morganton, NC. They have been serving as missionaries in Swaziland for the past couple years and have been great friends to our family as well as our Cup family.

I believe the relationships we have in Africa go so deep because we really need each other. Someone’s truck breaks down so you help them out, a tree falls on your house so your buddies come over and help you, our kids all play together, we have birthday parties together, we cry together as we face trials and tribulations of all sorts in Africa, we laugh together at some of the crazy stories we all have.

Thank you to all of those in Africa who are brave enough to call us friends. We love ya all!!

JAX to the Max

2007-12-12T05:16:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we had the privilege of hanging out with our friends at one of America’s fastest growing churches… Celebration Church of Jacksonville. Our friend Pastor Mike Pier and Pastor Stovall Weems made us feel so welcome. They currently have SIX weekend services… WOW!! We had time to be part of their Christmas party for kids where they were making teddy bears for the kids in Africa.

Celebration Church is a major partner with Children’s Cup in Zimbabwe. They are helping to support several churches and the Care Point in Saurstown, Bulawayo.

Some of Our Favorite Things

2007-12-08T17:30:00.000-08:00

Hey whenever you can combine Charles & Kristen Young, the beach, and a great church like Bayside Community Church you will have a good day. Charles and Kristen are now the youth pastors leading the next generation into their destinies in the land of fun and sun (Florida). We had a great time of worship this past Wednesday night with Pastor Randy Bezet, their head pastor. What a great church to visit when you take a break to visit Florida.

We also had a few moments to steal away to the beautiful beaches in their neighborhood. In just a few days we will be in the land of snow and freezing temps.. burrrr

All the traveling is kind of tiring though. It is so emotional to see good friends and have to say goodbye a short time later.

You can drop Charles and Kristen a note at charles@baysidecommunity.org

Fun with the Family

2007-12-03T17:58:00.000-08:00

We have been in Huntsville, AL with our Uncle Tom, Aunt Jan, and cousin Tiffany. We managed to carry on the family tradition of having a marshmellow roast and fun around the fire. Uncle Tom has lots of ministry experience which we love to learn from whenever we are around them. (Not to mention the fun and laughs we have in the process)

On the Road Again

2007-12-01T18:25:00.000-08:00

Well, we are just getting ready to pull out for our six week trip around the USA to spend time with friends and family and tell them about all the wonderful things God is doing in Africa. I know we will have lots of family together time. I think somewhere around sixty hours of drive time... I'm going to try and blog every other day to let people meet all the awesome people we get to work with. Check back soon....

All in One Day

2007-12-01T18:09:00.000-08:00

We are now in Huntsville, AL with our cousins and we have the great opportunity in the words of my 4yr daughter (Trinity seen in the picture) to see Santa Claus and Miss Patty Cake all in the same day. Just by the way it was much quicker to see Santa Claus than Miss Patty Cake. Our kids are having a great time as we make our trek across the country.

Something to be Thankful For

2007-11-23T17:45:00.000-08:00

Wow, this Thanksgiving was the first one we enjoyed in the United States with our family in FOUR years. The turkey was awesome, the family lots of fun, and the atmostsphere incredible. I was even able to carve up some bird!!

We are so enjoying our time in the States to visit friends and family to catch up. We get ready to hit the road next week as we make our journey from Baton Rouge, LA to Des Moines, IA for Christmas.

Our Friends in Phoenix

2007-11-05T16:11:00.000-08:00

This morning Pop and I had the opportunity to meet our friends Dr. Beyda, his wife Charlcye, Don Christensen, and Kelly that help us provide medical care for almost 6,000 children in Swaziland.

They have helped us to establish a clinic, developed and trained our Care Point Coordinators, and have and provided medical care for thousands of children and adults in the communities through short-term medical outreaches.

You can check out a link to the Rehmeyer's blog site with more info and pictures concerning the medical outreaches.

Mercy Mercy Mercy

2007-11-05T16:00:00.001-08:00

Children's Cup has been working with an organzation called Mission of Mercy for more than two years to reach more orphan children in Africa. They have helped us through their sponosorship program to help more than 700 children in Swaziland and Mozambique.

Pop and I had the privledge of sharing with their staff at their headquarters in Colorado Springs this past week about the power of their partnership. What a great group of people that have huge passion for lost and forgotten children all over the world.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child that Children's Cup is working with go to their website at http://www.mofm.org/home/index.cfm and choose a child from Swaziland or Mozambique.

New Partnership

2007-11-05T15:10:00.000-08:00

We are so excited about our partnership with Oasis Church in Loganville, GA. Pastor Troy Shaw and his crew have committed to make a difference in the lives of forgotten children in Swaziland. Their church has adopted the Care Points in Fonteyn and Mangwaneni Mbabane. They didn't stop there either because they are also sending a missionary, Sandra Chester to help in these Care Points. Pop and I were with them this past Sunday where we talked about the Oasis of Swaziland project.

Thank you Oasis for helping us create an oasis for the orphans of Mbabane Swaziland!!

Culture Shock!!

2007-11-02T17:21:00.000-07:00

Well my family and I made it the 17+hour flight to come back to the States for a visit. I'm still suffering jet lag and from the shock of all the differences between Africa and the USA. THERE ARE SO MANY CHOICES!! I can't handle it... someone just tell me what I'm suppose to do. Everything is moving so fast. I feel like I'm in slow motion compared to everyone around me. But is also most always makes me cry when I come through that immigration line in the Atlanta airport and they say "Welcome Home Mr. Rodgers"

I'm a person that lives between two cultures. I love the high value put on relationships in Africa (they would never ask me to leave after I finished my meal at a resturant) but my driver type personality loves the "lets get it done"of America.

Anyway all of this may make me a little discontented where I might be on the earth but it helps me keep it clear that Heaven is really home everything else is just temporary.

A Celebration in Zimbabwe

2007-09-30T06:33:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a service!! I just returned from the grand opening of Oasis Church in Bulawayo Zimbabwe. It was definitely a highlight for 2007. We were privileged to have Pastor Mike Pier and Mr. Johnnie Bryan from Celebration Church to help us celebrate. Celebration Church has partnered with Pastor Dixon Changara, the Zimbabwean Children’s Cup Director, to plant Oasis of Life back in February of this year. The church has exploded as a big part of its DNA is to get beyond the four walls of the church and get involved in helping the hurting of the community. Oasis is working to coordinate a Care Point in the suburb of Saurstown. Already the people of Saurstown are asking for a branch of Oasis of Life to be planted in their community as they see the authentic faith and the incredible way Oasis is showing the love of God.

I have to say my favourite part was a performance of a children’s choir of orphans from Saurstown, ten little girls and one little brother. I had to fight back tears as I listened to them sing “I’m a promise with possibility” I realized the impact that all of these relationships are having on each of these children. The hope and love of Jesus has been made known to them because a church in the United States reached out in love. (I will post this song on the web when I can get a minute because you will love it.)

Adopting a Care Point

2007-09-30T06:05:00.000-07:00

This is the ministry team from Oasis of Life in Atlanta. They tore it up ministering to the community, the kids, and the teachers in Swaziland and Mozambique. We had so much fun painting a new classroom, doing Kid’s Clubs and reaching out to some of the single moms in the community.

Their church has adopted the Care Point in Fonteyn by having their kids connecting with the kids in the Care Point, providing financial support for the running of the center, and sending short-term teams to deepen the impact of the Care Point in the community. We are so excited about this highly relational partnership with Oasis because it enables the children to experience another aspect of love as they meet the people that are passionately praying, giving, and going on their behalf.

Children’s Cup has several other opportunities for a church to adopt a Care Point or one of the programs in a Care Point. For more information please email Vicki@childrenscup.org

Newest Teammates

2007-08-26T11:17:00.000-07:00

This is Pastor Samson and his wife Nomsa (and their first child still hiding in mommy’s tummy). They will be pastoring and overseeing our newest CarePoint in Masvingo Zimbabwe.

This area has so many children that have been orphaned and are in desperate need. Take a look at the pictures and you will see for yourself. This area has thousands of children who are in need of food, medical care, and most of all the love of Jesus.

Through the heart and passion of an incredible lady named Lita Veron and her pastor, Scott Bledsoe. They and the great people at Household of Faith have worked tirelessly to raise the funds needed to launch Oasis of Life in Masvingo

31 Are you Crazy?

2007-08-25T04:14:00.000-07:00

We just finished hosting a team of 31 people from Mission of Mercy Radio team. I have to admit a little apprehension at first to have a team this big especially after a rocky start. (We got locked out of Swaziland because we arrived at the border gate five minutes late.) BUT this team was awesome. They dug, danced, built, played, loved, hugged, and gave until there was little left. You can check out some of their pictures and their team blog at http://www.musicblog.christian107.com/ .

Princess Pepe

2007-08-25T03:59:00.000-07:00

This is my little friend Pepe. I met her when I first came to Swaziland almost four years ago. From the start, this little girl has captured my heart. She is an orphan and has been taken care of by different ladies from the community where she lives. Pepe is very shy but very loving. She has been dealt more hardship in her life then any other grown adult I have ever met but some how she hangs on to hope. This first picture is from about six months ago when she was very sick. My family and I have been praying like crazy for her and Teresa Rehmeyer and her team have been providing awesome medical care.

Now look at her. She is playing and having fun. It is the most awesome feeling in the world to be able to see in a little girl’s face a change from hopelessness to hope. What a prize!! Please continue to pray with me for Pepe.

A Miracle Blessing

2007-08-23T00:37:00.000-07:00

This is the newest addition to our Children’s Cup family. This is Blessing Dube and his mother Pretty Girl. Susan and I met Pretty Girl shortly after coming to Swaziland. She was involved in a destructive relationship where she was being abused and ultimately abandoned. Cup then took her in and helped Pretty Girl become literate so she could teach in one of the Care Points. It is so awesome to see how our Heavenly father looks after the abused, broken, and abandoned and brings healing and new life. Now Pretty Girl is one our head teachers helping children that have experience circumstances like her, she has a husband that loves and cherishes her, and as of two days ago has a beautiful baby.

Thank you for helping us bring the hope and healing of Jesus Christ to lives like Pretty Girl. More stories to come!!

Shhh…. We do have fun

2007-07-08T02:23:00.000-07:00

Contrary to popular belief, we at Children’s Cup in Africa do take some time for having fun. There are so many heartbreaking issues all around that if we didn’t find ways to laugh, we would fall apart. God has blessed us with a great team of missionaries and teachers to enjoy life with.

From paint ball wars (don’t worry, Isaac, your secret is safe with me) to games of Guesstures during which someone has to get the team to guess crazy words like “belly dancing” are times together of so much fun.

We have had several missionaries attached to other organizations who have relocated recently. They, too, have been a part of our times together and now really miss the depth of relationship we all enjoy.

Care Point Close to our Heart

2007-07-03T07:09:00.000-07:00

Each Children's Cup missionary has one or two Care Points they are responsible for overseeing. We as the Rodgers family have adopted Murray Camp Care Point in Manzini. Our family goes every other week to minister in the kid's club along with the teacher, Peggy Dlamini. Susan also does devotions with the ladies that volunteer to cook. We are trying to be salt and light in this neighborhood which is made of many squatters. (a squatter is someone who doesn't own or really have permission to be there but just setups house). Our whole family have started to develop individual relationship with kids and people in Murray Camp which gives us greater opportunity to share Christ.

I love it that part of our family's identity is serving these kids. This has been a great win for our family all around. It gives us all a similar reference point for ministry and helps our kids have a hands-on lab for sharing Jesus. I think by the time they are 15 they will be better missionaries than us.

They Go in First

2007-06-28T07:11:00.001-07:00

This is to our team that setups for all of the activities for Children’s Cup. This picture is from setting up tents for Dr. Beyda’s medical team that is here in Swaziland. This team of doctors will see hundreds of patients over the next week. Our setup team plays a vital part though as they will start as early as 5am and work past dark after everyone else has left to tear down and setup.
Our Cup team is awesome. God has blessed us with some many people that really have a servant’s heart. Check out the Rehmeyers blog for more info on the doctor’s trip http://rehmeyers.blogspot.com/

Locals Getting Involved

2007-06-28T06:52:00.000-07:00

We are so blessed by the favor God is giving us in Swaziland. Many individuals and businesses have observed how much of an impact that Children's Cup is making in the lives of orphans through the Care Points in their neighborhoods. They in turn are wanting to jump on board. We have had several local business owners donate clothing and other needed supplies in the last few weeks. We are thankful for businesses like SAVE (pictured above)that helped give warm clothing to the children at four Care Points.

It is awesome being on a team that is making a difference!

Recipe for an Extreme Church

2007-06-07T03:12:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

ONE AWESOME GOD
A few sold out leaders willing to obey God no matter what
Lots of hurting people that really need to understand the hope of Jesus Christ

This is the case in Chambuta. This is a real life Superman. His name is Pastor Godfrey and he has served over the past eight years in the community of Chambuta. You must understand that this is one of the poorest places in Zimbabwe and the people are hard because of the harshness of life. Pastor Godfrey has given his all in ministering to the people of the community and the children at the school. He has even seen one of the local witch doctors give her life to Christ and lead others towards our awesome God

Chambuta

2007-06-07T02:59:00.000-07:00

Being back in Chambuta, an area of extreme poverty in southeastern Zimbabwe, was a very emotional experience. I have not been able to go back to Chambuta for the past three years so it was awesome to see our old friends still doing their best in spite of very difficult circumstances. I was actively involved with this community while I was living in Zimbabwe.

The primary school in Chambuta has dropped in attendance by over 250 children because the kids simply don’t have anything to eat. They don’t have the energy to make the two to five kilometer trip to school by foot.

We are excited about continuing to make a difference in these kid’s lives. Our Zimbabwean director Pastor Dixon Changara will be teaming up with our local Pastor Godfrey to spread the love and hope of Christ as we also help to meet the practical needs of the children.

A Life of Beauty

2007-05-25T12:52:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had someone in your life who affected you so much that just the fact that you were around that person made you better? That is my feeling about my friend Sisana. Sisana is one of the first people that I met when I came to Swaziland, and she was already, without any outside help, serving orphaned children in her neighborhood.

She, like many of us, had a past full of hurt and heartache. But unlike many, she allowed it to make her better instead of bitter. She allowed Jesus to take those hurts and use them to help her empathize with the people suffering around her.

Sisana lived in one of the toughest places in Swaziland, the community known as Ka Khoza. Most people in Swaziland would tell you that this is where they make prostitutes and thugs. This community is a hurting place, and many people get hurt if they go there. But Sisana helped to turn this hurting place into a Healing Place.

She gave everything she had to help children who had nowhere else to go. She came five days a week to our CarePoint in Ka Khoza and cooked and cleaned as a volunteer. She helped children needing to take medication by visiting their homesteads. She even took into her home two community children who had no other options.

Sisana lived in a small 3-meter by 3-meter home with six children (three of which being her grandchildren whose parents have already died). Her husband had passed away, and she had little to no income. On top of this, she was suffering from TB.

Sisana passed away this past weekend from complications of TB. As our Cup team and I mourn because we have lost a trusted friend, we also rejoice because there is no doubt that Sisana is with Jesus now.

I believe this was her secret for being able to overcome such tremendous adversity: She gave the pain, disappointment, and hurt to Christ and allowed Him to make it into something beautiful.

Sisana maybe didn’t lead millions to give their lives to Christ, but she made a huge impact on several children whom she helped mother. She affected a community that is hurting but saw a woman of love and servant hood. She inspired many more to do their small part by serving others in their world because of her example.

And this is Christ’s definition of love:

“No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.”
John 15:13

Personal Note

2007-05-25T12:51:00.000-07:00

I have now written more blogs in the past 24hrs than I have in the last six months. People that know me realize that means I must be oozing with emotions. Being back in Zimbabwe rocked my world and was such a wonderful and hard experience. It was wonderful because of seeing old friends, making new ones, and seeing the impact that a little bit of effort can make. It was hard because I saw so many people suffering.

In 2001, Susan and I started out our ministry in Zimbabwe, and I think a part of our heart will always be there. At the Lord’s prompting, we moved in 2003 to Swaziland to engage in helping the orphan issues, but we have deep emotional connections to Zim. I think it is very fair to say that Zimbabwe was a hurting place when we lived there and is even more so now.

It doesn’t take one long to see the challenges Zimbabwe is facing. Charles and I didn’t have electricity or running water for the majority of the time we were in Zim. Every time we stopped to talk with people, they were telling us about the severe difficulties they have in just trying to survive. The price of fuel increased by 5% in the six days we were there.

BUT…. In light of all that, I can see how the hope of Jesus shines even brighter in the midst of adversity. Zimbabwean churches have a depth that many churches in other countries don’t have, because the only hope Zimbabweans have is Jesus. (That is reality for all of us, but I think it is more easily recognized in Zimbabwe).

Oasis of Life

2007-05-25T12:50:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a great name for this church in Zimbabwe! Children’s Cup has the privilege to partner with Celebration Church in Jacksonville and a long-time friend, Pastor Dixon Changara, in bringing hope to the hope starved country of Zimbabwe.

On this past trip to Zimbabwe, Charles Young and I were able to spend plenty of time with Pastor Dixon and his leaders of Oasis of Life. His church is three months old and already has a congregation of 140 people. At the service on Sunday five new people gave their lives to Christ!

You would love this church as it is fun, dynamic, and has awesome praise and worship. The love is so thick you feel like warm mayonnaise is all around you the whole time. I told Pastor Dixon that he is incredibly blessed to have so many totally awesome people in a church this new. Each member of his leadership team has an incredible servant’s heart and is actively looking for ways to serve his or her church and community. (Come on, pastors, wouldn’t it be great to have that?)

When you look around the country of Zimbabwe, you understand how appropriate the name Oasis of Life really is. This is all in a setting in which unemployment is over 80% and the inflation rate is over 2000%. People are really struggling just to survive.

Pastor Dixon and his crew are working hard to reach out to hurting and suffering people. They have become actively involved (thanks to lots of help from Celebration Church) in the community of Sauestown. This is a community around the church that has been hit hard by HIV/AIDS pandemic. They are working to provide care to the many orphans and widows that have been left behind because of this disease.

Please join us in praying for the people of Zimbabwe and the Oasis of Life.

Old Friends

2007-05-25T11:51:00.000-07:00

During my latest trip to Zimbabwe, I was able to greet some old friends. One of those is Mr. Zingaya. He is the headmaster of Helen Magee Primary school in the city of Masvingo Zimbabwe.

Mr. Zingaya is around 64 years old but is very strong. (He showed us the bicycle that he rides to work every day.) As we walked into his office, Mr. Zingaya started crying. He said, “I never thought we would ever see you again.”

Mr. Zingaya is almost like an African father to me. You see, when I was living in Zimbabwe, Dave VanRensburg and I would spend a lot of time with Mr. Zingaya. We worked with his school and an orphanage that is next door called Alpha Cottages. Children’s Cup helped to do teacher training for all of his staff which propelled Mr. Zingaya’s school from the worst to the best in their region.

He is actively involved in the orphanage next door as a volunteer because many of the children from the orphanage attend his school. He has become the surrogate father whom many of these orphans desperately need. Charles and I saw this as many children would come up to him, hug him, and want to play. (This may seem normal, but in southern Africa this is pretty rare.)

We wanted to connect with Mr. Zingaya because Children’s Cup is working to begin a CarePoint in this town. Masvingo is one of the hardest hit towns in Zimbabwe by HIV/AIDS. It is kind of the hub for the country because of its central location. HIV has hit this city hard as the transient population is very promiscuous. This has created a lot of orphans.

Mr. Zingaya is an old friend, and now also has a renewed passion to play an active part in helping us engage the community and reach out to these orphans.

Thank You, Jesus, and thank you, Cup bearers for helping us help awesome people like Mr. Zingaya to reach out and change lives.

The Crew

2007-05-13T08:29:00.000-07:00

This is our African Crew in Africa right now. We are missing our wing man Patrick Conti and are looking forward to welcoing Christy Merrill in July. God has blessed us with such a great team to bring healing to the hurting and lots of fun in the process.

Playing with the Boys

2007-05-09T03:55:00.000-07:00

There is more than one way to stay young. Our Children's Cup staff love playing with the kids. We spend alot of our time training and empowering local people to care for the orphaned and abandonded children around them. But sometimes we just have to go have some fun. This picture was taken during a team visit by the Elevate program from Healing Place Church last month. We were having a dedication of the Nkobe, Mozambique church/care point. Check out Issac Williams, our director in Mozambique, blogsite for more info on the dedication. http://isaacandcarol.blogspot.com/

Dan the Man

2007-05-09T03:44:00.000-07:00

Hanging out with a friend. That is what I would title this picture. This is my brother-in-law Dan Ohlerking and a little friend he made during his latest visit to Mozambique. Many people that work with Children's Cup may not know that Dan and his wife Vicki are the creative geniuses that make the eye catching newsletters, calendars, and promo stuff. Dan has been helping us to more effectively communicate the needs and victories of Children's Cup projects to donors that want to help make a difference. Check out his blog site at http://danohlerking.blogspot.com/

Fun in the Sun

2007-04-01T05:14:00.000-07:00

We just finished our kid's camp for 5 to 7 year olds. Wow, what fun. Many of this kids are have heart breaking stories of being orphaned but for a weekend they were the guest of honor at a camp designed just for them. From the time they arrived until the leave on Sunday it is high energy games, singing, Bible stories and fun. I really love this age group too because they still love hugs and are not trying to act cool yet. Our camp is hosted by our Care Point teachers and our Dynamic kids. They do a great job of helping every child feel special. I even got my daughter Kayla involved. She had about a dozen little ones glued to her as she loved on them and taught them several new games.

Today when I went to drop the kids off back at their homes they just stayed in the car waiting. I told them it was time to go home and they started crying and saying they enjoyed camp so much they wanted to go back. Thanks Lord and Cupbearers for the privledge to love on His little ones.

Ready, Set, Go

2007-03-23T07:46:00.000-07:00

On Sunday we had our first church service in our CarePoint/Church in Mozambique. It was awesome as we had 254 people for the very first service. Many of these people were the children that have been coming to the Care Point for the past year. The atmostsphere was electric as the community was anticipating what kind of church this might be. We had a great time of singing and dancing (oh yes you don’t have church in Africa without dancing) while Pastor Rob Ketterling, from River Valley Church, served up the Word!!

We are looking forward to the official launch of Healing Place Church on April 29th.

Worship in Zimbabwe

2007-02-23T02:19:00.000-08:00

This note is from our friend Pastor Dixon Chingara in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. We are very excited to have the opportunity to help Pastor Dixon as he helps to reach orphans and vulnerable children in Zimbabwe.

We had our first service on Sunday!! It was wonderful. The atmosphere was charged with God’s love and presence. The worship was awesome. We held the meeting in a home. We had 45 people in all. After the service we all shared some lunch. God is truly up to some really great stuff. What a privilege to be chosen by Him to be a part of all this. We just want to love Jesus Christ and these wonderful people. Thanks for being a part of what God is doing right here right now.

Bless you all

Dixon

South African Partnership

2007-02-14T08:06:00.000-08:00

It is awesome to see how the men and women of God are coming together all over Africa to help orphaned children. With over 40 million orphans in Africa partnerships become so vital to making impact. In the town of Pongola in South Africa Pastor Schalk (the guy with all of the wisdom showing through his white hair) and his wife June are working to establish a Care Point to help the overwhelming number of orphans. Also Pastor Dean Skinner (in the bright blue shirt) and his wife Wendy are looking at ways to establish programs for children in the Nelspruit area of South Africa. Wow, God is establishing his dream team!!

Thanks for playing a part too!!