Dear Friends,
We as a mission organized an exciting event here in our community and we would like to share it with you.
Fun Run in Onseepkans
When you drive through the streets of the settlements in Onseepkans one gets struck by the sense of idleness that confronts you. Young and old are just “hanging around” with nothing to do. This, of course, is fertile soil for the vices of alcohol, drug abuse, sexual immorality, and gambling to take root. Teenagers gathering around smartphones to look at who knows what, people looking for ways to get money for the next bottle of liquor, young and old gathering around in groups to gamble, young people grouping around a hookah pipe smoking. When will something positive break in upon these negative vices which want to ensnare the youth of Onseepkans?
Fun Run!! First price R200, second price R150, third price R100, and five lucky draws of R100 each!
Onseepkans Mission pioneered an initiative to launch the first annual 5 km (3.1 miles) fun run/walk in Onseepkans. We decided to launch it under the umbrella body of the local Community Police Forum (CPF) in collaboration with our local Police Force. We also managed to get sponsorship from aQuellé, a mineral water producer in South Africa.
A Banner with all the Sparkling Flavours of aQuellé
aQuellé is situated at our main mission, Kwasizabuntu Mission, in Kwa- Zulu Natal. There is an amazing story behind this company. Many years ago, a young child came to our mission Director, Rev. Erlo Stegen, and told him of a dream where she was shown that the mission was built on a treasure. They thought that this treasure was some precious metals or diamonds, but in 1997 they found a pure water spring on the mission property. After testing the water and finding it was too good not to share, the water was bottled and branded “aQuellé”. aQuellé is a hybrid of the Latin word ‘aqua’, meaning water and the German word ‘Quelle’ meaning spring. Through the past 25 years, aQuellé has grown to such an extent that they are now the biggest bottled water supplier in South Africa outside the Coca-Cola Company. We are very thankful to aQuellé for their kind sponsorship.
At last, the day of the fun run arrived. We fetched the participants from the nearby two neighbourhoods and all gathered at Melkbosrand’s Community Hall. Onseepkans comprise of three neighbourhoods, Melkbosrandt (closest to us), Viljoensdraai and RC Mission (not to be confused with our mission). Melkbosrandt Community hall served as the starting and finishing point of the race. As they arrived everyone wrote their names on the registration list and received a bottle aQuellé sparkling flavoured water for the race.
Participants Registering
The nearly 150 participants, mostly children and teenagers, but also adults and even the elderly, gathered at the gate in front of the hall. As the Station Commander of the local police station, Capt. Van Vuuren, blew the whistle the whole group rushed forward. We drove in front with a camera to take photos and the Police vehicle drove behind to check that everyone were fine as well as to assist if there was any injuries
Starting the Race
We were surprised to see the number of children under 10 who participated and ran or walked the whole distance. All the partakers really enjoyed the Fun Run. There was a strong competitive spirit amongst them.
Children Running
As the race progressed the group thinned out until they were spread out over a long distance. Amazingly most of the children ran bare feet on the gravel road, but it did not seem to bother them at all. Three young boys of about 12 years old took the lead and left the others far behind. They ran like first-class athletes and took first second and third place. One of the gentlemen who ran was over sixty years old, yet he acted and enjoyed it as if he was twenty.
The elderly Gentlemen
One of the Ladies Who Participated
Apart from first, second and third prizes and five lucky draws, we also surprised the adults and elderly who took part with a small prize to thank them for their participation. One adult lady not only received a price but a lucky draw as well. This caused great excitement and she danced with joy.
The Winner Running
The Winner Receiving His Prize Money from Capt. Van Vuuren
After the completion of the race, the participants received another bottle of aQuellé flavoured sparkling water. Our mission also baked chocolate cake which we handed out to the children afterwards.
Children Receiving and Enjoying Their Cake and aQuellé
Youngsters Excited over Their Bottles of aQuellé
There is a big need for such events to bring meaning to the lives of people in Onseepkans. We are thankful that we had the privilege to serve our community in such a way and it is our prayer that this will be the first of many more to come.
In Conclusion
Thank you to everyone who prays for us, support us, and in such a way make it possible for us to serve the people of Onseepkans.
God’s richest blessings,
Gerhard, Elmané, and Children
