Psalm 34: 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Dear Friends in Christ
We rejoice when we think back of God’s goodness towards us over the past years since we came to Onseepkans, despite the fact that we fail Him so many times. We praise God for His faithfulness. It is now 7 years since God called us to Onseepkans, and we can testify how He faithfully took care of us all these years. Again and again, our Lord continues to remind us to take refuge in Him, and we can only testify that “Taste and see that the Lord is good”.
Mission Project: Seed production as an Agricultural Testimony and hope
One of the main events at Onseepkans mission this year was the start of a seed production initiative. Over the years in many newsletters, we reported about our garden activities, and sometimes also the challenges and setbacks that we experienced. Through it all, we experienced that God wanted us to continue with our garden initiatives, even though at many times we thought of giving up.
God rewarded our efforts and earlier this year, as we reported in a previous newsletter, a seed producing company approached us for some trial plantings on different vegetables. Our relationship with this company has grown to the point where we consider it to be a continuous long-term project for the mission. In future newsletters, we will keep you up to date about the development of this project.
The following pictures will give you an idea of the progress thus far.
Lettuce for seed production
Net houses
Cauliflower seed production in net houses
Shallots field for seed production
Why is this project so important for Onseepkans Mission?
Onseepkans is primarily an agricultural area and any agricultural progress brings hope to the hearts of the local communities, with the prospect of job creation. Currently, the only people really benefitting from the agricultural potential of the area are the commercial farmers. The local communities still primarily relies on social grants to make ends meet. Job creation is a big concern in Onseepkans, especially since most of the workers of the commercial export grape and raisin farmers comprise of seasonal workers from elsewhere. This influx of seasonal workers creates tremendous challenges of its own, especially alcohol abuse, drug abuse and immorality and all the vices that accompanies it. The agricultural raisin plantation initiative that the government started for the community, if successful, will take many years before the community will reap the benefits.
With the seed production project we hope to bring hope in numerous ways.
- If successful, the project have the potential to generate good income for the mission, which could help cover some of the daily expenses needed to keep the mission functioning. This means that funds received can be utilized in more direct initiatives to forward God’s Kingdom, for example the sponsoring of missionary teams to visit schools and youth groups to speak to the youth about drug abuse, abstinence and making God the main focus of our lives.
- It could also help to cover the cost of sending people in need for help to our mother mission in Malmesbury and the main mission in Natal.
- The funds generated will also open up the potential to do much needed renovations on some of the mission buildings. As the work grows, we have more and more visitors visiting that needs accommodation. Some of these visitors include people from nearby towns who want to visit us for a time of rest and spiritual help.
- Seed production is labour intensive and it creates the opportunity for us to give a job opportunities for many who are in need of income. We try to make use of as many women as possible, since some of the local women tend to also buy food for their children and not just spend all the money on alcohol. The interaction with the workers also creates opportunities for prayer and spiritual conversations.
- Our example can encourage others in Onseepkans or nearby towns to start a similar initiative and they can come to us for training and advice.
Mission Project: Vegetable Garden
We continue to plant as much as possible and as many different varieties of vegetables as possible, for the mission’s use as well as to distribute to the community where needed most. We frequently have requests from the local communities for vegetable seedlings and thus our seedlings form an important part of our ministry, not only for the local community but also for the vegetable production for Bright lights Children Home.
This was the net house that Glen and the team from Moreson Mission helped us to erect in March this year.
Three months later we praise God for the growth that we experienced.
Mission Project: Vegetable production for “Bright lights” Childrens Home in Pofadder
In previous newsletters, we reported that Bright Lights Children Home in Pofadder approached us to grow vegetables for them and asked us to take over their tunnels for vegetable production. We collected the plastic frames and steel pegs for the vegetable tunnels, but unfortunately, the material is in a very bad condition. The material was badly vandalized while still on the premises of the children’s home. Please remember this important project in your prayers as we seek wisdom from the Lord how to best utilize the material in our possession.
Community involvement: Community Police Forum (CPF)
Recently I was elected as the chairman of the local Community Police Forum (CPF) in Onseepkans.
The CPF is an important initiative in South Africa, acting as a link between the police and the local communities. The CPF also encourage co-operation between the police and local communities.
One of the main duties of a CPF is to have numerous initiatives in its area to engage in social reform projects, for example, actions against drug abuse, violence against women and family violence.
This platform gives me numerous opportunities for interaction with different groups from local towns in the region and also the opportunity to arrange speaking engagements for missionary teams at local schools and youth groups.
General outreach to the community
We continue on an ongoing basis to reach out to families and individuals in the communities as the Lord leads us. This includes spiritual advice and guidance, as well as practical help in the form of food where really needed. We experience that the Lord is giving us favour amongst the local people. They respect and trust us.
Thank you for all your prayer and support. We praise God for His servants that strengthen our hands to do God’s work in Onseepkans.
Gerhard, Elmane and children at Onseepkans Mission
