Orchard Africa Mission Trip Highlights
We had an amazing trip to South Africa where we lead Vacation Bible School for 30 children in Mareetsane Village, completed renovations on the existing playground (built by our 2018 mission team) by replacing the slide and swings, added and painted tires surrounding the playground equipment and varnished all the wood, built shelving units for the Impact Center warehouse and assembled hygiene packs, planted seeds/transferred seedlings at the Mission House garden, toured and donated medical supplies at the Mareetsane clinic, gifted the children with hand-knitted hats and hacky sacks (made by our own Knifty Knitters), as well as backpacks filled with sweatshirts, pants, shoes, socks, school supplies and hygiene packs. Whew! We were also blessed to assist with the feeding program and served the children meals while we were in the village. For some, it is their only meal of the day. We did see that the villagers take good care of each other.
The young members of our group from La Casa related so well to the youth we served. We created a scripture banner using Psalm 139:14 ~ "I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me," which the students recited in English! There was dancing and fun each day, as these young people are filled with joy!
We ended our time with two nights at Kwa Maritane Game Reserve where we did a sunrise and a sunset game drive, and were fortunate to see elephants, rhinos, giraffes, lions, wildebeest and a leopard!
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