SU Western Cape Q4 22 ministry report

Leading young people to know and walk with God

Every young person transformed by Jesus and filled with hope

I don’t know about you, but every now and then I walk out the house and still check if I have a mask, only to remember… The habits of COVID have affected us deeply! We have noticed that "nervous caution" has given way to optimistic enthusiasm" as schools and churches get involved in holiday clubs, camps, Christian Union groups, and training. We are thankful to God for fruitful and exciting ministry!

They each brought their unique passions and perspectives to our team, and we are going to miss their special influence.

In 2023 we will enter the second phase of the Langa Sinawe Schools Programme. We are partnering with Arise Family to deliver a lifeskills based programme called “Heroes for Hope”. The programme incorporates strength-based and resilience building interventions. We cannot remove the reality of trauma and hardship in children’s lives, but through this course we can equip them with adaptable strategies to face the variety of challenges in their day-to-day lives.

Thando Salman, a Sinawe Schools Worker in Langa and Tristan Stallenberg, a Trendsetter with Celest are also finishing this year. In 2023 Thando is starting a woodwork apprenticeship and Tristan will study teaching. They have both been a gift to SU, touching young lives in meaningful ways for the gospel.

We are looking forward to appointing some new staff members in the New Year. Would you please pray that God would guide us to the right people who will serve God’s mission within SU.

From the SU Western Cape office, we wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and God’s blessings as you enter the New Year.

As the year draws to a close, we are saying goodbye to four valuable SUWC team members. Jason Adams and Jemma van Blerk have both completed a year as Mission Enablers in Mitchells Plain and the Southern Suburbs respectively.

In Christ

Grant Peers

WC Regional Director

Scripture Union is all about leading young people to know and walk with God. This year saw the reboot of October Leadership where young Christian leaders, in school Christian Union groups, came to be equipped to lead those in their school to Jesus. What does it take to be a Christ Ambassador? This is the question that was addressed at October Leadership 2022.

October Leadership is normally a camp but has been on pause since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. We had a few schools from all over Cape Town in attendance from Somerset West, Kensington, Southern

It was great having a variety of speakers giving input for the training and the use of illustrations and videos made the sessions engaging and relatable to everyone in attendance. It was very encouraging to meet and connect with other likeminded Christians from different schools.

The learners expressed that they really want to grow their Christian Union group at school but it is difficult. They also shared that it is tough being a Christian in school, battling to balance school work and spending time with God while facing peer pressure, bullying and struggles with family, home life, friendships and many other unseen challenges. Our teens are facing immense pressure and we need to pray for them continually, that the Lord would lead and guide them, protect them, and give them the wisdom to make good choices.

The Sinawe Team in Langa has the privilege of working with all five primary schools in Langa. Having been in a position to provide psycho-social, emotional spiritual support to learners who are vulnerable, some having behavioral challenges, "It's Your Move" is a much needed personal empowerment tool for the current grade 7 learners to prepare for grade 8. It goes without saying that the majority of the Primary Schools township learners are absorbed into the local High Schools, especially post COVID-19 as this solves part of the financial struggles parents faced and are still facing.

The "It's Your Move" program covers three areas:

Fears & phobias

Identity & choices Dilemma & creativity

The team went through some challenges in the first school where we were still finding our feet and learning to navigate the material while keeping the therapeutic atmosphere in the room. The maize/blind fold game, where friends gave each other directions to get to a target, was the highlight of the first section. The learners were challenged by the content and the educators joined in too because they wanted to experience the learning environment. This was an added blessing and their presence helped thwart questionable behaviour!

It was an eye-opener for the learners to realise that many of them were facing an identity crisis. They realised they were relying on what their friends and other people were saying about them. We used a powerful video snippet to address the lack of self-love and self confidence. This process showed the impact of negative words which get internalised and later acted out. We took a session to unpacked the idea that the person that knows who they are will feel secure and make choices from this place of strength. In one session we came up with a mantra from the bible verse in 1 Cor 10:23. It rhymes well in IsiXhosa: Zintle zonke-azindilungelanga zonke. The learners instantly fell in love with this verse! Learners received an encouragement to choose wisely in life, doing the right thing even when no one is watching.

The feedback from the learners in all the schools was overwhelming. The educators were equally excited and thankful. They witnessed the power of setting ground rules before every session commenced and how easy it was to call back to order anyone who was overstepping those rules. We reinforced the importance of speaking positively to each other, how to give and receive compliments, and the importance of apologizing to the next person. The Sinawe Schools Workers are looking forward to implementing this program again next year with much more precision and more time given to each section.

My name is Amber-Kaye Africa and on the 3rd to the 7th October 2022 the Rawsonville Holiday Club took place. As this was my first-time volunteering with Scripture Union (SU), the only expectation I had was to grow spiritually and help children understand the amazing love of God.

“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink…”(John 7:37) . The vision of SU is to lead young people to know and walk with God. During this holiday club, a thirst for God’s word and love for others was evident. This was my highlight: how receptive the kids were to God’s word and teachings about his love for us. Each day we would share a bible story and a lesson connected to it. Immediately after that, I would be swamped with questions relating to the story. The group's favourite was the story of Joseph.

Throughout the course of this holiday club, the amount of hope the kids had started to increase and honestly, not gradually, but rather greatly. Each day the group would have a moment of prayer and it was an experience in itself, to witness the children praying for their loved ones and themselves. At one point, we went around and asked what we’d like to ask of Jesus and one of the boys stated that he wants healing. The amount of sincerity was astounding and is forever impressed on my memory.

I would ask that we continuously pray and intercede for these children so that God can raise them to be the next David, Daniel, Joseph, Solomon, Deborah, Ruth or Esther. I want to give a great thanks to Scripture Union and the leaders that were involved in this program and much thanks to the Lord, our God for allowing us to do this for his kingdom and glory.

We are thankful to God for his faithful provision to SU. He continues to gives us what we need when we need it! Thank you to all of our prayer supporters and financial partners through whom God has been providing for us.

In keeping with our trust in God, we would ask you to consider partnering with us in one of two ways: If you would like to give through our online portal, CLICK HERE. In the "Leave an appreciation message" please reference: SUWC + [your name] If you would like to give by EFT Sakh’Ulutsha | Standard Bank | Rondebosch Acc

Langa Sinawe Programme - this work has produced much fruit in a short time. We have secured part of the funding necessary to continue the programme for another two years, however we still need to raise a significant portion. Would you consider partnering with us to support the salary costs of those who faithfully minister to the young people of Langa. Camp Sponsorship - Who doesn't love getting away from normal routines, participating in crazy activities, and building friendships? Mini and Teen camps are unforgettable experiences full of exciting adventures where you can learn more about yourself and God. Please consider sponsoring a camper at the cost of R1200 for a four day experience.

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