October 11, 2012

 Last Saturday Rick met a man (Shayne)at the Super Spar, who was also picking up discarded produce (Rick gets it for Brother Hola’s pigs).  So, they shared the produce and found out he has a nursery on a farm close to Bathurst, which is about 10K from Port Alfred.  So, today we went out there to see what is happening and find out if there is any service we could bring the youth out to do.  Well, there is and will now ask the youth if they would like to participate in something like that.  It is a pretty and quiet place and he and another guy (Paul) are recovering alcoholics of 6 and 7 years. They have another man, Max, who works with them, as well. 

Their nursery is 5 months old and they have a great endeavor going on.  When they were alcoholics they were helped by a man in Grahamstown, showed how to run a nursery and worked with him in his mission until he passed away. They were acquainted with Benny, the owner of the farm where they are at now, and asked if they could start a nursery on some of his land, and that is how this whole thing got started. They have not accepted any donations except for the use of the land and are making it by selling the plants they are raising. They are also, in the memory of being helped themselves, carrying on with the ministry by tiring to help others who want to make a better life for themselves.

They asked about what we are doing in South Africa and we explained about the church and the missionary efforts.  Shayne thought maybe he would like to come to church sometime.  Of course, we told him he was welcome anytime.  They enjoyed us being there and we look forward to going there again. We also purchased several plants for the garden at the church.