Hello friends!
I apologize for the silence in between updates. The last few months have been hectic around Refilwe, as always.
During the April school holidays, YMS held a holiday program which was a great success. This program was YMS’s first ever April holiday club. In the two weeks combined, we hosted 45 students. It was wonderful times of helping young people grow in their talents and in their knowledge of Christ.
The first week, April 5-9, was focused on the older youth from ages 13 and up. We did praise and worship each morning, fun activities and games, music lessons, as well as teachings. The four topics that we focused on were respect, love, honesty, and trust. In the afternoons, the youth were divided into their skill groups: guitar, keyboard, drums, bass, dancing, and singing.
The second week, April 12-16, focused on pre-teens. We invited the children from ages 5-12. The unique part of week two, was that many of the older kids from the first week were now involved in the planning, preparation, and teaching for the kids of the second week. The discussion for this week was much the same as the previous week, but altered to fit the ages of the kids. We would challenge the kids to practice the practical skills at home and give us feedback the very next day of what they learned.
During the holiday program, we had one volunteer from Holland named Tess. She helped
teach singing as well as colouring and arts with the smaller kids.
At the end of the two weeks, all of the youth that attended the program put on a production for the parents. They sang, danced, and showed off the musical skills they had learned during the week. The kids even served tea and coffee to their parents!
All in all, the holiday program was effective and we are excited to do it all again next year!
The YMS boys soccer team is still as strong as ever. We are working on getting them officially entered into the league in order to advance their soccer career. Once the hype of the World Cup is over, things will be back to normal and we can continue with our matches. For the past couple of months, we have started up Friday night teachings with the boys. We discuss life and how to be a godly man. We are also focusing on building education within the soccer team and trying to find tutors for each boy.
YMS has recently gained a new staff member. Piet’s newly engaged fiancé, Leah, has recently moved from Port Elizabeth to Refilwe to develop the non-existent girl’s ministry. She will be providing all of the admin for YMS as well as building up the girls who up until this time, have had no females leaders to confide in.
The final big project within YMS is the youth house. As has previously been mentioned, YMS has
been given a house within the Refilwe premises as a place for YMS leaders and students. It is a place of refuge for youth with unstable homes and upbringing. The house was a blessing, but needs a lot of physical work. God has sent a few groups of youth workers who will be sponsoring and collecting materials for the renovations of the youth house. There are currently two YMS leaders, and two students living in the house. The goal is to have 12 guys living in this house that will be a part of YMS. We are praying that God will send these students.
A few prayer requests from YMS:
- The leadership and Staff will grow in Christ
- Seriousness of purpose
I apologize for the silence in between updates. The last few months have been hectic around Refilwe, as always.
During the April school holidays, YMS held a holiday program which was a great success. This program was YMS’s first ever April holiday club. In the two weeks combined, we hosted 45 students. It was wonderful times of helping young people grow in their talents and in their knowledge of Christ.
The first week, April 5-9, was focused on the older youth from ages 13 and up. We did praise and worship each morning, fun activities and games, music lessons, as well as teachings. The four topics that we focused on were respect, love, honesty, and trust. In the afternoons, the youth were divided into their skill groups: guitar, keyboard, drums, bass, dancing, and singing.The second week, April 12-16, focused on pre-teens. We invited the children from ages 5-12. The unique part of week two, was that many of the older kids from the first week were now involved in the planning, preparation, and teaching for the kids of the second week. The discussion for this week was much the same as the previous week, but altered to fit the ages of the kids. We would challenge the kids to practice the practical skills at home and give us feedback the very next day of what they learned.
During the holiday program, we had one volunteer from Holland named Tess. She helped
teach singing as well as colouring and arts with the smaller kids.At the end of the two weeks, all of the youth that attended the program put on a production for the parents. They sang, danced, and showed off the musical skills they had learned during the week. The kids even served tea and coffee to their parents!
All in all, the holiday program was effective and we are excited to do it all again next year!
The YMS boys soccer team is still as strong as ever. We are working on getting them officially entered into the league in order to advance their soccer career. Once the hype of the World Cup is over, things will be back to normal and we can continue with our matches. For the past couple of months, we have started up Friday night teachings with the boys. We discuss life and how to be a godly man. We are also focusing on building education within the soccer team and trying to find tutors for each boy.
YMS has recently gained a new staff member. Piet’s newly engaged fiancé, Leah, has recently moved from Port Elizabeth to Refilwe to develop the non-existent girl’s ministry. She will be providing all of the admin for YMS as well as building up the girls who up until this time, have had no females leaders to confide in.
The final big project within YMS is the youth house. As has previously been mentioned, YMS has
been given a house within the Refilwe premises as a place for YMS leaders and students. It is a place of refuge for youth with unstable homes and upbringing. The house was a blessing, but needs a lot of physical work. God has sent a few groups of youth workers who will be sponsoring and collecting materials for the renovations of the youth house. There are currently two YMS leaders, and two students living in the house. The goal is to have 12 guys living in this house that will be a part of YMS. We are praying that God will send these students.A few prayer requests from YMS:
- The leadership and Staff will grow in Christ
- Seriousness of purpose
- YMS will follow God’s leading and direction
- Girl’s ministry
Praise God for all HE ALONE is doing in and through YMS!
Thanks for your support!
Best Regards & God Bless
- Girl’s ministry
Praise God for all HE ALONE is doing in and through YMS!
Thanks for your support!
Best Regards & God Bless
The YMS team
