Gerda and I recently celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary in South Africa and as usual we were able to 'multitask' by hosting and participating in the dedication of the Bayside Forever Home. I then joined Gerda on a whirlwind visit to several homes including the beautiful new Safari Sisters Forever Home. Upon arrival at the iThemba Forever Home I was introduced to a seven year old boy- one of our newest arrivals.

I saw the scars on his face and head and was informed that he suffered unimaginable physical abuse, poverty and rejection. I was amazed that after only a few days of acclimation to his new environment he was able to take my hand and show me his concern of the moment; the deflated tire on one of the many mountain bikes in the yard of his new home! That moment was profound for me. What touched my heart was a first hand account that he was finally safe and embraced by a global loving family; his concerns are no longer a matter of life and death.

Our partners, sponsors, volunteers and faithful Acres of Love team understand that our mission is to relentlessly strive to focus and execute solutions for important significant challenges; such as the rescue of abandoned infants and children and the process of integration into our Forever Home model program, in order for our kids to blossom and experience love, nurturing and a full life.

Gerda and I are eternally grateful to all who so faithfully participate and fight this "good fight" with us! It is our privilege to celebrating our victories and progress with you.

With warm regards,

Just two weeks after returning from their March visit to Acres of Love, the second annual team of Safari Sisters teamed up with last year's original Safari Sister ladies to host a lovely evening that raised a great deal of awareness and support for the children in their Forever Home. Held at the home of John & Lynn Siefker, each of the Safari Sisters brought a few close friends to hear a wonderful piano concerto performed by accomplished concert pianist Galina Ryzhikova. Ms. Ryzhikova studied at the St. Petersburg Conservatoire and has performed around the globe in countries such as Germany, Namibia, Mozambique, France, Italy, Japan and South Africa. She was honored to perform at the birthday celebrations of President Nelson Mandela.

On April 5, 2007 the Bayside Forever Home was dedicated almost exactly one year after the arrival of its first rescued child. In the months since its opening, the Bayside Forever Home has become a haven for 10 incredible children and their two loving house parents, Emily and Maxwell Madinda.

Joining in the celebration of this Forever Family were 27 members of Bayside Church in Australia who had traveled to South Africa for the occasion. Lead by Pastors Rob and Christie Buckingham, this group that has funded, fasted, and prayed for this Forever Home and took the entire family (babies and all!) on a 3 day safari!

"In you the fatherless find mercy." Hosea 14:3

If there is something missing from your life, give something to charity! This was the message conveyed at Samsung Mobile's first annual charity golf day, which was hosted in December last year.

The Samsung Charity Golf Day, which was held in the green, leafy suburb of Parktown at the Parkview golf course, raised in excess of R300 000. Samsung handed over R100 000 to MAD (Make-A-Difference Foundation) and R230 000 to Acres of Love at the Samsung offices, in Bryanston.

"The children of South Africa are the future of this country. Samsung Mobile Phones understand the importance of the fight against HIV/AIDS and the importance of education, and are proud to be in a position to assist such worthy causes," says James Munn, Vice President, Mobile Phones.

The fourteenth Acres of Love Forever Home is well underway! Purchased in March, the Champions Forever Home - sponsored by The Champions Centre Church in Tacoma, Washington - is located in the South African neighborhood of Sharonlea, just minutes from five other Forever Homes, and within walking distance of one of the region's best primary schools.

Pastors of the Champions Centre, Kevin & Sheila Gerald first shared their church's vision to rescue 10 abandoned children through Acres of Love in October of 2006. In the few months since that time, Champions Centre has raised all of the necessary funding to open a Forever Home and even had members of their church visit Acres of Love in South Africa over Christmas.

• In 2003 there were estimated to be 780,000 children orphaned by AIDS in South Africa. Two years later the estimate was 1.2 million. Today it is between 1.5-2 million children
• For the 1.5 million children left to care for themselves, there are only shelter beds for about 10% - meaning that 90% of children orphaned in South Africa are left to care for themselves, often on the street.
• This morning 575 children in South Africa woke up with a mother or father and will go to bed without one-because of AIDS.

Every single day matters- for an abandoned child one day alone feels like an eternity.

Statistics obtained from 2006 UN Report on AIDS*