As our homes continue to grow, it is increasingly evident that the only way to do this is to offer these children to the Lord, and trust in His perfect plan for each and every one. Every child that comes to Acres has done so for a particular reason. Our calling is to welcome each child, embracing his/her past and easing them into a place of belonging – of unconditional love and acceptance.
In our own personal experience with Lulu, I am constantly made aware of the importance of knowing that you belong. Her need to feel a valued member of our family unit is always there. The Acres model of homes becomes so important in this regard, as each child has the opportunity to be valued as part of a whole!
 We have had a busy two months with many new children joining us. In a short space of time, each one has added their own piece of magic to Acres and worked their way into our hearts.
Mbale has been placed at no. 31 and is very sickly. She is nearly 2 years and small for her age.
Tankiso will be 8 in October and is Alison’s older brother. She is 7 months, weighing about 4 kg and has spent much time at Olivedale Clinic. Tankiso is at Leonard Road and is very happy there. He has started to share the tragedy of his mother’s death and cares deeply for his sister.
Zanele will be 4 in August and she and Sbusiso – who is about 15 months old - were removed from their mom. They are both beautiful, extremely lovable children.
Tefo will be 8 in August. He is an incredible young man who has cared for his younger brother, Rapeleng, who will be 2 in July, as well as taking himself off to school. He arrived with a few belongings and Janis was eager to assure him that his troubles were over and that he would be loved and be able to be child again. So many of our children in this country are being robbed of their childhood, of their fundamental right to be cared for by adults. The long-term impact is terrifying! Quite amazingly, Tefo and Tankiso knew each other in the squatter camp and are now firm friends.
Tshepang will be a year in July and was found very severely neglected and abandoned shortly after her birth. She spent many months in hospital. The horrific suggestion that a rat had chewed her ear, pose unimaginable thoughts.
Hansie is just over a year and his mom has with great love and unselfishness, given permission for him to be adopted, knowing that she is unable to care for him adequately.
Lindokuhle is only 5 moths old and Lehlohonolo is 3 years old. Their mom, too, has died.
With all the additions, there has also been movement. Sheraldine(Geraldine’s name as spelt on her birth certificate) and Caro have moved to Bill and Sue in Platina Street. They are good company for Ronel and Rachel, and big sisters for the three babies.
Staff-wise, Maureen has gone to Leonard Road, Ambrosia to no. 33 and Jeanette is at Platina Street.
Since January, Nkosi has been staying with the De Lucas who have had him
on a special fruit diet. His chronic eczema has cleared completely!
After extensive testing, it has been found that Prince needs a Hearing Aid. We will send you all a special appeal from Marina, with all the information regarding his situation. We are praying hard for this to enable him to participate more fully in the world around him.
Joseph too has tested hard of hearing and Abba are preparing him for adoption with parents equipped to deal with a special needs child.
Our ‘queen’ Sarah celebrated her 8th birthday at a party at the end of February, hosted by FNB and befitting royalty. It is so hard to believe that our little girl will, in no time at all, have reached double figures!
No one can hope to know the children as well as their house parents do, and for this reason, I will include updates from different parents at different times. The first is from Bill and Sue.
 Things just keep getting busier at the Albertyn/Life Church Forever Home in Jukskei Park. Sheraldine and Carolyn recently joined Rochel and Ronel and the three babies, Sesi, Salome and Sanele. Sheraldine and Caroline continue to attend preschool with Mommy Precious at Royce Road, and we are very excited for Ronel and Rochel who are now attending a community preschool.
Teachers Faith and Karen have opened their arms and hearts to our family andthe girls cannot wait to get to "play group" each day, and they have both been invited to a classmate's birthday party at the Hundred Acre Woods at the end of the month. The four bigger girls treated our care worker Mommy Jeanette to a birthday lunch at McDonalds on March 21st... A special thank you to volunteer Hendi for staying with the babies and making that outing possible. Thanks also to all of the people who brought the girls Easter eggs and sweets. On Easter Sunday we all went to the Rand Show and stood right next to the helicopter landing pad and were quite thrilled to have the helicopters land right over our heads! We also saw dogs, rabbits, ducks, people riding camels and were brave enough to pet a horse!
We are preparing ourselves and our babies (Sesi, Salome and Sanele) for adoption in the next few months. Sesi is a jewel... She loves to watch her bigger sisters sing and dance and has mastered clapping her hands and grooves to the beat of the music. Salome charms us each day with her beauty until she spits up her bottle... Which she still does regularly. Sanele rolls over and smiles all the time - he loves to have someone to look at. We would love to have more volunteers schedule time on a regular basis to assist with the babies, baby-sit for a few hours or spend quality one-on-one time with one of the girls. Please call us at 704 4794 if you would like to do so. Blessings...
Bill and Susan Weibel
 Our organization is totally dependent on the support from our community. As we grow, we are trying hard to clarify our specific wishes and needs as well as defining clear-cut areas for our volunteers.
We are desperate for a baby scale. We really need to be able to weigh our babies, and monitor their progress ourselves.
We are even more desperate for a gentleman to come once every six weeks to tighten screws etc - general ‘handy man’ work in the various houses.
If there are any volunteers who would like to help us with funding for the winter uniforms of our school going children, we would be most appreciative.
Our biggest wish now is for another vehicle. Pastor Dan has obtained his licence and with our two new homes opening in Blairgowrie, the need will increase.
To facilitate distribution, please can we ask that all donations of clothing, toys, food etc be delivered/ dropped off at 49 Platina Street, Albertyn Life Church Forever Home, on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons between 14h00 and 16h00. Contact number for Bill and Sue: 704-4794
Any questions or information re our wishes, please contact Marina on 704-1423.
There is a prayer which we use but which is applicable to all our Acres children. It comes from Stormie O’Martian,s ‘ The power of a praying parent.’
“We pray for Lulu to feel loved and accepted. Penetrate her heart with Your love right now and help her to fully understand how far-reaching and complete it is….Deliver her from any lies of the Enemy that may have been planted in her mind to cause her to doubt…Manifest Your love to this child in a real way today and help her to receive it….With each day that she grows in the confidence of being loved and accepted, release in her the capacity to easily communicate love to others….make her a vessel through which Your love flows to others.
In Jesus’ name we pray.”
God bless you all.
Kathy Buys
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Acres of Love Inc. California Based 501 (c) (3) Non-Profit Benefit Corporation. A tax exempt organization. |
