Ryan and I are so thankful to share this AcresNews update with you!

Our precious children have been the victims of the highest form of suffering- the loss of their moms and dads and their extended family. In collaboration with you, Acres of Love is empowered to fulfill its assignment and rescue orphans from certain death and the unimaginable suffering caused by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Through our unity of purpose, the infants and children of Acres of Love are saved from physical, emotional and spiritual abandonment. It is our privilege to share these victories with you! It is our honor to thank you, our friends and co-laborers, for all your generosity, love, prayer and proactive involvement.

“Vindicate the weak and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and destitute.” —Psalm 82:3

Warm regards

The months of July and August brought the opening of two more Acres of Love Forever Homes. Almost before the doors had been opened, the bedrooms were filled! In June six children moved into the Santa Barbara Forever Home #2 funded by families from Santa Barbara. It is situated in the Blairgowrie region, where three Acres of Love Homes were waiting to welcome this new family. The New Life Forever Home was purchased in August, a result of the long term commitment of New Life Church in Alabama. The New Life Home is our third in the Benoni region. As a result of the growing number of homes in this area, Acres of Love will soon be opening its second regional preschool to accommodate all of the new little ones!

On Thursday July 13th all of the children, house parents and staff of Acres of Love gathered at Zoo Lake in Johannesburg, South Africa, for a day of fun, games and food from KFC. It was our first ever all Acres of Love event and we have already had a number of requests from house parents to make it an annual gathering!

This summer was a busy season for volunteers at Acres of Love. With several teams visiting from the US, our children had the chance to participate in the “Serengeti Trek”, a two day Vacation Bible School. The back garden of the Kelly May Howard- Browne Child Enrichment Center was transformed into a safari camp where the children enjoyed storytelling, wacky games, colorful crafts and lively music. During this fun-filled weekend, 60 of the Acres children heard messages of courage, hope and purpose as they learned about different Biblical heroes. And while these volunteer teams had arrived in South Africa with ideas, stories, and love to share, they left this experience having received so much more in return.