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New clothes for “children of the dirt”

Don’t you love it when things just work, well sort of….


 


I was going through all our donated clothes, and sorting them.  Final verdict: we have lots of clothes for infants, and adults, and nothing for boys or girls ages 2 to 14….this of course is the age group we work with at the care points and these kids are in rags.  I prayed, went to bed, and woke up to find an email from one of our FYM girls that had visited Nsoko a few months ago.  Catherine had been speaking at churches and had raised $377 just for the kids in Nsoko!  I immediately went to the store, I figure money spent here helps the local economy and takes out shipping fees as well.  The biggest chain retailer here had just marked all there summer clothes and extra 50% off the clearance price.  I rolled up my sleeves and dug in, along with half the Swazis women in town.  We politely pushed and shoved each other for hours, “sorry”, “excuse  me”, over and over. It was about 100 degrees, and of total chaos, but I stayed focused on my goal… NEW clothes for these kids at about a dollar an item!


 


In the states, they would have had air-conditioning, brought in enough staff to deal with the rush, open enough registers, and had baskets for the customers.  They also probably would have had their system ready to automatically take off the extra 50%….but this is Africa.  None of the discount would come up so when they scanned the tag, so they had to manually punch in ALL the numbers, and then discount it, FOR EACH OF THE HUNDREDS OF ITEMS I WAS BUYING.  To make the process even more fun only the ONE supervisor could do this, and of course she to leave every couple minutes to help with other supervisor duties.  Half way through they accidently voided everything, and had to start again. After shopping and shorting for 2 hours, Caleb and I stood in line for another 3, all the while being cussed at and talked about, and laughed at in Zulu and SiSwati.  This is a little town, and most people know the “American Pastor”


from  the radio, and easily identify me as Mrs. Black.  In America I would have been a little agitated, but this is Africa, so I just spoke in tongues to myself while Caleb and I fantasized about cold water, food, and a cool shower, all the while smiling, hugging each other and giving each other the  cheezy and slightly fake, “thumbs up, we are HAVING A BALL” face.


We bought everything we could use, and spent exactly 375 USDs…..(I know, I know, I impressed my own self,)! I still don’t have Emily Davis’ shopping anointing, but this was a good day.  Still need about 300 pairs of underwear and 100 pairs of shorts for boys, and some more dresses for girls. Another $200 USD donation would more than cover it, ensuring EACH child gets a complete new outfit!


If anyone wants to donate, you can directly at “give to the Nsoko project” under “my links” on mine, and Gary’s blog.  You will get the tax deduction, and all the money will go to clothes for the kids!


Let me know, so I can finish shopping and get the goods to the kids,


although I my have to bribe another one of my children to help this time!


Thanks!

13 Comments

  1. It has been said that one picture is worth a thousand words. Thanks for this one! xo

  2. It was worth the time and heat. How precious are the faces of these little ones. That was your and Caleb’s reward. We love you all Mom and Dad

  3. Lisa,

    Go girl! I would love to step up and fund the underwear. Is this best done thru AIM or G42?

    Your blogs touch the hearts of so many, many thanks……tami

  4. Lisa…I would LOVE to go shopping w/ you…but for now a donation is the best I can do…I clicked on your give to nsoko link.

  7. Have you raised all the money you need yet? I’ve got some sitting in my Grace Works fund that I’d be glad to contribute if you still need it.

    Also, do you know if Carike was able to get shoes for all the children who didn’t get new shoes when our group was there? There were several older children and teenagers that couldn’t get shoes because there were not sizes big enough.

    Bless you for your endurance and great attitude during the shopping trip!

    Elysa

  8. Momma Black, I love your perspective on life here. You give words to things that I simply cannot 🙂 Love ya!

  9. i wish I could go with ya’ll…can’t wait till you get home – or here at any rate.:)

  10. I am praying God’s blessing on you today. May you continue to see God at work in amazing ways.

    Shari

  11. Love the pic of the boys, how they have grown since last Summer! Praying for you all the time!

  12. Praise God for the work that He is doing and the willingness of your family! I’m blessed by reading your blogs and know that God will do the same in Jeffreys Bay as I go there for two months this summer!! Have a blessed week!

  13. Hello!

    Dear Sister Lisa Marie Black!

    Greetings from Reverend Pervaiz Khokhar!

    I wish to acknowledge to you that I have received your previous email message after long time from you. I thank you for your confidence in our lord and the ministry of His servants. Praise is to God the father, son and Holy Spirit. I’m doing well, blessed by our lord & savior so that I may bless others. I pray that God will be glorified through our efforts but know that we were only planting seeds for which God will provide the growth as he wills. Any fruit that we might reap would be provided by the lord. I know that very soonest Holy Spirit impress upon you and your family members for helping our ministry.

    Dear Sister Lisa Marie Black! The PSSWS have aim is working as a wing, saved of the poor, orphans Children for Jesus. Christmas and Easter distribute Gifts Holy Bibles among the poor, orphan children, Widows and poor families as some people donate us locally and we collect donations some friends from around the world twice a year at every Christmas and Easter festivals among the poor, orphan children, Widows and poor families. If you would like to make a donation to PSSWS to help with their on going needs you may do so by or if you prefer to make a donation like one Sunday donation or one month (Tithe, $, £, €, 25, 50, 100, 500, 1000, School supplies, clothes, blankets, sheets, shoes, toys, English/Urdu Holy Bibles, medicine, Etc) by check or money order you may do so by sending it to the following address and bank information? We have made donating easier for those off you whom the Lord speaks to concerning making a donation. Are you willing to
    transfer money donations to our electronic funding account (Western Union or Money Gram) Please see information given below:-

    1. Accountholder: The Preaching Society & Social Welfare Services
    2. Account: National Bank of Pakistan Jhumra City Branch Pakistan
    3. Account Number: 1126-8
    4. International Swift Code: NBPAPKKAX02F

    Dear Sister Lisa Marie Black! I invite you to come to Pakistan. I would like to ask God for something involving myself with others in my community. Let we know you exact date time you visiting to Pakistan. Please before you come inform us about you date of arrival here in Faisalabad Pakistan so that we could arrange for your evidence and reception you. As you know it well that in Pakistan God is opening the heart of people for Gospel to receive Jesus Christ as their savior and lord. As it concerns to my information so many people have been (Changed) As a lot (Miracles, Healing, Crusades & Seminars) are being in through Pakistan where God do amazing things and particularly the (Gentiles) are known about Jesus Christ.

    Dear Sister Lisa Marie Black! Definitely I and my family, team, Sunday school, primary school Children and Church members pray with fast to God for you and ministry. Praise the Lord! I have no any word for your thanks? I suggestion you that you should providing funds to the whole world donor as well as Pakistan for saving lives in Christ like the sick, suffering poor, orphan Children & widows. We will send to you once again request only for fellowship & friendship with us as my Sister’s & servant of Christ? We are not money maker and bigger, chatter? I’m saved person and God elected me for His own purpose saving hungry souls and last sheep, sick, suffering poor, orphan Children & widows in Pakistan for Jesus? Are you possible keeping in touch with us? Please keep in touch with us as my Sister’s & servant of Christ?

    Dear Sister Lisa Marie Black! The PSSWS ministry is doing the God’s work under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are pleased you can be with us to fellowship in God’s unchanging Word. We will share with you urgent prayer request. Please pray for our ministry. We work as a team for our ministry activities here in Pakistan. We have urgent prayers needs and required many needs financial, materials, necessary things helps for sick, suffering, homeless, street wondering Children, widows and poor Christian families. Please join us and partnership with us as my Brother/Sister and servant of Christ from around the world?

    In Pakistan the life and work of a local pastor, evangelist or missionary is much different from that of a similar position in the western world. Many of them are often persecuted to Muslims people. The mostly in villages of rural area of Pakistan don’t have Public transportation many Pakistani missionaries and pastors do not own any vehicles. They walk several miles each day, providing vehicle, motorcycles or bicycles will help the missionary with his ministry and family chores. We are committed to making disciples through partnering with local churches to renew, train and mobilize believers for active involvement in reaching the Pakistan! Many of them are often persecuted. The need to help these pastors is very great.

    The Pakistan is the 3rd largest mission field in the world only 97% Muslims, 1.5% Hindus and 1.5% are Christian, which also means that 97% of Pakistani does not yet know that Jesus Christ died and rose for their sins! How tragic! Many missionaries don’t have an own vehicle they do not have a proper transportation they walk several miles each day, carrying tracts and supplies on their shoulder bag. Providing motorcycles or bicycles will help the missionary with his ministry and family chores. With your small donation you can sponsor and help support Christian missionary work in Pakistan. You may offer a one-time gift to help in supporting Christian missionaries by using the through transfer our electronic funding account or Western Union or Money Gram, or you may set up a monthly payment plan.

    Dear Sister Lisa Marie Black! I pray to God will give you peace in your hearts, physical, spiritual energy to continue your hard work to fulfill your family. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:5. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. God has all power to heal the sick, raise the dead and to set the captives free. Through His grace and His mighty power, we have everything. There is not a person on earth that could ever help you like God can. He sticketh closer than any friend, mother, brother or sister. He loves you and knows you better than anyone else. This is why your faith should stand in His power alone. Through Calvary, the walls that separated man from his God have been torn down. Now the words ring-out, Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need, Hebrews 4:16. As you read this email, agree with me in faith for God to grant your
    requests and direct you daily in His divine will. God is more than able. Let your faith stand in His power alone, and let me know when God answers our prayer. If you really prayed this, the Lord will open your eyes and will bring someone in your path to guide you and teach you!

    Yours Brother in Christ!

    Reverend Pervaiz Khokhar
    Chairman
    The Preaching Society & Social Welfare Services
    Mohallah Rasool Pura Street No 7
    Jhumra City 37700
    Faisalabad
    PAKISTAN
    Phone: +92-41-8527541
    Cell phone: +92-300-7914561
    E.Mail:[email protected]
    E.Mail:[email protected]

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