| Date received : 2010-03-11 | We are very blessed at our Shiloh Children’s Home. We have 11 children, which is our full capacity, living in the house with Sera as house mother. The children have now bonded as a family and feel secure in the house. After the December holidays when they were separated from each other, they were very thankful to be together again. There is still much pain, but more love and laughter. Sera is a wonderful mother to these children. She can almost always charm them out of their blackest moods. We have been donated a combi and when there are sufficient funds, the children are taken out for the day or visits to interesting places. This is a blessing indeed! As a satellite house of the Durbanville Children’s Home, we receive all their specialized services and therapies for the children. We are very thankful for all the training and constant supervision we receive from them. We thank you for your prayers in making this a home full of blessings and for your donations, which makes it possible to have such a family in one house. Without your support, we would not have been able to make a difference in the futures of these children. Many blessings Lorraine van Kampen Shiloh Children’s Home Project Leader |
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| Date received : 2010-02-02 | In Nov. 2009 we were donated an unconditional gift of an old 1987 Kombi for the Children’s Home. Here I must admit that I really did not see my way clear to have to repair such an old vehicle which needed so much work done and I was on the verge of saying to the donor thanks but no thanks! Then for the first time in the 15 years I have been involved in this work, this donor came to tell me that he and his family were donating this Kombi to us unconditionally to do with as we saw fit. because they trust what we are doing for the Lord. They also did not expect any feedback from us as they trust us. I realised then that the Lord was going to do something here, so we accepted the Kombi, which we had initially rejected, with open arms. Just before I left on holiday in December a company approached us with an offer to repair the Kombi. The owner of the company is a member of one of the congregations where I had had the opportunity to speak about the Children’s Home in Nov. 2009, at one of their family services. I delivered the Kombi there and three weeks later they returned it to us completely restored and renewed. They also packed it full of groceries for the Home. The company has also undertaken to maintain and regularly service the Kombi, at their expense. One is just so totally aware of what a wonderful God we serve and I cannot nor do I wish to try and explain it, one can only say our GOD is here, He lives and cares for His children. All honour to the Lord. |
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| Date received : 2009-12-14 | SHILOH CHILDREN’S HOME The Shiloh Children’s Home has now been operating for 1 year and what a year it has been, with new experiences, 11 children to adjust to a new home and the staff to cope with it all! Each child had experienced something new in their life, to belong, to be safe, to be heard and to be loved. Two children went to school for the first time, for 5 children it was a first to receive a birthday or Christmas present. The children had many outings during each term, some of a cultural nature, drug awareness, future careers to work to, or just pleasure. The first time Claudius sat in a swing and soared through the air, he kept saying “Lekkerrrr” (nice). Working with these children that God has placed with us, I again discovered the depth and many ways of love and was amazed. With a nil budget, God has provided in every need, every month! We met many of His angels in times of need, volunteering assistance and therein saw how great His love is for these children. These children were underprivileged, did not know parental love or the comfort of a secure home. Even despite their pain, I could see them reaching out to others! At a horse ranch, a little girl ran ahead of us in a path and fell over the roots of a tree. Bronwyn (11) immediately ran to her and helped her up and later showed her where she could have a drink of water. He has love to give to others. I asked the children what they would like as Christmas presents, 4 of them declined, saying we must rather give presents to their grandparents. Jeremy (11), who has not once yet received a present from his family in his life, insisted that we rather give a present to his grandmother. He who had never received love, has love to give! With all the excitement of opening Christmas presents, Claudius (6) hugged Ethan(4) and gave him a kiss before going further with the presents. He has love. Waiting for hours in the waiting room of the hospital to see the doctor, an old gentleman began talking to Ethan (4) and played with his hands. Later he stopped and apologized, saying he was too tired as he has heart problems. Ethan immediately hugged the gentleman’s legs and ever so gently rubbed the gentleman’s chest with his hands. Even though he does not understand, he has compassion. To work in God’s Kingdom, is a great privilege. We thank every one who helped in blessing our Home so much. May every blessing that you bestowed on others, and us, be multiplied in return to you. Lorraine van Kampen Shiloh Children’s Home Project Leader |
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| Date received : 2009-10-21 | We are happy to report that our ‘family’ at the Children’s Home is complete. We now have 11 children in our Home; the 12th is a boy who is in a special program at the Durbanville Children’s Home. We are operating as a satellite house of the Durbanville Children’s Home and can fortunately rely on them for guidance, as they are a very successful Children’s Home with all the experience, skills and therapies. Financially, however, we have to support the Home by ourselves. With great appreciation we thank donors who carry our Home and make it possible for us to offer ‘our’ children a home where they are safe and being loved. It is a great adjustment to increase your family at one time from 5 to 11 children. Each child had to adapt, as well as the staff. The children, who came in, are children who know how to fight for survival, because of their prior circumstances. It takes time, patience and love before they realize that we are there for their support and that they are truly safe. Out of experience these children had to grab what they wanted and shout to be heard. It is strange for them to realize that they will get their share without any fight and that they can actually converse with adults who listen! Our girls are Veroshca (18 years), Jodean (14 years), Joredine (14 years), Zoe (10), Mandy (8), Amy (8), and Waylene (7). The boys are Jeremy (11), Bronwyn (11), Claudius (6) and Ethan (4). The youngest two boys attend a creche nearby, the other children in schools nearby. Many of them have already achieved highlights since living with us. Joredine won many medals in gymnastics, Jeremy in dancing and Bronwyn in reciting poems at the Eistedfod. We have formed a House Committee with members of the community so that these children can be included in activities in the community and build relationships with others as roll models. Again we thank you for any donations which we have received, as we would not have managed without it. We also ask and thank you for your prayers for each of these children and the staff. Lorraine van Kampen Shiloh Children’s Home Project Leader |
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| Date received : 2009-05-22 | • Since the transfer in December, the house has been furnished and provided with the necessary, partly through donations, other items such as double bunk beds, an extra washing machine,refridgerator and other kitchen necessities, were purchased. • Sarah has been appointed as house mother where she has received training. Lorraine has also been appointed to assist three mornings a week as Administrator. • There are at present, 7 children in the home. Some are siblings. The youngest is 4 years old and the oldest 17. More could be accommodated but the Social wheels turn slowly in legalising placements. There are only 3 Social Workers operating in this area. • The aim is to house 12 children eventually. The additional accommodation which the garage room offers is extremely welcome given the age and gender difference. • By bricking up the garage door we have obtained an additional bedroom with separate toilet and shower room en suite. The side gate has also been moved. Most of the materials used as well as the labour were donated. The room is almost finished apart from the burglar bars, carpet and built-in wardrobe. • The exterior of the house has been painted and repairs to the facia boards were particularly labour intensive. • Feedback from the children and all involved in the project attest to its success and to the promise of greater things to come. |
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| Date received : 2009-05-19 | During the last 2 months, many things have happened at our Home. We have taken in 4 children during the month of April and all of us had a lot of adjustments to make. We now have 7 children in our Home, with 3 more children coming during June, just before the school closes for the holidays. I have attended a lengthy computer course and am now busy with a childcare course to qualify as a housemother. This is a new law and by 2012 must meet the qualification. Many people are helping out to assist making this a happy home and it is working. The children are happy and there is a loving atmosphere in the house. The 2 young boys are forever riding their black (plastic) ‘bikes’ around the house and the youngest girl is always singing. We have received a piano, and with Lorraine playing, we had pleasant times singing. Veroshca and Joredine wants to learn how to play it, so we are hopeful some one will offer them music lessons. Bronwyn wants to play drums, so maybe we can find him a bush drum so that he can play drummer boy when we are making music. It is amazing that these children, who have gone through such traumatized times, can adjust and be so cheerful. I am thankful to be part of the positive change in their lives. Sera Abrahams |
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| Date received : 2009-05-19 | April was the month of ADJUSTMENT. Our first 3 children, Veroshca, Joredine and Bronwyn, had the house to themselves and suddenly our ‘family’ was enlarged with 4 more children. Also in April Veroshca and Joredine’s mother passed away and their family was not interested in having a funeral service for her. So we had a memorial service at the Shiloh Church, where the mothers of the congregation opened their hearts to them. It was very moving and the children had closure. Waylene and Ethan, siblings are a delight. Ethan, 3+ years old, is now attending a chreche nearby and Waylene, 6+, went to school for the first time. She has never been to a school or preprimary school and will have a difficult time to progress at school initially. With a mother who often left them alone for a whole day, they have learnt to cope by themselves and at our home, they happily settled in and are even doing their share of chores. Claudius came from a foster home. Claudius 5+ years old is attending a prepimary class at the chreche and is settling in very well. Conversations with him can be very interesting, as he can explain exactly how to make a ‘zoll’ (dagga cigarette) as he often saw it where he came from. Our garage has been converted into a bedroom with a shower and toilet. The carpet is in and now we only need built in cupboards so that we can receive 3 more boys before schools close. As we have no funds for the cupboards, we pray that this requirement will be met as these 3 boys are urgently in need of care, but the room must first be completed. How thankful we can be for what we have received in our lives, if we compare it to these children. It is a privilege for me to express my gratitude to God, by organizing this home and to love these children. Any one, who wants to share in this as a service to God, is welcome to contact us. Lorraine van Kampen |
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