It takes a village to raise a child - Growing the Village
Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home; … Ps 68: 5&6a.
Families need houses, also those providing alternative care. We are currently providing one house (104 year-old farm-house on Ouklip Avenue, Newcastle) to a widow (Tannie Riekie), who is providing a home for up to six children needing alternative care at a time. Since 2017, 120+ children have found a home, first with Tracy (social worker), then with Tante Thekla (nurse and widow) and now with Tannie Riekie.
For five years we rented the farm house with the surrounding 1.7ha of veld from the doctors Wilson and Ehlers. Then the Farm was cut up into plots and these plots were to be sold off. In May 2023 Dr Ehlers donated his share of the land we had been renting and lent SMV R 1 400 000 interest free to buy the house with property. The stewardship question was asked: How can the land be developed to better serve our neighbour and give glory to God? The good people from Engineering Ministries International (emiworld.org/za) stepped in to help us answer that question. Architects Tshego, Kirsten and Chamonix visited us for a week, asked many questions and came up with a clear and workable plan. Their report can be read here (Provide Link).
The basics of the plan are: four generous houses that can host families each providing alternative care to up to six children at a time (i.e. full capacity is 24 children on site). Where needed, the children could stay in the families, attend Kindergarten, School and church in the village. The old farm house would host an adoption center and other, ancillary social services. A playground and the Farming God’s Way gardens would provide a buffer to the market place and also serve the community in their own way. Three rental apartments would provide an income to cover running costs (e.g. carers and social-work) and could host students and volunteers. The Harvest Market would provide a forum/third space for interaction between the families, projects, congregation and our broader community while also contributing to the running costs, like the rental apartments and gardens above.
If you are interested to get involved do not hesitate to contact us.
It takes a village to raise a child!
Help is Our Goal
Our Areas of Service
Education & Children
Providing catechesis as foundational Christian education for children and adults, alongside Christian-based holiday programs that nurture faith, fellowship, and joy in children.
Food & Sustainability
Equipping churches and families with tools like Farming God’s Way and local food gardens. As well as providing additional support.
Health & Pastoral Care
Visiting the sick, counselling those in crisis, and walking with families through difficult times.
Local Ministries Meeting Real Needs with Christ’s Love
Featured Projects
St. Martin’s Village
A place of care and hope for orphaned and vulnerable children: a nurturing environment, sustainable food production to support daily needs, and mercy outreach that reflects Christ’s love
St. Martins School
A school rooted in Christian teaching, where children enjoy a wide variety of activities and thrive in an amazing outdoor playground designed for learning and play.
Building Project
Our church has grown significantly over the years, and with that growth comes a new opportunity: to build a new church building. This is an exciting and humbling project. Who can say they’ve had the privilege of building a church in their lifetime? What we do now will serve not only us, but generations to come.
Farming God's Way
Farming God’s Way is not an organisation, but rather a tool or resource, freely available for individuals, NGO’s, mission’s or churches to be able to use to make a difference in the lives of the communities they have influence into.