Author: Zeng Dieulv

On September 25th 2023, we held what we hope will become an annual event: A Mercy Family Reunion Day. The idea is to bring together past and present residents for a relaxed celebration, a chance to meet, refresh friendships, foster community spirit and a sense of belonging, which is so important for us all, but especially for those who have no family or no family nearby. Obviously, it was held at Mercy House and we provided a braai for all.
  Those of us on the organising side, now have a saying: “Don’t forget the boerewors!” The reason for this is: Diana was really worried about the cost of getting so much meat for a large group. By sheer “co-incidence”, Mr Godfrey Fortuin of SVdeP Honeydew, happened to phone to ask if we had any needs! Diana mentioned the upcoming braai and also extended an invitation. Godfrey could not come, but instead, on that very day, 20 kilograms of boerewors was delivered to Mercy House from his organisation. We were totally amazed – it felt like a modern experience of the miracle of the loaves and fishes! And it goes without saying that we had plenty of meat!!! Thank you, Mr Godfrey, you care so well for us and we appreciate that.

“The community that prays together, stays together!”

How important and binding it is for a community to pray together.  We are obliged to thank our merciful God for the truly amazing blessings we have received and also to pray, not only for our residents past and present, but also our benefactors, who indeed keep our work going in various different ways. Here we think of SVdeP in Victory Park and North Riding, Bruno in the USA, Victoria in the U K, the Holy Family Sisters, Deon and Cathy van Eeden, Peter Holding, and many others who God knows about and whom He will reward.  And so, we have our Holy Masses, the last one being on the 15th of December 2023. We were once again grateful to have our Comboni Father Efrem and our recent arrival from Columbia, Father Jalver to offer the Holy Mass for us.  It was as usual a beautiful occasion.  Thank you, Fathers, for coming.

Our Christmas celebration this year was truly unique in that, in addition to the gift giving, we also had with us Isabel – a young woman who is both a puppeteer and ventriloquist, telling the Christmas story through her puppet, Rosie. The photos will show just how amazed our children were – never before had they seen a doll who could ask questions and talk to them! After Isabel’s wonderful performance, we gave out gifts to each of the 60 or more people present – kids, teenagers, mothers, young adults. A HUGE big thank you to Isabel but also to Mrs Jenny Stevens who provided gifts for every single person present. You two ladies really made the day for so many and gave a huge amount of joy to so many.  Each gift had been chosen according to the age and gender of the individual, named and beautifully wrapped. This huge task was undertaken by Jenny, who not only raised the funding but also, with her team from her company, Makuru, did the wrapping. All in all, it was a truly wonderful occasion and blessed.

3 Cheers to Ms Heather Baatjies and the PTA of the American International School in Pretoria, for once again inviting us to their annual Fun Day.  The fun happened on Saturday, 3 February 2024 and fun it was!  The school spoilt us by sending 2 large busses to fetch us – just under 40 in all.  They also brought us back.  Whilst members of the AISJ community had to pay for their fun, our young people were allowed everything, including a delicious lunch, for free. The armband which they got as they walked in distinguished them for this privilege.  The Disney Land style activities were something that our young people would never otherwise be able to enjoy! There was face painting, different waterslides, swimming, soccer, a photo kiosk and even a man-made dam with a suspended chair on top.  Teachers volunteered one by one to sit in the suspended chair.  If a child could hit a target when they threw a ball, the teacher tumbled into the water. Even the principal participated in this and he tumbled down!   The pictures attached show some of the activities. Once again, a huge thank you to AISJ and especially to Heather, who worked hard and so efficiently, to get this off the ground for us.

May you be adequately rewarded.

One day in September 2015, when Diana was teaching English to refugees at the Catholic Cathedral, a young teenage boy came and asked for help. His family had moved to Mozambique and left him behind with the family where they used to reside. Unfortunately, this did not work out – he ended up with no one to help him and no place to stay. He was very stressed.

Fortunately, Mercy House was able to step in and this changed his life completely. We put Ivan into Phoenix College where he completed his matric. As he wanted to be a teacher, we asked Holy Family College principal, Frank Sobreiro, if he would take him as a learner teacher. Frank magnanimously agreed and it was not long before he picked up the calibre of this young man. So much so, that the school offered to pay his fees for a 4-year degree in education. This gift included living on-site and a very small allowance for survival.

In December 2023 Ivan completed his degree and is now a full-time teacher at Holy Family.  And loving it! We owe enormous gratitude to Holy Family College and especially also to Mr Frank Sobreiro, for this magnanimous gesture and participation in our Mercy work – to assist young people, who in spite of the most adverse circumstances, are able to build their lives and get onto their feet. We are VERY proud of our Ivan! Congratulations Holy Family.

One day a young teenager from Sudan came to Mercy House asking for help. His name is Felix.   He had come down from that war-torn country and really had nothing. The first impression of him was his incredible optimism about life and his unforgettable smile!   He confidently told Diana that he wanted to be a doctor.  She laughed, never guessing what surprises the future would hold!

Felix moved into Mercy House and stayed with us for about 7 years.  During that time, he registered for a degree in Medical Research at Wits University. His total determination and belief that the impossible would become possible carried him resiliently all the way.  He also put in a lot of effort to get there.  He used to go and sell cleaning materials, even ice cream in the streets.  He used to study into the early hours of the morning to achieve his goal.  He also managed to get help from Sudanese Dr Emmanuel Taban, (who in turn had also been helped by Mercy House to get to his goal of now being a specialist gynaecologist), as well as other sources. Against all odds- Felix got there.

This January 2024, our Felix graduated with a doctorate in his field and is working at a research institute in Durban. Dr Felix Made your remarkable achievement has only been possible through your unquenchable determination to fulfil your dream.  You are amazing! Well done!