Author: Zeng Dieulv

We had two Christmas celebrations this year: one for the many scholars that we support in one or other way, on the Wednesday before Christmas and one on Christmas day for our residents and any who have lived with us previously. This worked very well. We are hugely grateful to Mrs Jenny Stevens who took the initiative to get funding from her company, and also from her relatives overseas. She then even bought gifts for all of our young people, wrapped each beautifully and had their name on each parcel. She was amazing. We also thank Mrs Jael who like wise supplied gifts. We also thank Mr Peter Keshwar, head of St Vincent de Paul Society in South Africa, for their invaluable donation of 20 cooked chickens for our Christmas celebrations. It is so encouraging to get this support, which is a backup for us to ”keep up the good work!”
The video below conveys the joy and peace of the wonderful experience. Thanks to our Zeng and Masengo for compiling this beautiful creation.

Diana met Mr Tshikoko at her English for Refugees class in 2018. He is an electrician who fixes electronic gates and other appliances, including fridges.  In December our fridge packed up and we called him in. This gave us the idea for him to come in some days and give our young men training on how to fix appliances and the basics of working with electricity. It began on Saturday, 21^st January and was a great success. Though an electrician, Tshikoko is also a very good teacher, getting our boys involved with actually doing the repairs themselves. We even had our broken iron there as a demo model, and are delighted that it is now fixed and we have another working iron in the house! Our sincere thanks to Tshikoko and we hope to have him come again soon.

This year we are assisting as many as 23 scholars with their studies. We have had to reduce the extent of our aid, simply because of financial prudence. We are helping with registration fees, which enables them to get into schools, and with stationery, and in some cases, transport to school. They are at 12 different schools depending on nearness to their homes. Without our help these young people might not be at school at all, so our help is greatly needed and also appreciated.

As reported in our previous Update, our beloved and amazing young American couple, who have been volunteering at Mercy Houses for 3 years, had to return to the States. Paige worked all that time at the American International School for diplomats’ children. In her capacity there, she was able to get a great deal of help from the school community there for Mercy House. Understandably, we felt a bit like orphans when, in early December 2021, they had to return to USA as their visas had expired.

It was, therefore, a huge blessing when Ms Heather Baatjies, from the AISJ staff, came forward with the wish and enthusiasm to continue the assistance towards Mercy House. Already, within a few weeks, she proved that she was serious. She visited us on 7 December 2022, with colleague Mr Scott Hahn, to get to know us and assess our needs. Before our school year ended, she had already managed to get a brand new pair of school shoes for each of our scholars.  Amazing, and indeed we would be blind if we did not see how God provides! Scott and Heather are seen in the photo top right, with some of our young people. We look forward to working with them in the future and thank them sincerely for joining our Mercy Team.

Early in the new year, Heather, once again proved her worth in gold! She arranged a Fun Day, for our scholars up to grade 8, on the AISJ premises, even sending a large bus from Pretoria to collect our group and returning them safely home afterwards. There were all sorts of different activities for the children and even lunch was provided! For children who sleep in one rented room, sometimes with as many as 6 or 9 in the one family room, and with no place to play, this was a real treat. We are deeply grateful to Heather for arranging this, not to mention all her colleagues and the parents at AISJ, who  worked together to make this wonderful gift to our children possible. The photos below show how much joy was shared by all.

As mentioned, in December, our volunteers from USA, Paige and Emmanuel, had to return back to the states. In the 3 years they spent with us their contribution to our work was simply amazing. Countless are the many things they did for us. And they have carried us with them in their hearts: they hope to start an organisation in the States, to promote our Mercy work and hopefully raise funding. May they be richly rewarded and blessed for all they have done for us, and their dreams be fulfilled. Go well and of course, do not forget that you are still very much part of us!

Paige and Emmanuel crept into our hearts. Our Zeng designed this beautiful farewell poster for them.

Monday, 21st March, was a meaningful day for us. We have not had Holy Mass since Lockdown started in March 2020! That is two years – and we missed it! Our Holy Masses are always beautiful and special since we as a community are united in prayer. We were blessed to have, not just one, but 4 members of the Comboni community with us – to our surprise: Fathers Jude and Efrahim, who concelebrated, as well as Brothers Paulo and Francis. Luis and Paula Coutinho assisted with the music. Sister Clementine and her fellow sister were also there. All of these can be seen in the accompanying photo. Refreshments were served afterwards. The Holy Spirit was with us, manifest in the beauty and joy which enveloped the occasion. Thanks to all who contributed to making it such a special occasion. Now that we are more-or-less back to “normal” we look forward to a renewed returning to our Holy Masses which we usually have three or four times a year.