“Before coming to LaunchPad, I was a Christian but I didn’t know how to be contagious about my faith. I learned how to build relationships and share with them about God. Now I am a contagious Christian wherever I go; in a taxi, at the store, everywhere. I learned to be real. Amiel and Chelsea were sent by God to Mmakwane to teach us!” –Victoria Skosana

Since the early years of the ministry,  Thrive has supported the Limakatso Disabled Center in Intabazwe in many different capacities.  Currently, our Next Step interns are finishing a renovation project for the Center- including  a new ceiling, a new vinyl floor, and a fresh coat of paint for the entire Center. The interns will also be fixing the toilets and repairing and painting desks.  When the students return to the center in two weeks, they will find a completely renovated place for them to learn!  Once the renovation is completed- the Next Step interns will be volunteering as teachers at the Center and they will be paired up one-on-one with students in order to personally pour into their lives. It is bound to be a huge blessing to both the kids and the interns.

They just finished their first week of renovation and this is what of the interns, Katrina, had to say:

“It is such a blessing for me to know that this is going to be such a blessing for those students! Oh man, we tore down the ceiling and no joke, there was waterfalls of dirt falling on us. It was so much fun though, I really enjoy it.”

A few weeks ago our Twenty4Seven interns began a new type of ministry that we’re calling our Adopt-a-Family project.  For the next six weeks on Thursdays and Fridays our interns are helping a family near Intabazwe build a house from scratch.  Starting with dirt and cow pies (smashed dung), they are learning how to make the bricks, construct the house, and traditionally decorate the exterior through the process of litema (”dee-tay-ma”-  texturizing and painting the mud exterior).

The task is great but our interns are prepared to see it through to completion! They are continually eager to work and they are demonstrating their servant hearts. Our interns have an amazing opportunity to show, not just share, Christ with this family through their hours of physical labor. So far it has been an amazing experience for them all- and their experience of living in S. Africa has just gone to the next level!

In Leadership Summit, the coaches are not only teaching their students valuable information, they are also building genuine relationships.  Through their classes, they are investing in their students and building a deep and compelling trust.

A student in Patricia’s class has opened up to her enough to share an untold hurt.  When the student tried to share this with her parents, she was met with cold shoulders and indifferent hearts.  Instead of being unreceptive, Patricia welcomed her with love and warmth, enabling her to find freedom in the arms of God.  Patricia helped her student embrace healing by putting her in contact with someone who could provide additional counseling and connect her with the right authorities.

Job at Thrive:

Outreach Coordinator

Hometown:

Birmingham, Michigan

What’s your favorite part of living in Africa?

It’s hard to choose - The people, the land and the animals are all so beautiful!

Tell us the best part about your job.

My first mission trip had a HUGE impact on my life, and each one since then has taught me more about God’s heart for the poor and how He wants to use us to help.  So I love equipping mission teams to serve in the villages, and am so excited to see them discover amazing things about God and themselves along the way.

If you have a few hours free on a Saturday, what will we find you doing?

Likely going for a long walk or hike.

What’s your favorite African animal?

Zebra

Share one of the most impactful moments you’ve had in South Africa.

Recently, it was a visit to the Manapo Hospital pediatrics ward.  It was a heartbreaking experience because some of the children were so sick and weak.  But at the same time it was a joyous occasion as our team loved on the kids - playing, praying and giving out gifts.  The hard-working nurses and overtired moms seemed encouraged as well.  The Lord blessed us all that day!

What do you miss most from home?

Besides my family and friends…my favorite TV shows like House, Bones, CSI and Fringe.  Sorry, I like the creepy dramas.

What’s playing on your iPod these days?

A bit of a mix.  Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flats, and some Disco and Funk favorites.

What’s a movie you can watch over and over?

Steel Magnolias

Share something unique about yourself.

I’ve had a lot of unique and memorable experiences traveling for work and missions trips…one that comes to mind is hiking up the Great Wall of China at sunrise.

Last week we picked up 24 Next Step Interns that will be staying with us for the next two months.  The days following were filled with orientation, “getting to know you” activities, and the Lifeline Retreat- two days of intensive inward focus to prepare for them for all of the ministry they’ll be doing.  Sunday was commissioning.  We blessed, encouraged and prayed over each of our summer interns that they may walk in the fullness of all God has for them. What an honor.

This week has been spent introducing the Next Steppers to Qwa Qwa and relationship evangelism. They’ve been meeting new friends, learning new cultures, and sharing in new experiences. They’ve been challenged as they’re stepping out into ministry.  They’ve been hungry to experience more of God and they are focused on making the most of every opportunity that the next two months will provide.

Join us in praying for these interns. Pray that God’s boldness, wisdom and knowledge fills each of them as they walk in faith, and trust in Him.  Pray that He will lead them every step they take and uphold them as they encounter tests or trials along the way.  Most of all, pray that the love of Jesus flow through them during each and every encounter they have both in the villages and at “home” on the base.

Recently the interns and many of our staff members had the opportunity to attend a traditional festival in Qwa Qwa, that was put together just for us! We spent a Saturday morning amazed by traditional dancing and music. A couple dozen people had practiced daily for about two weeks-just to be able to share more of their culture with us.

We know the more we can learn about Basotho culture, the more effective we’ll be as a ministry. It’s safe to say we all walked away from this experience not only with more knowledge, but also feeling incredibly honored and blessed to be entrusted with participation in these cultural practices.

Name: Skosana “Victoria” Ntsekiseng

How long have you been working with Thrive Africa?
Four months

What do you like most about it?
We get to learn things from it, like getting to know the Bible deeply and it builds up self-esteem

What do you like to do in your free time?
I like listening to music, writing and reading poems, and listening to Mr. T.D. Jakes

Share one of the most impactful moments you’ve had working with Thrive Africa.
Sharing the Word of God and listening to other people when they met Christ. Telling others our stories and how we know Christ.

What kind of music do you listen to?
I like listening to Gospel music

What’s a movie you can watch over and over?
Widow (Nigerian Stories)

Share something unique about yourself
I’m a hard worker, intelligent and in everything I do and want, I strive for excellence and I have a good mindset. I’m always happy and smiling, I like sharing with people and I’m a good listener.

• Our staff team is currently the largest it has ever been; totaling 12 full-time missionary staff, 2-full time Basotho ministry staff, and 23 part-time national staff
• This term over 3000 Leadership Summit students are going through “Break the Silence”- a curriculum that covers topics from a godly perspective that most schools and churches aren’t addressing
• We’re teaching LaunchPad discipleship classes in six schools this term. There are over 150 people coming regularly to the classes
• We have 8 year-long Twenty4Seven interns this year. They have been actively teaching LaunchPad classes, they served together in Swaziland for two weeks this spring, and they are busy with classes, behind-the-scenes ministry work and relationship evangelism each week
• Our summer interns arrive in early June to participate in Next Step; two months of immersion into full-time missions. This will be our biggest group of summer interns ever; 25 young people coming from 15 different states and Canada to experience missions first-hand
• So far we have had 10 mission teams serve along side of us this year and we have 8 teams scheduled to join us over the next few months

Over the next two months our interns will tutor students at a local farm school, strengthen relationships in Intabazwe and build a one-room house for a family that lives nearby.  We are excited to see God at work in new ways while learning a few new skills!

- Kelly Corder, Twenty4Seven Director