Newsletter

November

2007

From the Chairman:

To All New Life Centre Friends and Supporters

It is with a great deal of joy that I write to you regarding the recent activities at the New Life Centre as we sense that the Lord is doing something special in our midst. Our house parents have already come up with the idea of providing basic computer training for the girls and are ably supported by volunteers such as Laura Diedericks. The new arts-and-crafts volunteer team have started their work with enthusiasm and we are already seeing the results of their labours.

Our house parents shared the work and challenges of NLC with folk from a local business a while back and were bowled over by their response. The management of Wingfield Motors then decided to purchase seven new beds and bedding for the use of our young ladies during their stay at NLC on a shared basis with support from Goodwood Rotary Club. We in turn were able to give the old beds away to even more needy people who had nothing. This type of generosity proves that there is a God at work in the hearts of his people and provides great encouragement to our staff and volunteers.

Things have not been easy this year with a few long-standing donors deciding to move on to new projects. The finance people assisting our committee then provided a rather bleak forecast regarding our ability to meet running costs if the present giving pattern continued. Shortly thereafter we received the good news of a substantial grant from the Methodist Church Millennium Fund which will help us meet our commitments for several months to come. It is only the generous support of regular donors and the prayers of our supporters that will enable us to offer a place of grace and safety to the young ladies who need our help and loving care. When we are blessed by others, it confirms that what we are trying to do pleases the Lord in some small way.

We thank the Lord each day for his faithfulness in providing for our needs.

Yours in Christ

Mike Maxwell

From the pastor:

Dear Friends

Last Sunday, as Nico and Suzette shared in our Services, our Church heard again of the very powerful ministry of the New Life Centre, one of our Church’s outreach projects. We had time to celebrate with the team and give thanks to God that in the past year New Life Centre has once again been a place of refuge, making a difference in the lives of the residents.

New Life Centre surely is a place of “new beginnings” and as we listened to the stories and heard the letters read, we became aware once again that we have been a part of a miracle! The miracle of a place where “pregnant women in crisis” can come and experience “grace triumphing over mercy” and so discover the grace of God that reaches out to them with the opportunity for a new beginning.

Nico and Suzette, the new house-parents, and their family have settled in really well and have brought their own unique gifts and passion to the ministry. As we listened to their input, we thanked God for them and their family and the role that they play in making God’s love real for the residents. They are God’s gift to us!

We were reminded again that if this place is to continue to fulfil its purpose of being a place of ministry to the broken, bringing God’s unconditional love to some of the most vulnerable in our society, then we do need to continue to trust and depend totally on God, for He alone is the source of this caring love.

We thank God for all the volunteers and sponsors who have given so faithfully both of time and resources to make His dream continue to become reality.

We thank Him for all that is past and trust Him for all that’s to come!

David

A word from a NLC friend!

You would think that giving of your time in the arts-and-crafts field would be just that: giving. But I have received so much more from the girls at the New Life Centre. I often arrive tired and leave refreshed.

Keeping to the principle of 'don't give a man a fish; rather teach him how to fish', we have taught the girls a variety of crafts. These have ranged from the more technical aspects like learning the "art of seeing" (which involves drawing with the left-hand side of the brain) to practical things like making balloon poodles.

We start every lesson with an ice breaker to help the students (and teacher) to relax. They are always hesitant to begin but, once involved, they lose their inhibitions and really participate in the lesson that follows. In the last two months the girls have surprised me so much with the creativity of their work and their perseverance. Being part of this process has helped me to understand them more.

I pray that the volunteers, like myself, who are involved in this project, will make as much of a difference in the girls' lives as they are making in ours.

Shelley (Arts and Crafts)

Africa Cares for Life Conference - Durban

29 October-1 November

We arrived at Durban Airport early on Monday morning. Stuart, our ‘chauffer’ collected us and took us to the lovely holiday resort of Natalia.

We booked in and registered before the conference started. Eager to start and with new-found excitement, we started the first session. From the word go we could see the extent of the influence this conference would have on us. With the theme being ”Confidence in Your Passion”, we were looking forward to the next three days.

The days were packed with sessions and workshops. They were all very well-planned and the layout was great. What we didn’t expect was the little gifts we received every day. That was very special.

Every day was unique and brought new challenges to us as house parents of New Life Centre.

All the guest speakers were inspiring and we learned a lot. Most notable was the passion for pregnant ladies and the babies. We all share one awesome thing and that is our love for the Lord Jesus Christ and the wonderful work He is doing through us.

As one gentleman said, “WE SHOULD NOT BOAST ABOUT OUR LOVE FOR JESUS. LET US BOAST ABOUT JESUS’ LOVE FOR US.”

Every aspect of the conference was great. The worship especially was heart-warming as God touched me in a special way. I must admit that I’m not a guy who cries easily, but when God touches your inner core, you cannot help but weep.

We heard a lot and learnt a lot. We met new people from all over Africa (Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Namibia, and Mozambique) and networked with other centres.

At the moment everything feels overwhelming and I must admit that it scares me to see what’s ahead. We don’t know how we are going to achieve the things that we have set out to do and want to do. We know, however, that this is our calling and with God on our side we’ll accomplish everything we set out to do because we are not doing this for our gain, but for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Nico

News from the House Parents:

We cannot believe that we have now been part of the centre for the past eight months. So much has happened in the past eight months, and yet the time has flown!

We are now quite oiled in the different areas of the Centre but are still learning something new on a regular basis. We have been challenged by having to complete many grant application forms and we have stretched our antennas to see where we can receive more financial donations.

We thank all the friend of NLC who have been supporting us! This includes all volunteers, donors, sponsors and anyone who might have been in contact with the Centre for however long.

We had an exciting experience sharing our Centre with all the listeners of Radio Tygerberg. We received a couple of calls after the programme and are excited about the prospects. If you missed the interview and would like to receive a copy of it, please let us know and we will send you one.

We have loved meeting and getting to know each girl who has come into the Centre, and think of most of them with fond memories. We are still amazed every day to see how God works in their lives. And we thank Him for without God, NOTHING that we do will be successful. We are reminded of the saying that goes: “God does not call the qualified; He qualifies those that He calls.” We have felt inadequate and under- qualified in so many areas, but have just reached out to Him in those times, and He has always given us strength.

Lots of Love

Nico and Suzette

A letter from one of our residents:

TO THE BEST ACCOMODATION FOR PREGNANT WOMEN IN NEED:

'NEW LIFE CENTRE'

TO NEW LIFE CENTRE - 'THANKS A LOT.'

I arrived here at New Life Centre in May, being very scared, confused and lost. Finding out I was pregnant at the time was like someone telling me my life is over and that now I should start thinking like an adult.

I would just like to thank everybody at New Life Centre. A very special thanks to the house parents NICO and SUZETTE, the house granny AUNTY MAGGIE, our social worker SUNET, and ANITA my very helpful birth partner. Thanks a lot for everything. The greatest gift you guys taught me was that no matter what, there’s a God who loves me for me and that I don't have to be scared anymore.

I've been here at NLC for about two and a half months and let me tell you I'VE HAD THE BEST TIME OF MY LIFE. I've met lots of wonderful people and will never forget them. I must say that giving birth wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Having Anita there put me at ease and made me feel safe.

Well, my stay at NEW LIFE CENTRE is coming to an end shortly. Just the thought of leaving hurts my HEART because I've grown so attached to everyone and the lifestyle. It feels as if I'm leaving home. So thank you New Life Centre. May God bless you guys for all the good work and the changes you made in my life.

Lastly on the 5th of AUGUST 2007 I got saved, all thanks to the wonderful words of God. I'm so happy for letting God into my life.

THANKS

Areas of need at New Life Centre:

1. Financially

We are very excited to announce our new project for 2008 . . . PROJECT DEBIT ORDER DRIVE! We have set ourselves a target of, by June 2008, encouraging 400 people to donate a minimum of R50 per month via debit order. This great achievement will enable us to cover our monthly running costs. We appeal to you to commit yourself to this project for a year and be blessed by blessing us. All you have to do, to be a part of this exciting project, is to complete the debit order slip in the NLC leaflet (retractable on the internet as well) and fax it to 021 949 1614 or hand it to Nico, Suzette or someone in the church office. We are proud to inform you that we have already received our first 5 debit order slips.

2. Volunteers/Friends

We are looking for a person to come in on a weekly basis and give the ladies exercise classes.

If you are able to teach any skills e.g. sewing, knitting, cooking or anything else, WE NEED YOU! We are especially looking for friends to help us fill up the days that the girls spend at the Centre.

Informative topics to be discussed with the girls e.g. personal hygiene, ante-natal classes etc. are very welcome!

3. Vehicles

Our kombi is not in a good condition and not reliable enough. If you would like to donate a kombi, PLEASE let us know!

4. Maintenance

We are very proud to say that since our previous newsletter, many of the requests in this area have been fulfilled! The biggest project that needs to be tackled now is the renovation of our bathrooms.

5. Prayer

We can never go without prayer. It is the essence of who we are. It is what drives us and has kept us going through the years.

General news:

Be sure to check our website www.newlifecentre.co.za

The website allows us to give you up-dated news, events, statistics and pictures on a regular basis. Photos of various projects will be on display and up-dated figures of our debit order drive will also be available so you can rejoice with us as we move towards our goal!

Due to the high cost of stationery and postage, please provide us with an e-mail address if possible. This would assist the NLC in saving costs. You will then receive our news letter via e-mail in full colour!

We did receive a couple of replies regarding the e-mail after our previous newsletter, but due to a problem in our e-mail programme, lost some e-mail addresses. If you have not received this letter via e-mail after requesting so, please send us your e-mail address again. Sincere apologies and THANK YOU!

Thank you for every one praying and contributing to the ‘life’ of New Life Centre. May you be blessed “out of your socks”!