50-Day Update

[Rebecca Clendenin]

Friends,

It's been a while since we gave a South Africa Update.  We are at the 50-day mark for our departure!

A few updates:

Pippy & Champ Have Found A Good Home!

As of today, Pip & Champ, the dynamic duo, have found a good home for the next year.  This is something we are very excited about since, as of a few days ago, we had no leads.  Many thanks to everyone who helped spread the word on our behalf!  Pip says it best: www.mamelodistories.org/2008/06/15/we-have-a-home/

Vincent and Family Coming to NC Next Week

In just a few days, Pastor Vincent Nyathi of the Powerhouse Church in Mamelodi and his wife Gloria and kids Mandla and Busi are coming to Chapel Hill/Durham.  We are excited for Gloria and the kids as they visit the U.S. for the first time.  Also, we are hopeful that Vincent's time here will be fruitful and that connections between churches and nonprofits in this area and the Powerhouse in Mamelodi will be strengthened, and that relationships will blossom.

Final Info Session June 28

In celebration of the Nyathis' visit, we are hosting our final Info Session.  If you are in the Triangle area, we invite you to come hear about our calling and commitment to live and serve in South Africa and what we'll likely be doing; have the chance to meet and welcome Vincent, Gloria, Mandla and Busi; and have the opportunity to ask questions, meet people, enjoy brunch, etc.  The Info Session is Saturday, June 28, at 11 a.m. at the home of Beth Reynolds: 4009 Olde Coach Road, SW Durham.  Driving directions: www.mamelodistories.org/welcome/

Another invitation: Vincent will be preaching at Grace Community Church the next evening, Sunday, June 29, with a potluck gathering following.  We invite you to join us in welcoming them to our community!

90%+ of Our Fundraising Goal!

As of this week, we have crept over the 90% mark of our fundraising goal.  This is exciting and is such a testament of the generosity behind contributions and pledges of support from many of you.  We are very, very thankful.  If you are interested in helping us reach -- or surpass -- the 100% mark, we encourage you to visit www.mamelodistories.org/welcome/how-you-can-help-us-help-the-people-of-mamelodi/  FYI to our monthly supporters: we will be emailing instructions in the next few weeks on how to give your monthly pledges.

Recent Violence In The Townships

In response to the recent violence in South Africa, Nate has blogged about our thoughts.  What's been laid on our hearts is that God does not call us to safety; He calls us to follow Him.  For more: www.mamelodistories.org/2008/06/14/is-it-safe-there/

Final Days With Our Workmates...

Sadly, time at our jobs is wrapping up.  It's been fun to be part of the process of interviewing potential successors these past few weeks, but for each of us, with that has brought the realization that we love our jobs and will be sad to let them go.  We have each grown an extraordinary amount while at Action for Children and Capitol Broadcasting and are so thankful to our employers and colleagues for seeing something in us, giving us wonderful opportunities so early in our careers and encouraging us on a multitude of levels.  It has not yet hit us that we will walk away in two weeks; please pray for us during what will be very demanding days ahead as we plow through remaining To Do Lists, wrap up loose ends, seek closure, enjoy our final days with our workmates... all the while processing the significance of how blessed we are to have spent these years with some very special people, doing work that we love.

Thank you again for your support, prayers, encouragement... and for following along!

Rebecca & Nathan

Rebecca Clendenin

reb...@clendenin.name

www.mamelodistories.org