Dear Friends and Family,
I am writing to you about some recent and exciting developments surrounding Pfunanane Academy in South Africa. I earnestly appeal to you to read about these developments and to consider sowing into this ministry as God leads you.
As you may know, we have had a very difficult time establishing the school and children's cottages because we have not owned the land that the school is on, due to Engela's untimely death. In spite of these challenges the school has continued to grow. When I arrived there were 54 children attending Pfunanane. The school's enrollment is now 161. The school has also gone from approximately 6 sponsored children to 53. These are orphaned, abused, neglected or disadvantaged children that Pfunanane fully supports.
We have opened our first children's cottage for displaced children and will be opening our second in the next six months. The stories of these children's changed lives are truly amazing. (For more about Pfunanane Ministries go to www.pfunanane.org.)
In the past two months a VERY unexpected opportunity arose where the owner of the farm suggested that we consider buying the portion of land that the school is on. He knew that this was our greatest desire but he had been unwilling to subdivide the farm. His willingness to do so is a miracle! We then negotiated an agreement to buy the portion of the farm with the school, sports grounds, Engela's home, cottage, flat, etc. for R 3.1 million, or $400,000.
Owning the farm will provide security for the future of this ministry. It will allow for us to receive outside investment as well as to further develop the land with confidence. The greatest encouragement so far is that a few weeks ago (Wednesday June 9, 2010) the Pfunanane Board met to discuss how to fundraise for this project. That same day a random guy contacted Sarah and said he wanted to help her obtain a house for the children. He felt compelled by God to get involved with the ministry and has already donated R 1 million for the purchase of the farm, or $135,000. (This young man is in the military and had been saving this money for the past ten years towards the purchase of a home when God convicted him to give to Pfunanane.)
I simply cannot put into words how encouraging this has been for me personally. I want to laugh and cry at the same time. God is so faithful! With the money the school has saved, we already have R 1.2 million of the R 3.1 million needed! Praise God! We now wish to raise at least $100,000 in the next two months before the sale is finalized, so that we can immediately put a full R 2 million towards the purchase of the school. We do not want to take a loan.
I ask that you consider sowing into this ministry as God leads you. Please also consider involving your school, business, etc. I do trust in His provision now more than ever. I also know that God may wish to use you.
If you feel compelled to give towards this, you may do so through the following website: www.perrow.org. Perrow church will be handling our financial transactions. Donations are tax-deductible, and they will ensure that you are given a receipt of your 2010 giving by 15 Juanuary 2011. In order to give please go to the e-giving section and use the reference “Pfunanane Ministries” in the “Additional Comments” box.
Yours,
Andrew Mullek
Chairperson, Pfunanane Board of Directors
