Reaching Out by Loving the Children of South Africa

Kristie Ridge

Dear Friends and Family,

I have been here in South Africa for six months now. I’d like to share some of the highlights with you, and I’d like to thank you for making it possible for me to be here fulfilling God’s calling on my life.

When I arrived I began working in the resource room counting everything I could get to. I then helped out in my first Royal Family Kids Camp in December. The children who come to these camps have been orphaned, neglected, or abused. While there, I was involved in the Breakfast Club where we were able to share with the kids about how they were royally in God’s kingdom. (On the left is a photo of the Royal Family Kids Camp counselors and staff.) I was able to help with making stock bread. To make this bread you place the dough on a stick and cook it over coals, —it is a lot like roasting marshmallows. I also helped out in the café where we served the kids their choice of hot chocolate or blue drink and cupcakes. They also do crafts in the café.

One highlight of the camp was when the kids celebrated their birthdays. They each received a backpack filled with wonderful things. I also helped the kids spend their “Royal Rand” at the camp store. (Rand are the South African dollars.) Some of them didn’t even know how to exchange money or receive change for what they bought. They would just say, “I don’t have enough money to buy that.” What joy came to my heart when I saw their faces lighting up as they were buying items from the store! The hardest part was on the last day when all the children had to go back to the orphanage or foster care where they lived.

Kids Camp in January

Then in January, I worked in my first camp at Jackson’s Ridge.  On Saturday night we had a “praise party” where we worshiped the Lord and the staff was able to pray for the kids. It was a powerful time and some of the children were delivered from demonic oppression.

Children’s Worker Seminar

Also in January, we conducted a Children’s Worker Seminar. It was the biggest seminar we have ever had at Jackson’s Ridge with over 200 children’s workers attending. I served by working in the resource room; making sure everyone had the supplies they needed during the seminar. Prior to the seminar, I put bar codes on the items that would be distributed during the seminar.

Missionary Ladies that were at the Pastor, Pastor Wives Conference.

Then, in February we conducted a Pastors’ Wives Conference at Jackson’s Ridge with the International Assemblies of God. About 80 pastors, pastors’ wives, and missionaries attended the conference. During the conference Pastor Ndlala preached about the Holy Spirit.

In March I helped prepare for an upcoming conference for toddlers. I was very busy cutting out things that the little ones would use during the conference. Two of the things I cut out were treasure chests and a wheel with happy and sad faces.  I also attended seventh grade classes at the School in Magaliesburg.

Please pray for the following:

• Pray for my health. I have struggled with health issues since January, but praise the Lord, I am now doing some better.
• Pray that God will use me in any way He desires.
• Pray for the Jackson’s Ridge Training Centre where I serve.
• Pray for the kids that come to Jackson’s Ridge.

Again, thank you for your faithful support of my ministry in South Africa. You are truly a blessing. I will pray for you.

_{Kristie Ridge}