The following is a letter I sent to my supporters. If you did not get it but wanted to, I apologize. This is not just for financial supporters but for all who follow, pray and encourage me. I might have tried to send it to some of you but somehow it bounced back. Please email me your email address at my new email sandrachesterman07@gmail.com if you would like me to add you to my notifications and newsletters (I promise one before the end of the year).
Dear Friends and Family,
If you have not already
heard or seen on Face book, as of the end of 2013 I will no longer be working
with Children’s Cup. Like Paul and Barnabas we have had a difference in opinion
in how to do ministry and are parting ways. They are still a great
organization, I just cannot carry out some of their mandates. (The procedure
not the principal.) This happened suddenly at the very end of October but they
allowed me to stay on through the Christmas parties so I could have closure and
help Children’s Cup finish the year strong in South Africa. The parties
finished last week….so what is next?
I am still staying in Africa but my support will now be going through World Outreach Ministries, a ministry who supports missionaries in the field with the administrative resources to manage donations and issue 501C tax deductible receipts. If you were supporting me through Children’s Cup or the Cross Church in Loganville (the Cross has refocused their foreign missions to local ministries), please begin sending all future donations to World Outreach Ministries directly. The full information on how to donate is at the bottom of this email.
Following the conversation and decision with Children’s Cup, the Lord gave me a peace (supernatural is the only way I know how to describe it) that His hand was completely in my separation from the organization. My initial thought was that I would want to run back to Swaziland where it is familiar but the Lord also gave me a peace and assurance that He brought me to South Africa for a reason. I will always love the people and the country of Swaziland very much but feel I am no longer called to serve there. God has also renewed a 27 year old vision of GABRIEL ministries (Girls And Boys Receiving Instruction, Encouragement & Love): Bringing the message of Christ’s Love. At this point I feel it is reaffirming my passion for children, especially rejected and at risk children. I am not clear in what manner yet, but I will keep you informed as I feel more specific direction.
There are several ministries that have asked me to join with them. I have declined the ones in Swaziland and explained why. At the beginning of 2014 I am going to start helping Emonyeni, (www.emoyenisa.com) a current partner with Children’s Cup at some feeding sites in Badplaas. I will assist Emoyeni administratively while we seek God and pray about if it should be permanent. They work with churches and children in the Badplaas and surrounding communities but currently don’t go as deeply with individual children as I havel a passion for. I am also visiting with Michael’s Children’s Village which is a branch of Iris Ministries. It is a village of group homes that works with the South African social welfare system (the same just different to the US system). They have a fantastic heart for Christ and for the children. They will be expanding in the future and we have agreed to spend time and get to know each other better and see where the Lord leads.
So, 2014 is a new adventure for me. I have been in Africa for 6 years now and God has never failed to guide, protect and sustain me. Although the future is full of a lot of unknowns and will allow me to stretch my faith, I ask that you continue to support me with your love, encouragement, prayers and finances (for those who have been led to and have been so faithful in doing so). Thank you for taking the time to read this and share in my journey. I would love to hear from you and know your prayer needs. I know many of you have had health issues, job, family issues and other challenges so please keep me updated so I can support you in my prayers. I love you and appreciate you more than you will ever understand. Thank you!
I am still staying in Africa but my support will now be going through World Outreach Ministries, a ministry who supports missionaries in the field with the administrative resources to manage donations and issue 501C tax deductible receipts. If you were supporting me through Children’s Cup or the Cross Church in Loganville (the Cross has refocused their foreign missions to local ministries), please begin sending all future donations to World Outreach Ministries directly. The full information on how to donate is at the bottom of this email.
Following the conversation and decision with Children’s Cup, the Lord gave me a peace (supernatural is the only way I know how to describe it) that His hand was completely in my separation from the organization. My initial thought was that I would want to run back to Swaziland where it is familiar but the Lord also gave me a peace and assurance that He brought me to South Africa for a reason. I will always love the people and the country of Swaziland very much but feel I am no longer called to serve there. God has also renewed a 27 year old vision of GABRIEL ministries (Girls And Boys Receiving Instruction, Encouragement & Love): Bringing the message of Christ’s Love. At this point I feel it is reaffirming my passion for children, especially rejected and at risk children. I am not clear in what manner yet, but I will keep you informed as I feel more specific direction.
There are several ministries that have asked me to join with them. I have declined the ones in Swaziland and explained why. At the beginning of 2014 I am going to start helping Emonyeni, (www.emoyenisa.com) a current partner with Children’s Cup at some feeding sites in Badplaas. I will assist Emoyeni administratively while we seek God and pray about if it should be permanent. They work with churches and children in the Badplaas and surrounding communities but currently don’t go as deeply with individual children as I havel a passion for. I am also visiting with Michael’s Children’s Village which is a branch of Iris Ministries. It is a village of group homes that works with the South African social welfare system (the same just different to the US system). They have a fantastic heart for Christ and for the children. They will be expanding in the future and we have agreed to spend time and get to know each other better and see where the Lord leads.
So, 2014 is a new adventure for me. I have been in Africa for 6 years now and God has never failed to guide, protect and sustain me. Although the future is full of a lot of unknowns and will allow me to stretch my faith, I ask that you continue to support me with your love, encouragement, prayers and finances (for those who have been led to and have been so faithful in doing so). Thank you for taking the time to read this and share in my journey. I would love to hear from you and know your prayer needs. I know many of you have had health issues, job, family issues and other challenges so please keep me updated so I can support you in my prayers. I love you and appreciate you more than you will ever understand. Thank you!
Your co-worker in Christ,
Sandra Chesterman
Ephesians 3:20 “Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.”
Those who are supporting me financially please make sure all donations are noted in the memo section or clicked on in the drop box on-line.
Ephesians 3:20 “Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.”
Those who are supporting me financially please make sure all donations are noted in the memo section or clicked on in the drop box on-line.
“Sandra Chesterman #286”. The 3 ways to donate are below. Thank you!
Credit Cards can be done easily by going to www.WorldOutreach.org/donations and selecting my name from the list.
Checks can be mailed to World Outreach Ministries
P.O. Box B
Marietta, GA 30061
Automatic bank account debits can be sent by setting them up on your on-line banking bill pay system and sending it to the above address (postage free). If you are not familiar with your on line banking account system, your local branch can help you set it up.
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