Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead South Africa

Ministry in Qonce, South Africa

January – March 2024

Humility By Example

John 13:14-15 (NIV) “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

Hello Family, Friends, and Ministry Partners:

Easter Greetings to all of you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I know that this is a long-awaited newsletter. You are now experiencing Spring and I am now in Fall. A complete reversal of seasons. On February 3, 2024, I celebrated three years of ministry in Qonce, South Africa. It is also the start of my fourth year in ministry in South Africa before I return to the USA for a one-year home assignment. This year is going so fast and there are so many things to plan logistically and spiritually. Only through the Holy Spirit things will get done God’s way.

Our Lord, Christ Jesus example before His death, burial and resurrection is showing me how I am to prepare to leave. His own example is the actions of a servant. He washed the feet of His disciples. His humility struck me like a ton of bricks this week. I was truly in awe of God in a fresh new way. The Creator of the universe, the One who called His disciples into ministry, washed their feet. He is no ordinary Lord and King. He is the Lord of lords and King of kings. Christ is making me do a self-inventory. Through the Holy Spirit, I am asking Him to show me the areas where Faye Carol, global servant and the daughter of God needs to let go. God must be worshipped not Faye Carol. I know that only a ministry built by God, for God and through God will last. The glory of Christ shown through his death, burial and resurrection starts with Christ being a humble servant before the Father. He has given you and me the Holy Spirit. He is asking all his followers to follow His example of being a servant. I am praying each day that is what I am doing.

Ministry Highlights

• My sisters in Christ (see above) showed me how to relax and enjoy every day. The whole family made me feel at home with their warmth and love during the Christmas holiday in Mthatha. They allowed me to speak my broken isiXhosa and tried their best to understand me. On Christmas day the family shared with the neighborhood children that did not have a lot. I attended several Xhosa Umgidi celebrations. This is a celebration of circumcised boys coming back from the mountain after a month. I visited the Nelson Mandela Museum in Qunu, South Africa. I love the notes I saw from children.

• Just before Christmas I attended a wedding of a Sotho young lady to a Xhosa young man. The young man who got married is a math teacher at Teleios Christian School.

• At the start of the new school year, three teachers did not return. One teacher retired at the end of 2023. There were a lot of adjustments to the school schedule until replacement teachers could be found. Bethany Emanuel Baptist Church, Project Dorcas started afterschool skill training in cooking and computers for Teleios Christian School Students. Trinity Baptist Church of Los Angeles, California donated five tablets to the ninth-grade class of Teleios Christian School. In picture below are First Lady Dr. Sandra Tunstill and former Trustee Board Member Millicent Wirt of Trinity Baptist Church. We continue to see the blessings from God in the ministry in South Africa.

Teleios Christian School – Start of School Year 2024

Teleios Christian School 9^th grade classroom presented with new tablets. Thank you, Trinity Baptist Church of Los Angeles, California

• I represented Pastor Zani of Bethel Baptist Church of Ginsberg, South Africa at Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School. The Matric (12^th year students) had a tie changing ceremony showing they are now 12^th grade learners. I was asked to give the devotion and to pray for the learners, their teachers and their parents before the ties were presented. Forbes Grant is a public High School. God opens doors. We must humbly walk through the door and let the light of Christ shine.

Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School Matric Tie Ceremony

• In January, I celebrated my 64^th Birthday with friends. They surprised me with dinner at my apartment and gifts of things I can use when I leave for home assignment.

My surprise 64^th Birthday with friends

• Helping parents to find resources for continuing education resources after leaving Teleios Christian School and other village schools continue to be a priority for me since this will be my last year before leaving for home assignment. I had a God-appointed meeting with someone who works in the department of education, specifically special needs children. After the holiday, we will be setting up a meeting. Thankful to God for the opportunity. God to be given all the Glory.

• I hosted my first Short Term Mission Team. They are all members of my Mission Partnership Team (MPT) Agape. Dr. Sandra Tunstill, Myrriam Cardinal, and Millicent Wirt. They were here for a month, ministering in Qonce alongside me. I deeply appreciated my friends coming and their presence brought joy to my heart. You will be getting their perspective as to the extent of the ministry on the ground in upcoming newsletters. Thank you for praying for the planning and covering the trip with your prayers.

Short Term Mission Team –  MPT Agape

Praise Report:

• I am still waiting for my new three-year visa, but I have been granted a six-month extension on the old visa.
• One of my after-school learners started at a new school and is doing well. I let the parents know that I will still support the learner.

Prayer Requests:

• Teleios Christian School Ministry and Busy Bee Preschool – Learners, their families, Principal, Assistant Principal, Teachers, Teacher Aids, and Custodians
• Extended Village School Ministry – Seven adopted schools Jityaza Combined Primary School, Forbes Grant High School, Ginsberg Preschool, Breidbach High School, Breidbach Primary School, and Breidbach Preschool– Collaborating with the students and administrators.
• God will continue to show me ways to help learners and that I show them the love of Jesus.
• Bethany Emmanuel Baptist Church (Pastor Reuben Ihlenfeldt) and Project Dorcas Women’s Vocational Training Program
• Extended ministry outreach to two village churches, Calvary Baptist in Breidbach Township (Pastor Abdul Ohlson) and Bethel Baptist Church (Pastor Tembani Zani) in Ginsberg Township.
• Special Education teachers to help train the teachers at Teleios Christian school and at the village schools.
• Outreach ministry at SINAKO vocational training school for the blind and disable.
• Xhosa Language – Better pronunciation and speaking with boldness.
• Simple Afrikaans greeting as I visit some churches with only mixed-race congregation. The Google App pronounces Afrikaans words and translate as people are speaking.
• The ministry of letting Christ be known through Math and Science tutoring at Teleios Christian School and surrounding villages.
• Pray for my family and MPT Agape.
• Our recognizing that God has brought us together to be a witness for Christ in the lives of children in South Africa as well as in your local area in the United States
• Partners’ and ‘friends’ specific prayer requests (Please email me, I love hearing from you, praying for your specific needs and hearing your praise reports.)
• Missionary families, especially those with children.
• My sending organization International Ministries.

Friends, family, and partners please have a wonderful Resurrection Sunday with your church family. Jesus is the risen savior.

“Enkosi kakhulu, ndiyabulela.” (Thank you very much, I am grateful.)

God bless and keep you all,

Faye Carol

Global Servant

Qonce, South Africa

Contact Email: fyarbrough@internationalministries.org

https://www.internationalministries.org/author/faye-yarbrough/

https://www.facebook.com/FayeCarolFullSTEMAhead

https://www.instagram.com/fayecarolfullstemahead

https://mobile.twitter.com/Fayestem