Started 10 years ago, our Dream Girls ministry reaches out to girls ages 11-18—sharing the Gospel with them and discipling them in the Lord. Truly, He has multiplied our efforts.
The girls live in an informal settlement Stone Hill, near Cape Town, South Africa. Each Friday afternoon we meet. Mentorship is of primary importance with an emphasis on encouraging the development of spiritual discernment to guide them in making wise decisions as they navigate their way through our broken world. And the world in which they live, is more broken than most westerners can fathom.
Team projects are prepared at the beginning of every year, including sewing, knitting, crocheting, card-making, painting techniques and other creative crafts.
The girls are taught marketable skills that will stand them in good stead and give them an invaluable advantage in earning an independent living in the future.
Working with these girls, using the simplest, most basic teaching techniques of how to cut patterns with scissors, use glue on paper without making a mess everywhere, and working neatly and to the glory of God was initially entirely foreign to them.
On the surface, the act of knitting an 8-inch square block might appear rather mundane. But a deeper understanding reveals that it teaches perseverance, patience, fine-motor skills, planning, teamwork, kindness and sharing—and results in a simple-yet-priceless blessing to others.
One of our projects included knitting squares, adding finally to the making of a large blanket. An elderly grandmother, living in a shack, was blessed with this gift.
This might sound strange, but we are thrilled to see the Fruits of the Spirit alive and displayed in lives through such a seemingly insignificant undertaking. These tasks encapsulate love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and lots of self-control.
Over the past two years we’ve focused on making Christmas cards and gift tags. The girls were thrilled to learn that their hard work has been rewarded through sales by friends and family of the leaders.
With their earnings the girls can purchase toiletries, healthcare products, body lotions, soap, deodorant or snacks. Believe it or not, these simple items are not always available to struggling peoples living in dire circumstances.
The highlight of last year was our Christmas Party. A professional dance/gym instructor taught different dance routines as the girls danced, laughed, had loads of fun and made memories together.
We set up a jewelry table where each girl could choose a necklace or armband. A photo-booth provided ample fun with dressing-up and special poses.
Food, cake and cold-drinks made the event, even more memorable!
A BIG thank you to each ministry partner who helped bless each girl with a gift as we celebrated God’s greatest gift, His Son!
Our small gift pack of a face cloth, soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, skin lotion, etc., was a great surprise.
Beautiful pencil cases were also provided, with stationery for the beginning of the new school year. (South Africa’s educational year starts in January.)
Without your financial support and provisions this would not have been possible. With your continued contributions, we can continue helping lead these girls to a better life—in the here and now and for all eternity.
A very BIG thank you for your love, support and interest in the lives of these precious girls.
Sonja van Wyk
