May 2013

Greetings.

The supervision that I assisted with at Groote Schuur Hospital for 11 weeks went really well. Although it was an adjustment in having to leave earlier than normal (05:40), it was an enriching time with the students. In all 9 students participated in the program, 3 from Lesotho, 1 JBH, 2 CPT and 3 DBN. We took them through an intense program of personal development within the ministry. Half of their time was dedicated to actual practice of ministry, while the other half the participants were involved in interpersonal group work, role play, didactics on the practice of ministry and personal reflections which were written daily and given to their supervisor. As part of their development as ministers, various outings were organised to Doves Funeral home, Maitland Crematorium, CPT Holocaust Museum and CPT Heart Transplant Museum. Workshops also formed part of the program with Katie Sheel presenting the social issue of human trafficking and Reinette Evans on Rape Crisis and how the local church can help survivors. CPE is professional education for ministry as it trains clergy, religious and laity for work in pastoral care  -  in other words it brings them into supervised encounter with persons in crisis. It is planned that I continue co-coordinating the CPE program for either the 11 week unit or 5 week model each year.  For more info visit www.cpecapetown.wordpress.com.

I had great response after my presentation at church, with individuals wanting to get involved in Sinekamva (knitting teddy bears, visitations, training and financial support). I am continuously blessed at God’s provision, open doors and His involvement in Sinekamva. It still remains a desire to employ a Xhosa person to help in this amazing and challenging ministry, so please pray with me that God would bless this desire and continue to provide new ways for funding and sponsorship.  

Below is a video testimony of a patient that I ministered to.

February 2013

Greetings all

With 2013 already approaching February, I Trust that all is well and that you have had a restful festive season.  There are some exciting opportunities that lie ahead for Sinekamva Chaplaincy and Counseling ministry.  One such opportunity is my involvement with the CPE program at Groote Schuur Hospital.

This journey began in the middle of last year, while I was doing PhD research that I came across an advert in a pastoral care journal advertising CPE (clinical pastoral education) in Cape Town. After emailing them, explaining who I am and my experience in CPE (Houston, TX), I did not have much expectation that I would get a reply since the advert was dated in the 80’s.  After a few days had passed I received a reply from a lady (Jacinta) in Strand stating that the program still existed and wants to know what my interest in emailing her was about.  In reply I said I was curious as I had done a year’s CPE program in the US.  Her response was for us to meet.  I had no agenda for that meeting as I wanted to find out if a relationship between my ministry and CPE Groote Schuur could be established.  Near the end of the meeting Jacinta said that their agenda was “me”.  It was in that week that she and her colleague decided to step down from leading the CPE program (as they have been running the program for 15 years ) and felt it was time for them to step down and find someone with fresh and new ideas.  It appeared that in all likelihood the program was going to close all together, although their prayer was for the program to continue, they had no one to carry on running the program.  Throughout that week they had been praying for someone to take over the program and out of them to blue they received my email.  The end result was an open invitation for me to prayerfully consider taking over the CPE program at Groote Schuur Hospital as I had a good understanding of what such a program entails.  As part of my introduction to this I will be attending their 2013 program (11 weeks) beginning February.  Not only is this exciting to be part of such a program, but this journey would also bring the beginnings of qualification to awards a certified CPE supervisor (the program is governed by ACPESA).

I look to this not as coincidence but a God given opportunity, as the timing of my email could not have been more perfect.  It has always been a goal to establish such a program here in Cape Town, as CPE is an incredible learning experience for anyone involved in pastoral care.  Groote Schuur Hospital offers a wonderful learning experience as it is a world renowned for their innovative and historical care.  All staff at Groote Schuur has a wonderful working relationship with all CPE students and supervises. I will keep you all updated as to the progress of CPE in the next few newsletters. Please be in prayer with me as I make a final decision about CPE in the next few months!

My PhD continues to move forward as I’m currently at the stage of writing my first three chapters (introduction, literature review and methodology).  I thank the Lord for such an opportunity and continue to remain aware that this is an incredible journey that I and my family are on.  This is only possible through the gracious support both financially and emotionally from all those who support me in my ministry. If you would like to contribute towards Sinekamva ministry or my PhD fees (Please reference “PhD”) the bank details are as follows:

Sinekamva     (Saving Account)

Bank:             Nedbank (Somerset West)

Branch code:  106012

Account:        2060 1742 44

Thank you for your support and God Bless!

Christmas 2012

Greetings

Thank you all for being a part of Sinekamva in 2012. 

Your encouragements, contributions in so many ways and monitory faithfulness is a wonderful blessing. Ronel and I are grateful for and to you all.

It has been a wonderful 2012 for Sinekamva. The ministry has been fulfilling as I continue to share with patients, their families and staff, God’s love and hope for their situation. Another highlight was the privilege of spending some of my sabbatical in the UK with family and networking with pastors as part of my PhD research. Ronel and I want to again give acknowledgment to God’s faithfulness in 2012 and we look forward to another bumper, challenging yet rewarding 2013.

Have a blessed Christmas season and a wonderful new year!

Life without God seems impossible

A 30 year old lady was admitted to ICU for an overdose on various medications.  This was not her first overdose attempt.  As the conversation unfolded she revealed many dark and difficult periods in life (sexual abuse, drugs and alcohol abuse, relational disappointments and spiritual deserts).  She had been in and out of psychiatric treatment facilities and was now finding it difficult to cope with life.  Her loving husband is currently her only support system.  The attending casualty doctor asked that I please visit her as she believed that God is the true answer to her many problems.

In spite of the sadness and disappointments that this patient has experienced, it was a God-given opportunity to allow her if to safely express her feelings towards God in a caring environment.  Being emotionally, physically and spiritually hurt in the past lead this patient to believe in a very bleak future.

My role was not to rescue her from her medical or physical ailments but to be a compassionate, professional, caring and sympathetic ear when no one else could by allowing her to explore spiritual journey.  I continued to visit with her until special arrangement was made for her to be admitted into a psychiatric treatment program.  A follow up visit was arranged at the treatment center where I found that she was doing somewhat better.  Although a long and bumpy road lies ahead, it reminded me that life without God seems impossible.

     On the PhD front, my supervisor has approved my research proposal (Non-fatal overdoses on prescription medication: an exploration of the characteristics of the patients from a psycho-social-spiritual perspective) and is now in the hands of the post-graduate committee for final consideration.  

May-June 2012

Back to the grindstone! After a wonderful time spent in the UK, it's back to the realm of normal life in Somerset West. First and foremost, our time in the UK played out much the way we wanted it too. If you remember, I was hoping to make contact with chaplains that work in London that would be able to add insight into my PhD research. I was hopeful of this, however it did not turn out fruitful as many did not get back to me and others said that I had to pay.... So in light of that, I managed to connect with local pastors and organise interviews with them. Part of my research is exploring the pastor and lay-person's theological beliefs of suicide. I am thankful for the time spent with them and their invaluable insight that they shared with me.

Currently I am awaiting feedback from my supervisor regarding my research proposal. Once the proposal has been redefined, it will go to a committee to have it evaluated and passed. As to date I still have a few weeks of my sabbatical left to get stuck into writing and evaluating the research as well as refreshing my soul in the work that I do. I am ever so grateful that I am able to have a sabbatical.    

On the family front, Ronel and Savannah are doing well. Ronel is still playing catch-up with work photo editing, so our holiday photos remain on the back-burner! Savannah continues to be a blessing to us and continues to grow day by day.

Thank you to all who continue to support us!   

Ronel and I in a meadow at Lyme Regis

  

            Savannah feeding ducks at Regent Park.                                                     Savannah's expression when seeing a tube train for the first time.

Jan-March 2012

Greetings all.
Sometime ago I met Mandisa (see "An Amazing Ending") as a hospital patient. The other day she and her grandmother popped in to say hi to share in God's goodness in her life. Mandisa is looking so well and we continue to praise God for her recovery and continuous strength. I wish I thought of capturing that moment with a photo! I thank God for the continuous in-roads that I make at the hospitals that Sinekamva is represented at.  

I have officially enrolled in the PhD programme. My supervisor, an ex-SA patriot, now residing in Canada has also ministered as a chaplain, so I look forward to this challenging chapter in my life. To those who have helped finance my PhD fees - Thank you ever so much! If you would still like to contribute towards this, please reference it as PhD in Sinekamva's bank account.
Our trip to the UK is fast approaching. We as a family will be away from mid-May through to mid-June. I have managed to make contact with a few chaplains and pastors that I will graciously be hooking up with as part of my dissertation research.  

The "fringe-ministry" of Sinekamva continues to keep me busy. I have had the privilege of conducting numerous weddings throughout the year. This has always been a wonderful honour to be part of a couples special day as they unite their relationship with God's given plan of marriage.


On the family front, Savannah continues to grow at an alarming rate. To think that she celebrated her 1st birthday on 10 March was scary but a wonderful reality for Ronel and I. As Savannah discovers new and wonderful things, this not only delights her, but as parents it is such a blessing to be part of this little person's life. Her grandparents and great grandparents continually delight in her visits and inquisitiveness.

Thank you for your faithful support!

Sept - Nov 2011

Early in November I was invited to participate in a "workshop" for local NGO's and faith based organisations that provide medical, social or counselling services. This was organised in the hope of exposing the various organisations to each other and providing the platform for further relationships.

It was fantastic to meet the various faithful and committed people who are providing a vital service to the Helderberg Basin. 

Michael continues to make himself available, in spite of the various changes in Breach, by visiting with Xhosa patients that I have identified with particular needs. I am grateful for his servant-hood and passion in serving the community. One such story is told by Mike in the blog "Mike's Note."

On the wedding front, I continue to be busy. It is always a wonderful opportunity to offer a Christian service to the couple, their families and guests. Come the end of the year I would have conducted around 12 weddings. I continue to thank God for this privilege. 

HH and ER Hospital continue to keep me busy. Since my last posting in July, I have seen over 300 patients. Outside of the hospital walls, my ministry has led me to minister to:

    * A family that tragically lost their father in a motorbike accident.

    * Support to one of HH workers whose house burnt down.

    * Trauma support to a older woman whose retired husband successfully committed suicide.  

    * Support to a family whose father sudden died in the early hours of the morning.   

    * A cot-death that claimed the life of a 3 month old baby boy.  

In all the ministry that I carry out, I continue to thank the Lord for his guidance and wisdom in helping the brokenhearted put the pieces back together. 

2012 Calendars (R80) and Sermon Notebooks (R50) are available for anyone that would like to purchase one. Excellent gifts for Christmas! All funds go towards the sustainability of Sinekamva.  To place an order, please contact me 083 292 2489 or email info@sinekamva.co.za.  Below are some of the photo's used in the calendar.

May you all have a safe and festive season. 

Thank you and God's richest blessings to you all.