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Mark Foster
March 2010
Time certainly does fly when one is having fun...I have now been here six weeks with only two more to go!
I have been running the first phase programme with the assistance of Danny who is himself in third phase and looking to find employment in the open market .A new trainee joined me on Monday, with the idea that I train him with what I have been doing so he can potentially take over when I leave....
At the soup kitchen events I have found it important to always be in control of the area where we are hosting the event because disruptive elements are always at work to disturb the work we are doing. Once we have admitted the people, taken their meal voucher / cash, recorded their particulars and taken a photo I give them a talk either about U Turn's work and / or a gospel message and then have a time of prayer! I have found the later to be particularly meaningful.
In addition to the first phase work I have done practical repairs and maintenance work and have made some improvements.
I would value your prayers for the following:-
- That those using the project would come to a saving knowledge of Christ.
- That either the new trainee or another a suitable replacement will be found for me when I leave
- That on my return to the UK the Lord will provide the work I need for my own business
I do value your prayer and support
God bless you
Yours in Christ
Mark
Cape Town – 14th February 2010
After my initial week when I stayed in the U-Turn hostel to provide staffing cover I moved to stay with a friend in Fish Hoek. I now catch the train to work and back and use a vehicle for U-Turn work during the working day.
I have been asked to head up the first phase operation at U-Turn. Sadly this didn't get off to the best start with the theft of Our Nikon Coolpix camera at the Monday lunchtime soup kitchen, but things have improved!
1st Phase work is all about getting to know the homeless people. Meal vouchers given to homeless people play an important part in this phase because they are able to redeem them at the soup kitchens run by the U-Turn team. Each month they meet between 6-10 new guys purely because of the meal vouchers.
My duties include running two soup kitchens a day - three on Wednesdays! – so I am being kept plenty busy. These events provide the opportunity for us to make contact with those wishing to change their way of life and I have had some good conversations. On Thursday I prayed with a young woman who was obviously distraught at just having been diagnosed HIV and T.B. positive and who had also lost custody of her child. I believe Jesus did minister to her as she became a lot more peaceful afterwards.
I also have to do a variety of admin connected with the post (which includes keeping records of those attending the soup kitchens etc), and attend a few organizational meetings each week.
Although I have preciously lived and worked in Cape Town, I have been really amazed by the high level of crime in S.A. and the extent to which there is such a great disparity between the "haves " and "have nots" here! I continue to observe and learn.
I have had good contact with the Clarkes since their arrival and had a meal with them last Thursday evening.
Please pray for:
- For the lady I talked and prayed with
- For the knowledge of Jesus to grow in the lives of those we are working with
- Continued safety and security during my placement
Mark has had a heart for the poor for a long time and especially for the homeless, he is also passionate about sharing the gospel message. Mark is looking forward to the opportunity to spend two months serving the Lord through U-Turn, and having lived in Cape Town for 25 years, he can speak Afrikaans and a bit of Xhosa so there is a sense of going back to his people, which is very exciting.
Please join with Mark in prayer for the following points:
- Easy transition to life and work in Cape Town
- Opportunities to witness to and pray for those God brings him alongside
- For the love of Christ to be central in all he does