Our Purpose

Can an entire township be transformed? Can a whole city be transformed? A country? What about a continent? This is the question that has been plaguing me since I stepped foot in the townships of South Africa.

I once heard that for community transformation to take place, minds must be transformed. The townships of South Africa and cities of Swaziland are full of poverty and injustice. But they are also full of people who need to not only hear the Gospel but be discipled as well.

Join me in not only sharing the Gospel, but helping to transform the minds of people who have been oppressed for centuries.

Masiphumelele!

I recently spent six months working in Masiphumelele with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). Upon my return, I will continue to build relationships with the people of the community and the students and staff of the local high school. I will be involved with at least one house church, and there is even some talk if starting an English Language School. Learning English is essential in helping the Xhosa people obtain employment. I long to see the next generation of Xhosa people rise up in Christ and realize how valuable they are. I believe this goes hand in hand with bringing long-term solutions to help Africans step out of absolute poverty. I will also be involved in a counter trafficking movement to help prevent 100,000 women and children from being trafficked into South Africa for the 2010 World Cup. Here are some startling statistics that the people of South Africa face:

40,000 CHILD PROSTITUTES LIVE IN SOUTH AFRICA

1000 GIRLS ARE TRAFFICKED TO SOUTH AFRICA FROM MOZAMBIQUE EACH YEAR

A FEMALE IS RAPED EVERY 17 SECONDS DUE TO A MYTH BEGUN BY WITCH DOCTORS THAT SAYS: “SLEEPING WITH A VIRGIN WILL CURE AIDS.”

OF THE 18 MILLION WOMEN WITH AIDS WORLDWIDE, 14 MILLION LIVE IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Bulembu, Swaziland!

Bulembu is a new venture for me. While I have been in Rockford for the past few months, I have been working closely with the be:good foundation. The be:good foundation is a 501 ( c) (3) non-profit organization that has a simple mission: to be good to people everywhere; no strings attached. One of the foundation’s major projects is helping to transform the town of Bulembu, Swaziland. The be:good foundation is currently working to build an orphanage, sponsor orphans, renovate the hospital, aid in community development, and ultimately help bring a new generation of Swazi children into the world that are HIV/AIDS free. Here are some startling statistics that the people of Swaziland face:

•Population Infected: 42%

•Number of Orphans: 60,000

•Orphaned by 2010: 120,000

•Up to 56 % of Pregnant women in late 20’s are HIV positive

•By 2010, 1 in 6 children will be a child under 15 who has lost both parents to HIV/Aids