2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | Going back...2002
DECEMBER 2003
SHEPHERD'S KEEP PROPERTY
The building continues to grow, and sadly we have to watch it stop for the month of December, when all builders take their yearly leave, but we stand in awe every time we stand on the site—what a mighty God we serve!
We look forward to the completion of it in February 2004!
Side view of the two floors
View of the ramp connecting the two floors
We pray God's richest blessings on all our faithful supporters this Christmastime, and remember, rejoicing is an expression of faith that opens the door for God to work His wonders in our lives!
Let us rejoice together this season at the wonder of our Savour Jesus Christ, who lived, and died for us and rose again on the third day, to give us life eternal, if we should only believe!
Please pray for Colin and Cheryl who will be fund raising this December, and for our office staff, who are in dire need of a rest, that they have a blessed time of rest.
Thank you and God bless you all
Cheryl
NOVEMBER 2003
SHEPHERD'S KEEP PROPERTY
With awe and admiration for our God, we humbly bow our knees before Him and thank Him for the beautiful new building being erected for the abandoned babies of Durban and surrounding areas in South Africa.
The top floor is now under construction and is at window height, and the builders tell us the roof will be on by Christmas time!
Top floor under construction
We have an incredible crew of folk working on the building, who whistle and sing while they work in the baking hot sun of Natal—they all know what the building is for, and their hearts are really in their work. We thank God for each of their part in Shepherd's Keep.
We have chosen the roof colour and exterior wall paint, and interior paint as well.
This is a vision that God gave us 6 years ago, an L-shaped building, and the ramps and no stairs were part of the vision too, with lots of air and space and light!
A sea-view emerged from behind the trees that were cut down, so we have instructed the architect to incorporate the view at every opportunity.
The chapel is under construction and will have a huge lit up cross in the front of it, as a beacon to those who are looking for us at night, who bring in a baby.
The chapel will be a place of praise and worship and a place of sanctuary and prayer for our staff.
We are very thankful for support from folk, and know that with out this, Shepherd's Keep would not be! Thank you from us all and God bless you.
SUPPORT GROUP
Our support group is going well and we will be celebrating Christmas time with a function—we all have a wonderfully happy time, each time we meet, with lots of fun and laughter.
HANDS OF MERCY
Hands of Mercy is still sending out parcels of infection control supplies to the outlying areas of Natal, and we have had feedback from grateful folk who have ministered to dying patients and have really been able to help them with supplies—we pray this ministry will continue and expand, as we have a chance to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Please continue to pray for all that is needed for a large project such as this, and for stamina for staff, healing for the sick.
Until next time
Sincerest thanks and blessings to all our friends
Cheryl Pratley
SEPTEMBER 2003
SHEPHERD'S KEEP PROPERTY
The awesomeness of the project under the Hand of God---it's amazing.
We look out of our bedroom window, and there it is-mounds of red sand moving, being flattened, trenches dug, cement poured and right now, bricks laid—the business of it all reminds us that GOD IS IN CONTROL!
Looking over the site with Durban harbour in the distance
There is a strange peace as the workers work and one testified that this project means more to him than any other he has worked on, because of what it is going to be, it seems as though God has HIS people here too—working diligently with an urgency in their spirits, knowing this is for the lost, abandoned and dying babes, without hope, if they are not saved and given life and looked after—they all have a special part in Shepherd's Keep.
Looking at the lower basement foundations
The earth is making way for Shepherd Keep's new building!
We are trusting God, as we go along for all the funds we need by the 18th Feb 2004 (finish date)
Colin and Cheryl will be out fundraising in various parts of the country—we ask for your special prayers in this regard and for traveling mercies. Thank you
Thank you to all who have been so involved in the past 5 years—God is good, he keeps us in touch, and we are so grateful to all—to all our babies out there—thank you for your photos and mail—we love you! We will never forget you and will remember you as God's little miracles!!
Sincerely
Colin, Cheryl and Michelle
JULY 2003
It is with much excitement that we are actually seeing God in action fulfilling our vision—it is almost as if He is running with it, so fast, that we have to stand back—remember, unless God build the house, we build in vain !
SHEPHERD'S KEEP PROPERTY
The trees have been felled as the property was secured on the 1st June, and the huge space for our building is now open and ready for the earthworks to start on the 14th July.
The builders move on site on that date and away we go, with our beautiful building for the abandoned and HIV/AIDS babies we have prayed for and believed God would do for them—it is so amazing!
God is so faithful if we don't waiver in our faith and persevere only believing that He is able—we give Him all the glory!
ADOPTIONS
In the meantime, adoption agencies have been sought out and relationship building with these folk has developed, which is so important, as there is so much evil in the world and we make very sure of who our babies go to.
We take this opportunity again, of saying thank you to all corporate and private companies and individuals for ongoing donations—this is what is making SHEPHERD'S KEEP possible.
Bless you all!
SUPPORT GROUP
Our HIV/AIDS support group is doing well and we are praying that God would direct more folk to us for counseling and help.
The infection control supplies are reaching far and wide and are in great demand, helping many to live more comfortably in their last days.
We pay tribute to the care workers out there who dedicate their lives for others, and in most difficult circumstances—God bless you and thank you!
We will keep you updated on the progress of the building, and remember, all building donations are most welcome at this time
Thank you all!
Cheryl
APRIL 2003
Greetings to all our friends again.
We have had a good start to the new year and are all once again fired up to get the building started and a move on for the babies so desperately needing homes.
Only tonight I had a call from an irate policewoman who had been left with a wee babe of only 3 weeks old, and nowhere to take it! Please pray with us that we will soon be operational again and be able to help these tiny little mites, so helpless and so defenseless to the woes of this world.
VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS
"A VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS" presentation at the Playhouse on the 11th April went very well, with Colin drumming a thundering "Drums Triumphant," a recital of of 40 drums, a Power Point presentation of Shepherd's Keep's lifesaving endeavours in the field of support for the abandoned babies of South Africa.
SHEPHERD'S KEEP PROPERTY
Shepherd's Keep admin staff and management have to date been preparing for the facility at the recently purchased property, that will accommodate 60 babies from birth to six months old, ensuring homes in families are sought and found in that time. We plan to start the foundations very soon, as all red tape has been passed.
HANDS OF MERCY
HANDS OF MERCY, the extended ministry of Shepherd's Keep is running smoothly from a room on the same property, occupied by thousands of items of infection control supplies, which are packed into boxes and taken into the rural areas of Kwa Zulu Natal, to tend the AIDS sufferers, through care givers. The packing is a happy time, and the radio plays softly in the background, where the packers quietly reflect on the suffering of the folk and what a warm bath with all that goes with it, and a hot cup of soup can do to alleviate their pain.
SPONSORS
We especially thank our sponsors for the funds which enable us to purchase these supplies. We take this opportunity to thank each donor, sponsor, prayer warrior and friend, for the ongoing support you have shown us during these months of 2003. We are so grateful to each one of you. To God be the glory for all that He does and for His hand on each step forward, knowing just when to implement another stage and carry us through.
God bless you all
Management and staff of SHEPHERD'S KEEP
JANUARY 2003
With much enthusiasm and prayer, the management of Shepherd's Keep were given opportunities of sending infection control supplies to Kwamashu (a township outside of Durban, where the rate of HIV infection is extremely high) and The Valley of a Thousand Hills (a rural area of Kwa Zulu Natal that has no running water and no electricity)
Shepherd's Keep staff were a buzz with ordering loads and loads of infection control supplies, packing them into the boxes that were donated for the purpose, and delivering them to the said folk.
They are only given to Registered Nurses, who take charge of trained caregivers, who then in turn have a box per patient.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is shared with the patient, often dying, and at the same time, he is given a bath, his pressure parts are gently massaged and his sores and open wounds are dressed. All his other needs are taken care of—a mouth wash, etc, and then he is fed by the care giver. He is left clean and feeling much better.
This process is covered by the care giver each day with her patients—we can only commend them for their dedication and love for their fellow man. They leave after praying and singing with their patient.
After we saw the desperate need for this care, it was decided by the management to fund raise and build a couple of AIDS RETREATS where the very sick and dying will have proper beds and hygienic care, giving them dignity and confidence that all possible is being done for them and their families.
A concert is being planned with overseas artists and we will keep you updated.
God is incredibly wonderful, how we give Him all glory and honour in how He has brought us all through another year, and how His timing is so perfect in all things.
We hope to start building on the babies building soon, and we take this opportunity to thank every donor—we are getting there!
God bless you all
From management and staff
Colin and Cheryl Pratley — custodians of Shepherd's Keep
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