Taylor Made News

Kenya April, 2007

2007-04-27T05:42:00.000-07:00

Kenya Trip

We were blessed to take 3 days camping below Mount Kilimanjaro in April, after we attend a conference. This is the big truck with all our supplies. We decided to take this trip as our 25th wedding anniversary present. Even though our anniveresary is not till November.

Mount Kilimanjaro which always has snow on top.

Our camp. Note, Mount Kilimanjaro in the background.

The Maasai people who live around Amboseli.

Just before the Tanzanian Border.

A beautiful Kenyan sunset!

Our last day in Kenya before returning home.

March Team USA

2007-04-27T05:09:00.000-07:00

We are always blessed to have teams come from our home church, Englewood Baptist in Rocky Mount, NC. In March a team of 8 came to share, evangelize and encourage the students at Zakhe and in the community of Sweetwaters.

The group who climbed the mountain to pray above Pietermaritzburg.

A group from a rural area who came to Zakhe.

The team sharing with the students at Zakhe.

Teddy Bear Picnic for Sweetwaters children.

The team enjoying a Zulu meal at Gogo Zagwey's home in Sweetwaters.

FOOD PARCEL DISTRIBUTION-Feeding the widows & orphans

2007-02-26T02:44:00.000-08:00

In 2006-84 families received a monthly food parcel. These families are those who have been affected by HIV/AIDS. Many are child-headed families due to the fact that both parents have died from AIDS and the children have no relatives to care for them.

This year gardening skills are being introduced to decrease dependence on others.

Food Boxes being unloaded for pick up.

Thathu sharing Gods Word. Each month their is a sharing and prayer time. Many people request prayer for those who are sick.

People waiting patiently for their names to be called.

Ladies carrying their food parcels home.

Lesotho December 2006

2007-01-29T03:32:00.000-08:00

Our Trip to the Country of Lesotho

Some of us on our horses. It was a rocky path and sometimes we were on a ledge. Charles' backpack opened while he was riding and scared his horse. It threw him off. Fortunately all he did was scrap up his arm. We pony treked an hour and half to the falls and an hour and half back. Lets just say when you are not used to riding a horse you can be pretty sore for a couple of days!!!

The pony treking guide took us to a beautiful waterfall in the Lesotho mountains where we had a picnic and the kids swam.

A man on horseback going over the Mahole Dam.

Our family with the Gestrings and the Connelys coming down the mountain after pony treking. Notice the sign!

Thanksgiving's 2006

2006-11-28T01:19:00.001-08:00

On November, 11th we celebrated Thanksgiving with our friends the Schladenhauffens before they returned to the USA for stateside assignment. Then on the 24th we went to Bethlehem and had Thanksgiving with the Bickers family and the Bowers. We had a great time of fun, food and fellowship!! We had all the traditional Thanksgiving foods. We even had sweetpotato casserole. Thanks Aunt Carol for sacrificing your last can from the USA for us!!

We took a walk through a small private reserve area. They had Bok and Zebra. We also saw a big jack rabbit.

A game of Mexican Train.

Josh and Roxanne waiting for desert.

November 11th--Typical Thanksgiving response after eating and watching an American football game.

Charles & Uncle Mark solving the worlds problems! LOL!!

The young adults chatting.

Team Prayer Retreat

2006-10-28T02:40:00.000-07:00

Team Prayer Retreat

We stayed at Glen Haven Scripture Union Camp for our prayer retreat. The weather was sunny and hot every day. The camp sits right along a river. The kids were able to fuffi slide into the river, go tubing and swim. Also, there was hiking.

The beautiful Drakensburg Mountains.

A bat got into the kids room. Yes, this is the trip where we saw all the Snakes!!
YUK!!!! I really dislike snakes!!!!

The whole Zulu Team.

Enjoying meal time.

October Baptisms

2006-10-28T02:22:00.000-07:00

Baptisms At Zakhe Agricultural College.

Sharing with the boys before baptism.

A time before baptism.

Some of the young men being batized.

Baba Myoni and Charles baptizing one of the young men at Zakhe in the river.

Josh's Birthday

2006-10-28T01:44:00.000-07:00

JOSH'S SURPRISE PARTY

Josh had a fondue surprise party for his 19th birthday. Yes, fondue's are very popular in SA.

Guys playing football in our back yard.

Friends watching the guys play football.

Aunt Carol made a great Cake.

The birthday boy enters. SURPRISE! Chelsea, Roxanne and 2 of Josh's school friends.

Family Day Canopying

2006-07-21T05:24:00.000-07:00

Karkloof Reserve is one of the few areas left that have only natural plants & animals of South Africa. The experience lasts 3 hours. You are taken by a Rover up to an area where you then walk the rest of the way. Then you make it to the first platform. This is the test one and the shortest. Then you fly through the air to various platforms. You sail above the trees and can see all around the valley. At one platform you have a snack and then continue on. When you are done you walk back to the check-in area where you are served lunch. It was a great experience. I must admit I had a fear of heights but doing this helped me get over it. We had a great time!

A waterfall close to one of the platforms.

Charles slowing down before the platform. You use your right hand as your break.

Chelsea flying toward the platform in the trees.

Caitlin coming across the wire.

Josh coming across through the trees.

Walking through the woods after we were done.

On the long ones I chose to use a guide so I could look around and enjoy the scenery.

A view from above the valley at Karkloof.

JULY MINISTRY TEAM-Fun Day

2006-07-16T05:34:00.000-07:00

One of the things that every team enjoys is going on a game drive at a local reserve. Seeing the African animals is a must when visiting here in SA.

The team arriving at Tala Game Reserve. Everyone is about to go on the game drive. Many of the African wildlife were seen up close and personal.

Charles with Phil & Wesley.

The other half of the team who were on the South Coast ministering.

Our family with our 5 friends who came to minister with us.

All the kids who went to Tala.

JULY MINISTRY TEAM CONTINUED

2006-07-16T05:15:00.000-07:00

After camp the team spent part of Monday visiting in the homes of these same kids. It was an eye opening experience of how the children live. God showed His love through the members of the team. None had ever had an American in their home and for them it was a special treat.

Some of the team visiting in Sweetwaters.

One of the homes visited in.

A Sweetwaters family who received a visit.

Sweetwaters family.

One of the families in Sweetwaters.

JULY MINISTRY TEAM-House Church

2006-07-16T04:58:00.000-07:00

God blessed at the evening service. The singing and fellowship was great! God spoke a simple message through Greg and the people responded.

The enthusiasm and joy in the house was contagious.

The house was so full Ginger and I sat on top of the upright freezer. That is why you can't see us.

There were 68 adults and numerous children packed into the house and standing on the porch.

Some of the worshippers.

Some of the children who attend church.

Len, Charles, Siya, Vusi & Greg before house church began.

CAMP iTHEMBA -2007

2006-07-16T04:38:00.000-07:00

CAMP iTHEMBA (Hope)--2007

These are just a few images of camp. There is too much to put on the site. The kids had a great time and learned more about how to live a life in Christ.

Kids arriving at camp by bus.

The beautiful Indian Ocean where camp was held.

Enjoying mealtime.

Learning about teamwork.

Enjoying Gods creation.

Learning how to spend time with God and study his word.
Kids belching contest. One of the girls won!

Ministry Team Work

2006-07-14T23:44:00.000-07:00

The things leaders have to go through!!

Thauthu & Mthobisi sharing about life in Jesus.

Teams line up for breakfast.

Craft Time.

Camp iThemba Pool Volleyball.

Some of the kids in Sweetwaters.

Everyone at Camp iThemba.

Chelsea's Birthday

2006-05-24T01:46:00.000-07:00

Chelsea's Birthday cake made by Aunt Carol.

Friends getting ready to eat Taco's.

The princess.

Everyone enjoyed bowling.

Getting ready to cut the cake.

Sweetwaters

2006-05-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

SWEETWATERS

This is a township about 9 kilometers from our home. It has approximately 100 thousand people. This is a picture of part of the area. As you can see the harvest is plentiful!

Part of the Sweetwaters Area.

Some of the people gathering to sing.

Some walking a path to make it to house church.

Not enough room for everyone in the house for worship. Some have to sit on the pourch to hear.

Charles baptizing Siya.

Siya's mom being baptized.

Siya's sister being baptized by Siya & Charles.

APRIL HOLIDAY

2006-04-15T07:48:00.000-07:00

Everyone enjoyed the April Holiday. Caitlin went to spend a week in New Castle with friends. Then the Gestring family came to visit. We enjoyed the beach, hiking in the Berg, shopping and watching movies.

Sharing the bathroom, getting reayd for bed. Talk about togetherness!!

The girls playing in the water.

Charles, Wes, Jordan and Josh playing football on the beach.

Chelsea with her good friend Bethany at Durban Beach.

Josh enjoying the beach at Durban

"Good News Club Luncheon"

2006-04-15T07:23:00.000-07:00

FACES OF THOSE BEING MINISTERED TO AT GOOD NEWS CLUB.

Robin Howe painting faces. This is always a hit!

One of the Gogo's on her mat being served by Thathu.

Syvion, sharing the message with all the people.

Good News Club Luncheon

Families were invited and came as they listened to all their children are learning at "Good News Club." Everyone enjoyed fun, games, food and fellowship!

Ministry/Dogs

2006-03-11T09:53:00.000-08:00

Some of the kids participating in TLW's done at Sweetwaters Good News Club.

Thathu Mokoena helping to present TLW's.

Some of the kids at Good News Club before listening to the True Love Waits Presentation.

King. Our German Shepherd. Isn't he pretty?

Jesse. He is a Jack-Hund. That is a cross betweena Jack Russell and a Dacshund.

Cassie on February 19th celebrating her first birthday.

A Year In Review

2006-01-07T09:51:00.000-08:00

Children at the HIV Drop Off Center in Sweetwaters
Everyone at Camp iThemba. Thanks Englewood Baptist for all the support. The first camp was a great sucess.
One of the 13 boys baptized from Zakhe Agricultural College.
The river on the schools property where the boys were baptized.
The boys meeting before baptism.
Thanks goodness for Grandma & Granddaddy arriving in March 2 dasy before my unexpected surgery.
Doing True Love Waits by candlelight at Hilton Baptist Church.
Caitlin's class trip to Shaka Land.
Aunt Renee from the USA giving Caitlin some love.
Some of the EBC team at the Hotel.
Charles & I with Micheal & Tebra Cloer, our Pastor from the USA.
Chelsea with some of the kids from Sweetwaters. Everyone loves to have their picture taken!
Hilton Baptist hosted a party for the Sweetwaters kids who attend the Saturday Good News Club in Sweetwaters.
Pastor Jacob, a Zulu pastor, being ordained.
Me doing True Love Waits at Injoloba High School.
Some of the kids from Injoloba High School.

The boys choir at Zakhe Agricultural school.

Jo'Burg & Albert Falls

2006-01-07T09:04:00.000-08:00

Caitlin & Jordan Gestring after MK Camp. Young people from many Southern African countries attended camp. Everyone had a great time!! While the parents had a Prayer Retreat. We enjoyed getting to meet many of our Southern African partners and getting to see friends we have not seen in 2 years.
Families trying to find each other after the buses unloaded.
Josh with 2 new friends.

Caitlin & Chelsea with friends Bethany Gestring & Grace Boone. Josh with more friends.
Caitlin & Chelsea at Albert Falls with their friend Carmen.
Josh & Jess at Albert Falls before swimming.

Arriving at Albert Falls and setting up before swimming. Albert Falls and the green mountains in the background.

Vacation Time

2005-12-17T02:34:00.000-08:00

Vacation 2005

A mama Monkey & her baby. For you Megan Wester.

Josh, Caitlin Chelsea & I at the Cheetah Project. We are the picture below! Ha Ha

The 3 Rondavel Mountains.

Vacation-Kruger Park and the Mpumalanga Province

We had a great time seeing lots of animals. We were able to go to Moholoholo Animal Rehab Center in the Limpopo Province too. We took a part of a day and also went to the

Cheetah Project.

On Wednesday we took the panaromic drive into the high mountains to places like God's Window. We were able to visit Lisbon and Berlin water falls. The scenery was absolutely fabulous!

On Saturday we white water rafted on the Sabie River. While rafting we also Bum Slided in the rapids. That was an experience.

Below are just a few pictures for you. Wish we could share them all but there are just too many. Hope you enjoy!!

A lion resting.

A mama hippo grazing out of the water.

The children at Lisbon Falls.

Josh petting a bird at Moholoholo Rehab Center.

A Rare site. A lone Hyena.

Taylor Made News From SA

2005-11-29T08:43:00.000-08:00

What a great Thanksgiving we had. We enjoyed the food and fellowship. We had all the trimmings and the trukey was the best we have ever had!!

Everyone Chilling after eating the big meal!! We were able to have 2 other American families from other mission agencies have dinner at our house.

Here is a picture of Caitlin before leaving for her special dinner for entering High School. They have a dinner and a special night for all the classes entering High School and it was very nice. They went all out! Isn't she pretty!!

Here is Charles and 2 of the teachers at the big graduation at Zakhe Agricultural College.

The Premier could not make it at the last minute but his wife came and made a lovely speech. She commended Zakhe for their firm foundation in the Lord!

The Boys getting ready to sing At Zakhe.

Please continue to pray for these boys. Next year the school will be adding more young men. Pray for God to keep the leadership focused on him and pray for all the boys salvation.

The girls decorating our Christmas Tree.

We want to thank all of you who pray for us. We pray this Christmas Season will be such a blessing as we all remember the reason is JESUS!

Living His Adventure & Believing Him,
Charles, Robin, Josh, Cailtin & Chelsea