2 weeks to go!

During the past three months I have spent in South Africa, God has given me opportunities to spend time with orphaned and vulnerable children here. Each week we help with feeding programs in two communities and have the chance to bless them with our presence and God’s love for them. It can be challenging to see a 14-year-old girl caring for her younger sibling on her back, children with holes in their clothes, and knowing some have no food for dinner that night. Despite the difficulties though, I am continually encouraged by God’s faithfulness to these children. He has broken the hearts of women like Elizabeth and Mama V and created within them a desire to serve His children. He continually provides for them and the joy and thankfulness they have for it is moving. 

On April 6^th, I will be leaving for Mozambique with the 6 other DTS students and 2 staff members. We will spend two weeks there, then fly to Uganda to continue ministry for 4½ weeks. I am excited for the opportunities God has for our group and ready to embrace every chance I am given to share His love for the children! We will be continuing to focus on the HIV/AIDS pandemic by working in orphanages, with orphan care projects, feeding schemes, and ministering to street children. Our desire is to bring hope to these children by showing them the love of Jesus in practical and spiritual ways.

More than anything, with two weeks left before we leave for outreach, our group would greatly appreciate your prayers. We are praying for the arrival of Eunice and Sandile’s passports, for favor on Monday in Petoria while getting visas for Uganda, spiritual and physical rest, and guidance in planning. Also, continual prayer for our group’s safety is wonderful way to support our group. 

In addition to those prayers, our group is need of prayer for finances. This outreach costs each of us $2,000 and covers housing, food, and transportation. However, as a group we have been working on preparations for programs and have many different ideas of ways we want to bless the children. We would love to bring crafts, face paint, and treats for the children, but as always, there is a cost for the things we desire. Would you prayerfully consider supporting my outreach financially? Your contribution would not only be investing in my life, but also in the lives of the orphaned and vulnerable children of Mozambique and Uganda.

To make a donation online, visit www.TenThousandHomes.org. Under GIFT INFORMATION put Laura Hokanson DTS outreach.

To make a donation by check, make your check payable to Ten Thousand Homes and send to P.O. Box 118 Wylie, TX 75098. Please include a separate note with my name and DTS outreach on it.

Both ways are tax deductible. 

Below are two pictures from this past week. The one on top is one from the community stay. On the left is my host sister, Zanele, and on the right is Sanezo. The bottom picture is of the feeding program in Mbonsweni this last Saturday. There were 153 children fed this past weekend.