Busy and Exciting Times

Simmons 4 Africa by Dan Simmons


Two weeks to go here in Newcastle South Africa on this particular trip. So many exciting things are happening and lots to do before we pack up and go two weekends from now.



tonight we are having the three teachers and their families from Shekinah Christian Academy over for Dinner to thank them for their service.



Deena and I are having lunch with Pastor Seeva Pillay of the Evangelical Bible Church after we attend services at Newcastle Baptist Church tomorrow. Pastor Seeva has been pivotal in connecting us with schools and ministries in the area that provide numerous ministry opportunities. He is alos my major partner on developing/planning the soccer ministry.  After lunch tomorrow he is taking us back out to Wycomb Farm Village where Deena will provide a Sunday school lesson to the children there. This will also be a site for at least two soccer teams when our league is up and running in early 2013.



Also next week we have may an opportunity to acquire soccer uniforms (Jersey, socks, shorts) for the kids at the School of Industries who play games with local schools once in a while. However, they have no uniforms and most of them play with bare feet. I attended a game last week and they had borrowed jersey's and played a team that was fully equipped.  Please pray that we will be able to supply them with the uniforms before we leave Newcastle on March 10.This will be a big step in building trust and showing these kids the love of Christ and letting them know we really do care and are committed to them. Also pray that we will be able to obtain good quality second hand shoes when we return to the States that we can ship to them in a couple months time. Deena is also looking into reading curriculum that will best serve the kids at the School of Industries  most of whom cannot read English. We hope to meet with the staff members at the school before we leave with examples and seek their input. Once we have something we all agree on Deena will work to acquire the curriculum when we return and will implement it and train the staff when we come back to South Africa.



Please keep us in your prayers as we try to finish strong here!!!! 


Simmons 4 Africa

By:
Dan Simmons

About Us

We are Dan and Deena Simmons who are currently serving in Newcastle South Africa for two months along with our sons Josiah and Micah. We will be leaving in March and hope to return as long term missionaries here by the end of 2012.

What are we doing?

Deena has 21 years teaching as a primary school teacher and she also has 11 years experience in reading curriculum development. She is working with a new Christian school here in Newcastle and is assisting with developing their reading curriculum, remedial reading and teacher training. When we return on a more permanent basis Deena will continue to assist the school with whatever is needed in regards to academic development, teaching and/or training. Dan has teamed up with local pastors in developing a youth soccer organization that will be centred around promoting the gospel to potentially thousands of children and giving these kids an avenue to improve their soccer skills and development. There are currently no soccer leagues or formal competition opportunities for youth in this area. Additionally, literacy in South Africa is low, especially in the more rural areas. Because of this we feel the Lord is leading to start a mobile reading workshop ministry we can take to mission schools, townships and rural locations in the northern KwaZulu Natal region. This workshop would provide reading materials, parent training and tutoring for youth free of charge.

Where are we?:

Working on Children & Youth with Into All The World in Africa