09May 2014 by Nigel Ring

Teaching opportunity in South Africa

Education, News, Poor, South Africa
Last year I published two reports about the excellent Dihlabeng School on the South Africa/Lesotho border. I have now just received a request to publicise an opportunity for a teacher to join this school. If you have opportunity to publicise this in your church I should be grateful if you would do so. Are you a qualified teacher? Do you have a call on your life to serve the poor and bring hope to the hopeless? If so, here is an opportunity to be a part of the exciting things God is doing through the church in Africa. Dihlabeng Christian School in Clarens, South Africa, needs qualified Key Stage 1 and 2 teachers to start January 2015. The posts are suitable for qualified Christian teachers, either male or female -…
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16Apr 2012 by Nigel Ring

Good Practice in Education – pt 2

Education, Equipping, Good Practice, Poor, South Africa
In part 1 of this report about the multi-cultural Dihlabeng School, situated near the border between South Africa and Lesotho, Margaret Grant, the Founder, Visionary and Principle, shared about the History and Vision. Now she shows how effective the school is at fulfilling this vision, how she has obtained funding and some of the lessons learned from her experiences. This report, taken from my book ‘The Poor deserve the Best' (see side panel), is one of thirteen I included with the intention of being a practical help to others who may be considering starting similar ministries. What is the fruit of the ministry? The school has been in existence for ten years and so there have been a fair number of learners who have passed through the school and gone…
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10Apr 2012 by Nigel Ring

Good Practice in Education – pt 1

Education, Equipping, Good Practice, Poor, South Africa
Examples of Good Practice In the last section in my book The Poor deserve the Best (see side panel) I have included reports from various development ‘sectors' to illustrate good practice and to give key considerations for others who may be considering starting a ministry in the same sector. This and the next posting was included in the Education sector. Margaret Grant, Founder and Principal of Dihlabeng Christian School in the Free State, South Africa, shares from her own experience. The Vision Dihlabeng Christian School was started in January 2000 as a part of Dihlabeng Christian Church's desire to bring hope to the hopeless by working with the materially disadvantaged and those from the poorer part of the community. The school aims to provide children with an excellent primary school…
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26Mar 2012 by Nigel Ring

The secret ingredient

Christian ministry, Development, Equipping, Good Practice, Poor, South Africa
Gospel Impact As I travel to churches helping them think through the key issues to launch a ministry with the poor I invariably contrast what the church has to offer compared to secular NGOs and aid agencies. There are areas of similarity and areas of contrast. The biggest contrast is that we have a ‘secret ingredient' - the Gospel. We are able to approach the ministry God has laid on our hearts knowing that we go into situations in the name of Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Angela Kemm I first met Angela in 1987. Working out of what is now called Jubilee Church, a Newfrontiers church in Cape Town, South Africa, Angela regularly stepped out of her comfort zone and went into the communities living in tents and…
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16Aug 2011 by Nigel Ring

Development from a Christian perspective – Pt 9. Examples of excellence – Jubilee Health Centre pt 3

Equipping, Good Practice, Health, Poor, South Africa
We have been visiting the Jubilee Health Centre in Cape Town. Now Dr Caryn Wilson, who leads the ministry, concludes her day in the life of the Clinic and shares some of the key features which define this successful ministry. "The midwife reports back from a home visit to a tiny premature baby and her mom, frustrated at the lack of medical progress. We assure her that her care has meant much to this mother and infant, both visibly happy and thriving, as evidence. We explain how we have learned that we minister out of who we are, not what we do, and that we impart what is in our hearts. Love is the greatest truth and ultimate goal. And love always wins. Touch often speaks louder than words. And…
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09Aug 2011 by Nigel Ring

Development from a Christian perspective – Pt 8. Examples of excellence – Jubilee Health Centre pt 2

Equipping, Good Practice, Health, Poor, South Africa
In the last blog we began to hear about the Jubilee Health Centre in Cape Town and to see how the ministry holds prayer and team relationships central to their activities. Caryn continues to tell us about a day in the life of the Centre. "You may feel somewhat overwhelmed at this point. But relax; the chaos is ordered. You'll notice team members interspersed among the waiting patients, chatting and maybe helping them fill in a form. Someone is making tea. Two consulting rooms are filled with a nurse or student, and volunteer and patient, with possibly a relative in tow. On entering, beaming children run straight to the toy boxes, playing with what they find (the problem is not getting them into these rooms, but rather getting them out!).…
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