Every Journey has a start

Is been a long journey that I been through. Let me share little but where I come from, I began to work and assist kids in 2002 at Maoyi Home Based Care after I lost my dad.  Then in 2006 I gave my life to Jesus and continued to serve in my community. Towards the end of 2008 got a call from God to leave all what I was dong be hide. At the beginning of the year 2009 went to do DTS at YWAM Kruger Park/ Ten Thousand Homes. Throughout that time God changed my life and told me that YWAM base was my new home.

I didn’t know what God was calling me to do at place where I didn’t even know what I was stepping into.  I was introduced to the youth in the community Mbonisweni and we became friends. At first they didn’t like me that much some thought I was from Maputo they way I was speaking. The I saw friend who were lost they were parting I join them so that I can get to know them better doing what they were dong with a heart of how to help then to  get out.  Then a bible study was established for the boys only and the first one they didn’t like it. But didn’t give up felt in love with the kids, more program began to shine through my four years been with them. I saw God change many people life in the bible study, youth service, soccer ministry, youth events, woman events and feeding programs.  

This is what i was teaching the kids to do

There are many things I wish I can write about what happened in the community with the youth but let me quote words from the youth 

 

‘’ Lennon,  Stanley came as an outside spend time and nights at my house, I was lot that time and we where parting all the time. He joined us so that he can catch the fish. Sometimes you need to swim with the fish so that you can know the fish well. He has been a good friend, taught me how to love kids I didn’t love kids like he do. He always plays with kids; he has been mean to me in a loving way. I think he came at the right time before I had to do a DTS and he helped me with that as well. I learn a lot from him I also encounter the Lord through him.’’

 Mzwadile a leader that I look up too and man I enjoyed serving and minister too.

‘’Mzwadile looking at the past years who I was before I was lost and through Stanley and God I never thought I was going to be the man and a leader that I am today. Stanley show me that leading people is not easy and you don’t need to lead people with your own understanding but you need to listen to what God wants.  Is so painful to see him leaving us but because of his investment we will able to continue were he left and able to take it further more he didn’t just leave us empty handed.” 

Witnes  “ I meet Stanley at the camp he was teaching about God and it was in my heart that I want to know the God he is talking about and he also said to me I am hungry to learn. I started to join the church and learn more about God. “’

Mxolisi  ‘’first time I meet Stanley I was thought he was from Mozambique as well, but as time goes by began to know him and I was lost as well  but he encourage me to keep growing in the  Lord I didn’t attend bible study but he didn’t give up on inviting me. Also on soccer he told me that I was a good soccer player yeah he did taught me many things’’

Lorryn “First time I meet Stanley I thought he was crazy, for me there are many thing that he taught me, even here at church he did manage to unite us a s a youth to be one. He also taught us how to love each other as brothers and sisters. He was good on encouraging and even though you did something wrong he was not judging you but encourage you all time so I wanna thank him for that.” 

Pastor S “ I also didn’t like him at first because they way he was talking but one day after the church he came and spoke to me about how many music do I know and I said many and he then he said how many verses do I know found out I only knew the one was taught in Sunday school. It was a challenged that he put in to know God more. I can say there reason I know God is because of him. He been a good brother, he also taught me how to plant.”

 Caven “from what I learn from Stanley was how to love people that was something I didn’t have in my life because I use to love being alone but now I know how to share with other people.”

 Lucritia ‘’First time  before I preach Stanley gave me a scripture that even today it help me to be the person I am today. He gave me so many positive advices about life and God. He been a good brother even at home they took him as one of the family member, one day he wanted to take us to the soccer game but at home they asked me who I am going with when I said Stanley they were so relief that shows that they do trust him. “

Pastor Nkambule ‘’Stanley doesn’t listen he forget what it was said in a good way because that it makes him to go beyond and challenged the youth to go extra miles. There were many things here but you made them shine, and I think for you going we will see more leaders rising up. You were good with the little ones many of us don’t have a way to play with them but you are gifted to them. Even at church during the service they will always wanna seat on your lap and they don’t do that to anyone”

 Mamphatsi (pastor’s wife)“My first time to be welcome at this church Stanley was there, some time along the road we had conflict but one thing I love about Stanley he was teachable and a good listener. After few minutes he will be laughing as always. I saw the enemy attacking him in many ways and he will always come to tell me and we prayed about it. I am so sad about him leaving us I didn’t know that the time is now for him to leave. I saw many changes in the youth’s life, beside that you loved kids when us we didn’t notice them, it was like you are Sunday school teacher kids always run to you, you didn’t end there you also went to love the mothers at church with all the honoring woman events you did for them. You did build many things in this church like you where an adult. You been a father, and a brother and when you say you are doing things you do it. You came up with many creative ways for fundraising you been a blessing to us. And what I love about you is that when you do something you do it with all your heart I think that Is a challenge for us to do things like you did.

Remember one day blessing was at home, and my mom called me and asked who is Stanley because all blessing can talk about is Stanley, kids will miss you. You made them felt love. You also went to the community and love more kids. I think of the preschool kids when you show up all the kids scream and you will pick all of them one by one because you notice everyone.  My heart is broken for you leaving and where you are going; i hope God will bless you and the people you are going too they are so bless to have you.”

 My time with TTH and YWAM has been amazing learn a lot about living in a community I have a family that I don’t think I will ever find anywhere. But my time came to an end with TTH and YWAM. I am at home now at Masoyi spending time with family and friends hoping to get a job soon. 

Thank you for all who supported me through prayers and financial I thank God through you.

stansome85@gmail.com if you have any questions or words or encouragement. Etc

I had a good time working with the youth sharing life together and doing many things as brothers and sister. I will miss so many things about the youth and the kids.. I think what I enjoyed the most working with the youth was to see God changing many youth;s life and them taking ownership running things themselves. It just encourage me to want to do more.

Stan the man forever  

watchimg the fruites

In the past few months God gave me a vision

It all began when a team from New Hope came and did some teaching with the youth about how to honer each other. Then I got a vision of doing an event for the woman at church to honer them as mothers, who play an important role in our life, teaching, praying and taking care of us. I told the youth and they were all excited about. it took us almost 4 month to do it. but when the time came. we did it, I asked the youth to special things for the woman.Singing was one of them as we love to sing, and also we as the youth to stand in a gap of all the disrespect youth out there and said sorry for all the things they have caused in the woman"s life's. Too bad dont have picture of them

 
It was an amazing event, we cooked a meal and served them, and we did many more, i was just so amazed about how the youth stepped up and do what was right for the woman's. After the event, all the woman were filled with JOY, some testify at church about it, it didnt end there. Whenever i meet the woman they where telling me about how special they felt on the day we had the event. The pastor also said to us how powerful it was, i mean this is something that no one ever done it for the woman at church. I am glad that I was available for God to work through me.

When I first went to Mbomisweni community I was a strange to many, but things have changed now. I do now have a family. One of my success stories is of this leader that I now look up too. Mzwadile at first he was just a person but over the years God has changed has life in many different ways. Now I am walking with a leader who led by authority and showing an examples to many. One day i asked him to go with me to help in Dwaleni to put a roof and he came and he served with nothing in return. many left us, but we stayed be hide and continue to work.

 One of the things I love to do is prayer walks, again I took some of the boys i work with, Pastor S, Witnes and Mzwadile. I was impress how some of the guys step up into prayers. There some houses where we were not welcome, but I dont like to say no easy, I presssed on until one lady invited us into her house. And the after spending few minutes of sharing Christ the spirit of the Lord filled the room. and the led us to many sick people that we prayed for. Also one of lady gave her  life to Jesus yeah.

 For many weeks Mzwadile and pastor s have been coming to the base, we have been doing a garden bible study, farming in Gods way. we are doing this for the feeding programs. We have been studding the word together and doing many amazing work on base. with the help of Zach Price

 

 The garden is almost finished we already planted, Onions, Spinach, cabbage, beetroots. fort the feeding programs.

Soccer outreach

There is a movement

Our fist soccer ministry outreach with the youth

I took the youth for a soccer ministry outreach to a local community called Tekatakho. Lots of boys and girls where thrilled about the trip so do I. 

 this is my soccer ministry T-Shirt

 But through this outreach we saw that something is shifting in some of the youth’s life that we did minister too through actions. When we first host the youth that we went to visit, we gave them water and when we went there they also gave us water. It is small acts of kindness but the bible tells us that we will be blessed if we give someone a glass of water.  

 Our faith was tested as a team, the field where playing at was rough, little, and we had some hard times in the field. Through all of this I saw the youth pushing and trying hard to win the game. Too bad we lost 7-5 but the youth went home with victories heart. They were happy and had positive feedback about the game. 

 Next month in June there is a church that asked me if I can bring the youth to play soccer with their youth. Because what soccer does is it invites the believers and the unbelievers to come together and play soccer and in through that we got the chance to share Gods love and invite them to know Christ and getting them involved with the church. People began to see something unique about us, how we do things while we play soccer. Be praying for Gods provision again for $70 for their second outreach. Through your prayers we can do more. We know that Bible studies and the youth servicew we have is not the answer to all the youths problems, but we see that soccer it brings many people from Mbonisweni together and we know is not about the number is about the people. 

Other than the soccer ministry I still minister to the small kids at the feeding, holding hands in helping one another the world and life’s can be changed. Be praying for these kids to hold on to the teaching of the living God. 

 In Africa our society, culture and parents taught us what a man must do and not what to do. We were raise that boys don’t have to was dishes but not with the boys iu work with. They are a good role model for many kids and youth how they live their lives and the way they do things. 

 

God bless you as you continue praying for me and the people i work with.

wash dishes, but not for these guys. It is good to see the youth walk in a different spirit. We do love washing dishes.

stanley's life story

Ten Thousand Homes founders first met Stanley when he was 19. The youngest of three brothers, Stanley is an orphan. Raised in a child headed household, I think you will find his story quite heartbreaking with a bright glimmer of HOPE.  In his own words...


"I lost my mother when I was 6 months old. I never knew her, but I wish I had. I was raised by my aunt in a village called Marite. I stayed with her for 5 years. My father would come and visit me there. I didn't even know that I had brothers.

 

Then, in 1990 I moved to another village called Masoyi where I met my brothers for the first time. We spoke different languages so that was difficult at first. My father took another wife but my stepmom did not like me. I was getting one meal a day. My father didn't support me, with clothes, food, school fees, etc. He didn't do anything for my brothers, but my grandmother was the mercy one who cared for us. She paid our school fees, and bought us food and clothes with the hope that my brothers and I would get a good education and have a good life.

My father would spend more than 3 months at a time in Johannesburg without coming home. He would send money, but we never saw the use of the money at home, because we weren't getting food. Our stepmom was buying food and hiding it in her bedroom. So when she wasn't around, we would go in and take the food and whatever we found useful. She would tell my father and he would beat us when he came home. We would sleep on the floor with one blanket. Life wasn't easy, but we got used to it and faced what we had.

In 2002, my father died and our stepmom ran away. We tried to call her, but she never answered her phone. We never saw her again. So we became a child headed household. Life became even harder. My grandmother could only support us R100 a month (equivalent of $10) to pay for food, clothes, and electricity."

 

I love that Stanley's story doesn't end there. His is a story that keeps growing with HOPE. Now 26 years old, Stanley is a Ten Thousand Homes staff member who pours his heart and energy into the kids who are now in the same situation he was when he was a kid. Anyone who comes to volunteer with Ten Thousand Homes would agree that Stanley's passion for the kids is a beautiful sight to behold. 

"I had a tough life growing up as a young boy with no one to care and to love me. I was looking for that as a kid. That keeps me alive now. When I am with the kids, I want to share what I now have, to fill in the holes that they have, to care and to love."

After Stanley's father passed away, he was told that he was nothing and that he wouldn't go far. Knowing that was a lie, he rose above it and wants all the kids to know the truth, that they are special and that God has a plan for their lives. Being an orphan himself, Stanley says it's still not that easy to connect with the kids, but that there's a deeper connection of pain and emotion. Knowing the story makes it easier to share life together. His goal is to always share his story with joy and HOPE.

There's a vicious cycle the runs its course in Africa, a cycle that involves trying to keep a fatherless generation from rising above their physical circumstances to pursue a path of HOPE. That's why guys like Stanley, those that have been in their shoes but who are living out the joy and HOPE that is there for them, are a powerful voice.

"A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him." David Brinkley

How might you rise above today to bless others out of your own hurt, pain, or devastating circumstances?

soccer ministry

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptize them in the name of the father and the son and of the holy spirit,"'

This year we had our first game for soccer ministry which went very well according we have planed it. we where playing against the boys from Garden of Hope in Kabokweni. we won with 7 goals to 3. I just see growth in this ministry few boys from the feeding came and they had a great time playing. our relationship is growing with the boys. i was the first one to score the goal and I couldn't play longer because i am struggling with breathing. If i run too much. 

 Also Mzwadile and I we have been given two day at a primary school in Dwaleni to teach the boys soccer, and we have been using Gods principles in playing soccer so excited about the new door God opened for us.

After the game we had, many people wanted to play more games with us. so far on the 12th of may 2012 we will have a game lined up for the boys. Be praying for Gods provision for R300 for transporting the boys and food. and also pray for more provision for Mzwadile to take a taxi so far i am covering for him so he can do what he is good at.

 Started a beads ring businesses if you want some or tell you friend, u tell me how you want it and i will do.

Also be praying for me, lots of things are happening, family wise and spiritual wise.

Thank you love you all

it is good to know

I raise you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth” this is what God spoke to me
I lost my mother when I was a young boy, grow up in tough situations, lived a hard life. Struggling as a young boy to find life and purpose for my life. There was no one who was telling how special I am, and encouraging me to move forward. As time goes by I became an orphan in the community of Masoyi. Years pass by met people who told me how special I am and that I can do many things in life. Along the way I found Jesus who changed my life, who brought me out of the darkness.

Now God has called me back to the same kid who doesn’t have the things I needed in life. Through all this many people spoke words full of life into my life which I appreciate so much. But I am not perfect I do make mistakes and I do have weakness in me. Wont always do what is right, but that’s what I am longing to do. Wanting to do the right things always…I always rejoice when I look back where I come from because those difficult time made me to be strong now. What I do now is working with 29 kids.
Now I am pouring what I have and what I have learned to a group of 29 kids in Mbonisweni at the feeding program. I don’t have it all, but I do have what to give. I have been doing some excise with the kids; sing songs, and teaching them how to pray. Now is time to tell stories which I am looking forward to do that. Further more I have been learning more about the gifts in me.

 In the past fewmonths there was a team from New Hope Texas that came and one of the People I look up too. Was teaching me more about the gifs in me; which is good to know how I am wired. I have three gifts the highest ones where Encouraging, which that’s part of my mission statement. Two prophesy which is new in me never thought I am that way. But I saw the Lord working through me that way. Last one is showing Mercy.
There is a lady that I got the privilege to led her to Christ went to visit her with friend and brought a bible for her. The moment I gave her the bible she was so happy. I saw Joy, happiness in her, went back again next week. She was telling me scriptures. God is doing something good in her and for her.

 In many occasions I saw that people are drawn to me, one of a friend of mine. I will name this friend of mine 24. 24 asked to talk to me, said yes he/she then began to tell me how he/she hates his/her life. I just let her talk and I was just listening all the time. But what I was sensing was that he/she didn’t have any HOPE. So I began speaking words of life. Told 24 to if he/she want help…must come to us. Then 24 was so confused when I said us. Told 24 I meant the youth and pastor including me also. 24 said to me “the youth? They are just like me” said no way you don’t know how God has changed the youth’s life. I didn’t end there I prayed for 24 that God will change 24’s life. Few days pass and I went to the youth service. 24 was there yeah, at the end while I was speaking 24 said “at school I was told to go and find a youth group that knows Jesus and I see that in you guys and I am proud of you. I want to be part of this group” what in few days God already did something I know I didn’t do anything. God changed 24’s life now 24 is seeking God and connecting with people. Now when i talk to 24 always hear good new how 24 said no to many bad things and now she is sharing Gods word with others.

 A good friend of mine once told me that one word can change someone life and it was Nancy I saw that, one of the youth said this; in her own word “thank you for everything you have done for me…whenever you call me “SISTER” I always have the strength to reply back saying “BROTHER” because you are a brother to me”

Have many stories to tell, just is too much to write everything down,

Prayers. 1. Still looking for financial support.
2 That I will continue to do what God has called me for, with no pride.

Thanks for taking the time and read this and also for praying for me. Mean a lot; you can also drop me an email at stansome85@gmail.com

I have a calling

Most people know me, but they don’t know what God has in store for me.

First want thank all who have been praying for and those who prayed and supported me to be where I am today and to do what God has called me to do. 

There is no picture of the people I meet because I don’t do any show off and what I do; I am doing to please my father not people.

 A year ago I was got a word that healing will come through my hands and I didn’t believe it. This month I got the same word again. Also that I will prophesy, wait a minutes me? Still didn’t believe it. The Jesus I serve and follow has been speaking to me through his words a lot. 

 As I love talking to people I don’t know and going around the community sharing the Gospel of Christ. I saw things I haven’t seen before. Woke up one day with these words “today is a day of wonders and miracles” went out with two guys and one girl. As we where walking I saw our shades as little kids.

 I was walking down, the main way in Mbonisweni then I saw this kid that was holding a paper over her head. I stopped her and asked if she was ok. She was on her way to the clinic because her chest was in pain. The spirit of God took control and prayed for her she got healed. She said “I fell much well than before” Praise God

After finishing praying for her, a mum with a baby on her back asked me. “Why we don’t pray me”. I asked her what’s wrong. She told me that her baby boy is sick have sores in the neck. I touched the baby and Gods spirit came through me and he got healed. And God spoke through me to the mother and she then gave her life to Christ. 

 After that I saw another lady on the road, walking but I saw that there was something wrong, I asked her if she was ok. She then told me that there is a pain in her. So I knelt down and asked the father. She screamed out loud and the pain was gone praise God. 

Continued walking and met a woman she took us to her house. We spend time talking end up praying for her. Saw a gogo working in her house, asked if I can help, we spend lots of time talking about God and many things while I helped her doing what she was doing. 

Meet a family with two kids and the father his parents left him when he was young. He asked prayer for reunion, as I was praying began to prophesy. God was speaking through me that he will get a new house. 

 Went to Dwaleni community and before I went there with those I was, we began by worshiping and asking God to walk before us also to show us what we needed to do. God told us to walk bare foot and carry oil. It was a hot day the ground was so hot. But through that our feet where ok, even though we didn’t walk on sharps stones, broken bottles and thorns. 

 On that day we prayed for many and anointed one woman who’s taking care of kids. But my take away from that was, I met this young little girl at age of 5 or 6. Set down with her at her grand mom’s place and asked her few question. The she told me she hate her grandma, because she got abused. God was speaking to that I need to pray for her so that she won’t develop any hatred towards her grandma and people. 

  God has been speaking to me in many ways also a lot in his words. What I learn is that when God speaks to me I just do it even though it doesn’t make any sense. 

There was a time where God asked me to lead worship for the team that is here with us at TTH. Me leading worship, I don’t know how to sing. But when Jesus speaks I do it. Led worships and at the end God spoke to me that I need to pray for one of the student, also God led me to one of the girl who ran away during worship. But I felt wasn’t the right person to talk to her got someone to speak to her. On the following day I got a card that said “Stanley you have no idea what God did for last night and you coming to find me was a perfect timing, thank you”  

 My stories doesn’t end there, woke up one Sunday felt like not to go to church. But I end up going anyway. There was a time to share testimonies and I didn’t want to. The God started to burn my hands and He spoke to me “If you don’t share they won’t know” went up and share what God has been doing. Went to set down, few minutes later a lady began crying and I was asked to get water. I asked myself out of all the guys be hide me why they chose me? I went and get the water. I was asked to pray for her, I call one of my friends to pray with. Prayed for these lady and God spoke to me that I need to go a pray for her house because she always scared and crying in the night because of fear. Then I took the guys from the bible study and we went to her house. We worshiped and prayed and the spirit was in us. The guys worship and pray in a way I haven’t seen before. The God that sends me there gave me words to say to the family. Psalms 27 God 

Have many stories to tell, but I will end with this ones. Went back to Dwaleni community and I asked God that I don’t want to see any miracles or wonders; I just want to see his name being glorified. Woke up in the middle on the night and God gave a word in John 14 vs 10-14. When I was in the community had a sense that it will be a children’s ministry, saw a kid fell in a hole went to the house and got this boy out and the family looked at me. Didn’t care continue holding the boy for many minutes. Then the boy started showing me things. 

 Went and meet 3 kids one of them the mom was telling me that the kid doesn’t talk to touch people she doesn’t know. I open my arms and said come. She came immediately, the mom was surprise. 

Went to a house and find a mom with a boy played with the boy for few minutes. Then I went and spoke with the mom about Jesus she gave her life to Christ. 

Prayers: pleas be praying that pride wont take control in me. and that i will continue to listen to God's voice

            : still seeking someone people who want to patner with God in what he is doing for me and through   in $50 per month or $100 per month

Thank you all for taking your time reading this