A group of about 10 meet at Liberty, usually first Wed of every month, 5pm
Our mission statement is Gal 6: 9-10 “Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
Different projects that we are involved with:
1. We visit our local police stations (Central, Conville, Pacaltsdorp, Thembalethu) on a rotation basis, approx every 3 weeks. Mike Day is in charge. We go at 04h00, and take hot soup (made by volunteers) and rolls for the police officers. Our purpose is to show that we appreciate them, to offer support, pray with them, have a little chat and extend friendship.
2. If there is a need, we visit sick people in hospital. Besides Liberty’s family and friends, sometimes its a case of a church in another town phoning us and asking if we could visit someone who is in hospital in George. Mike & Molly Ann Day take charge of this ministry too. We visit George Hospital every Christmas morning to take gifts to the children and pray with the staff, parents.
3. St Mary’s Children’s Home – This home has about 40 children who have been removed from their parents by the state. We have had them visit us on a Sunday morning to join our own kids for Children’s Church. We keep in contact with them throughout the year and at the end of every year we take each child a shoe box full of gifts which the generous hearts of Liberty families have put together.
4. Shirley’s Soup Kitchen (Thembalethu) – Shirley and her neighbour started by feeding a handful of hungry local children, and now she feeds between 100 – 120 kids twice a week. 21 willing volunteers make sandwiches. At the end of the year we have a party for the children. We are also involved in the practical aspect of helping to repair Shirley’s house that was partly destroyed by fire last year and to provide her with an undercover stoep for the kids when it rains.
5. Options Crisis Pregnancy Councelling Centre has huge ongoing needs, and our biggest contribution is prayer. We have a prayer chain for Options which is well used! Their job is often thankless and emotionally draining. We also contribute to buying Phulani pap, a highly nutritious porridge given to those in poor health (HIV or TB). They have an organised “pantry” that puts together packs for new mums,etc, so they welcome your old clothing. We meet with the staff a couple of times a year to pray and catch up on what’s been happening. Some of our men offer their support with SOS (Shields of Strength, support group for men)
6. Home Affairs – This is our (mostly) internal ministry where we put together (through the homegroups) boxes of non-perishable groceries which we then store until needed. When we have a call that someone in Liberty is in need, we give them a box together with basic perishables such as milk, bread, eggs, mince, fruit, veg, cheese, etc. Over the past 6 months or so, somebody very generous person (bless his soul!) has donated 50 boxes to us and we’re still using these.
Peter Waddington (082 495 0051) heads up Mercy Ministry and he is very determined that we should never be proud or boastful – he never wants to see our pic in the George Herald! I personally am so proud of these amazing people who sacrifice so much for others, I can’t help but be proud of ‘em!
Our funding comes in as donations usually via the tithe envelopes (space marked Mercy).
Some Ways that YOU Can Get Involved!!
Pray, Pray, Pray
You can offer to make (or deliver) sandwiches, 2 loaves of bread, only every 2 weeks
You can offer to make soup, one flask every 3-4 weeks
You can join the Prayer Chain
You can drop any items for Options at the church office.
You can join Mercy Ministry – new, fresh ideas are always welcome!
You can join us when we visit a police station
