“. . . For Such a Time as This.”
“…and who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” — Esther 4:14
Dear Friends of Village Mercy
God’s Perfect Timing
Alex and Ryan arrived in early May and immediately became part of the Village Mercy family. They poured themselves into teaching the Word, mentoring residents, and serving with humble hearts. Then came May 28, the night of the armed robbery that shook our home. They were here with us when it happened. They prayed with us, stood alongside the men, and brought encouragement when things felt uncertain. But they didn’t stop there. They went beyond their roles, helping draft the incident report, carefully calculating what had been stolen, and even launching a GoFundMe to help us recover. Looking back, we can see that God sent them to us at just the right time, a season when their presence was not only helpful, but essential.
Life Together
Their time with us was not all trials. There were moments of laughter, friendship, and cultural exchange. Alex and Ryan joined braais, tasted new foods, and explored some of the beauty of South Africa. They were able to visit Kruger National Park and even joined Pastor Athi Mgqibelo in Orange Farm to see township pastoral ministry in action.
They also joyfully served at Kathorus Bible Church’s Holiday Bible Club, inviting children, walking them to church, teaching them God’s truth, and playing games that filled the week with joy. These experiences shaped them as much as they shaped us.
Short but Sweet
Christian & Redman
On July 9, just as we were preparing to say goodbye to Alex and Ryan, we welcomed Christian Shoen and Redman. Their stay was only three weeks, but it was packed with impact. They stepped into teaching, counseling, and fellowship with the same humility and energy, quickly becoming part of our rhythm of life.
Their time may have been short, but it was meaningful. Like Alex and Ryan, they came at just the right time, and we thank God for them.
Their Presence Meant So Much
For our residents, these four brothers were a blessing. They encouraged us with their testimonies, lifted our spirits, and brought a fresh sense of energy to our daily life. Their coming reminded us of the words in Romans 10:15:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
They served in countless ways, and they too were served by being here. That’s the beauty of gospel partnerships.
An Invitation to Churches
This was the first time Village Mercy has hosted short-term mission trip interns, and it has been a deeply encouraging experience, not only for the men who came, but also for us as a ministry. Alex, Ryan, Christian, and Redman reminded us that God works powerfully through simple acts of service and gospel partnership. Because of this, we want to make this opportunity available to more churches who desire to partner with us in this way. Sending men, even for a few weeks or months, makes a real impact. It strengthens our ministry, encourages our residents, and shapes the hearts of those who come to serve. If your church is praying about how to invest in missions, consider walking this road with us. “Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers” (Matthew 9:38).