From Darkness to Light: God's Faithfulness Through Our Power Crisis
Dear Friends of Village Mercy
Sometimes the hardest moments reveal God's faithfulness in the most beautiful ways. After the armed robbery in May stripped us of our solar power system, batteries, inverters, and all, we found ourselves sitting in darkness, both literally and figuratively. But God had other plans. Through your generosity and insurance, we quickly restored solar power. But we knew it wasn't enough. Cloudy days and nighttime left us vulnerable. For a ministry where security and stability are crucial, we needed something more reliable. So we set our eyes on connecting to the municipal grid. The costs were much higher than expected. There were permits, inspections, and delays. But step by step, through faithful prayers and support, the money was raised. By God's grace, we now have grid power at the center. We are still waiting on final rewiring and a compliance certificate, but soon we’ll be running power tools and even our brick-making machine, which has stood waiting for its moment. Shamir, our Projects & Skills Development Coordinator, is already laying out plans to train the men and start building with our own hands.
Looking Ahead: Planning for 2026
As a team, we've started planning for next year, and we're excited. Curriculum improvements, family restoration work, skills training, deeper partnerships, we're asking God for wisdom and open doors. On Sunday, November 23rd, we'll host our Year-End Thanksgiving Event with our board and church partners. It's a chance to reflect on God's faithfulness, share updates, cast a vision for 2026 and give Him glory for carrying this ministry. We can't wait to share more with you then. We're also thrilled to share that our Program Director, Nhlakanipho Sithole, is getting married in November! We rejoice with him as he steps into this new season of life. As a ministry family, we’ve had the privilege of seeing how the Lord has shaped his journey, not only in leading Village Mercy but now in building his own household. Please keep him and his fiancée, Nothando, in your prayers as they prepare for this big step. We celebrate with them, and we look forward to seeing how God will use their marriage as another testimony of His goodness and faithfulness.
Stories of Mercy: Thulani and Andile
Back in May, we shared with you about Thulani’s journey. This month, he was able to spend time with his children for his son’s birthday, a beautiful step in rebuilding family ties. Thulani is now nearing the end of his 6 month stay and will soon step into the 3 month transition phase. Thulani, along with another resident named Andile, has started working part-time at a local water filtration company. They've been there for 2 weeks now. This is a big step of responsibility and growth. Please join us in praying that God will continue to open doors of employment and training, not only for them but for other men walking this road of recovery.
A Visit to GGC Recovery Center
In mid-September, we had the joy of visiting GGC Recovery Center again, but this time with our residents. We were warmly welcomed by Pastor Aston Gaillard, the director and founder, who launched the program much like we did, with little external support but a deep conviction to offer men and women caught in addiction a path to restoration through biblical counseling and residential recovery.
What encouraged us most was meeting a ministry so similar to ours, one that shares our heartbeat for gospel-centered recovery. And here’s something really exciting: they’ve just opened a residential wing for women! We met there Jasmine, who will be leading the women’s program. On the very day we visited, a lady was admitted into their female program. This was a powerful reminder that we’re not alone in this work. God is raising up faithful laborers across South Africa, and we’re already exploring ways we can partner with GGC to spread the hope of Christ even further in the world of addiction.
Prayer Points
For the final steps in our grid connection, wiring and compliance. For Thulani and Andile as they seek God's direction for their futures. For Nhlakanipho as he prepares for marriage. For our Year-End Thanksgiving Event, that it would be a time of deep gratitude and renewed vision. For continued partnerships with ministries like GGC Recovery Center.