March Moments
Grace in the Storm
Stories of Growth, Loss &
God’s Faithfulness
Gratitude
March has been a month of deep reflection and sincere gratitude for me personally. On the 1st of March, Milly and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. Ten years ago, we were just two strangers with hearts surrendered to the Lord—now, by His grace, we are partners in life and ministry, and parents to three beautiful children.
We spent the day with some of the young people from our church, not only celebrating but sharing our story. It was a joy to watch our wedding video together and remember how far the Lord has brought us. As we spoke to them, Milly and I reflected on the ups and downs, the laughter, tears, and prayers that have marked our journey. Through it all, one truth stood tall: God is faithful.
I told them, just as I tell you now—God is dependable. Honour Him, and He will honour you. That has been our testimony, and it’s the heartbeat behind all we do here at Village Mercy.
Thank you for walking this journey with us.
With love and gratitude,
Edward Matovu
Executive Director – Village Mercy
Program Update from Nhlakanipho Sithole
Program Director
This March, I had the privilege of presenting at a local Business Network International (BNI) meeting—a space filled with professionals and entrepreneurs from our area. My goal was to share about the heart of Village Mercy and invite others to join hands with us.
In that room, I spoke of lives changed by grace, of men recovering not just from addiction, but from hopelessness. It was an opportunity to cast vision not just for rehabilitation, but for restoration, community reintegration, and the kind of gospel-centered change that touches not only individuals, but families and communities. We’re praying this presentation plants seeds that bear fruit in practical support and long-term collaboration.
A Season of Sorrow
On a personal note, my family is currently grieving the passing of my beloved grandfather. His life left a mark on mine in more ways than I can count. We’ll be laying him to rest on Sunday, the 6th of April. Please keep our family in your prayers as we grieve, remember, and give thanks for his life.
Challenges on the Ground
March was not without its difficulties. We had an unfortunate incident involving two men who came posing as potential clients. Under the guise of interest in the program, they managed to steal two residents’ phones. This was deeply discouraging, especially to one of the affected residents who later chose to leave the program, overwhelmed by the experience. The impact was devastating—beyond the theft, it left a cloud of fear and uncertainty among our men. Some began to wonder if these individuals were scouting the premises for a future break-in.
We’ve since contacted our security company, and by God’s grace, there have been no further incidents. Still, it was a sobering reminder of life in this fallen world and the spiritual and physical battles we face daily in this work. Please continue to pray for our protection, courage, and wisdom.
Facility Fixes and Providence
Some of you may remember that last year, a strong wind damaged our solar panels and roof. Well, this month we discovered the roof leaks that followed had begun to compromise our ceiling. It was a real concern—but praise God, we were able to bring in a professional team to repair the damage before it worsened. These are the unseen victories your support makes possible.
Evil is turning away from the infinitely satisfying God to things
that can never satisfy and will only kill you in the end.
Linda’s Story:
From Redemption to Responsibility
Linda’s journey with us has been marked by quiet determination and remarkable growth. He’s preparing to graduate from our program, and despite having no formal work experience, he’s secured a job that allows him to begin supporting his two sons who live nearby in the Wolff informal settlement.
We’re also working alongside Linda to help his younger son complete Grade 10 and assisting his older son in enrolling for vocational training. This is the kind of generational impact we long to see: restored fathers leading restored families. Please keep them all in your prayers.
