NEW BEGINNINGS
Starting 2026
With Fresh Hope
Dear Friends of Village Mercy
There’s something profoundly beautiful about January, a month that whispers of second chances, new mercies, and the possibility of transformation. As we step into 2026, we’re reminded that God specializes in making all things new, and that truth pulses through every corner of Village Mercy.
This month, we’ve watched three men walk through our gates, carrying the weight of their pasts but also carrying something else: hope. Hope that freedom is possible. Hope that change is real. Hope that the God who created them hasn’t forgotten them.
These new beginnings aren’t just for our residents. They’re for all of us. And as we launch 2026, we’re introducing something new to our newsletter family too, a chance to meet the hearts and hands behind this ministry. Because Village Mercy isn’t just a program or a place. It’s people. People who believe that no one is too far gone for God’s grace.
MEET THE TEAM: Edward Matovu
Starting this month, we’re pulling back the curtain to introduce you to the Village Mercy team. These are the people who show up every day, believing that transformation is possible. First up: our Executive Director, Edward Matovu.
If you’ve been following Village Mercy’s journey, you already know Edward’s voice. But you may not know his story, how a young man from Uganda ended up leading a recovery ministry in South Africa, or what keeps him coming back day after day to walk alongside men society has written off.
Born on November 28, 1988, in the heart of Kampala, Uganda, Edward’s childhood was marked by profound loss. At just 10 years old, he lost his single mother to HIV/AIDS, a tragedy that could have broken him. Instead, it became the crucible that shaped his character, fueling a determination to overcome adversity and make his life count for something greater.
From an early age, Edward dreamed of becoming a commercial pilot. But God was also shaping his heart for service. Before ever leaving Uganda, he spent over a decade in youth leadership at Gaba Community Church and served as a field officer with Father’s Heart Mobility Ministry and Joni and Friends, assembling and distributing over 3,000 mobility devices for individuals with disabilities across Uganda.
In 2015, Edward’s life took a pivotal turn. On February 28th, he married Milly, and later that year they relocated to South Africa so Edward could pursue his aviation dream. By May 2019, Edward achieved what he’d worked toward for so long: he became a certified commercial pilot and flight instructor. He was doing what he loved, building the career he’d always dreamed of.
But God had something else stirring.
When Village Mercy opened its doors in 2020, Edward began volunteering. What started as simply showing up to help became something much deeper. Edward found himself drawn to these broken men, seeing in their stories echoes of his own pain and his own need for grace. Week after week, he returned, not because he had to, but because he couldn’t stay away.
In 2023, when the previous director stepped down, Edward was asked to assume the role of Executive Director. Edward said yes.
Since taking the helm, Edward has shouldered the weight of leadership, navigating financial pressures, making difficult decisions, handling 2 AM crises, managing staff, and grieving with men who stumble. But he also gets to celebrate victories: men reunited with their children, former addicts securing jobs, lives rebuilt from the ground up. Men turning to Christ for hope.
Today, Edward and Milly are parents to three beautiful children, Purezza (10), Penuel (6), and Praizen (2), who are growing up watching their father live out his faith in the messiest, most beautiful way possible.
A compassionate advocate for single mothers and a passionate mentor to young African leaders, Edward embodies his personal philosophy: “Trying is better than wishing you had tried.” As he often says, “Direction, not intentions, leads to desired destinations.”
When he’s not at Village Mercy, you might find Edward reading, writing, traveling with his family, or working as a flight instructor, continuing to pursue the aviation career he worked so hard to build while also leading this ministry of restoration.
January marked our biggest intake month, welcoming three new brothers: Sibusiso Mokoena, 26 (admitted on the 5th), Khumbulani Hlongwane, 35 (admitted on the 26th, sponsored by Mbulelo Maliza, one of our board directors), and Joshua Fitzpatrick, 35 (admitted January 29th from prison with his mother’s support). Each arrived with a unique story but a shared hunger for freedom. Pray for breakthrough, perseverance, and genuine heart transformation as they adjust to life at Village Mercy.
- For Our Staff: Pray for Edward, Shamir, Xolani, Thabani, Nhlakanipho, and the entire team, for wisdom and endurance.
- For Practical Needs: Cable reconnection after December’s theft attempt, two heavy-duty brush cutters for grounds maintenance (rainy season means rapid grass growth), a reliable bakkie for ministry work, and ongoing tool replacement after last year’s armed robbery.
- For Financial Provision: Monthly operational costs, groceries, equipment, faithful monthly partners.
- For Community Outreach: Wisdom for February awareness week, open doors with schools, receptive hearts in communities, and successful partnerships with educational institutions for substance abuse prevention.
Every transformation story at VM is made possible by faithful partners who believe in this work. Your prayers sustain us. Your financial support keeps the doors open. Your encouragement reminds us we’re not alone.
Would you consider partnering with us in one of these ways?
Monthly Partnership – Monthly giving provides the stability we need to plan, staff, and serve consistently.
One-Time Giving – Every gift matters. Whether it’s $50 or $500, your generosity directly impacts men’s lives. Please visit our website to make an online donation.