Onseepkans, South Africa is a small farming community surrounded by miles of rock-strewn desert. The settlement is near the Orange River, which forms South Africa's border with Namibia to the north.
Onseepkans is surrounded by rock-strewn dessert.
Onseepkans is a small farming community.
An aerial view of the rural Onseepkans, South Africa
Most of the residents rely on welfare of some kind, and it's rarely enough to support a family's basic needs, much less support the magnetic draw to alcohol that many fall under.
There are only small trading posts in town, and these typically grossly overcharge, knowing residents can't often afford transportation to the nearest town.
Many residents are caring for large numbers of children that aren't their own, some of them quite elderly. These households are often unable to make ends meet and feed everyone.
Our partners, the le Roux family, moved to the area to establish Onseepkans Mission. Gerhard and his family lead Sunday services for a small group of worshippers and offer love, hope and the Gospel to the people of the town.
Elmane le Roux leads worship during their small Sunday gathering.
Elderly residents of Onseepkans blessed by the le Roux's Christmas outreach.
One of the le Roux's daughters with kids from the community who come to Onseepkans Mission every week for Bible centered stories and activities.
Their hearts were moved for this community that is generally marginalized and overlooked, so they left their community and home near Cape Town and moved to the rural Onseepkans, where they had to grow most of their own food because there was no grocery store.
One way they've felt the Lord leading them to reach their community with the Gospel is by baking bread to distribute to the needy families among their community. Distributing bread meets an immediate, felt need and gives the le Rouxs the opportunity to share about the the Bread of Life that satisfies eternally.
"Jesus replied, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.' "
John 6:35
The project is called Our Daily Bread Project.
The family of 8 has already been baking on average 20-30 loaves of bread each day, depending on orders placed that day. Ten of those are donated to needy families in the community.
A donor recently helped them acquire a large dough mixer and convection oven from a bakery that closed down. The equipment has improved their output, allowing a higher quality bread because the mixture has a better consistency and can be baked faster.
It's also been a source of joy and critical help for the needy families who receive it.
Recipients of the Our Daily Bread Project are overjoyed with the provision of bread.
The cost of these relieved smiles?
About $.83 per loaf.
We're happy to help the le Rouxs demonstrate the Lord's undeserved generosity towards mankind with these provisions, but this opportunity is so much more than that.
It's the opportunity for these families to share their lives with the le Roux family, who waste no opportunities to speak of the goodness of the Lord and encourage others to confess their sin and receive His saving plan for humanity.
These deliveries will be frequent, so there will potentially be many organic opportunities for this message to be delivered in many different ways and forms through the relationships that will be built.
Gerhard observes, "Since we started with the bakery and delivering bread to the communities we experience that we have a much more intimate relationship with the community which help us to understand their challenges and spiritual needs."
Because the le Rouxs are doing all the labor and the equipment was donated, this opportunity is available to everyone, no matter how much they have to give or what their financial situation!
For $8.30, you could provide 10 loaves of bread for distribution to hurting and needy families in South Africa, and partner with the faithful and hard-working le Roux family to reach their community for Christ through their Daily Bread Project!
With the new equipment, Onseepkans Mission could turn out up to 60 loaves per day. With your support, they could run their equipment at full capacity and deliver even more loaves to South African families who are hurting and in need.
Your donation of just $8.30 also helps cover the cost of the fuel the family uses to make the deliveries, too. This truly is a cost effective way to reach the needy with daily bread and draw them into redemptive relationships with our godly, national partners at Onseepkans Mission so they can come to know and love Jesus.
Steve Evers has advocated for and served the ITMI partners as ITMI Director since 2001. Approximately once a year, Steve visits with ITMI partners in their countries and brings stories back to encourage supporters. Steve enjoys photography and mechanics, (both hobbies that have greatly benefited ITMI partners!) Prior to becoming ITMI's Director, Steve served on the Board of Directors for 4 years. Steve lives in Arizona with his wife, Darlene.
