The 7 Rivers knitters held their first meeting at the newly opened Thola Center at the beginning of March!

The 7 Rivers knitters is a group of Zulu women that meet for a Bible study and to knit and sew handmade crafts, which they are able to sell for a small income to help their families. ITMI’s Cherise Smith leads this ministry with help from other members of the 7 Rivers mission team.

Cherise’s daughter and ITMI partner, Fifi, was also involved in this ministry until she got married in November of 2023 and moved to Johannesburg.

“Thola” means “to discover” in the Zulu language. The Thola center was large project the Smiths and their ministry team were part of to build a venue that would facilitate the proclamation of the Gospel and lead to people discovering who Jesus is and what He has done for them.

The center is located in KwaZulu Natal, which is a cluster of three Zulu villages outside of Durban, South Africa.

The Thola center will also house a preschool, which will enable Kelly and Cherise’s team to reach Zulu families and meet a need in the community.

The preschool will be run by Thandeka*, who ITMI supporters helped to attend courses allowing her to be certified to operate a childcare and preschool. Thandeka is a young believer who loves Jesus and loves showing His love to the children of her community. She is incredibly grateful to those who helped give her this opportunity to minister in her community!

As the Thola center grew closer to opening, Thandeka visited most of the families nearby to inform them about the official opening. She was able to enroll 38 kids, who will experience Jesus and learn about who He is through her ministry and the opening of the Thola center!

The Thola center will also house a medical clinic as another way to interact with and reach the people of KwaZulu Natal for Jesus.