Last year in April we made a blog entry regarding our literacy ministry and the urgent need to teach reading in the South African Province of Kwa Zulu Natal. Even today if you google Literacy Outreach Kwa Zulu Natal, that particular missions hub blog is the first that pops up. This in one way is quite encouraging to see something you wrote come up first on a search. But what it actually does is underscore the lack of missionary assistance and efforts being conducted in the region. The area around Newcastle in Northern Kwa Zulu Natal Province accounts for nearly 500,000 people and the large majority of these precious souls are living in abject poverty. Even though Newcastle is a modern city of about 20,000, the vast majority of inhabitants reside in villages and squatter camps in close proximity of the town. These folks for the most part lack the basic necessities such as electricity, running water and adequate food supply. Additionally, there is a dire need to share eternal plan of God’s salvation through His son Jesus. We will be working with local churches in uniting this effort in evangelizing the lost. The needs here are countless and the opportunities to provide help and present the gospel are immeasurable. However, believe it or not there are absolutely ZERO foreign missionaries or missions organizations operating in the area. We believe fervently this is a main reason God called us to serve these people, in this area at a time such as this. We as the body of Christ are now presented with a wonderful opportunity to share the Father's love and make a real impact in the lives of people that are pretty much forgotten in terms of mission outreach. Our family and wonderful mission organization Into all the World (www.iatw,ca) are committed to getting us back to Newcastle to serve full time providing literacy and soccer ministry programs. Will you pray and ask God what you can do? So far we are at about 30% in monthly pledged dollars needed to live and work in South Africa. We are asking individuals and churches to pray how they may be able to assist in this ground breaking, grass roots ministry. We not only need financial support but also, an abundance of prayer and encouragement which are just as important as money. We also would like to establish relationships with churches and missions organizations that int he future could send people and participate in short term missions projects with us. Again the opportunity to serve and impact lives for the Gory of God are endless. Please visit our website at www.simmons4africa.org to learn the latest in regards to our efforts to reach 3 to 5 thousand children with the gospel of christ through reading education and soccer ministries. You can personally contact us at [email protected] or by phone at 913-284-4873.
Mission Outreach a Must in a Forgotten Region
Simmons 4 Africa
About Us
We are Dan and Deena Simmons who are currently serving in Newcastle South Africa for two months along with our sons Josiah and Micah. We will be leaving in March and hope to return as long term missionaries here by the end of 2012.
What are we doing?
Deena has 21 years teaching as a primary school teacher and she also has 11 years experience in reading curriculum development. She is working with a new Christian school here in Newcastle and is assisting with developing their reading curriculum, remedial reading and teacher training. When we return on a more permanent basis Deena will continue to assist the school with whatever is needed in regards to academic development, teaching and/or training. Dan has teamed up with local pastors in developing a youth soccer organization that will be centred around promoting the gospel to potentially thousands of children and giving these kids an avenue to improve their soccer skills and development. There are currently no soccer leagues or formal competition opportunities for youth in this area. Additionally, literacy in South Africa is low, especially in the more rural areas. Because of this we feel the Lord is leading to start a mobile reading workshop ministry we can take to mission schools, townships and rural locations in the northern KwaZulu Natal region. This workshop would provide reading materials, parent training and tutoring for youth free of charge.