It's Jodi, Marius and Emi sending out an S.O.S. from S. Africa....
Many of you are friends who’ve been a part of our journey to South Africa. We sold our house in 2007, and moved from Georgia to Africa to reach out to orphans and vulnerable children. We have been here almost 9 years! We live and work in JBay, South Africa. I have a little project called "Emi’s Closet project" that started with 11 orphans & vulnerable children 5 years ago, and is now providing valuable resources and the love of God to over 600 vulnerable children daily! Isn’t that awesome? Emi's Closet was named after our little girl Emi when she was a baby- and her closet once practically clothed a village in Swaziland! She is 6 now, and just started first grade. She’s learning so much, and she is a creative little artist, good gymnast, and very energetic kid! She is perhaps the best missionary in our family as she NEVER meets a stranger, and often conversations begin (at the grocery store, in the park, in our coffee shop, etc.) through Ems. I love that kid!
Through "Emi's Closet" immune systems are being strengthened, kids are being educated, and I get to regularly share the love of Jesus with these little ones who are in real need of hope. The whole idea of our little project was to help orphans and vulnerable children THRIVE, and the Lord continues to show us more effective ways to do that. These at-risk kiddos, ages 2-7 years old, have some REALLY tough lives due to poverty, lack of parental guidance, and in some cases abuse. We reach out in may ways to improve their health, education, spiritual and emotional lives. My friend Mich and I also have a recycling/sewing project called TREASURE
where we recycle/repurpose plastic packaging, burlap, and fabric sample materials into beautiful cushions, table runners, placemats, cards, etc. to help fund the purchase of vitamins for these 680 kids.We love making what others would deem trash into something beautiful! You can check out some of our creations through our friends at Grace Klein Community's ETSY store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BeMoreRandom?page=1 .This project also has the added benefit of creating income for 3 South African women -enabling them to better support their families.
Marius serves in the business community here through his dedicated work at our little coffee shop. We host a monthly men’s prayer breakfast there, and new families to J-bay are attending the local church we’re part of here as a result of meeting Marius at the coffee shop. Marius models integrity, a desire to do things with excellence, and a heart full of generosity. This year we’ve been able to supplement our monthly support with $400/mo from the coffee shop, which is really a blessing as our monthly support has been steadily decreasing, and is currently 1/2 of what it was 5 years ago! It has been our hope for the business to grow and to not be dependent upon outside funds , but this is a slow process. So, in the meantime - we need some help.
We are sendin' out this S.O.S. to our friends/family around the world to try and raise some additional support in order to continue to minister here in South Africa. There are many blessings our job provides, but we didn't choose a profession where our job performance leads to regular pay increases. :)
If you are in a position to, would you consider financially partnering with us?This is what we’re proposing - a donation of $5/week, which is about the price of 1 large Starbucks or 1 Little Caesar’s pizza/week. :) This FIVE BUCKS/wk could make a BIG impact and help us continue to reach out to “the least of these” here. And if you can’t do that, would you consider giving a one-time gift to help us get back on track financially?
The truth is NOBODY enjoys sending out letters asking for financial support - it is one of my least favorite things to do. But, as humbling as it is, we must raise some additional funds in order for us to continue ministering here.
We’ve recently joined forces with World Outreach Ministries.(https://www.worldoutreach.org) They're a great 501c-3 organization in Kennesaw, GA who is processing all of our donations, mailing out our tax-deductible receipts, and they even accept credit cards from all over the world - which is a new thing for us - enabling us to fund-raise globally for the first time.So, let's see if it works!
There is really no pressure - just consider if you're in a position to spare $5/week ($20/month) and if you feel led -then join forces with us and be a part of making a difference in these little lives.
Please keep us in your prayers as we will keep you in ours!
Much love,
Jodi , Marius & Emi
THE DEETLEFS FAMILY
Jeffreys Bay, South Africa
P.S. If you would like to partner with us to help care for orphans & vulnerable children here in S. Africa you can click on the link below:
www.WorldOutreach.org/donations and follow the prompts
Or you can write checks payable to World Outreach Ministries, write Deetlefs #490 in the memo and mail to:
World Outreach Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box B
Marietta, GA 30061
P.S.S. Thanks for taking the time in your busy day to read this! :)
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