Bethesda Transition Update

Dear Bethesda Supporters and Friends

I want to take the opportunity to bring you the latest news on Bethesda and inform you of steps taken in the transition at Bethesda.

We have been blessed in the last few months by the children that have been given to our care both within the homes and at the school. Currently we have 7 couples serving as house parent who are caring for 40 children in addition to their own children. We are also teaching 144 children within the school. We really give thanks to God for these wonderful opportunities that have been given to us to impact these children’s lives. We especially give thanks to God for the accounts of lives being transformed. Your ongoing support has enabled us to continue impacting the lives of these children for Christ, thank you.

I want to encourage you to continue to pray for John and Lois Mixon. The entire Bethesda family is grateful for John and Lois and their incredible contribution to this ministry over the years. We are also thankful for their supporting church who is working with them through this transition.

The search for new Executive Director for Bethesda is ongoing and I would ask that you pray with us as we seek the right person to take Bethesda forward. In the meantime, the Board has appointed Don Whipple as the interim Executive Director. Don Whipple is no stranger to Bethesda and brings a wealth of experience to this role. He will be based in the USA, but may visit Bethesda from time to time. Should you have any questions or concerns, he can be contacted at the following email: interimed@boi.org. As we progress in the search for a new Executive Director and develop Bethesda further, I would urge you to consult the website of Bethesda on a regular basis as all further developments will be communicated there in the coming weeks. The website can be viewed at http://bethesdaoutreach.org.

I want to encourage you to continue to pray and financially support the ministry at Bethesda. Pray for the staff, the house parents and specifically the children that they may come to know Christ and live lives that bring glory to His name.

In conclusion, Bethesda is playing an important role within the community in South Africa and it is our desire that we fulfill our mission of: Glorifying God by assisting local churches in orphan care through:

• A working model of functional Christian families magnifying Christ
• Training and encouraging churches, pastors and parents

The need in our context of South Africa is great. Just to remind you of the need I quote from the UNICEF Web Site:

“There are an estimated 3.7 million orphans in South Africa – close to half of them have lost their parents to AIDS-related diseases and there are many more children living with sick and bedridden caregivers. About 150,000 children are believed to be living in child-headed households.”

It should also be noted that the need within the South African context is exacerbated by an economy that makes it difficult for persons to find suitable employment. What a blessing it will be if we can impact some of them with the gospel of Christ.

I look forward to partnering with you as we take this ministry forward.

Blessings

Mark Kingon
Bethesda Outreach Board Chairman