It’s the start of a new year and a new decade. From time to time, it is good to remind ourselves of why we do what we do and to renew our passion for the work God has given us. This year, Bethesda Outreach is celebrating 20 years of God’s goodness to us in meeting the needs of orphans and encouraging them to become disciples of Christ. I would like to introduce to you our most recent matric (high school) graduate, R. M. In his own words, he will tell you about how Christ and the ministry of Bethesda Outreach has transformed his life as well as how God is providing future opportunities for him to learn. (A.Dodd)
I am R.M. and I am 19 years old, going into my twenties this year – the same year Bethesda is celebrating 20 years of ministry. I have lived at Bethesda Outreach since I was three. When I first arrived at Bethesda, I didn’t have good nutrition, didn’t know about the Bible, had very poor shelter and had no background in English – all basic 
needs.
My family now has ten children all living in a home with my parents, Jack and Maria Msiza. Growing up at Bethesda, I came to know and grow in appreciation of people from all over the world raising funds for me, and other children like me who were coming from a background of struggle. I have been blessed to be in this family of twelve, even though it comes with challenges. It teaches me to learn how to respond in a godly manner, and it is an opportunity to lead well by example.
Here at Bethesda Outreach, I have grown a whole lot in my walk with Christ. Everyone at Bethesda has shown me a proper view of Christ. At first, I had a blurred view about Jesus and what the Bible teaches. I had a lot of confusion and anger in my heart over my life before Bethesda. In short, my life was a big mess until I met Jesus as my personal Savior.
I won’t lie, it was a pretty long road before I came to that realization. After God opened my eyes in salvation, things weren’t easy all of a sudden. Countless times I still felt broken and cross with my biological family, but still with a desire for God to use me. I realized that this was the reason that God made my path of life lead through Bethesda. If it was not by His grace, I would have been broken and lost without direction like so many of the young men in the township that I was born into.
I went to Jabulane Christian Academy, which is the school that is on property. My school funds came from people I didn’t even know as they prayed for me. Each year, through generous donations, my school stationery, uniform, and schoolbooks were given by those that God prompted to give and pray. I am thankful for that.
I am the oldest boy at Bethesda and many of the younger boys and girls look up to me. I would like you to pray that I lead all of these children by setting a good example, but also in loving Christ with all my heart, soul, and mind.
I completed my high school studies and matriculated in 2019 with a Bachelor Pass and one distinction (diploma allowing me to apply for a Bachelor’s degree). During the course of the last two years, I began looking for places to further my studies after high school. God showed me my number one choice through a very close friend of Bethesda and board member, Janet Cooper. She introduced me to Inscape College.
Looking at the tuition fees at the school, I knew the only way I was going to be able to afford going there was through a scholarship. I worked hard through my matric year and applied for the scholarship. God opened the doors for me at Inscape and I have been blessed with a fully-funded scholarship that includes tuition, fees, stationery, and a laptop.
It has been almost two months since I graduated and I am excited knowing that I will be studying a degree in Ideation (design and idea formation), beginning on the 17th of February. My way forward in life is working really hard in my studies and completing my degree in Ideation.
Over the past six years, I’ve been thrilled to see R.M. grow not only physically and academically, but much more so in seeing him become more like Jesus. It is for God’s honor and the praise of His glory that Bethesda exists.
I want to invite you to join Bethesda’s 20/20 Campaign and to be involve in one or more ways:
To pray regularly and specifically for people and needs at Bethesda,
To give generously to support us, and
To share continually what God is doing here in Hammanskraal.
If you would like to know more about how to partner with us and receive targeted emails regarding the above three areas of the 20/20 Campaign, please fill out the 20/20 response form or go to our home page and click the 20/20 button (www.BethesdaOutreach.org) or email us at serve@boi.org to find out more.
