For Such A Time as This

2000 AD.  What a year! Who remembers Y2K?  The panic-inducing computer glitch that was projected to throw the world’s computers and networks into chaos at the stroke of midnight.  Thankfully, that turned out to be “much ado about nothing.”  Also, 2000 was the year that the last known wild Pyrenean Ibex, named Celia, had the misfortune to stand under a tree when it fell, rendering that particular species extinct (a big gold star to anyone who knew that little fact!).

You might be wondering why we are talking about events from the year 2000.  That was the year that Bethesda Outreach Ministries started. Bethesda Outreach Children’s village became an official South African Company in October, 2000.  “By God’s grace and for His glory, Bethesda Outreach Ministries exists to assist and encourage local churches in meeting the needs of orphan children.”  That was our original Vision statement which was refined about 15 years later to say, “The local church and its members meeting the needs of orphaned and vulnerable children, that they may become disciples of Christ.”  From day 1, our goal was to have local churches and Christians involved in caring for, and discipling orphans and vulnerable children with the ultimate goal that those children would follow Christ.

Compassion for HIV/AIDS affected orphans, motivated several US missionaries to take a survey trip to Zambia and South Africa in January, 2000, to see where and what could be done to help with this crisis.  Out of that trip, plans for a children’s village north of Pretoria were formed.

Fast forward to 2025.  Our theme for this year is, “For Such A Time As This,” meaning that God raises up people, and coordinates events to accomplish His will for that particular time. Bethesda Outreach is simply a tool that God is using right now in the lives of orphans and vulnerable children. We can’t change the world, but we can help change the lives of those whom God has brought into our lives right now and into the future.

Throughout this year, we are taking time to look back at the intervening years to remember and reflect on the ways that God has been faithful to Bethesda. All the events, people, and children that God has brought together over these years have helped to bring us to where we are today – 25 years later. Looking back will also help us as we look forward and make solid, wise plans for the future.

We hope that our friends, partners, local churches, and anyone who is interested in helping children in need, will celebrate with us. We plan to have a celebration event later in the year but the details of that will only be available in the coming months. In the meantime, we will be putting up some historical highlights on our social media pages (Facebook and Instagram), and in our monthly update, as well as making that information available on our webpage (www.BethesdaOutreach.org). You are welcome to be a part of our monthly email update by contacting us at Bethesda-temba@boi.org or going to our Facebook page (search for “Bethesda Outreach”) and using the button to sign up from there.

We also hope to inspire others to become involved with Bethesda by praying for us, becoming regular donors, or just taking the time to visit and see what God is doing here.  Many of you have been involved with us over the years and we appreciate so much the many ways God has used you to further the ministry of Bethesda.  Thank you!