Hey Friends & Family!
It has been a couple weeks since we began ministry here and South Africa and it is my joy to tell you all about it!
The 26th of December my team moved to a home for children called LIV Village. LIV Village is an amazing ministry that began with a dream to create a space for “orphaned and vulnerable 
children to have a safe home, a mother to love them, food to eat, a school to educate them, and where they will come to know God as their Father in Heaven” (https://www.liv-village.com). What also makes LIV unique is their goal of sustainability. The village offers social services and multiple kinds of therapy: physiotherapy, occupational, and speech. Their school teaches grades K through 12 and offers advanced online courses and also has a technical path for children whose learning style is different. The technical track includes training for welding and the culinary arts. While the goal is self sustainability, their farm has not yet reached the ability to feed the village and instead serves as a source of income!
LIV also cares for the community that surrounds it! They have LIV business and a 
community clinic that provides services free of charge! The LIV business program that teaches skills, provides jobs, while simultaneousl-y addresses the unemployment issue and supports the sustainability of the village.
The blessing of this the Lord is so clearly on LIV Village. As we served, I was captivated by the beauty of the landscape, known as the Land of 1,000 Hills, and the beauty of the residents of the village. I met mums and staff who love the Lord so deeply and who serve so selflessly. I encountered children who although were difficult brought so much joy. I was able to bear witness to the Kingdom work going on in that village and it was such an honor to partner with them!
Life in the village was so sweet. Our team designed and orchestrated holiday clubs for the children. During the younger kids session, we put on skits to tell the story of Jesus’ birth and 
taught them about the purposes of the different people and how God has given each of them a special purpose. We also sang and danced to songs of worship, made fun crafts, and played so many games! Our time with the older kids was just as sweet! In the afternoons, we would play games, sing and dance to praise songs, and give messages about what the Lord was teaching us. We laughed a lot with that bunch!
My time at LIV Village also taught me a lot about myself. Our first day the woman in charge of orientating us told us that working with troubled children and children in general reveals more about yourself than it does the child. Working with kids who do not listen well taught me I needed to work on my patience and working with kids who struggle to get along with one another reminded me to work on giving grace to others. The kids may not have listened to a word I said, but I know for certain they were watching the way I treated my teammates and how I responded to their misbehavior. This made me hyper aware of the way I carried myself and then it made me realize I should always be aware of how my actions will affect how the Gospel is represented. I want to live in such a way that represents a Gospel of grace and redeeming love! The Lord is so tender and kind for walking me through this season in such a safe space surrounded by community.
Updates & Prayer Requests
As I mentioned in my previous blog, we have moved to Kloof, another town in South Africa! We just started ministry in old folks homes, Uber evangelism (a favorite of mine) prayer walks, and sick visits! I have loved the different kinds of ministry I have been able to partake in, but I am looking forward to schools opening up so we can begin high school ministry! I plan on writing a blog about this week’s ministry soon! As always, please pray for health and safety and the hearts of South Africa to be open to the love of Jesus!
Grace & Peace,
Maggie Claire Richardson
