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Julie had a Fallen Pregnant Party tonight (aka
Baby Shower) with all her nearest and dearest
friends here in Africa.
Everyone so generously gave money to go toward
a baby swing - an absolute essential that we
couldn't quite squeeze into a suitcase.
Wanting to make it "Julie Style"...
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appetizers and desserts were
served (Julie's all time favorite - a main
course is so overrated)
-
everyone created fun
onsies (out of buttons and ribbons)
-
each girl wrote a prayer
for the baby (and later gathered in a
circle to pray for Julie and the baby)
Thank you friends for such
a fabulous night!
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 We
want to thank Omaha
FC for donating these top-of-the line portable soccer
goals for our work with under-resourced children in
South Africa.
Karl Ostrand, a former Director of Operations and coach
for Omaha
FC, will be using the goals...
Interesting Fact: The first day
the goals were used here in Africa was for a golf fundraiser
for Ubuntu Football Trust. Guests could buy raffle tickets
and take a penalty shot against an Ubuntu goalkeeper.
One of the golfers who took a shot was Nicola Caricola
(who played in Italy for Juventus, Genoa, and in the
inaugural year of the MLS with the NY Metrostars).
Background Info: Karl and Julie volunteer
with All
Nations, a non-profit organization, with a focus
on church planting, AIDS prevention, job traing, care
for abandoned children, and many other ways to serve
the community and townships of South Africa. More
about Karl and Julie...
 What
will we be doing?
In the past we have done a Film Club and Dance Clases...this
year Julie will be walking the girls through Fresh
Start (a program that helps young people become
free from the effects of offense, hurt, and loss through
the transforming power of forgiveness and freedom
in Christ).
Why after school?
Studies show that from 3-6 p.m. juveniles are most
likely to smoke, drink, be in a car crash, use drugs,
and participate in criminal behavior. 40%
of all juvenile crimes are committed from 3-6 p.m.
and teens that are unsupervised after school are
37% more likely to become teen parents.*
Why does mentoring matter?
Research shows that youth ages 10-16 who
have a relationship with a mentor are 46%
less likely to start using drugs and 27% less likely
to start drinking alcohol. Students in
after-school programs exhibit fewer behavioral problems,
better ability to handle conflicts and improved
self-confidence.*
*Source: Hope
Center
Last Christmas one of Julie's friends in America
decided she wanted to help her children experience the
importance of making a difference in the life of someone
and asked Julie how she could help.
The Opportunity:
We thought of Gloria! She is a young mother (of two)
who graduated our Sisterhood
of Success program who has been living in a crowded
shack in a unhealthy environment.
The Blessing:
Through the help of this sponsor and Baby Safe, Gloria
was able to find and move into a well-built shack
in a safe area. The donor covered her first three
months of rent and needed supplies, while Gloria pursues
more days of work.
The Sponsor Said:
Thank you for helping her get back on her feet!
Personally, Julie thinks, "What could be better
than more Karl Ostrands?!" (although she did mistake
a few people for her husband throughout the party).
"Oh! You're NOT Karl - sorry about that!"
We had the priviledge of attending a Golf Day fundraiser
for the organization Karl coaches with - Ubuntu
Football.
Guests included...
- François Pienaar (South
African Rugby captain during the 1995 World Cup victory
- played by Matt Damon in the movie Invictus)
- Nicola Caricola (former soccer
player for Italy for Juventus, Genoa/ played in the
inaugural year of the MLS with the NY Metrostars)
- Graeme Smith (SA Cricket Captain)
and his teammate Jacque Kallis
- Bryan Habana (Stormers & South
African Rugby player)
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Ubuntu players
with SA Cricket Legend Jacque Kallis |
Coach Treswell
and Coach Karl with François Pienaar
(kinda like Matt Damon) |
Money was raised for the Ubuntu Soccer Program
- A Wholistic Approach:
This involves...
- building a residence for our trainees
- providing proper nutrition
- offering education (partnering with Silvermine Academy
– a leading local high-school)
- and the best possible coaching and mentorship for
each boy both on and off the field
Our goal is to produce footballers who excel
at the highest level of international football, and
who are also men of exceptional character.
See more
about Karl's work with soccer...
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