I’m excited to tell you about a special place in Welkum, South Africa, in the Matjhebang region of the Free State: The Pines is a Christian Care Center for children who have been orphaned by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
In 2005, long-time missionaries David (now home with the Lord) and Sally Seefried, initiated the start of a compassion village for orphans, and have seen God bless the effort. Now, Amber & Louis O’Tool, and Lois & Brian Neihoff are serving full-time at The Pines.
By God’s gracious hand, the old Harmony Gold Company donated property and buildings, which continue to be renovated to house children. Each child is placed into a “family” with a carefully-chosen house mother who 
is a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. The children are cared for physically, spiritually trained w/sound teaching, well-educated, and raised within their South African culture but within Biblical principles. Imagine what some of these children can do for their ravaged continent in the decades to come!!!! As they receive funds, apartments or flats are built and furnished for 6 children and a house mother. As God provides, they open another flat, and accept more children. People from the USA often do short-term missions trips there to help with building, tutoring, etc.
The only answer to the AIDS pandemic is lives changed by the gospel. The need there is simply staggering. One worker there said, “Sometimes, we feel like what we are doing is just a drop in the bucket.. Then we remember that God holds the bucket.. and it’s HIS bucket.”If you would like to help fill that bucket and contribute to what is going on at the Pines,visit http://www.niehoffsa.com/, http://www.otoolsa.com or http://www.myaimi.org/thepinesIt costs $30 or $40 to support an orphan for a month. 100% of the money goes to your orphan. Check back to our blog soon for some ideas for how to make responding to these opportunities possible for your family, even on a very limited budget.
Whatever we do, whatever the mission, let’s live radically, passionately, intentionally, and intelligently to honor and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the only Answer, not only to the AIDS pandemic, but for each of our own lives and eternity.