Becoming the Person God Created You to be...

..... in the Midst of Great Odds.

One of my true friends is an orphan. She raised herself. Daily she had to make a plan for getting food, going to school and finding a way to get appropraite clothing. Living in a metal house, she had to make sure the roof was mended if holes appeared as they frequently did. She had to keep herself safe. Living in a world of abusive and dangerous males was terribly frightening. My friends name is Judith. Judith had to make sure she got to school on time without an alarm clock or electricity. She has to fetch water in a bucket from a pump many kilometres away. This young girl had everything stacked against her. Life had not been kind to her. But in Judith's heart, she knew that she had a very special friend in Christ Jesus. She knew He walked besides her through all the uncertainties of being an orphan totally alone in this world.

Judith also had a belief in education. She would tell me,when times became almost impossible to live through, that come hell or high water she was going to finish school. This was difficult as she attended a school with 100 children in a classroom,it had irregular teachers,Judith often did not have money for candles, so could not study at night. In spite of this, Judith finished her schooling with a college pass. She then walked for and wide in search for a job. She impressed a company so much,that they offered her training and a job as a chef. A church group then gave her living accomodations. Judith was on her way to success in a world that ran on the survival of the fittest. Judith had proved herself to be one of the fittest. Now that Judith has come across the other side and found success, she wants to serve at the Mustard Seed. She says she wants to give back to Christ and society. I have often wondered what allowed this orphan to beet all the odds and become a surviver that is now giving to a world that was very harsh. I have come to beleive that it was not genetics, nor nurturing. It can only be because of her strong relationship with Christ Jesus and His guiding hand in helping her to make right choices. There is a sure knowledge that if one child can make it, so can these angels. With Christ all things are possible.

**Words from Julia

Christmas in Qwa Qwa South Africa

In the month of December, as we celebrate the birth of our Precious Lord Jesus,as most of us are entangled with tinsel and decorating for the uncoming holiday festivites: baking cookies and candies, preparing the best Christmas dinners, buying and wrapping presents, and watching the children's excitement grow as each days passes until Christmas. This is but a dream for children here in Qwa Qwa South Africa. I wish we could bring you a warm and fuzzy story of the Christmas season for the Mustard Seed angels, but I can't. Life is beyond hard for these children. Yes, there are moments and days when the the troubles our Angels face are buried and forgotten, but during this time of the year, all they get to see and expereience is drunken fights, bleeding relatives, abusive voices, and the sound of gunshots from the local tavern. It is a time when little children are forgotten and thrown away. Where food is scarce and fear is alive, the Mustard Seed is a safe haven where children can be clothed, feed and have a place to rest their heads at a moments notice. We have watched many tears flow from the eyes of little children because their lives have been forgotten and their innocenes lost. We have seen a girl will clutch a packet of biscuits as an older man walks away very satisfied with the barter. In this season of Rudolph, presents and giving, here on this side of the world, there is nothing but the abandonment and rape of Africas who are most vulnerable. While you sit in mass or church services on Christmas, do we know that somewhere in the world a drunken man just mortally wounded his wife while their two little children watched in shock and horror. When you work amongst the very poor, you start losing your ability to be frivolous and carefree. Just like the haunted little face that I look into every day of a rape survivor of only 14 year years of age. I am haunted by what Christ Jesus thinks and sees when He looks down on His children. Maybe on His birthday He cries the most. What do you think? If you think the answer is "yes" what can we do to Comfort His Heart and the Hearts of his Orphans.

Answer: Be Mericful as our Lord is merciful. But how do we really do this??

Three things:

1. Deed: feed the hungry, visited the sick and lonely, gave clothes to the poor
2. Word: share the Good News in the Bible with a neighbor, give words of hope and love to a sad, scared friend
3. Prayer: Never stop

During this time as you prepare for the Coming of Jesus this Christmas, please take the time to bring Jesus to a hurting child, friend or family member. Without YOU, Jesus cannot comfort His most vulnerable and this is why He cries. Jesus needs your help! In accepting the mercy of Christ, we are asked to take His mercy and share it with others by our deeds, words and prayers. This is how Jesus Brings His HOPE, LOVE, PEACE and HEALING to a hurting world, child or friend.

Thank you for supporting the Mustard Seed Orphan Care Ministry!

YOU DID IT! - 65+ children will have new shoes and school suplies!! Update11/24 ( :

For most of Africa's children, education is the only way out of a life of extreme poverty. Only those who can read, write and do arithmetic can hope to get a better paid job when they grow up.

An education helps poverty stricken children learn the skills they need to get a job but it is so much more important than that. It allows them to learn about ways to keep themselves healthy so as to not sucome to the diseases that can ravage poor communities. Information on simple day-to-day hygiene and prevention saves lives and keeps families together.

A chance to go to school also allows children to get proper nutrition whenever possible. For many children in Africa and other 3rd world countries, the meal they get at school is their only hot meal of the day.

Finally, education and a chance for a child to attend school builds confidence, support and the community. In a world were children have no control over what happens to them because of extreme poverty, education is their chance to make a learn how to help themselves and make a difference in the lives of their family and community.

This Christmas, Miss Julia would like give each of the Qwa Qwa children a school kit with a pair of warm socks. She will need to purchase 55 school kits and each kit is $5. The kit includes: pen, pencil, eraser, notebook, scissors, glue, sharpener etc. This will make them feel so proud.

The children are also in need of school shoes very badly. Shoes protect their feet from bugs and infections due to the rough terrain

So, for only $20, you can provide a Qwa Qwa child a pair of school shoes and all the supplies they need. What a deal! Your $20 will give a Qwa Qwa child in South Africa the priveledge to feel proud, confident, and blessed to be able to attend school.

"No other investment has such a lasting effect as the education of children. Children who go to school are healthier, more self-assured and can more easily assume a profession. And education is the only effective "vaccine" against HIV/AIDS.”

A Boy And His Dog

Stumbo came to The Mustard Seed in October. A mute and traumatized boy who was laughed at by his peers and seen as a demon by adults. Stumbo is an epileptic who would fall to the ground and foam at the mouth during his seizures. He is 10 years old and has had the devil beaten out of him by religious zealots a number of times. His body bears testimony to this. When he came to the Mustard Seed, he was greeted by a chorus of protesting voices. He was unwanted and feared. A visit to the local clinic soon had Stumbo medicated with Epilim and the attacks controlled. He made friends slowly with one of the starving dogs from the village that periodically frequent our garden in search of food. He would feed, wash and lavish love on this starving unlovely animal. But alas,nothing could be done to turn back the hands of a doggies life that had been abused and starved for so long. One day last week, Stumbo's dog was called to doggie heaven. I came home to find a thin brown body cradling a doggie face lovingly in his lap. Stumbo had lost the only earthly friend he had ever had. As I hugged this precious weeping boy,I was aware that Christ in all His wisdom had used a despised beaten dog to open up the emotions of a little boy who could now begin to give and accept love. I could now feel Stumbo's humanity. He entered into the circle of normalcy with his peers. Together we buried Stumbo's dog. The dog had finished his work and could now rest. Stumbo,is a changed little boy, who loves dinosaurs and soccer. His epilepsy is controlled and his life has begun. Jesus and Stumbo know we all need someone to care about, so that the hurting Christ in us and in the world can be healed.

The words of Julia Occonnel

Lost innocence and brokeness = Survival

Seven months ago the Mustard Seed opened with 4 children sitting on a bare floor. We now have 80 angels who are fed, clothed, given help with homework, attend bible and scripture classes, have an amazing soccer team and choir that praises God. These Mustard Seed angels have blankets, clothing and will soon have school supplies and shoes. Is not Jesus Christ great? Out of nothing He has created something that saves the lives and souls of His precious Qwa Qwa children.

But, the price many of these children have paid before being lead to The Mustard Safe Haven is heart breaking and at times unfathomable. The next story is from Miss Julia, the founder and care taker at the Mustard seed ministry. This story was very hard for me to write out and it may be very hard for you to read. But, this is happening to millions of little young girls all around the world including in the United States. We as the family of Christ should not ignore this and do what we can to help these innocent victims. Here it goes.......


Many little girls here in Qwa Qwa are primed to know every sexual position in order to keep a man satisfied and there is no thought of the psychological damage that all this trauma will do to their young minds. Just a sure knowledge from the males of the family that this is the way out of their grinding daily poverty, they sell their little girls innocense and souls for the reward of cash money and it is easily done in their own home. The girls reward might be given a piece of gum or candy. If her "sex service" is a double session, she is "rewarded" with a packet of biscuits. The community believes that this perversion goes on all over because times are hard for so many. So, does this make it right??? NO!!


The Mustard Seed Haven at the top of the mountain welcomes many of these young girls as young as 10 who come mute, shocked, oversexualised, riped of there self-worth and have nothing but feelings of shame, self loathing and believeing that sex = food. It is beyond tragic and is a gut wrenching walk to take with a child. You have to unravel the tragic mess written in a little girls soul in order to help them heal from the wrongs that have been done to them. Imagine how such a short, quick act done just for a measaly amount of food or money can destroy the inner psyche of an innocent little girl now blank and void of feeling, purpose and love. Trust has disappeared and a bleeding heart is throbbing in pain. This is when I see my Jesus screaming and suffering on the cross. What this ignorant sick society has cursed these little Angels with. This immorality has found its way to curse our poor suffering Jesus through his weak,suffering orphans. But like Jesus,these special little girls will arise again to bring light into a dark world through the help, support and unconditional love of the Mustard Seed Ministry. this is why the Mustard Seed started with 4 children and now have 80. Our jesus is reaching our to these innocaent victims so them can one day love, be loved and work for His wonderful Kindgom. Lost innocence and brokeness does not = Survival. Faith, Compassion, Love, Prayer and Jesus = Survival! What can YOU do today to help a hurting, broken person survive????

God Bless you all for all the support, help and prays you have given us. The Lord is hard at work here in Qwa Qwa South Africa ministering to His orphans through YOU

We are still collecting shoes and school supplies for our special Qwa Qwa Angels. We are happy to announce that we have enough for 33 children!! This is almost 1/2 of our 65 children goal. If you would like to help us reach this goal and bless a Qwa Qwa child this Christmas, you can donate $20 (US) or R200 (South Africa) on the right side of this blog. Thank you for your generosity, love, prayers and support. It is making a difference in the lives of some of South Africa's most vulnerable orphans. God Bless

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18.

A few simple actions done with a Compassion

When a 10 year old girl named Paula arrived at the Mustard Seed in April,she was an emaciated little girl covered in sores and suffering from acute malutrition. When I gave her a pair of shoes to wear, she could not put them on due to a serious fungal infection. Becuase Paula has been living in extreme poverty, all she has been able to get to eat was maize meal. This has left her protein starved and anaemic. One day when I began to raise my hand to fix her hair, she whimpered and her body started shaking. At this time, I knew that she was also physically abused. Now that she knows that I am here to help and not hurt her, she clings onto me and became very angry when other children needed a hug. I have became the only constant in her life. And to top it off, Paula was! constantly being bullied by her peers because she has incontinent issues.

This precious girl needed care, love and support in order to live! So, the Mustard Tree started feeding her fortified porridge and malt with vitamins added. That is as far as our finances would go. Every now and then I would slip her some brown bread with peanut butter on. As I help her with homework daily, she tells me stories of her life which includes terror, insecurity, and low self worth. To help her realize that she is important, I told her of another that suffered and was rejected by almost all He know - Jesus. Paula was so special that this Jesus suffered just for her!

All these things have helped this little angel named Paula begin to see herself as worthwhile and valuable, "A Child of God". She is healthy, on medication, and her incontinence has subsided. Though Paula has a long way to go, I know that with the help of the Mustard Seed ministry, showing her the love of Jesus, and constant prayer, she is well on her way! A precious little life is now living normally and has developed a gurgling little happy laugh. All this took was a few simple actions done with a compassion and love. If you feel the Lord Jesus placing something on your heart today like helping a elderly church member a sad young person, a sick suffering friend, or struggling neighbor, DON'T HESTITATE because your YES may also save a precious soul!

Julia O'Connell

Mother Teresa's feet....

A couple years ago at a Christian festival I heard a talk by a man named Shane Claiborne. He is a an activist who ministers to the poor and is a bestselling author of The Irresistible Revolution. His website is www.thesimpleway.org

Anyway, one story he shared still rings in my mind and heart today. This was a story about when he was blessed to work alongside Mother Teresa in Calcutta:

When entering the church to worship, it was customary for everyone to remove their shoes, and it was during these times that Shane noticed that Mother Teresa's feet were very deformed. So deformed, in fact, that Shane thought that it was perhaps due to leprosy.

But, he didn't dare ask her.

One day, while talking to one of the other sisters, the subject came up. The sister asked if Shane had noticed Mother Teresa's feet. She went on to tell him that they get donations of shoes only once and a while, and there are only just enough for each person to get one pair. When the shipments come in, mother Teresa would sort through all the shoes. She would look for the worst for wear pair, and then she would claim them for herself.

Mother Teresa never wanted anyone to wear a pair of shoes that were in worse shape than her own.


Hearing this story brought tears to my eyes and still does. Mother Terasa was a true servant of Christ, living like Christ and loving like Christ. I can't imagine wearing shoes that are so dilapidated that it would make my feet deformed. The pain she must have experienced for years.

This picture shows one of the Qwa Qwa children and his shoes.

As you can see, the Qwa Qwa children are in need of shoes. Some of them don't even have shoes like this. Miss Julia would like to give each of her Qwa Qwa children a new pair of shoes, a nice pair of socks and a school supply kit for Christmas. Friends, Christmas is 76 days away and she needs 65!! I know that I am not as selfless as Mother Teresa, wearing the worst so another can have better. But, I can put a new pair of shoes on the feet of one Qwa Qwa child!!!!!! How about you???

It is only a $20 donation for 1 pair of new shoes, a pair of nice socks and a school kit! This will make a poor Qwa Qwa orphan feel loved, proud, and happy. Please pray about it and see if the Holy Spirit is calling you to help 1 Qwa Qwa child this Christmas.


“Mother Theresa always said, "Calcuttas are everywhere if only we have eyes to see. Find your Calcutta.”
― Shane Claiborne, The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical