The Pines
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The Pines Christian Care Center is located in Welkom, South Africa, in the Matjhabeng region of the Free State. It is the area that is identified with the highest amount of HIV/AIDS with no sign of it abating.
With a donation of a large office complex and property from the Harmony Gold Company in the spring of 2005, David and Sally Seefried initiated their dream of beginning a compassion village for orphans in the Free State. The ministry of the The Pines Christian Care Center for Children was born out of Christian compassion that drives us to do what we can to alleviate the pain and suffering of the children and communities as a result of the AIDS pandemic.
The Pines is endeavoring to raise children in a Christian environment to be morally pure thus changing their life style so that they will live through the pandemic and make a lasting impact on Africa. Already a large portion of a generation has been lost to the AIDS pandemic. The Pines is stepping into the gap and saving these children from becoming a second lost generation.
The Pines Today
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Change can be difficult, however when the changes prove to advance and enhance the work of the Lord, we can only stand in awe of God’s Will. The Pines is continually changing and growing, and God continues to guide and develop this ministry for His glory.
In March of 2009, Phil and Alana Carmichael, along with their two children, joined the ministry at the Pines. It has been a blessing to watch the Carmichaels take on the tasks of teaching and guiding the children at the Pines in the matters of salvation and God’s love. The Carmichaels perform a range of tasks at the Pines, from caring for the children when they are sick to maintenance on the property. They are a great and much needed addition to this ministry. In September, Phil Carmichael was appointed to the position of General Manager of the Pines and we have seen countless improvements at the Pines under Phil’s direction. The Carmichaels love the Lord and are committed to seeing the children grow and the Pines thrive for the glory of the Lord.
In March 2010, the Lord blessed the Pines with the addition of Pastor Franz Manaka and his family to the Pines staff. Pastor Manaka will be working in a variety of areas, including teaching the children, overseeing the housemothers and holding Wednesday night prayer meeting. He is also an experienced gardener and has already started working outside with the fruit trees and vegetable garden. Pastor Manaka comes to us with a degree from Grace Seminary here in South Africa and a lifetime of experience with children.
We now have 28 children living at the Pines with six housemothers. There are four completed flats that are occupied by the children and housemothers. The Pines also has two additional flats that are occupied by the staff that reside on the property permanently. In the near future, we plan to expand by building more flats to house additional children and housemothers, as the need is great. A playground area has been completed for the children, as well as a sports field. The vegetable garden and fruit trees are flourishing and providing additional food for the Pines.
Because of prayers and donations, the children are now able to attend a nearby Christian school. It has been a delight to see how determined these children are to reach their proper grade level and to excel in their studies. It has not been easy for them to attain their grade level, as many of the children had little or no schooling before coming to the Pines. Each day when the children return from school, they change their clothes, have a snack and do their assigned chores. If the children have homework, they report to the activity room at 3:30 pm and the Pines staff assists them with their homework.
The Pines changes on a daily basis and we look forward to continuing as ambassadors of compassion for Christ in this ministry. We are thankful for everyone who has invested time, energy, gifts and prayers into this work for God’s glory. It is only through combined efforts that we are able to fulfill the work of the Lord and reach the world globally for His glory.
