In between ACM events and projects we have had the chance to get involved with Isaiah and Mercy’s son Ndumi’s non-profit, Impilo, which strives to put out a positive voice in youth culture.
Earlier this month I was asked to sit in on an Impilo meeting where they discussed upcoming events.
The first was a service project that took place on December 15th at the Esikhawini mall serving free hot dogs and drinks to the taxi drivers and public. Within a couple of hours we served around 300 people and collected contact information for 200 people. The purpose of this service project was to show God’s love and on every cup of juice we wrote the word Love and 1 John 4:19 which says “We love because he first loved us”.
grilling hotdogs at the Esikhawini mall
Standing in the rain and wrapping hotdogs in foil for hours with the Impilo team and volunteers was such a blast especially knowing that through these small actions we were displaying God’s love to all we encountered that afternoon. I was amazed by God’s way of making things happen in his own way after what seemed like a series of unfortunate events that happened the morning of the event. It was a wonderful reminder that he has a plan for everything and everything will work out in his way, which is usually grand!
Collecting contact information
The hard working Impilo team!
Two days after the event at the mall we accompanied Ndumi and some of the Impilo team to a Christmas party put on by Izulu Orphan Project, an organization run by a family friend of the Mafu’s who serve about 3,000 Orphans and widows in the area of Empangeni. Impilo was asked to supply entertainment for one out of the three days for about 1,000 orphans.
Melusi hosting the talent competition
We planned a mini “American idol” letting some kids come up and sing from a few songs we thought they would know and we would give them scores- all positive and ridiculous numbers like 5 million points! We started the program with a performance by Ndumi’s cousin Thobeka, who has a beautiful singing voice. Malusi, Ndumi’s cousin and Impilo team member was our MC for the day doing a wonderful job pumping up the crowd and getting kids involved. One of the songs we had for the kids to choose from was a Justin Bieber song, and three different girls choose to sing and dance to it. The kids seemed to have a great time coming up and showing off their talents. The energy was so high and fun and everyone seemed to enjoy the entertainment. Mathabi, Impilo team member and good friend of the Mafu’s and now ours wrapped up the program. She shared briefly her own story of becoming an orphan and offered some encouraging words, closing in prayer.
It was such great day being able to serve in His name with a great group of friends with all many different talents and passions who all love God.
Mathabi getting all the kids involved
