HELP US REBUILD MADWALENI CHURCH

When setting up our blog we were aware that this could be a platform to highlight charities we encounter and share with those at home the needs of the people we meet, however I didn't expect to use this blog to ask for help.

But we now are. We need your help. Now. Please.

On Sunday Ben and I accompanied Dylan (Ben's cousin-in-law & local Minister) on a trip out to visit one of his churches, I had expected to drive along a dusty road, see a rural church, meet some of the congregation and that would be it. We would arrive and leave in our 4x4 completely safe, completely content, completely unchanged.

But that didn't happen.

Let me give you some context to the church we visited...

Madwaleni is a rural Zulu church located 20 minutes outside of Mtubatuba, South Africa. The church is just one of the 7 under the ministry of Dylan and is by far the poorest and in most need. Unfortunately devastation has just struck and the church has collapsed. Although part of the structure remains, the tin roof, rotten beams and cracked floor makes for an extremely unsafe and unusable church. We are all to aware that this is not the UK, there will be no health and safety officer taping off the area. The reality is that those who love their church will still go, still wish to worship, and unless work is done we are fearful of lives being lost.

It is a heartbreaking and desperate situation that just before Christmas this community will go without a place to rejoice. It was tough to witness those who already have so little lose even more.

So this is where we want help - your help - we are asking for a Christmas miracle on behalf of the congregation of this rural church.

Of course we appreciate that in this crazy busy period money can be tight and there are 101 things to think about - but we are asking you to please donate that £10 you would have spent on the extra round at the Christmas party or the £5 on the unwanted Secret Santa - in short anything you can spare will be hugely appreciated.

We have set up a 'gofundme' donation page (just follow the link below):

www.gofundme.com/rebuildMadwaleni

Thank you in advance & Jabulela Ukhisimusi (Merry Christmas)

M&B x

(Please note that this initiative is completely our own will and desire to help - we have no obligation to help this church or the community it serves. However as Ben and I stood in disbelief at the state of their church, we couldn't not do anything. We would love for you to support us, however big or small your offering!)

From this photo you can see how the roof has collapsed