The Novel Corona Virus News

It was around this time in January 2020 when I was relaxing and getting ready to go back into work full swing as our break was concluding. I must admit that one of my weaknesses is listening to current affairs around the globe. I heard rumours of a deadly virus in China which the CCP concealed from the rest of the world from knowing about it. It was all over mainstream media in no time. I immediately thought of how resilient we would have to be if this virus was to reach us. This intrigued me so much that I even added a banner on our website for people to find live stats. We had zero infections in South Africa. Did I have false hope that it wouldn’t get here? How could one prepare for resilience and hope?

Twelve months later, we have gone through all restriction levels and pushed back into level 3 as we talk about the second wave.

Hope Doesn’t Disappoint

Yet I want to talk about the second wave, not of despair, but hope. This hope undeferred will build on the premise that how we rallied around each other could be repeated. A higher degree of resolute minds weaving community with strands of deeds corded in love is all we need. Love responding to hope. Hope echoing faith. Faith blaring action. Action based on love.

We have numerous stories of hope, but to tell just a few over here. For instance, when we received immense prayer support for one of our students diagnosed with a heart ailment and was to undergo heart surgery. Today we can tell of the miraculous provision for her medical expenses which got fully covered by the South African government. Even though she is yet to go back for an operation, she remains visibly healthy.

Similarly, when our town was hit hard by the lockdown due to COVID-19, friends from far and wide jumped in. We had nothing short of a constant consignment of foodstuff to share beyond our Beats and Books families. It was incredible to witness.

A New Partnership is Born

When we learnt that our colleague Grace wasn’t able to return, we were faced with a huge mountain to climb as we had no immediate replacement. She directed the music department. Consequently, we suspended the music program partially because we were still learning and adapting to work in a pandemic. Heaven shone a light on us when we entered a partnership with the Samuel Vargas International Music Foundation. This US-based organisation has a heart to uplift communities and society through the power and influence of music. A perfect fit it was! Our Violins Against Violence (VAV) project students have since enjoyed receiving instructions via Zoom.

Thankful for Wifi!

Learning online meant we had to get wifi at the Beats and Books premises. We are indebted to friends who sponsored the installation!

When Partnerships Make Resilience Look Easy

Through our local partnering organisation, The Butterfly Foundation, it was possible to rent for 12 months. That enabled our Covid-Response efforts. Among other ways, the Grace Klein Community supported us by continued availing of their donation portals; making it conducive for us to receive tax-deductible donations in the US. The Leadership Experience (LXP) provided an unprecedented covering of our ministry and has been instrumental in sustaining our well-being as an organisation. Global Challenge offered a cohesive partnership to reckon. To sum it up concerning our partners, each of you plays an integral role in our mission to create environments where children thrive musically, intellectually and spiritually. Your impact traverses generations, geographical boundaries and affects our students, their families and our communities eternally.

Leaders Today and Tomorrow

In 2020 our students were selected for leadership at their schools: Two of them were head girls at their primary (middle) schools, respectively. A few others got nominated as ambassadors and prefects. Gladly, another two students received scholarships at the Global Leadership Academy – JBay (GLA). Also, another one is starting there this year.

Isabella Goes to America

Isabella Isaacsons managed to scoop a scholarship in Michigan, USA. She continues to do well with honours in her academics. We are so grateful for the scholarship that she received a few years back at GLA and all the support rendered through and beyond her schooling. Thank you to everyone that made going to university a possibility for Isabella.

Simamkele Finishes High School

Simamkele graduated from high school in 2020. She decided to serve for a year with us before she pursues further studies. What a gift! We are excited to journey with her through leadership development.

Hitting Progress

Our students have continued showing progress in their reading, writing and speaking, mathematical computations and musical prowess. We are not where we want to be, but we are sure of where we are heading.

Behaviour Issues

Partially attributable to the negative impact of the lockdown, some of our students exhibited challenging behaviours. We have retained more than 78% of our students who have shown positive growth and ascribe to our values.

So much to Look for in 2021!

2021 poses a multitude of obstacles for us. However, rearview gives us a positive perspective as to the path we are on. Your support is invaluable. It’s one of the fibres of our resilience. As we keep adapting, we keep learning that when someone is cheering you, nothing is unattainable.
Thank you for being that person who has cheered us on and nudged as in prayer. We are grateful that you have partnered with us in ways more than one. This year, we need you even more than ever. We would like to hear from you too so that we can carry you in prayer.

I bet it’s not too late to say have a healthy and blessed 2021!

Here was the leanest little girl I had ever known in Jeffreys Bay. When she came amidst intimidating friends that could sing like angels straight out of heaven, she wasn’t bogged down by the imminent talent that surrounded her. She knew what she wanted and she knew she had to stay. Like any wise person would do, she did!

Today I look back to 2012 when Sima came to Beats and Books for the first time. That imagery is engraved in my memory. It’s true what they say that dynamites come in small packs. At all the rehearsals, this little girl wouldn’t sing even if she tried. Why didn’t she just leave at once and for good? Why didn’t she simply give up?

She found gold. She found treasure and she knew how to tap into it. While so many gifted singers came through our program, no one could compare to Sima who had grasped the heart and soul of Beats and Books.

Today, yes today, we celebrate her because every day is a birthday! She just turned 18 a few days ago. There are many reasons to be jubilant about her life. To us, she is a heroine. Among many, here are a few reasons to brag about her.

1. She Is Consistent

Sima has been exemplary in all her dealings. There is yet to be another child model like her. She came for the after-school program consistently. We have no doubt even in her walk with the Lord. It’s evident that she loves and adores Jesus more than anyone else. Her confessions and her testimonies are literally aligned with Gods word.

2. She Is Generous

Sometimes Sima shares to what some may say it is to the detriment of herself. Let’s put it straight. She is selfless and a cheerful giver.

3. She is Joyful

There is no end to the amount of joy she exudes around her. Sometimes I wonder whats going on, but then I am reminded that the joy of the Lord is her strength.

4. She is Thoughtful and Considerate

When I think of Sima, what comes to mind is how considerate she is of others’ needs. She always puts others first.

5. She Is Outgoing

Sima is social and enjoys being around people. Her love for people makes people connecting look easy. She is fun-loving and always a good company with a youthful vibe. This young lady can’t wait to explore the world to meet new faces and discover new places.

6. She Is Observant

She is attentive and mindful of other people’s lives. She ponders on things that she learns ranging from biblical stories and values. Does she stop there? No! She lives to live out the good that she has learned.

In a nutshell, Sima has amazing qualities of a servant leader with core values of seeking God, loving and honouring others and has interest to travel nations. I see so much potential in this young lady and I know that she will go places and impact people immensely.

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to a new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom. Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.”

Flavia Weedn

Grace Wong…

Is one of those people. Today we celebrate the lady you are. A god-fearing woman and a pursuant of His righteous. In all our interactions, there is never a moment I can recall that she didn’t look at things through our Lord’s looking glasses.

Time has passed and has passed well. We look back and recall the first time we ever met Grace in Jeffreys Bay. She heard about Beats and Books, but had to take it to Jesus before she made the decision to come and join us.

It is no surprise that even when she had to cut short her mission back to Jeffreys Bay we were all filled with peace because we knew that wherever she goes she will be under the shadows of the Almighty.

Grace, today is your birthday. You have been busy campaigning to feed people who are less-resourced to go through our lockdown here in South Africa. You are selfless and exemplary. Your leadership echos the very words of Jesus and his lifestyle of putting others first.

You have left a legacy in Jeffreys Bay. We will never be the same after serving with you. Your command for excellence in music and your intolerance to mediocre is an attitude and value we will strive to uphold.

Beats and Books will not be the same without you. Yet with your involvement in the past few years, it is also true to say that Beats and Books will never be the same.

We love you and will dearly miss you. Grace, you will forever be our sister, our friend and our companion in more ways than what we may say.

From all of us at Beats and Books and Jeffreys Bay, we say A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to a one-of-a-kind type of friend! And our sincere gratitude to all your friends and family who relentlessly supported your mission with us.

I remember traveling through several States with the Waltmans. I had one of my most exciting rides of a lifetime. We stopped at every signpost welcoming us into a new State. We jumped and took epic shots with Denver, Amelia, Jenny and Jason. We stopped to dream too. One of the many dreams was the Library Dreams Project. I shared my vision and they immediately latched onto it. We explored various ways of realizing it. Grace Klein Community responded amazingly by opening up doors through community connections where I spoke and shared the need for a children’s library in Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa, and to other corridors of Africa.

Several schools responded generously by donating hundreds and sometimes thousands of books. Anonymous donors rented out a storage unit to keep all incoming donations.

The following year I proposed to my beautiful friend (now wife) Prima while on my second mission and her first trip to the US. Our trip was funded by our friends through our partnership with Grace Klein Community. We met so many new people who have now become friends.

After four years, all the goods in the storage were shipped to South Africa. The shipping freight business was all new to us. Suffice to say that we faced many hurdles along the way. Prayer has been our best weapon. On Monday, May 15, 2017, I went with a team of LXP students to Port Elizabeth to load the donated goods, after all paperwork had been completed and the container was released. This was only possible because Grace Klein Community sent us $3,000 to clear all demurrage and Customs Depot charges. That makes in excess of $9,000 worth of financial contributions in this last phase of the project alone.

When we saw the quantity and quality of the donated items, we were speechless and amazed by what God has done. Everyone was so ecstatic and all of a sudden, we became so energetic that the enormous semi-truck did not intimidate us. In jubilant moves, we offloaded the truck singing songs of praise. Nothing could dishearten us in those few hours. Our joy was stronger than any other emotion.

We are humbled by grace so sufficient – unmerited favor shown by our Grace Klein Community. You have given so much and yet you continue to give more.

Since 2011, we have received ministry support spiritually, emotionally and financially. We have received emergency relief funds for West Africa projects, a ministry vehicle, travel expenses including air tickets, just to name a few. Grace Klein Community also sent us personal funds including pre and post-wedding costs.

And now we have received 12,000 books, an innumerable range of clothes for babies to adults, music instruments and equipment, computer equipment, and we are still unpacking! We are utterly shocked by your unrelenting generosity. We are filled with all exciting emotions and new-found hope to dream further. Our hearts are full of gratitude. Our despair has been shattered by authentic love exhibited in the expression of your unconditional love and encouragement yielded by entrusting us with such a huge task of stewarding God’s resources as well as to channel His blessings to the needy in society.

We would like to say thank you, times a million, to everyone that has made this project possible, from Alabama to Florida, Maryland to Michigan, Missouri to Arkansas and all the way to California, we will forever remain thankful to all prayer warriors and sponsors. There is absolutely no doubt that great leaders will be grown and nurtured through the Library and Music Academy at Beats and Books. Your gifts are rare pearls and diamonds whose true worth cannot be measured by devices nor by human brains. Their impact is eternal.

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 1:3-6

Testimonies from Clothing Donations

“So we couldn’t resist giving out some goodies as needs came. This is what happened…

We have an LXP student camp approaching. Since it’s winter and some of the students didn’t have enough warm clothing, we decided to ask them to help themselves to some clothing. They were so unbelievably thankful.

One of our students has two kids and has had no steady income or support since she joined LXP. I asked her to pick out some clothes for her kids too. She selected two or so items. Then I asked her to take more. When I met George later, he told me that when she saw him she ran towards him shouting: “This God is for real! He has provided my kids with all winter and summer clothing. I don’t have to worry about buying stuff for the next two seasons!”

Yesterday I invited our two friends, who are from India, and their son, to get some clothing. So they came today. I asked them to feel free to pick clothing and shoes as they need. First of all, Sony told me that she has never had more than a pair of shoes and a pair of flip-flops in her entire life. She walked away with four pairs of shoes for herself. On top of that they took shoes for their son as well as clothing for their entire family of three. She said they are sorted for the next three years! Sony and Paul are servant leaders based in India where they share the gospel through a primary school they opened in a dangerous area. They are in South Africa for a 20 day vacation.

We can’t wait to hear more testimonies from people who will benefit from this colossal gift!”

“Freely you have received; freely give.” – Matthew 10:8

Next Level

When we informed the kids that we were not allowed to continue meeting from our usual venue of the last two years, they all had different reactions. The most beautiful of them all was to see them write and draw thank-you cards to the elderly ladies appreciating them for the time we were able to use their place. Now that’s radical. I was expecting them to be furious.

“And they that know your name will put their trust in you; for you Lord have not forsaken them that seek you.” – Psalm 9:10

We constantly fight from victory and it’s that stance that allows us to remain victors and not victims by the grace of our Lord. In our last update, we mentioned that we were booted out of our usual Beats and Books meeting place. We relentlessly pursued the “in-charge” of the little hall and finally, our battle culminated in a stakeholders’ meeting. With three other programs represented, Beats and Books was again under intense fire of unsolicited ambiguous disfavor. It was so immense I could sense an apparition in the room that most assuredly was stirring my colleagues from one of the represented organizations. “Why would anybody be so against us,” I asked myself. Then I recalled, when you partner with the Lord in redeeming His creation, principalities begin to rage against you. We do not fight flesh and blood.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” – Ephesians 6:12

Two weeks later, we are smiling, ear to ear. The rewards of knowing God and believing that He is able to do what He said He will do are immeasurable and so fulfilling. “Why do we do what we do?” As silly and as unwarranted that question may seem, I felt the necessity to ask myself (Cornie) and my wife. Yes, it’s enshrined in our vision, mission, and objectives, but we needed some introspection – some re-conviction and assurance that what we are doing is God-ordained and not just our whimsical ideas so ethereal and quickly diminishing. Yet today we could dine with our kindred at heart and spirit, and look at the canvas God has laid before us. Each one of us stroking the colorful intentionally dipped brushed, and paint away as if there is no noise in the background. With purpose intrinsic to our very existence and our calling, no wonder we cannot give up when little foxes begin to attack the vineyard.

We are thrilled to experience worshiping our Lord with Shaun (12 years old) on the guitar almost two-thirds his body-size, and Sima (14 years old) on the keyboard playing those keys swiftly like a pro at celebration where they were so unfamiliar to the people around them. Yet, I felt they could sense that they were one with the fellowship because we are the Body of Christ and they led our worship session this Sunday with a friend of ours. A Beats and Books initiative is to develop young musicians with a passion for worship.

Our hearts are full when we see Malik grasping basic arithmetic concepts and solving several problems instantly like a Math-maniac. Oh what delight when we hear the sounds of children trying out their first well-read words as a result of being introduced to phonics. It’s a totally new world to a child when they begin to read. What about that feeling of humility when a child’s attitude and behavior correct’s and the following days he’s the one confronting his friends about wrong behavior and keeping order?
Over the past few months, we have seen a rising interest in our ministry by locals. Besides Charne and Elizna teaching English and Math, we have had young volunteers coming from the Global Leadership Academy coming to serve alongside. It has been timely to receive such encouraging participation. For two hours every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, we assist 20 to 30 kids, with Math, English, and music. There are only a few days when it’s just my wife and me reaching out to the kids.

Beats and Books is growing. It’s in metamorphosis. We are embracing every growth opportunity as time revolves. Just like our children, we are developing from caterpillars to butterflies. God isn’t finished with us yet. We see beauty in every season, even when it’s hard to have set apart time for family. There is always something to do with others in our community, but we are learning to prioritize and also be okay with saying “no” to good things so that we can grow us too; i.e. to spend time with each other and with the Lord in the quiet place. To that effect, we are glad to have a House Church that is able to hold us accountable. We are also thankful for any time we can have prayer and fellowship with our friends and family in the United States. You have no idea how we feel spurred on when we receive a hi from you. We want to maintain relationships beyond our visits stateside.

All in all, we are rejuvenated and so full of hope for this season. We feel empowered to continue going strong. We invite you to trust in the Lord for whatever you may be going through. We also invite you to connect with us and trust with us for miracles. Our biggest need at the moment is to get the books and some computers plus music equipment shipped to South Africa. Check back soon to read in detail about the current state of the Library Dreams Project. We want to know your needs as well. We always want to be a blessing to others and not a burden. Email us via info@beatsandbooks.org or find us on Facebook. We would like to keep in touch. Our greatest needs are spiritual and financial as we continue to serve . Please pray for us anytime God places us in your hearts. The journey is not easy, but it’s worth it. If you feel led to contribute financially, please share a one-time or monthly donation to help us on a personal level.

For those in the USA, checks can be mailed to Grace Klein Community, 1678 Montgomery Hwy #104, Birmingham, AL 35216 OR donate online HERE. Please write “Ngosa’s” on the memo line.

Today we celebrated South African Youth Day. Commemorating the struggles and triumphs young people of South Africa experienced. On that day they sang songs of redemption from the iron fist of the apartheid regime. They believed that freedom was coming. Song played such a great role in pushing them forward and carrying baldness as they marched against persecution.

I was reminded of some struggles which compared to the one I shared above is so mini yet has potential to discourage us from the work God has called us to.
When there are victories to be shared, who wants to dwell on the opposing force?

We have quite a list of what we are thankful for. We prayed and longed for local involved. 

Here is a list of some successes.

1. The Worship Band is forming slowly but surely.
2. YWAM Jeffreys Bay has been so helpful in sending us volunteers from Los Angeles, Amsterdam and Sydney. Our partnership is strengthening too.
3. For the first time we got a donation solely mandated towards Admin! What a huge relief. We have in the past carried our ministry from our pockets. A loving couple came to our rescue and are willing to send more support after they see our report of how we are going to use this donated fund.
4. We met a lady who is so keen on championing some Corporate Social Responsibility gurus around the region for us.
5. We are sending our first successful student to Global Leadership Academy next year. We are beyond excited. We have tears of joy!
6. Two of our young members are tired of us not having enough space to do what we do and decided they will commence a fundraiser towards the purchase of a better place. Together with one of the girl’s Mom they started baking and cooking goodies for sell.

Who are we that He is mindful of us?