Changing lives by sharing God’s love and hope with children in need

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40

Hello everyone and welcome to what we are going to refer to as our Fall Catch Up Edition which includes some highlights dating back to August. The delay in no way diminishes their importance. We have just been super busy. Enjoy this edition and we will have another one for you in early December which will primarily focus on Becky’s trip to South Africa.

AN INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL SIGHT!

It was an incredibly beautiful sight to see so many of our 109 volunteers gathered together at a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner hosted by Olive Chapel Baptist Church on Tuesday, August 30th. All of our volunteers tirelessly serve God for the Mabopane Foundation, benefiting the precious Ya Bana children.

Our heartfelt thanks to our Olive Chapel friends for their tremendous partnership, to Joy Wellons and her kitchen team of volunteers for the delicious meal, and to Janet Johnson for decorating the room so beautifully. You guys really outdid yourselves!

Jana and Paul Taulman not only brought an inspiring message of hope and encouragement but lovingly shared highlights of their recent trip to Ya Bana and how all the volunteers are truly making a difference in the lives of these children and staff.

"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”
Helen Keller

GOLF PRAISE

This year we hosted the 9th annual Mabopane Foundation golf tournament (praise God that the weather held out). We raised over $35,000 for the beautiful children in the Ya Bana Village all in the name of Jesus Christ. We want to thank everyone who contributed to this incredible event whether it was volunteering, playing, sponsoring, or donating items; we could not have done it without you! Check out the website for more photos of the event.

JUST IN TIME: WELCOME ASHLEY NAPIER

In October we welcomed Ashley Napier as our new Pop Up Administrator. Ashley comes to us with a wealth of varied and relevant experience and just in time to be part of the fast-paced Mission House holiday transformation and sales. Here is what Ashley had to say about it:

“One of our favorite sales of the season at the Mission House is the Christmas Open House. This year was my first year and I couldn’t wait to see the magic happen. Well, I got to experience it firsthand, from emptying the house completely after the last October sale to a newly transformed Christmas-decorated house. None of this would have happened if it weren’t for our amazing volunteers and all their hard work, not just over the two weeks leading up to this event but all their preparation throughout the year! It is amazing to see each room specifically decorated with a theme. I think my favorite was the dining room with all the Santas! We also can’t forget all the wonderful donors who donate to us daily. The dedication of both the volunteers and the donors is truly remarkable, and we couldn’t do it without either of you!

During these busy few weeks, some of our volunteers treated those helping prep for the sale with lunch. It is such a great blessing to not only work for the mission but also build sweet and lasting friendships! Thank you, ladies, for giving us a bonus of fellowship!

We are pleased to share that we raised over $11,000 over the two-day sale. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the children of the Ya Bana Village.”

HEARTS AND HANDS

In this edition of our newsletter, we give special recognition to volunteers Jo Ann Priep and Debra Routh for extending their hearts and their hands in service to Mabopane.

Jo Ann Priep

“As I was nearing retirement, I had been asking the Lord to show me what He wanted me to do with my time. I knew I wanted to be a part of a Christian organization. As I was waiting for my car to be repaired, I picked up a magazine and saw an article about Becky and Mabopane. I knew I had to check this out. My daughter and I went to the next sale; and after seeing the Mission House and talking with the sweet ladies about how all the money raised goes to the children of Ya Bana Village, I knew this was where God was leading me. And that was over nine years ago.

I had to give up volunteering for about two years because of health issues but thankfully have been able to return. I am so very thankful to my Lord and Savior for His strength, peace and healing touch that has allowed me to return and continue working. I work on Mondays and Thursdays sorting and pricing ladies’ and men’s clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories. We are truly blessed with an enormous amount of clothing and try our very best to make sure we are keeping prices reasonable while making as much as possible for the benefit of the precious Ya Bana children. If you’ve got some time, I would love to share this opportunity with one or two more individuals. Please call Ashley at the Mission House and she will get you plugged in and you will make a difference. And you will be blessed as I have been by the love, support, and prayers of a precious family of friends at the Mission House.”

Hal and Debra Routh

“Hello, my name is Debra Routh and I have been volunteering with the Mabopane Foundation for several years in different capacities. I first became aware of the Mabopane Foundation when Becky came and spoke to our church sometime in 2003. I found her story fascinating and went home from church that day with it in mind. Fast forward two years and the MOPs group I was a part of decided to have Becky speak. This time I was presented with all God had done in the two years since I last heard Becky. Over the next few years, I would pass the temporary Mabopane mission houses in various places but never got involved. In the busyness of daily life, I didn’t act on what ,in hindsight, was God’s urging to get involved. In 2014 or so, I began praying for a Christ-centered volunteer opportunity and soon after I received an email from the Mabopane Foundation requesting volunteers! I’m pretty sure I had only received an email from the foundation twice before and with years in between, so I know God’s hand was in that! I finally recognized God’s calling and found out how I could become a part of this organization. I volunteered at the mission house sales, baked cookies for the bake sales, and was a part of the Board of Directors for three years. In 2020, I helped with the organization of the annual golf tournament and in 2021, my husband, Hal, who had played in the golf tournament and supported my volunteer efforts, agreed to be the tournament coordinator. We moved out of Wake County to the coast in April of 2021 and, while our volunteer efforts look a little different, I still drive up on a Saturday morning every month or so to help with a weekend sale while Hal supports from here in Southport. The people, volunteers and customers alike, are wonderful to be around and I know, with His peace, that this is where God wants me to be. “

GREAT OPPORTUNITIES!!

DOUBLE YOUR DONATION

Mabopane Foundation has been blessed again with a $25,000 matching gift!!!

This is a very special gift from above and we need your help!

Each dollar will be matched up to $25,000, for new donors, returning donors, or existing donors giving above and beyond already committed donations.

Ways to Contribute:

(1) You may contribute by check made out to Mabopane Foundation with 2022 Matching Gift indicated on the memo line and mail it to 3913 US-64 W, Apex, NC 27523

(2) You may also give securely online:
Donations are processed by our payment processor, Vanco. From our website you will be redirected to the Vanco site. You can give one-time or setup recurring giving on the Vanco site. Select “other” and enter 2022 Matching Gift.

Your gift matters!!!Please make your gift by December 31^st.

Learn more on our website at https://mabopanekids.org/events/matching-gift-fundraiser/.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We are looking for volunteers to assist the marketing committee in creating digital assets for brochures, designs for social media posts, and videos for the foundation. We are looking for people who have experience with Adobe Illustrator, Canva, Photoshop, or video editing software to help create specific assets to support the efforts of the marketing committee. This can all be done remotely and would be on an as-needed basis as you have time. If you are willing to assist, please reach out to:
sarah@mabopanekids.org

And if jewelry is your thing, please contact Ashley at ashleyn@mabopanekids.org to help price and display jewelry in our beautiful Jewelry Boutique. ... your help is much appreciated!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We all have so much to be thankful for and that includes being thankful for YOU!

Each of you has gone above and beyond to serve, give, and pray for the Mabopane Foundation and Ya Bana Village. We do not take your generosity and acts of service for granted. You are the silver lining to the challenges faced since Covid presented itself. You are prompted by God and your actions are essential to this ministry. Thank you for serving even when it's tough. Thank you for giving even when it seems impossible. Thank you for your tremendous prayer support! We see you. We feel you. We love you. And we are so grateful for you. Please know you are always in our prayers. And always remember, no matter what this season holds for you, He is, “God with us,” our Refuge and Strength, our Savior and Lord.

Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving as you love, laugh and feast with family and friends!

Love,
Becky and Ashley