3913 US Hwy 64W Apex, NC 27523
(919).362.8974

Newsletter - January Edition 2023

January 16, 2023

"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

Welcome to 2023 everyone! As each year comes to a close, our Mabopane family likes to reflect on the goodness of God and all that has been accomplished in our mission during the year through His faithfulness to us. We look forward to sharing the 2022 highlights throughout these first few months of the year but also encourage you to visit our website and look back through our 2022 newsletters. As we begin this new year, we are hopeful to grow our volunteer team, increase awareness on how you can donate, and reach the community in new ways such as through crafting classes.

The end of the year highlight was the offer of a $25,000 matching grant. We are so thrilled to have met that match by the end of 2022. Not only did our loyal family and friends give to this effort, but new donors gave as well. Thank you to everyone for your support in this effort!

SPRUCING UP THE PROPERTY

One of the most refreshing times of the year for the Mission House is December. During the month of December, the house was completely emptied, repainted, deep cleaned from ceiling to the floors, windows washed, and grounds work done. We are so grateful to everyone who contributed to this effort:

• To Ron Whitehouse for repainting the whole house! In addition to this, Ron is faithfully donating his time to repaint many furniture items you see throughout the year.

 • To Roy and Judy Howell for their financial contribution which allowed us to hire professionals from Mary’s Cleaning Service to deep clean the house. Let me tell you the house smelled amazing for many days after!

• To Preferred Floor Care for coming out and cleaning all the floors in the house.

• To Triangle Window & Pressure Cleaning for washing all the Mission House windows, cleaning
the gutters of the main house, and power washing outside the main house.

• To Brew Believers for coming out and cleaning off the shelter roof, cleaning up and moving pine straw, and truly everything else you do for us throughout the year.
We are honored to have such amazing volunteers and business partners who help keep the Mission House going. We look forward to everyone coming out to see the house at our 2023 sales.

YA BANA VILLAGE CELEBRATES!!

We cannot thank you enough for helping Ya Bana create special birthday and Christmas memories for the children. Thanks to you, they each receive individual custom gifts, get to choose a brand-new outfit, and enjoy memorable celebrations.

And think about this! 3000 meals are prepared each month for our Early Learning Center children, 2000 lunches for our Ya Bana Village staff and children, and 3600 additional meals for our children. And please keep our Ya Bana moms in your prayers as they prepare up to 1200 delicious lunch box meals per month. CAN YOU IMAGINE!?! Let’s celebrate the efforts of those hard-working cooks.

HEARTS AND HANDS

This month we recognize two volunteers who are good friends and also happen to be sisters-in-law: Jann Bridgers and Jackie Seawell.

Jann Bridgers
“I first heard about the Mabopane Foundation and the children when Becky came to talk to my church circle about 13 years ago. I was so touched by the children’s stories that I knew I wanted to volunteer. But at that time, I had a job and volunteers were only on site at the Mission House the same two days that I worked.

A couple of years later when I was fully retired, I immediately came out to the Mission House to let Becky know that I was available to volunteer. I learned that volunteers could then come out any day. I immediately started working in the children’s room and have continued there for about 10 years.

I love serving along side my sister-in-law Jackie knowing that, in some small way, we are helping these beautiful children at Ya Bana Village. It’s been amazing to see how God has worked over this time and to be part of this mission.”
“About five years ago my sister-in-law, Jann Bridgers, asked me if I would be interested in volunteering. After retiring from teaching school for more than 30 years, I was looking for opportunities to volunteer and Mabopane Foundation sounded very interesting.

Jann and I are responsible for decorating the kids’ room which I think is the most fun assignment at the Mission House. I consider my volunteering with such an amazing foundation a real privilege.

The other volunteers are some of the most wonderful people I have ever met; and we care so much about each other and the children who benefit from our work. It’s truly a miracle what Mabopane Foundation has accomplished since 1998 when Becky visited South Africa for the first time and the first donations were received on behalf of the children. And I am proud to be a small part of it.”
Jackie Seawell

HELPER’S HIGH AND THE BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING

A recent article in the December 6, 2022 edition of Psychology Today spoke to the uplifting feeling we experience after performing an act of kindness to others. Back in the 1980s, when this phenomenon was studied extensively and confirmed as a valid response, psychologists coined a term for this uplifting feeling and called it “Helper’s High”. It is a mental and physical chain reaction which begins with a decision to do something good for someone else and, after acting on it, feels so good to us that the brain motivates us to do it again and again. In another internet article, Helper’s High is associated with volunteering. People who volunteer report calmness, reduction in stress, and a greater sense of self-worth after doing something kind for someone else. Volunteering is known to boost opportunities for socialization, offset loneliness, better connects us with our community, and increases our longevity. So many good reasons to become a volunteer! If you are not already plugged into our volunteer pool at Mabopane, we would love to have your help. Some current needs include Sorting and Pricing in the Clothing Room, Sorting and Pricing Donations, Assisting in the Jewelry Boutique, and Cleaning/Repairing Lamps.
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” 
Winston Churchill
3913 US Hwy 64W Apex, NC 27523
(919).362.8974
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