Lydia's Mission

We believe in elevating and supporting our staff. Check out our special friend Patrica and the joy and strength she carries today. ✝️Staff Update: A Life Changed By Christ ✝️ Patricia’s life has taken a remarkable turn since she started working at Lydia’s Mission. With a warm smile, she shares, “Life has been so much better ever since I began earning a salary every month. Now, I can spoil my sons a little.” Her youngest son, aware of the hardships they’ve endured, firmly told her not to take his father back when he came asking for a second chance. When her ex discovered she had a job, he pleaded for money, claiming he had lost his job and was struggling to buy food. Patricia, with her kind heart, considered helping him. But another voice reminded her of how he had abandoned her and their children when they needed him the most. At that time, Patricia was too sick to even search for work. With newfound strength, she refused to be misled by him again. “I feel sorry for him losing his job, but my responsibility now is to support my kids,” she says with determination. God has also entrusted her with another family member—her nephew, who lost his mother years ago. Patricia took him in, embracing the opportunity to care for him as well. She expresses her gratitude, saying, “I feel I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. My faith has saved me. I am very much healthy now; God has completely healed me.” When Patricia first came to Lydia’s Mission, she was still recovering from an illness that had left her skin sore, a condition she attributes to the physical abuse she suffered at the hands of her ex. But today, Patricia is strong and healthy, and she’s even completing the construction of her house, ensuring there’s enough space for her boys. With faith in her heart, Patricia looks forward to the greater things the Lord has in store for her. She is deeply thankful to Lydia’s Mission and Claire for the opportunity that has transformed her life. #lydiasmission #update #weheartourstaff #staff #LivesChangeHere #JesusHeals

For us, every day is Women’s day. We celebrate their voice, power, and faith! From the single mom to the grandma raising an entire generation. Your influence will shape a change for the future!

We hosted our first Gala event with great success. Celebrating with friends, presenting our umngani awards, silent auctions, tech updates to streamline the ministry with leverage from FlyForm and ServiceNow, and inspiring updates from the field. with Claire Brown, Mitchell Hildebrant, Terry Brown, Kristy Steppe, Berta Medina , Alisa Livesay, Chris Keller, Les Barnett. Special thanks to United Wheels Inc. and Huffy Corporation for the sponsorship. Together we raised enough funds for 10 full time salaries for 18 months and holistic child development for 400 children for 18 months (hot meal every day, medical screening, educational support, social emotional engagement, and bible clubs)

We are blessed to have received a Platinum Seal from Candid for 2024 and continue our ECFA accredition for 2024! What does this mean? We take YOUR giving and support/partnership VERY seriously! Along with our organizational practices of accounting, transparency, stewardship, accountability and trustworthiness. *The Candid(formerly Guidestar)Platinum Seal of Transparency is a rating that puts us in the top 0.1% of charities nationally in terms of transparency. *We continue to meet the ongoing accreditation for compliance and financial standards of responsible stewardship with Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability #finance #trust #transparent #giving #partnership

Special thanks to United Wheels Inc. and their bicycles brands and affiliates! Sponsors of the 2024 Lydia’s Mission Gala where we hope to raise enough funds for 8 staff member salaries for 18 months and 250 children sponsored in holistic child development programs for 18 months all in our beloved South Africa! Partnership is such a blessing!

We recently launched a new Hope Center. It’s called “Edwaleni” (A siSwati word meaning “Rock). On Christ the Solid Rock!!! This created a space for 100+ children to come for holistic child development 5 days a week. They are the change agents in their community. Soon this facility will also house our 3rd “Gogo” center (grandmother, but all seniors are welcome) during the mornings and through lunch. Pastoral training happens here. A church meets here and we pray the cement floor will wear out from use of sharing the Gospel!

A recent encouraging interview of our USA Executice Director Mitchell Hildebrant by Tony Miltenberger with Follow 2 Lead podcast. Tony is a friend of the ministry, a brother and phenomenal leader. We are blessed! Thanks Tony!

Recently, Judy VanArsdale joined us on a trip to serve our community in South Africa. She believes in creating a legacy, and she’s digging deep and challenging you to do so as well, with a substantial $10,000 gift. These generous funds will be used for a matching challenge at our Gala in June! We hope to see 250 children and eight more staff added to the ministry from this matched donation. Your gift today at https://lnkd.in/eRQw83v2 will make a lasting impression and set the tone for others. Not only is Judy leaving a legacy, but she is creating opportunities for change in the lives of many. Thank you, Lord! 🧡

Have you ever wondered what Bible study at the Garbage Dump looks like? Each week, we gather to worship in this unlikely place. The Lord always ministers to the hearts of the women who work in the dump and those who travel here just to worship with us. Lydia's Mission was born here, under this tree. This ministry started here. What began with just a few women has now grown to 80+ precious people. Thank you, Lord, for what you're doing here! 🧡🙌

Join us for a night of celebration and partnership! We hope to see you this June! Gather your friends — tables are on sale now! More here: https://lnkd.in/edBCVBsx