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Mike & Robin Depart for USA
 Mike & Robin with Onnie and her mother. After 4 years of serving Two Tunics in the Ugu District of KwaZulu Natal Mike and Robin Nash returned to the US in mid-November for a furlough. Onnie and the Two Tunics staff organized a going away celebration on 26 Oct 2009. Almost all of the 15 community projects supported through Two Tunics Community for Kids program came together to say thank you to the Nashes and wish them well on their departure. The day was filled with traditional African dress, dance and music. Mike and Robin were humbled and greatly blessed by the event. Mike and Robin will spend this period of time reconnecting with family, friends and supporters. They will be living in the Seattle area where Robin will help provide day care for their grandson while their daughter completes nursing school. They will continue to oversee and manage the work of the Two Tunics South Africa office from a distance. They will join the Two Tunics board in reviewing the progress of the ministry to date and develop plans for the future work of Two Tunics, while seeking God for guidance on their future role in the organization. Although Mike's work as a doctor in the ARV clinic and his role of Medical Director of the Genesis Care Centre come to and end, the Community for Kids program and other HIV/AIDS programs of Two Tunics will go forward. They have been left in the capable hands of Onnie Mgaga, Two Tunics Programs Manager in the South Africa Office (see the article in this newsletter on Two Tunics SA Operations). |
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South Africa Office Operations
 Onnie and Robin in the Two Tunics office at St Katherine's Anglican church in Port Shepstone The programs of Two Tunics to expand care and support for HIV/AIDS affected communities and people in South Africa are growing and moving ahead strongly. Although Mike and Robin Nash have returned to the US on furlough, part of what they have accomplished over the last 2 year has been to establish and equip an office and staff in South Africa. Onnie Mgaga was hired by Two Tunics in February 2008. She has an education background and is a very competent manager. She feels called by God to this work and has given up a much better paying job as a head of department teacher to join Two Tunics. Speaking the language and being from the culture she has been invaluable in the success of Two Tunics up until now. With the departure of Mike and Robin she has been promoted to Programs Manager and will coordinate all the day to day programs and operations. An office administrator, Debbie Siyangapi and a part time driver and pastor Amos Cele will provide Onnie with much needed support. Onnie's most urgent plea is "we need a van" (double cab pick-up). Previously Mike & Robin's vehicle was used for Two Tunics deliveries to the community projects, and now that vehicle is no longer available. Please pray for Onnie and the Two Tunics staff as they take on additional responsibilities for the ministry. (Please pray for a van as well).
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Communities for Kids Update
 Two Tunics' Communities for Kids Program continues to grow and gain momentum. We have been amazed at the partners and support that God has been bringing to the program. We believe this is because the program is filling a gap in meeting the needs of small community based organizations that are so critical to the care of AIDS Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). Kids needs are being met in 4 areas: - Improving nutrition - Thank you to our partners Food4Africa UK and Feed the babies. Over 800 children are receiving an excellent fortified porridge daily. We can literally see the difference in their skin and eyes!
- Providing safe and healthy facilities - Thank you to several donors who enabled us to provide classroom buildings to 3 creches this year. Several others projects were provided with toilets and other facility improvements.
- A positive learning environment - 6 creche/preschool teachers were sponsored to receive training from TREE. More than a dozen creches received educational equipment and supplies.
- A spiritual program that introduces them to a relationship with Jesus - The children's version of the Jesus film in Zulu was used at several events and visiting international church mission teams presented programs at several projects.
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