Karl and Jenny Teichert are serving the Lord as missionaries with OC Africa, in South Africa. They moved to Johannesburg in November, 1997 with their four children; Ann, Scott, Stephen and John. Karl serves as the Southern Africa Director of the Southern Africa Regional Team. Their vision is to see a healthy, Bible-based church established in every un-reached village and community in South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Zambia and beyond. Their strategy is to partner with key African church leaders to research, train, and mobilize the body of Christ to complete the Great Commission. They are striving to equip local leaders in Southern Africa to reach their nations for Christ and send missionaries into other countries as well. Karl’s ministry focuses on research, church planting, and leadership development training. In addition to caring for their four children, Jenny enjoys ministering through hospitality and equipping Sunday school teachers
November Prayer Letter, Pt. 1 ...
November Prayer Letter, Pt. 1 ...
Dear Family and Friends,
From Jenny: The past two months I have had the opportunity to walk the dusty streets of Finetown with 15 home-based community care workers. They are part of the Tsaoranang (“Joining Hands”) Project which began in 2004.
I have loved spending time with these caregivers who dedicate every day to caring for the sick in their community. They go in pairs, walking long distances out into homes/shacks in the community. I have been acting as a “shadow” to these dear servants, watching how they care for patients with TB and HIV/AIDS.
They don’t get paid to do this job; some have been given small grants and are mothers of children whose husbands and other family members have died. I asked them what motivates them to work so hard and yet get nothing in return, and they told me that having experienced the loss of loved ones through TB and AIDS, they understand the sick and dying and what their families are experiencing; now they have a deep desire to “give back” to their community! I have been amazed by the amount of compassion and dedication they have for the people. As we walk together they share stories of their families and the suffering that they and so many around them have seen and are experiencing. At the same time, they laugh and joke with me and with each another. Their smiles are contagious!
After living here 14 years, I had not understood the degree of suffering in South Africa until I was exposed to the sick and dying in Finetown. One morning the caregivers and I happened to come across a 37-year-old man named Elias. He was living alone and had no water, food, or electricity. He was suffering from TB, but had stopped taking his treatment because he had no food. He hadn’t eaten in at least three days and was sheer skin and bones. Before we entered his tiny shack, the care workers told me to cover my nose and mouth with a mask; inside it as dark and filthy and flies were everywhere; the only food we found in his kitchen was one onion. The workers shared with him how they would be there daily to care for him and we gathered around to pray for him. As we left, the man spoke a few words to the workers in an African language. I asked them what he had said, and they told me that he was saying, “Where are you going?” He didn’t want us to leave him; he simply needed conversation and love.
That is what these caregivers are doing; they bring hope and love to the people, in a daily visit, through their\ presence and care. I am grateful to be able to come alongside these ladies and learn from them. I hope to encourage them and help meet some of their needs along the way.
In God's grace,
The Teicherts
OC Africa is an interdenominational ministry committed to developing, equipping, and mobilizing church leaders to multiply healthy, Bible-based churches in every community in Southern Africa and the world. OC is a faith-based mission who depends on the Lord to provide committed, financial supporters and partners. The contributions from these individuals help generate ministry opportunities around the world, impact missionaries and their global work, and provide a means for the International Mobilization Center to function. CLICK HERE to learn how YOU can be a part of mobilizing church leaders around the world by donating to OC.
From Jenny: The past two months I have had the opportunity to walk the dusty streets of Finetown with 15 home-based community care workers. They are part of the Tsaoranang (“Joining Hands”) Project which began in 2004.
I have loved spending time with these caregivers who dedicate every day to caring for the sick in their community. They go in pairs, walking long distances out into homes/shacks in the community. I have been acting as a “shadow” to these dear servants, watching how they care for patients with TB and HIV/AIDS.
They don’t get paid to do this job; some have been given small grants and are mothers of children whose husbands and other family members have died. I asked them what motivates them to work so hard and yet get nothing in return, and they told me that having experienced the loss of loved ones through TB and AIDS, they understand the sick and dying and what their families are experiencing; now they have a deep desire to “give back” to their community! I have been amazed by the amount of compassion and dedication they have for the people. As we walk together they share stories of their families and the suffering that they and so many around them have seen and are experiencing. At the same time, they laugh and joke with me and with each another. Their smiles are contagious!
After living here 14 years, I had not understood the degree of suffering in South Africa until I was exposed to the sick and dying in Finetown. One morning the caregivers and I happened to come across a 37-year-old man named Elias. He was living alone and had no water, food, or electricity. He was suffering from TB, but had stopped taking his treatment because he had no food. He hadn’t eaten in at least three days and was sheer skin and bones. Before we entered his tiny shack, the care workers told me to cover my nose and mouth with a mask; inside it as dark and filthy and flies were everywhere; the only food we found in his kitchen was one onion. The workers shared with him how they would be there daily to care for him and we gathered around to pray for him. As we left, the man spoke a few words to the workers in an African language. I asked them what he had said, and they told me that he was saying, “Where are you going?” He didn’t want us to leave him; he simply needed conversation and love.That is what these caregivers are doing; they bring hope and love to the people, in a daily visit, through their\ presence and care. I am grateful to be able to come alongside these ladies and learn from them. I hope to encourage them and help meet some of their needs along the way.
In God's grace,
The Teicherts
OC Africa is an interdenominational ministry committed to developing, equipping, and mobilizing church leaders to multiply healthy, Bible-based churches in every community in Southern Africa and the world. OC is a faith-based mission who depends on the Lord to provide committed, financial supporters and partners. The contributions from these individuals help generate ministry opportunities around the world, impact missionaries and their global work, and provide a means for the International Mobilization Center to function. CLICK HERE to learn how YOU can be a part of mobilizing church leaders around the world by donating to OC.
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