This past Christmas Eve I received a VHS tape from Wim van Rensburg (CSBA #376) www.breakthrough-ministries.com who ministers to people, specifically children, in Harrismith, South Africa. Wim and I have emailed many times back and forth over the last year, but this was the first time I actually was able to look at what Wim's ministry was all about. I watched the straightforward tape he eloquently narrated and was moved....really moved. I thought of nothing else for the rest of the night. I had trouble sleeping. I kept waking up with the frustration of not having a solution to this man's overwhelming problem.

Wim tends to the spiritual needs of the people in the Qwaqwa area of Harrismith but more heart wrenching is his work with the children of this destitute area. Hundreds of these children are orphaned and homeless. These same children come to the BreakThrough Ministry School each day because they know they'll receive a cup of soup and some bread. They also know that cup of soup and bread will be their ONLY meal of the day.

Recently Wim has been running low on funds to feed the kids that one meal, but he still has faith that through prayer God will provide for these children. Additionally, Wim has faith that God will somehow help build an orphanage for these homeless orphans. A place where they can have food, shelter and LOVE.

After a day of prayer and reflection I was convinced that Wim's vision for these kids was now MY vision. I want to help. I want to feed those kids. I want to help build that orphanage.

But how am I going to make any impact on Wim's problems sitting in front of a computer thousands of miles away? How am I going to help feed those children?

First: I'm going to keep in PRAYER for Wim and the work he does every day. I ask you to do the same.

Second: I'm having copies of Wim's BreakThrough Ministry video tape (NEW! You can view the video online by clicking HERE). See it immediately and save CSBA copying and mailing costs!) made for distribution to anyone that wants one. If you want to see first hand the dilemma our brother is facing with this ministry, email me and I'll get a tape out to you as soon as they're ready. I only ask that after you've viewed the tape you pass it along to someone else. The more people who view the tape, the better the chance we have of raising funds and garnering support for these kids. There is also a PowerPoint presentation which you can download and view.

Third: I'd like to make BreakThrough Ministries the "official" mission outreach of the CSBA. If, after viewing the tape, God lays it on your heart to help Wim and his kids, you can contribute to his ministry through the CSBA. We'll set up a separate accounting ledger and wire any money we receive to the BreakThrough Ministries bank account. Wiring money bank to bank is the most secure method of sending aid to Africa.

During November and December there were a number of well publicized and televised programs depicting the fate of children in the Third World. Franklin Graham and The Samaritan's Purse, Oprah Winfrey's one hour special on her "Christmas Gift" trip to South Africa and many others that air year round. Well, Oprah didn't make it to Harrismith but the kids are still there and they're in desperate need of help.

All right, I can feel your skepticism, I'm swimming in it myself. How on earth is a small organization like the CSBA going to make any impact on hungry kids a couple thousands of miles away?
I personally know a guy, a CSBA member and pastor of a small church in Ohio, who needed to raise $500,000 to secure another building for his congregation. They were losing the lease on the building they were renting and had 30 days to vacate. They didn't have the money necessary. Their down payment wasn't enough to secure the new building. So....they went to prayer....daily prayer....hourly prayer. How'd it turn out? After exhausting every conceivable method at their disposal and were staring defeat in the face, a mortgage broker calls out of the blue and tells them: "Sure, we can get you a loan" "No Problem".

That's the power of prayer Brothers and Sisters!

I'm not at all experienced in running a campaign such as I've outlined. I've never done anything like this in my life! All I know is that the need I viewed on that tape moved me and it will move you also, trust me.
God keeps tugging at my heart to DO SOMETHING!
You're the only friends I have to turn to, so here I am making my pitch. Send for the tape and pass it around. Show it to your church. With God's help, we're going to feed those kids and we're somehow going to build that orphanage.

If, after viewing the video God moves you to help BreakThrough Ministries in South Africa, You can send a donation to our treasurer to be wired to their bank account.
Send you check made out to: "Christian Sport Bike Assoc." and include a short note indicating the money is for BreakThrough Ministries.

To: Marvin Gurganus
PO Box 511
Jamesville, NC 27846

Or, you can make a donation via PayPal:

Thank you,
Brian Phillips
CSBA Servant