Queens for the King

April 2014 Newsletter

Easter Time in South Africa!

April was a big month of transitions for us here. The Rickman Family has come & gone. It was a well needed time of rest for both families. Our 6 Tear Fund interns completed their 2.5 month stay at Tabitha so we had to say good bye (boo hoo). Thomas and I are filling in the gaps with Bible storying with the Tabitha kids until our new group of interns arrive in May. The boy's bathroom is complete (Hooray!). The boys wing bedrooms now have walls and a nice ceiling so that project is on its way! It is a busy time but the Lord is leading the way.

I have a Story to Tell...

After school, Thomas and I do devotions with the small groups we assigned our interns to mentor. We are keeping the kids in the routine of a daily quiet time with the Lord and continuing to help them develop a personal prayer life. Once our new interns arrive, they will take over these same groups & mentor them. We are currently studying Moses & the Burning Bush. The boys especially like the part where Moses's staff turns into a slithering snake!

Good Friday Sermon Thomas was asked to speak at a local church, New Life Center in the Northdale district of Pietermaritzburg. He challenged us all with the call the Cross has placed on our lives. It was a wonderful way to start off the Easter weekend. Thank you Jesus for the Cross. Its our cure!

"He is Alive!" Before the Big Easter Egg Hunt Bonanza at our home, Thomas retold the true Easter story. We opened 12 plastic eggs one by one. Each egg contained a small object that told each step in the Resurrection story. The kids were memorized. Everyone rejoiced in the fact that the last egg was empty just like Christ's tomb was that day over 2000 years ago.
The Egg Hunt

The Tear Fund Impact

It was time to say goodbye to our awesome band of 6 UK interns. They lovingly ministered to our kids day in and day out for 2.5 months. These devoted young people never stopped teaching & modelling Christ's love to our kids and the people of Sweetwaters. Our kids grew in their prayer lives tremendously. The kids still sing the Christian songs and recite the Bible verses they taught them. Thank you guys. We miss you!

Look who's coming to dinner!

After our Wed evening baking class, the 4 little girls I am teaching to cook stay and eat the meal we just prepared. They not only learn how to cook pancakes or spaghetti, but they learn how a loving Christian family prays before their meal and discusses their day around the table. Oh and we are working on our table manners so pray for us all! HA!

The Sounds of Progress

Bang! Bang! Boom! That was the sound we heard all day coming from the boys dorm for 2 weeks. With the help of a hard working US team of 3 men + 2 of our male Zulu staff + 2 interns, our boys dorm went from empty room to 4 rooms separated by sturdy walls & complete with a polished white ceiling. Now we just need a few folks to volunteer to paint, finish the hall flooring, & some curtains. Then it will be: MOVING TIME!

Before

Bathroom
After

The Elizabeth Update

Elizabeth just completed the first term of 11th grade. She was pleased with her grades. It is quite a task to adjust to how differently South African teachers grade exams here. She still loves to help with the Tabitha kids and helps me with the baking classes at our home with the little girls. She is such a big help to her mom.

The scoop on Jacob

Jacob is thriving at his current school, Cowan House. He made the first team in Rugby and was reelected a second term to be a school counselor. He is currently interviewing to decide his choice of high school next year. Pray for Jacob as he makes his first big decision as a young man.
Praises and Prayer Concerns: Praises:

The boy's dorm and bathroom progress The interns the Lord sent us and is sending us

Prayer Requests:

Permanent Resident Visas to be granted this year for our family Visas for Julie Parham and Emily Payne who want to serve with us come May 2014 Wisdom for separating boys from girls with staffing Wisdom in the leadership direction of the Tabitha school

Donations (used/new/cash):

Sofa or chairs for lounges New or used laptops for our computer lab Mirrors to hang for dressing tables or lockers Umbrellas ($5 or R50 each) Toothbrushes for children-critically low Childrens play clothes (sizes 2-11) Children shoes (all sizes ages 3-11) Boys underwear sizes 7/8-10/12-critically low

Check out our website: queensfortheking.org or Follow us on our Facebook page at Queens for the King or On Twitter at: @queens_for Permanent Address: Thomas and Paige Queen 135 Leamington Lane SE Cleveland, TN 37323 In-Country Mailing Address: Thomas and Paige Queen Suite H 17 P/Bag X 9118 Pietermaritzburg, South Africa 3200