{"id":4863,"date":"2025-08-14T10:59:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T14:59:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/?p=4863"},"modified":"2025-08-14T10:59:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T14:59:09","slug":"sharing-the-hope-of-christ-through-orphan-care-in-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/2025\/08\/14\/sharing-the-hope-of-christ-through-orphan-care-in-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"Sharing the Hope of Christ Through Orphan Care in South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Back in September of 2024, Melody Cato shared in one of my classes about her last twelve years leading and serving alongside orphan ministries in South Africa. A month later, six of us students sat in the prayer room of the DMC, asking the Lord to prepare our team and the ministries we would serve alongside in June.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Preparing to Go<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:480}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Over the next few months, the team met to pray for Onthatile Children\u2019s Ministry and Bethesda Outreach: Compassionate Care for African Orphans. We prayed for the missionaries to receive encouragement from the Lord\u2019s Word, for opportunities to have conversations with the children, and that the Lord would continue to provide ways for the ministries to reach their communities. Our motto for the team was \u201cMade for More,\u201d based on<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ephesians 2:10 and Romans 6:4. Our team\u2019s desire was to share with the children about a perfect, loving Father who has made them as His image-bearers to worship Him and serve His Kingdom! <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:480}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"tiled-gallery type-rectangular tiled-gallery-unresized\" data-original-width=\"900\" data-carousel-extra='null' itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageGallery\" > <div class=\"gallery-row\" style=\"width: 900px; height: 411px;\" data-original-width=\"900\" data-original-height=\"411\" > <div class=\"gallery-group images-1\" style=\"width: 299px; height: 411px;\" data-original-width=\"299\" data-original-height=\"411\" > <div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-large\" itemprop=\"associatedMedia\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/2025\/08\/14\/sharing-the-hope-of-christ-through-orphan-care-in-south-africa\/screenshot-5\/\" border=\"0\" itemprop=\"url\"> <meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"295\"> <meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"407\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" data-attachment-id=\"4871\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-1.jpeg\" data-orig-size=\"1284,1774\" data-comments-opened=\"\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Screenshot&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1752942116&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Screenshot&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Russ South Africa 1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-1.jpeg?resize=217%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C967&#038;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-1.jpeg?w=295&#038;h=407&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-1.jpeg?w=1284&amp;ssl=1 1284w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-1.jpeg?resize=250%2C345&amp;ssl=1 250w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C967&amp;ssl=1 700w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-1.jpeg?resize=768%2C1061&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-1.jpeg?resize=1112%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1112w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-1.jpeg?resize=120%2C166&amp;ssl=1 120w\" width=\"295\" height=\"407\" loading=\"lazy\" data-original-width=\"295\" data-original-height=\"407\" itemprop=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/image\" title=\"Russ South Africa 1\" alt=\"a Cedarville student reads to children in South Africa.\" style=\"width: 295px; height: 407px;\" \/> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <!-- close group --> <div class=\"gallery-group images-1\" style=\"width: 601px; height: 411px;\" data-original-width=\"601\" data-original-height=\"411\" > <div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-large\" itemprop=\"associatedMedia\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/2025\/08\/14\/sharing-the-hope-of-christ-through-orphan-care-in-south-africa\/screenshot-3\/\" border=\"0\" itemprop=\"url\"> <meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"597\"> <meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"407\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" data-attachment-id=\"4869\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-3.jpeg\" data-orig-size=\"1284,876\" data-comments-opened=\"\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Screenshot&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1753744017&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Screenshot&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Russ South Africa 3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-3.jpeg?resize=250%2C171&#038;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-3.jpeg?resize=700%2C478&#038;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-3.jpeg?w=597&#038;h=407&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-3.jpeg?w=1284&amp;ssl=1 1284w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-3.jpeg?resize=250%2C171&amp;ssl=1 250w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-3.jpeg?resize=700%2C478&amp;ssl=1 700w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-3.jpeg?resize=768%2C524&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-3.jpeg?resize=120%2C82&amp;ssl=1 120w\" width=\"597\" height=\"407\" loading=\"lazy\" data-original-width=\"597\" data-original-height=\"407\" itemprop=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/image\" title=\"Russ South Africa 3\" alt=\"Cedarville students enjoy a game night on a missions trip.\" style=\"width: 597px; height: 407px;\" \/> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <!-- close group --> <\/div> <!-- close row --> <\/div>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Onthatile Children\u2019s Ministries<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:480}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We began our first part of the mission trip in Johannesburg. Onthatile is an orphan care ministry that places foster children into Christian homes until they are adopted in a Christian home or reunited with their parents. Onthatile has a school of 24 children from kindergarten to seventh grade. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">One of our days was spent with the children during the school day. In the morning, there was a time of worship. It was a beautiful glimpse of the day when people of all tribes, tongues, and nations will worship the Lord together for eternity! Another day, Nathi, a ministry team member, led us through Soweto, sharing the history and impact of sin in South Africa. The prosperity gospel has grown in many of the poor township areas. There are false teachers who ask members of the communities for money, claiming the people will receive wealth and prosperity if they give money to the pastor. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">While there are false prophets everywhere, it was clear the truth of the Gospel is spreading across South Africa! On our first Sunday, the team worshipped with a Soweto church. After the service, a woman shared with me her joy about the ways she has seen the Lord\u2019s faithfulness in her life! Her face lit up as we talked about the blessing it is to be adopted by the Lord and for the Lord to allow us to be His ambassadors for the Kingdom. It was a wonderful reminder to me of the gift it is to be a vessel for the Lord\u2019s work and to give thanks to the Lord for His faithfulness in fulfilling what He has promised. We concluded our Sunday by passing out blessing baskets to a few families who attend a Bible study in the Zandsprit township. The team was able to pray and ask the Lord to continue to strengthen and comfort these community members by His Word and grace. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:480}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"tiled-gallery type-rectangular tiled-gallery-unresized\" data-original-width=\"900\" data-carousel-extra='null' itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageGallery\" > <div class=\"gallery-row\" style=\"width: 900px; height: 389px;\" data-original-width=\"900\" data-original-height=\"389\" > <div class=\"gallery-group images-1\" style=\"width: 375px; height: 389px;\" data-original-width=\"375\" data-original-height=\"389\" > <div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-large\" itemprop=\"associatedMedia\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/2025\/08\/14\/sharing-the-hope-of-christ-through-orphan-care-in-south-africa\/screenshot\/\" border=\"0\" itemprop=\"url\"> <meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"371\"> <meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"385\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" data-attachment-id=\"4867\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-5-e1755024226222.jpeg\" data-orig-size=\"1276,1324\" data-comments-opened=\"\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Screenshot&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1752942178&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Screenshot&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Russ South Africa 5\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-5-e1755024226222.jpeg?resize=250%2C259&#038;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-5-e1755024226222.jpeg?resize=700%2C726&#038;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-5-e1755024226222.jpeg?w=371&#038;h=385&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-5-e1755024226222.jpeg?w=1276&amp;ssl=1 1276w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-5-e1755024226222.jpeg?resize=250%2C259&amp;ssl=1 250w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-5-e1755024226222.jpeg?resize=700%2C726&amp;ssl=1 700w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-5-e1755024226222.jpeg?resize=768%2C797&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-5-e1755024226222.jpeg?resize=120%2C125&amp;ssl=1 120w\" width=\"371\" height=\"385\" loading=\"lazy\" data-original-width=\"371\" data-original-height=\"385\" itemprop=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/image\" title=\"Russ South Africa 5\" alt=\"a Cedarville student helps children create crafts.\" style=\"width: 371px; height: 385px;\" \/> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <!-- close group --> <div class=\"gallery-group images-1\" style=\"width: 525px; height: 389px;\" data-original-width=\"525\" data-original-height=\"389\" > <div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-large\" itemprop=\"associatedMedia\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/2025\/08\/14\/sharing-the-hope-of-christ-through-orphan-care-in-south-africa\/screenshot-2\/\" border=\"0\" itemprop=\"url\"> <meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"521\"> <meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"385\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" data-attachment-id=\"4868\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-4.jpeg\" data-orig-size=\"1270,937\" data-comments-opened=\"\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Screenshot&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1752942348&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Screenshot&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Russ South Africa 4\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-4.jpeg?resize=250%2C184&#038;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-4.jpeg?resize=700%2C516&#038;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-4.jpeg?w=521&#038;h=385&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-4.jpeg?w=1270&amp;ssl=1 1270w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-4.jpeg?resize=250%2C184&amp;ssl=1 250w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-4.jpeg?resize=700%2C516&amp;ssl=1 700w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-4.jpeg?resize=768%2C567&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russ-4.jpeg?resize=120%2C89&amp;ssl=1 120w\" width=\"521\" height=\"385\" loading=\"lazy\" data-original-width=\"521\" data-original-height=\"385\" itemprop=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/image\" title=\"Russ South Africa 4\" alt=\"Cedarville students spend time with children in South Africa.\" style=\"width: 521px; height: 385px;\" \/> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <!-- close group --> <\/div> <!-- close row --> <\/div>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Bethesda Outreach: Compassionate Care for African Orphans\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:480}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The second part of our missions trip was with Bethesda, an orphan ministry the Lord has faithfully been providing for for 25 years! There are four foster families on the property who have between nine and 11 children in their homes. The ministry also has a baby home, where Mama Joy cares for five foster babies. Additionally, Bethesda has a private school on property, providing a Christian education to about 250 children in the community. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:720,&quot;335559740&quot;:480}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">During the day, our team spent time on maintenance projects and serving with nearby community ministries. One day, we worked alongside the maintenance crew to repaint a home for one of the foster families. We spent another day at Noah\u2019s Arch, a Christian preschool center for children from 1 to 6 years old. It was beautiful to see the ways the teachers are salt and light in their community and for the children. In the afternoons, the team had the opportunity to build relationships with the foster children while playing soccer or making bracelets. In the evenings, we played games with a foster family on property and prayed with them. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:720,&quot;335559740&quot;:480}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The second week, the team led a holiday Bible club (vacation Bible school) for the children on the property. The team taught, sang, played games, and made crafts surrounding the seven C\u2019s (creation, corruption, catastrophe, confusion, Christ, cross, and consummation). One of our teammates was able to have an open conversation with a child who is wrestling through what idols he would need to give up to have a relationship with Christ. The Lord provided many children with curiosity about His Word and character. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">That Saturday, the team went on a hike with the teens. It was a great time to have one-on-one conversations. One teen in particular asked us to pray for boldness to be a witness to her classmates at the high school. She asked us to pray for her relationship with the Lord and for her to meet believing friends. On the ride back to the team center, the Lord provided an hourlong conversation with a teen who shared that he was not following Christ. He asked for his heart to change and to not be selfish or greedy with his time. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Please pray for these children to know that they are loved and cared for by a perfect heavenly Father! May they desire to know and receive Christ as their Lord and Savior! May the ministry workers, staff, and foster parents receive encouragement from the Lord\u2019s Word and continue to depend on Him daily for strength. We concluded our time with the foster families around a bonfire, worshiping and sharing testimonies. The next day, we said our goodbyes and prayed for each of the homes. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:720,&quot;335559740&quot;:480}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-4884 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Social-Card-Image.jpg?resize=900%2C506&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Cedarville team on South Africa missions trip posing in front of waterfall.\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Social-Card-Image.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Social-Card-Image.jpg?resize=250%2C141&amp;ssl=1 250w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Social-Card-Image.jpg?resize=700%2C394&amp;ssl=1 700w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Social-Card-Image.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Social-Card-Image.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Social-Card-Image.jpg?resize=120%2C68&amp;ssl=1 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Christ Is Our True Hope <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:480}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">During our time, the Lord was consistently reminding me that Christ is our true and perfect hope. Romans 8:22 says, \u201cFor we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.\u201d All of creation longs for Christ, for the day He returns and brokenness is no more. Yet there are millions who do not have this hope because they do not know Christ&#8217;s defeat over sin and death for us! Spending time with the ministries challenged me to share wherever I am of my true hope, which is Christ, Lord and Savior of the world! <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:720,&quot;335559740&quot;:480}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Six Cedarville students traveled on a missions trip this summer to South Africa, where they partnered with Onthatile Children\u2019s Ministries and Bethesda Outreach to serve through worship, community outreach, and personal conversations. The team witnessed God&#8217;s work in the lives of the children and caregivers they served!","protected":false},"author":163,"featured_media":4883,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[31,43,1],"tags":[185,29,325,275,37],"class_list":["post-4863","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-global-outreach","category-testimony","category-uncategorized","tag-cedarville","tag-globaloutreach","tag-go","tag-missions","tag-testimony"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Sharing the Hope of Christ Through Orphan Care in South Africa - Student Life<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A student shares her journey to South Africa to serve alongside orphan ministries, build relationships, and proclaim the hope of Christ.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/studentlife\/2025\/08\/14\/sharing-the-hope-of-christ-through-orphan-care-in-south-africa\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Sharing the Hope of Christ Through Orphan Care in South Africa\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A student shares her journey to South Africa to serve alongside orphan 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