By John Menton, WEGO South Africa Director
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
-Proverbs 16:9
When we first came back to South Africa eleven years ago, we thought we knew what the path ahead would look like. But life rarely goes according to our plans. God has interrupted, redirected, and reshaped our journey according to His wisdom and timing. Those unexpected turns have been gifts of grace, leading us to trust that He is in control and that He works all things for our good and His glory.
The Lord has added to our family all the precious children He has brought into our care through Forever Mercy Children’s Home. In this we have seen the truth of the Psalmist’s words, that God is the Father to the fatherless and the One who places the lonely in homes (Ps. 68:5–6). Over the years, we have dreamed about ways to help even more children, perhaps through a cluster foster-care model that could provide families for many. But as Proverbs reminds us, while we make our plans, it is the Lord who establishes the path. This year, He showed us that in a wonderful way. Rather than opening that particular door, God connected us with Bambanani, a network of fourteen families already caring for forty-eight children through adoption, foster care, and places of safety. We realized that God was already at work, weaving a story much larger than our own, and inviting us to join in.
Still, we carry hopes and plans. We would love to welcome another child into our family and move into a larger home that could also serve as a place of safety for up to six children at a time. Yet as James reminds us, ‘You do not know what tomorrow will bring… instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that”’ (James 4:14-15). As we entrust tomorrow to our God who is compassionate and merciful (James 5:11), we rest in the truth so beautifully expressed in this hymn:
Whatever my God ordains is right,
He never will deceive me;
He leads me by the proper path,
I know He will not leave me.
How You Can Pray
Pray For A New Home:
We are asking God to provide a suitable home with the needed space and finances, so we can expand our care and open a place of safety.
Pray For Our Bambanani Community:
That the families would be strengthened with wisdom, patience, and provision as they care for the forty-eight children entrusted to them.
Pray For Emily’s Work:
Healing Hearts with Horses is an equine-assisted therapy ministry for children led by our daughter Emily. Pray that the Lord would give her many opportunities to share the gospel with the children she is serving.
Pray For Us To Trust:
That we, and all who serve through WEGO, would hold our plans with open hands, trusting the Lord’s will and timing.