South Beach Stoke - Their Work in the Community

Due to dramatic increases in COVID-19 cases within SA, the whole country was placed on Level 5 lockdown from the end of March. This came as a big and sudden surprise to our group. We had only 1 Saturday before lockdown to explain to them what will be happening. Most sectors were closed down (except health care and grocery stores) and people were confined to home. For at least 2 months you were not allowed to exercise, walk your dog or go to the beaches or anywhere unless you going to get essential items.  This meant that we weren't able to continue with our weekly meetings. 

Here is a summary of events:

· End of March - Level 5 lockdown (the only contact with kids was via whats app group where we shared scriptures with them during this time, as no social visits are allowed as well as one was allowed to leave their home unless they worked in a few specialized sectors that had to be open and to buy food. 

· April - Level 5 lockdown (Francois added South Beach Stoke to the Pray for Surfers intercession group. Therefore, our group received prayers from all over) Willem reached out to Groundswell and Oxford Food Store for some support regarding aid for the kid's families who are in desperate need for basic food until they start generating some sort of income. Our prayers were answered and we were able to make up food hampers to be dropped off at some of the kid's families. (see photos attached.) They were overjoyed yet many other people on the street were also hungry and desperate and tried to storm Willem's bakkie during the drop-off. We are just so grateful that we got the support we needed to provide for the families. We were able to do deliver to over 25 families in the 2nd week.

· May - Level 4 lockdown - most industries were still closed, no social visits, people are only allowed to exercise at a certain time daily (no surfing allowed yet) and to buy essential goods. Food hampers were dropped off each week of the month for the families in need. Once again the bakkie was stormed by desperate people, thankfully the police helped get the vehicle out of the crowded situation in town. Grateful for the protection of the team while feeding the families. (One of our kids wrote a beautiful poem that  came 1st place in an online competition which I will add at the end) During this unique and difficult time, we all took stock and are able to be grateful for small things, and to see a teenager being positive and have hope for the future is so inspiring.  

· June - Level 3 lockdown - some more industries opened up but many still closed, no social visits or gatherings allowed exercise allowed at any time but beaches are still off-limits and so is surfing unless you are a professional surfer. Able to deliver food hampers again to many families and even able to help bless a few elderly people who know of our organization with food parcels that were in desperate need as "hunger is a very real reality in central Durban" said one of our leaders. Amidst all of the things going on we were blessed by someone who sponsored us with some surfboards, rash vests, a wetsuit, and 2 body boards. We serve an amazing God who is full of miracles!

· July - Level 3 lockdown - still no social visits or gatherings allowed, we continued to send scriptures via whats app to kids. The COVID cases peaked in our country, a few schools that did open earlier the month ended up closing again for safety reasons.  No food hampers for 3 weeks but was able to get some 50 hamburgers and cold drinks from Oxford on the last Saturday, this was handed out to the families which were so grateful.

· August - Level 2 lockdown - more sectors were opened, lots of rules still in place to keep people safe, we were able to continue with our feeding each Saturday of either hotdogs or hamburgers to the families. Surfing is allowed but we didn't take our boards with yet as our group is over 50 people. Used to the time to sort out the renewal of the licensing for the surf trailer. 

· September - Level 2 lockdown - same as the previous month, we were able to feed the kids each Saturday. We started doing weekly bible messages with them before feeding. 15 reusable cloth masks donated to the group. We are praying for more leaders to join our group and ministry. Surfboards were taken to the beach only once. The beaches are still closed for any other leisure or swimming activities. School opened up again although with variable days for the children.

· October - Level 1 lockdown - most sectors are open and almost everyone is back at work. We are back to meeting weekly but encouraging hygiene protocols were possible, surfboards took weekly and the beaches opened up for swimming. A good Samaritan blessed the ministry with some money out of the blue. Our numbers in the group climbing again back to original numbers before lockdown.  

Although the lockdown was tough on many families, we were so blessed and grateful for the sponsorships to be able to hand out the food hampers in those initial lockdown phases where most people were not able to work or support their families. God has blessed us and kept everyone safe through this time. Please continue praying for our ministry to grow and become stronger and for more leaders to help make a difference in our kid's lives. As well as for safety as SA might be heading into our 2nd peak of COVID-19 cases before the end of the year. A huge thank you for your continued support!

Love, 

South Beach Stoke leaders