New Hope for Children in Africa

Bill praying with an Eschol child.

In January, following Steve Evers’s visit to Africa, we introduced you to Graham and Jene Des Fountain and their ministry to abused and abandoned children in the Cape. Their ministry is known as Eshcol, meaning, “cluster.” The name comes from the brook mentioned in Numbers 13:23,24, where the cluster of grapes was so large that it took two of the spies (sent to check out the Promised Land) to carry it back to Moses at Kadesh. Their current home is in Fish Hoek, on the eastern side of the Cape peninsula, 45-minutes from Cape Town. It is small and inadequate, with no garden for the children to play in.

The Des Fountain’s plan is to have a property where there can be a cluster of small homes for the children. Government regulations limit to six the number of children that can be accommodated under one roof. They can have multiple groups, each with house parents, hence the cluster concept. It would thrill your heart to see the dramatic change that takes place in each child from the time the police or welfare worker brings the little one to Graham and Jene.

Small dining area for children.

In many cases they are covered with lice and scabs and suffering from malnutrition and other forms of neglect. Some may have AIDS or hepatitis and require specialized care. Many have been severely abused and are terrified of every adult. Within two or three weeks they are responding magnificently to the genuine Christian love and care provided by this patient and dedicated couple. Bill and Harriett visited them in recent months for prayer and planning.

Eshcol, Place of Refuge

Now ITMI’s Board of Directors has officially endorsed Eshcol as its latest project to provide a Christian home and environment for little children in South Africa who are victims of violence and abuse. The Des Fountains, now in their fifth year of Eshcol ministry, have found a perfect property to meet their needs. Previously it was the main homestead for the original farm that comprised the majority of Fish Hoek Valley.

The farmhouse has recently had extensive renovations completed. In addition to the main house there are three native stone thatched-roof cottages, a recreation center, as well as other small buildings. There’s a small swimming pool and a potential petting zoo which would be great therapy for these abused and traumatized children. All of this sits on 1.6 acres overlooking the Southern Cape Peninsula between two oceans – Atlantic and Indian.

The asking price for the property and furnished buildings is approximately $500,000 including transfer fees and insurance for one year. The Des Fountains have put down their life savings of $43,000 and set a closing date of September 30, 2004. They are trusting the Lord to supply the remaining funds by that time. Will you help? This is an investment in the future generation of South Africa. ITMI has seen the transformation in little children entrusted to these loving parents, and we believe in this ministry. Please designate your tax-deductible gift to ITMI for “Eshcol” (to give online click here).

Graham, an ex-Rhodesian Army officer, is a very practical man with a servant’s heart. He can fix or build just about anything. He’s a great role model for the boys. Jene is the archetypical mom, very capable and deeply devoted to meeting the children’s needs. Together they are a great team. Over the last 4+ years God has brought them victoriously through many trials and thoroughly equipped them for this ministry. Now they await His supply of the resources to meet the needs of little children that have never had a chance. Maybe you’d like to give them one.