anniversary in December on the 16th to

the 18th. The celebrations will be about

the hope that God gave us when His Son
Jesus Christ died for us on the cross so
that we can have everlasting life if we
believe in Him and that Jesus is the
answer to all the life-controlling problems
and all other problems of this day and age.
We can just look at the suicide figures
from the countries where God is not
accepted as a solution to all problems.

In December during our 20th anniversary

celebration, we hope to have different
personalities, national and international
as speakers. We plan to have a flea
market, to feed the hungry and to praise
and worship GOD for carrying and leading
us for the past 20 years. It will be a busy
year for us with many visitors due to visit

I
t is the beginning of a new year and as I sit us before the celebrations. We trust in
here in front of my computer, I know I must God to provide the finances that we will
write something but the year 2010 has gone need for all the traveling and other costs.
by so fast that it feels like it was just yesterday
that I did this task for 2009 / 2010. Nevertheless, I also want to make use of this
it is 2011 and looking back over the past year it is opportunity to thank all staff and
almost impossible to understand everything that leadership of Eden TC for their
God did in such a short time and that was only for dedication and hard work and love for the
me. students and patience during 2010. I also
When I look back at the year 2010, I thought it was want to thank God for the wonderful
the worst year of my life and then God showed me all people that He has surrounded me with. I
He has done for me and that makes it the best year also want to say thank you to Jana, my
ever. He is worthy to be worshiped and praised and I wife, for all her support during my illness
thank Him for the privilege to see 2011, I thank Him and operation. I know that I am not the
for showing me how many friends He blessed me easiest person in this world to please; I
with, I can carry on about His Goodness and Grace, love them all with the love of God. I pray
but this is not about me, it is about Eden TC and I that each one of them will be blessed in
know that 2011 is going to be even a better year. the New Year and that God will give them
strength to fulfill their tasks.
Thank you to all that was involved in Eden TC over
the past year, we truly appreciate it and pray that Yours in Christ
God will reward you accordingly. I am excited about Pastor Herman Viljoen
this year, because we will be celebrating our 20th
 GENERAL NEWS
T
he Bikers held a toy
run and blessed our
children in the ministry
with gifts. We thank them for
all their support during 2010.
May the Lord bless you all
during 2011
Some of the residents that was
baptized on New Years Eve
Checkers. We thank each one
for supporting us in this matter
A braai held on New Years Eve
Something the Lord made
T M
he mother from y name is
Joanne -one of the Thomas
residents from Dlamini, I am
Johannesburg held a braai one of the people who
for all the residents. She got the opportunity to
also gave each person a be brought up by Eden
gift We thank her for all Teen Challenge, for six
her support and for the years since 1995 to
blessing she is to us. 2001, at one stage in my
life. In 1995 I was only
eleven years old. It all
began in 1995. Due to the fact that my single mother was willing
but unable to provide food for both of us because she was not
working, I found myself walking the streets of Bethlehem looking
for food. I met another boy who became my friend. My friend
and I used to sit next to Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) store in
Bethlehem opposite fruit and vegetable store called Three
Mountains and begs for money from KFC customers to buy food.
Then one day, Pastor Herman Viljoen came through to KFC store
and found me and my friend sitting there next to KFC store. I
learned his name at a later stage. As usual I walked to him to beg
for money, he did not offer me money instead said he would like
me and my friend to come and stay with him at Eden. Since we
(my friend and I) both did not like the kind of life we lived on the
streets, we then decided to go with him with the hope that our
lives will become better. And certainly it changed for the best.
Pastor then took us to Eden and left us in the hands of Pastor
Johan and Carol Esterhuyse.
There are so many things Eden Teen Challenge contributed
toward my development as an individual. However, I have two
Over the Festive Season we
most important things that I want specifically to thank Eden for.
wrapped gifts at Shoprite
Firstly, I want to thank Pastor Herman Viljoen who personally
brought me out of the streets where I used to be a street-kid
and took me to Eden and the fact that Eden put me to school.
Secondly, I want to thank Pastor Johan and Carol for instilling
Christianity principles and values in me, a treasure that does not
rot. I don’t even want to think about where I would have ended up
if Eden did not offer me that opportunity to become a better
person. Above all, I want to thank God for showing his love and
mercy to me by bringing Eden on my way. I am sharing this with
you because I managed to pass my grade 12 with merit and
secured myself a bursary to study at a university of my choice. I
am currently studying Bsc Metallurgical Engineering at the
University of the Witwatersrand. One of my favorite scriptures
is from the book of Revelation 2:7 (The Revised English Version),
it says “… when he opens doors, no one can shut it and when he
shuts it, no one can open it." I understand the relevance of this
scripture in my life because God has opened the world of
education for me, which has begun to bring the best out of me
and make me a better person. In conclusion, if God was able to do
all these things for me, I am one hundred percent sure that he
will not fail to do the same for others because he is the God who
takes care of his children. We just have to trust in the unfailing
love God.
I
t is with a grateful heart and so much emotion that I write this very first edition of our contribution towards the
Newsletter. God has truly been good to us the last year. He has performed so many miracles in the lives of not only our
residents, but also the people who share in the vision that it is God's will that no one should perish, but all should have
eternal life. Every month we highlight a few donors (because of space limitations) who have answered God's call. So many people
help in their own special way and to you we say thank you. This year is going to be a big year in Eden Teen Challenge, our 20th
Birthday celebrations, the various projects that need to be completed and more souls to be led to Jesus.

always have roll on, soap, toilet paper, shampoo, toothpaste,

CHRISTMAS PARTY cream, etc.

I
t was really nice to see a community joining hands once I told you earlier that I am so emotional writing this
again to make December a special time for the residents contribution. God again performed miracles and the Dis-Chem
of the Ministry. Over this period we had an average of group has undertaken to sponsor the Ministry with R5000-00
95 residents and only 1 was not here on Christmas day. per month for a year. We can go into their stores now and get
all the necessities for all the residents and supplements for
On 17 December 2010 Piet de Wet and his friends came and these kids. On behalf of every single person who is currently
gave us a wonderful lunch. Every single resident got a present benefitting and those who will benefit, we say thank you for
and a wonderful time was had by all. From all of us we'd like to making people see that there are still people who care.
say thank you and pray that God will bless you.
Should you want to get involved in this or any of the other
Then on 23 December 2010 another surprise hit the Ministry. activities of the Ministry, please contact us on 051 430 5769.
Coca Cola really went to town to entertain the residents. They
brought one of their special event trucks and some of the
residents got an opportunity to display their singing talents.
Well, what can we say, there were cold drinks galore, sweets,
candy floss, and in the end everyone got a nice little cooler bag,
filled with sweets, etc. We don't have enough words to thank
you guys. We haven't had this much fun in a long time.

As in previous years, Kloppers again sponsored our Christmas

lunch this year. The residents almost stood in utter disbelief
when we started to dish. There was everything that one could
wish for on a Christmas table. Well, they even gave each
resident a present. Thank you for the wonderful work that you
do in our Ministry.

A
t the time of writing we had 20 kids in the creche.
When we started we had no chairs, tables, mattresses,
stationery. All we knew was that God cares about little
children and doesn't want to see them hurt. We had to get
these little ones off the street!!! We started with 3 kids and
prayed that more parents would send their children .On 23
December 2010, Coca Cola once again stepped in and donated
tables, chairs, stationery, mattresses, a fridge, DVD’s, toys,
etc.

W
e know the background of these children and want
to ensure that they live a healthy life style. Their
parents are not by means to give them a balanced
meal. Also we have babies in nappies and we just didn't know
where the next nappies were going to come from. Its always
been a principle of the Ministry that each resident should
 a Quotation by Joyce Meyer The Bible tells us that if we want
the higher in life we are going to have to let go and give up the
"LOWER" life.
"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for Celebrations......All we did was eat,eat,and eat. We had some
my sake will find it,"( Matthew 10.39)
We want to give glory to God for the past festive season, not
only for all the food and necessities we received, but also for the
loyal and faithful people who made it possible for us all to enjoy
the fellowship and gatherings over the past period.
Indeed we are here to Serve others through Jesus Christ, and by
doing so and do the will of God we are so blessed. This is my
prayer for all who started the new year with a renewed mind,
fresh and thoughtful thoughts and the teachings of the Holy
Spirit.
! From all of us at Eden Virginia, one big THANK-YOU, for the
wonderful and most enjoyable Christmas and New Year
pleasant fun times together, singing, watching DVD'S even a
water slide on new year's day and some prizes to win.The
highlights on new Years eve, was the testimonies from the
residents, glorifying God for His caring love.
! We were spoiled with presents from ROTARY Flamingo in co-
operation with the community from Welkom, that adhered to
the wishes of the residents. Even the residents pets received
presents in the form of food. As always we were blessed with
presents and treats from a dearly beloved sister in Christ, Me
Dot Pretorius. She made the most beautiful gifts for the
women and parcels for the men.

! a Grateful thank-you to Mr. Francois and Mrs Dorothy Le

Thank-you's and appreciation
! We want to take this opportunity to say thank-you to all the
parents, who contributed towards the El-Shadai daycare
centre party which was held in November 2010. This was a
most enjoyable day for the children but also a great funday to
the residents and workers from Eden Virginia. The people
enjoyed the company of the children.
Grange for your love, prayers and special support to the
ministry. We love u and we are so great full towards your
contributions.
! Also a special thank-you to two young ladies with big, big
hearts. They are approximately twelve years old but already
take notice of people in need. Every Christmas they spoil the
residents with sweet parcels and the most delicious home-
baked cake. You two girls are very special to God. Thank you
keep up the good work.

! The staff from Eden Virginia would like to thank, Ps Herman
and Dr Jana Viljoen, for the most enjoyable year-end function
which was held in December 2010, as well as appreciation to all
the centers for their contribution to make this event possible.
! On the 23rd of December we were once again spoiled with a
wonderful Christmas meal provided by Gert and Elize de
Necker . His contribution every year is so much appreciated,
you people are such a blessing to us. Gert and Eize was
accompanied by Rev and Mrs Mc Claren from Welkom. Rev Mc
Claren served us with a wonderful message of hope and words
of encouragement. May God bless you abundantly.
! So many thank-you's came from the staffmember's children,
who was blessed financially to have spending money for the
holidays. This is how GREAT our God is, although we as staff
members do not earn a salary, our children were still blessed
in a way we would never expect. For some of them there was
even the opportunity to visit family in Cape Town, all expenses
paid. We thank you God that you love us so much that you
even spoil us with things we could only dream of....We love you
dearly God.....Bani, Michelle, Riaan and Jennifer.
! Because of all the wonderful blessings received, we were in a
position to bless other people. It is a privilege to be able to
run a project with the people from the rural areas. We could
bless them with food for the festive season, even with gifts
for their children at home. It gives great, great joy in the
heart, knowing that some households are not without food
over the festive season.....Glory to God.
! So many more to thank,for their assistance over the festive
season. Mr Uys, Opkoms Market Agencies for the vegetables
and fruit, Mr Hennie Pieterse, Farmer, Vegetables, Mr Adolf
Naude, Farmer, Meat,Freshbake, Welkom Bread and
treats,Boje,Boje and Stemmet, Butchers, Mr Vogel, Farmer,
Milk, Fernando Sardinah, Round Table, milk, Mr and Mrs
Jonker, meat and other items Mr Glen Lloyed from Round
table, donation from KFC, Welkom,Me Angelina Mamatsay,
clothes, Me Schnetler, clothes and computer, Mrs J.P. Jonk,
clothes and toys. AGS Makarios for the maizemeal. Thank-you
to Mehato Footprints for the clothes and presents for the
children, Mr PFC Schoeman, (Snr & Jnr),clothes, other items
and bibles,which is so much appreciated.
! Last but not least, a great thank-you from the sick and
disabled women from Virginia center. They so much
appreciated the facilities being donated for the bathrooms to
help them to get along. This was a very big blessing and we
are so great full towards the members of Rotary and Mr
Prinsloo Ross from Ortolab, Welkom. Thank-you Rotary for
your input in donating furniture, special thank-you to Mr Chris
Mc Comb for the delivery of the items. Mr Theunnissen for
the cash donation and Jet stores, Welkom, for the most
wanted clothes.
May 2011 be a year of Blessings, with God as our Father,and US
to obey.
 OUR YEAR-END FUNCTION

THANK YOU TO A FRIEND

B ecause of the fact that I am more involved

at the Eden TC Virginia Center, I am going
to focus this article on the Virginia Center.
I was taking pictures
during our CHRISTmas
time of the year.
A time when people are feeling lonely and rejected
by their friends and families and need a lot of love
and attention. She was their shoulder they could
cry on and she made sure that they had special
season and when I meals and each one received their little gift.
browsed through them,
God just laid it on my But it is not only during these times that she
heart to thank Janet for supported her sheep, but also during the year of
all the effort that she 2010. Since her husband, our dear friend pastor
has put into this special
 I
recently visited my hairdresser and we tried a new hairstyle. I felt like a
new person and after all they say a change is as good as a holiday, and that is
how I felt until I walked out of the salon.

I wanted my friends and family’s opinion about my new look because I thought the
new look will not work for me. All I wanted to know is whether this new look fits me
or no, simply a YES or NO! Shocking was the reaction when I realized people don’t
want to be honest anymore. I asked Dicky and his reaction was “yes you look
beautiful, as if he would say otherwise." My mom said it’s nice but we must get
used to it, someone else said it’s (mmm) pretty and a friend said “you look
beautiful."

I asked myself the following question - are people honest with each other? Will
someone really tell me if these hairstyle “sucks” or will I walk with this style and
be laughed at? Will you tell your friend or partner that they have a bad breath or
are smelly?

But the most important of it all is,,,,, will you be honest with them about their
spiritual life? We try to spare people’s feelings but at the end of the day it’s more than feelings that get hurt.
Paul and Peter are a good example to us. When we read in Galations we see although Peter was a leader of the church, he was
acting like a hypocrite. Paul knew he had to confront Peter before his actions damaged the church. Therefore, Paul confronted
him face to face. Sometimes sincere Christians, even Christian leaders, make mistakes; it may take other sincere Christians to
get them back on track.

It’s not always nice to help (reprimand) our friends or fellow believers, but we must care enough to confront them about their
wrongdoings. Prov. 27:6 says. “ Faithful are the wound of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”
Sometimes our friends make choices or do things that are wrong. If we ignore their behavior and let them continue, we aren’t
showing love to them. We show love by honesty sharing our concerns in order to help them do and be their very best to God.
When we don’t move to help, we show that we are more concerned about being well liked than about what will happen to them.

PS: I got a lot of reactions about my hairstyle whether they are true or not I don’t know.
God bless.

Jakkie Maritz
Editor
 EDEN T.C 20 TH BIRTHDAY
CELEBRATION
DATE: 16-18 DECEMBER 2011

CELEBRATING GOD AND HOPE

FOR THE FUTURE IN HIM

National & International

Speakers

Allie, has passed away, she filled his shoes and the
work of God continued. She is always quick to thank
other people for their support to our ministry and
I want to make use of this opportunity to thank
her for her loyal and unselfish support to God’s
Kingdom during the time she served at Eden TC. If
there is something like a spiritual washing of feet,
I want her to know that this is a way I want to
wash her feet in thanksgiving.

PLACE: EDEN T.C VIRGINIA

May God bless you Janet AVALON CIRCLE, VIRGINIA
Your friend, Jana
 Eden TC centers
VIRGINIA HEAD OFFICE
Pastor Herman Viljoen
PO Box 631
Virginia, 9430
Tel: 057 2123755
Fax: 0866403065
hbviljoen@intekom.co.za

VIRGINIA
Me. Janet Botma
PO Box 631
Virginia, 9430
Tel: 057 2123755
Fax: 057 2127343
edenvirginia@gmail.com

KROONSTAD
Pastor Johan Esterhuyse
PO Box 2333
Kroonstad, 9500
Tel: 056 2127275
Fax: 0866401709
edenkroon@lantic.net

BLOEMSPRUIT
Mr. Kobus Sonnekus
PO Box 19076
Bloemspruit, 9364
Tel: 0793438998
Fax: 0866401714
edenbloemspruit@vodamail.co.za

BETHLEHEM
Pastor Dicky Maritz
PO Box 1886
Bethlehem, 9700
Tel: 058 3033241
Fax: 058 3033380
edennews@vodamail.co.za

BLOEMFONTEIN
Mr. Ralph Bruiners
PO Box 8772
Bloemfontein,9300
Tel: 051 4305769
Fax: 0866401710
edenbloem@vodamail.co.za