Working on the Farm

When we are not helping in Philippi, we are out on the "farm" that will become Bridges Academy and Bridges Retreat Center. The idea is to have a place for the orphans and children of Philippi to gain an education and skills they otherwise could never receive. The purpose of the retreat center is to have a place for orphans and adults from Philippi to escape the outside world, to learn leadership skills, receive discipleship, to experience new things and to try new challenges.

It is so encouraging to see the Philippian leaders rising up and taking over the the work that Bridges of Hope started. As the empowering of the people of Philippi to help themselves comes to a close, the focus of our ministry will shift to the Academy.

Currently on the property there are 6 buildings that have been used as a retreat center and Bed & Breakfast. It is a beautiful property with 360 degree views of mountains and 12 acres of blessing. There is a guest house that will be able to house 6 couples and the kitchen facilities. A bunk house that will have beds for 30 and a "shed" that is being converted to a rec room. These will be the facilities for the retreat center. We are spending most of our time at the farm getting this facility ready for the first retreat in December. There is a lot of work to be done but we know that it will be a one of a kind experience for the children who will visit.

On the other side of the property the three remaining buildings will be the start of the academy. Over the next year there are plans for a main house that will both provide permanent residence and rooms for instruction to the children who attend. It is BHI's hope that in two years the retreat center and academy will be up and running year round.

We have posted the location of the farm on a previous entry. Please enter the coordinates into Google Earth or other satilite program to see where we hope to spend the next few years of our life.

Molo (this means hello in Xhosa/ we don't know how to say goodbye yet:)

Matt and Leslie