MELUSI is the Zulu word meaning “The Shepherd”. John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.” Our base is situated on the old Betania Swedish Mission hospital grounds in Dundee, Northern Kwazulu Natal.
Melusi’s purpose is to share the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to all persons. Our ministry specifically targets those in suffering and poverty. We live together in community, living out the teachings of Jesus and obeying His commandments to love one another as a testimony to God’s faithfulness. We do not raise funds or make appeals, but choose to trust the Lord for our daily needs and live simply “so that others may simply live”. The ministry celebrated its 25th anniversary in April 2010.
Ministries
Caring for the Homeless – Temple Gate Ministry Our in-house ministry cares for homeless adult men. Whilst we offer accommodation and food to these men, our prayer is for their spiritual nurturing. This takes place by means of ministry sessions, counseling and a work therapy program, including empowerment opportunities in various kinds of crafts and skills. Many are affected and addicted substance abusers and have been rejected by their families.
HIV/AIDS Care Centre An in-patient unit is available on the property for those persons in the last stages of the disease. Voluntary caregivers who have been trained in basic care giving assist our nursing staff in caring for the patients. Local medical doctors and the provincial hospital are working alongside us to address the needs in the community.
HIV/AIDS affected patients are cared for in their homes as part of the home-based care program. The focus is on the “poorest of the poor.” Transport, if required, is provided for them to and from clinics and hospitals. Food and clothing are provided as far as possible where the patient has been the sole breadwinner. Orphans are placed, where possible, with an immediate family member, who is usually a pensioner and follow up is undertaken to assist in meeting the basic needs of the children as far as possible for a limited period of time following a death.
Outreaches Weekly trips are undertaken into the squatter settlements in the area where the gospel message is ministered and food parcels are distributed to those in need. We have also used the opportunity to evaluate the conditions amongst the people and identified those affected by HIV/AIDS and follow-up is done to the various homes.
A ladies’ Bible study group has been started in a settlement on the outskirts of Dundee. Weekly Bible studies are conducted and the opportunity also utilised to teach the women basic sewing skills from time to time. A program is provided for the children of the community as an evangelistic outreach by means of Bible stories, games and singing.
Kids club Every Friday afternoon a group of disadvantaged children from the local informal settlements descend upon Melusi for a time of fun. It is also a time of ministry through Bible stories, singing and games. During the holidays, we go into the community and provide this opportunity to a larger group of children as an alternative to running the streets aimlessly and getting into mischief.
Food for work program On a weekly basis a number of unemployed women and men come to Melusi to “work for food”. This program has been established to give the poor a “hand up rather than a hand out”. The principle is taken from scripture that those who do not work ought not to eat.
These men and women are involved with practical tasks in gardening and other building or maintenance projects. Land is available within the community where various vegetables are grown for the community kitchen as well as for families in desperate need. Individuals are taught the basics of food gardening, crop rotation, etc.. Food parcels are made up for these needy families, which include fresh vegetables produced in our own vegetable gardens. Second hand clothing and donated blankets are also distributed to needy families in the community.