Jackson's Ridge

This morning Janis drove Sarah, Charity, and me out to Jackson's Ridge, a children's ministry training center about 45 minutes outside of Rustenburg.  She wanted us to be able to see the grounds and learn about the ministry they do there.  Jackson's Ridge is out "in the bush," which means that it's pretty much in the middle of nowhere, so we had to take some very bumpy dirt roads for the last several miles.

As we approached the entrance, a whole bunch of monkeys scurried across the road ahead of us and jumped into the trees on our right.  Even Janis, who has been in South Africa for 14 years, said she had never seen that many monkeys at one time before.  They were everywhere!  And each time we thought they were done running across the road, we'd see a few more up ahead.

When we finally arrived on the Jackson's Ridge property, we met up with Amanda, who just happens to be from the same hometown as me.  She knew Janis and David prior to coming to South Africa last year because they attended the same church back in Illinois (the same church Janis' parents still attend).  I also got to meet Amanda's mom Chris (the same night I met Janis' parents) before I left for this trip, and she sent a few goodies with me to give to Amanda.  What a small world!

the bunkhouse

Amanda took us on the full tour of the Jackson's Ridge property.  They hold children's camps there on the weekends, so there is a bunkhouse, the main building where they do dramas and puppet shows, an outdoor challenge course, a dam where the kids can swim, and even an area for archery.  There are also several horses that the kids can ride including two ponies named Caesar and Jackson.  

part of the challenge course

Jackson's Ridge also provides training and resources for leaders of children's ministries, so we got to see several meeting areas, the large resource room, and a puppet-making studio.  Amanda was telling us that they also sometimes travel around the country to hold training sessions on different skills including puppetry, balloon animals, clowning, and, of course, how to share Jesus' love with children of all ages.

the dam where the kids swim

My favorite part of Jackson's Ridge was their Baby Shelter, which is able to take up to 9 babies or toddlers at one time.  Their purpose is similar to that of Lighthouse in that they provide a safe place for babies who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected.  But they only take babies who have already been cleared for adoption, so that they don't have to go through the long process of having a baby declared legally abandoned.  Because of this, they are able to place their babies with adoptive families very quickly.

Today we got to meet the only baby currently staying in the Baby Shelter.  His name is Onthatile, and he is one month old.  We each got to hold him and love on him for a few minutes...definitely the best part of my day.  :)

After our tour of Jackson's Ridge, Amanda and Charlene, who is in charge of the Baby Shelter, took us to Western Cane near Magaliesburg for lunch.  I had a toasted chicken mayo sandwich, which was delicious, and appletizer, which is similar to sparkling apple juice except not as sweet.  

We also checked out the gift shop at Western Cane, and I purchased something for my mom.  I can't wait to give it to her!  Sarah and Charity bought a bunch of candy and sweets, and we all got high on sugar on the 45-minute drive back to Rustenburg.