Our Savior sent a mission team of 18 people to serve our ministry partners in Middelburg, South Africa, June 26 – July 8, 2025. It was an amazing opportunity to work alongside and encourage our ministry partners in Middelburg. It was a trip filled with God-sightings! Joining Jesus on His mission, this team visited our partner church, the school, preschool, and orphanage in Middelburg, and the seminary in Pretoria. They sang, danced, played, and put on several ministry events including a VBS, a Feeding Program, and a Day of Serving.
Among the members of our team were 4 OSL staff members: Senior Pastor Bill Wangelin, 2nd Grade Teacher Tammy Mazur, 3rd Grade Teacher Faith Korte, and Middle School Teacher (and Youth Director) Kaitlynn Mews. This was a special opportunity for our staff to interact with teachers and students from St. Peter Christian College, which our church and school has supported for over a decade. Our Savior Lutheran School collected chapel offerings to purchase the mission supplies for our team. We are also thankful to the Church Extension Fund for a special grant that helped our staff members go on this trip.
It was winter in South Africa, and so St. Peter Christian College (which serves grades Kindergarten through 12th grade) was on their winter break. However, they had a professional development day for teachers, and our team was able to participate in the opening devotions and ice breaker, and our staff members presented during their training. Pastor Wangelin, Tammy Mazur, and Faith Korte presented on Faith Integration in the Classroom. Kaitlynn Mews and Tammy Mazur led breakout sessions on using smartboards. While we are worlds apart, the mission of our two schools aligns in keeping Christ at the center of all we do.
The remaining team members included a number of retired and former educators, and two recent graduates of Our Savior. These were Pastor Ed and Nancy Filter (retired OSL and LSEM teacher), Kristin Wangelin (former teacher) and daughter Hannah. Don Feikema and niece Mariya Feikema. Sharon Voss (retired school administrator) and her sister Kathy Davenport. Michelle Knauff (retired public school teacher), and the McKendry Family – Royce & Melisa (former teacher), Kelsey, Ryan, and Kaylee.
Here are some reflections from our OSL teachers on our time in Middelburg.
Teacher Reflections – Tammy Mazur, OSL 2nd Grade Teacher
I am forever changed by this trip and still think about our South Africa people every day. When I reflect back on our mission to South Africa this past July, I struggle with narrowing it down to one thing that stood out because there were so many ways in which I could see God at work. However, I am so thankful that I was given the honor and privilege to travel on this mission trip. Then I think about how wonderful it was to work alongside all of the others that went – what a blessing to be able to work with such an amazing team. Most importantly, I was able to see firsthand how God is working in and through the people of Middleburg, South Africa.
One particular Godsighting that stands out to me was the day that we spent in Doornkop. We worked with Caring Friends and Mama Grace to feed students who were on their winter break from school. Mama Grace provides breakfast and lunch for students and families who may not be able to afford 
those meals otherwise. There were three areas where we worked – the garden, the kitchen, and the play yard. I was excited to participate and help in any way that I could and was fortunate to be in the play yard where I met a little girl. I ended up playing with her for most of the time I was there. She was the happiest little girl there and wore a smile the entire time. We played a lot of different games and for a bit we were separated playing with different people. When she saw me again she loudly exclaimed, “My friend, there you are!” and wrapped her arms around me for a hug. I was so touched by her calling me her friend. We had just spent a morning together and we weren’t even speaking the same language, but I was her friend. It was a wonderful witness to me and reminded me how Jesus sees me, too. I am His friend. The people of Middelburg and especially Doornkop are my friends.
Teacher Reflections – Faith Korte, OSL 3rd Grade Teacher
Shine. Jesus shines through everything. It was such a blessing to witness Him working and shining through our friends in South Africa and to be able to learn and work alongside them to spread His love. St. Peter Christian College (school), Caring Friends, and Amajuba Children’s Home reflect His light in so many amazing ways. I saw His magnificent creation on the safari radiate His glory. Yes, Jesus even shined through 66 hours of travel due to a missed connection flight and unexpected layovers.
One moment (though there were so many) I remember really seeing Jesus shine was in Doornkop while working with Mama Grace and her food program. Mama Grace works to feed the children in her neighborhood when they otherwise may not receive a meal. We arrived and helped serve breakfast. At first, I was a little nervous about the language barrier. I saw a little girl with a Superman shirt on that had finished her breakfast. I cautiously went over to her and did a goofy (not great) impression of Superman. The eruption of giggles and smiles was contagious. I played with her and a constant rotation of children, all smiling and laughing even though we spoke different languages. Wrapping up after lunch was served, holding hands to pray with those children, Mama Grace, and Caring Friends, I was reminded of the goodness and immense love of God for each one of us.
The true joy came when I was able to embrace my dear friend, Elizabeth. She is part of Caring Friends, which is an outreach program that helps their community with various needs. In 2023, when I met Elizabeth, I was drawn to her powerful and confident voice. I had asked her to teach me the Zulu songs Caring Friends would sing with us before we would embark on that day’s task.
Now in 2025, Elizabeth and I were able to sing side-by-side again. She even shared some new Zulu songs with our group. Igama linkosi malibongwe! (Blessed is the name of the Lord!) Zulu and English have very little in common, but when 
scripture and music combine, there is unity.
During our VBS days at Saint Peter, Elizabeth and our music team sang songs with kids of all ages. After we ended our program on the second day, a fifteen-year-old boy in the neighborhood introduced himself to me. He had remembered me from two years ago! He too is drawn to music and longs to sing and play guitar, and maybe one day attend Saint Peter and make his way to the United States. I was able to connect him to Muzi Khumalo and Maureen Nyaka. Weeks later, Saint Peter posted a video of this young man singing the song our group taught him, “Lord Prepare Me to be a Sanctuary.”
Music unites the Kingdom of God. Oh, how I cannot wait to hear the glorious sound in heaven of all the voices across the world singing praises to our God together.
Ngiyabonga, Kaitlynn Mews