They helped a thousand orphans in China to realize their dreams until a problem forced them to close the Gift of Joy centre. Now they are in Africa, based in Louis Trichardt.

JR and Anita McGee as well as little Josiah and Amanda from Gift of Joy moved to town together with Elaine Chen.

“Over there, I watched kids boil branches to extract the nutrients and drink it for survival. We helped orphans and poor children in the centre of China develop their dream,” said JR.

The Gift of Joy team worked in China since 1995. JR does not go into detail on the problem that forced them to close down the centre. They are used to not supplying too many details on certain subjects since information is easily misunderstood in China.

When he tells about the wonderful opportunities that arose for the orphans to realize their dreams, JR’s eyes sparkle.

“One girl from the orphanage wanted to be a fashion designer. Today, she is with a top fashion designer in Hong Kong. We partner to change the world, one kid at a time.”

After the centre had been closed down, the staff had to leave and the kids of the orphanage were scattered all over China. JR and his family went to the USA for three months. Amazingly, when he returned to China, he was invited to work with a corporation in China to help 12 000 orphans. By that time, Gift of Joy had already been committed to go to Africa.

The McGees met Sam and Dalene van Niekerk in 2002 in Malaysia and visited the Agapé Christian Centre in Louis Trichardt more than a year ago.

“We are here to do the same, to help orphans and poor children develop their dream, but how to make the plan work in a different culture is another thing. We will first take time to evaluate matters,” said JR.

Pastor Sampie van Niekerk said that the McGees looked forward to working here where people will support them.

“They were not allowed to worship there. They enjoy the wide open spaces here and look forward to having a dog,” said Pastor Van Niekerk.