Beautiful::Africa

Next spring, the Beautiful Africa campaign will be coordinating with former Beautiful Gate volunteers, artists, and local businesses to host a Beautiful Art benefit! The goal of Beautiful Art is to help Beautiful Gate, Lesotho, financially, and to continue raising awareness about their work and ministry. Stay tuned during the next few months as we share more information on when and where the Beautiful Art benefit will be held as well as ways in which you can get involved.

In preparation for Beautiful Art, a volunteer, Melanie VanderWal, has gone to Beautiful Gate this month to create a body of art based on her experience at the care center.  The artwork created will be featured for purchase next spring at the Beautiful Art benefit.

Originally from Newark California, Melanie graduated in 2006 from Calvin College with her BA in Studio Art and a minor in Missions. From 2005-06 she participated as a worship apprentice for Calvin College. Melanie taught K-12 art in China from 2006-2008. For two weeks in 2007, Melanie helped lead twelve youth to India on a mission trip where she says her most influential art emerged. Most recently Melanie has been on the River Christian Reformed Church’s creative arts team to develop creative art for worship.

Melanie believes that the power of imagery is a persuasive tool given to her by God that opens the door in which the Holy Spirit can work. That is why Melanie has deemed her work Transforming The Arts And Lives For The Kingdom (t.a.l.k.). Her art works are visual representations of what Christ is teaching her in life and through its symbolism she hopes the viewer will consider its meaning by means of dialogue and reflection in order to be challenged by truth.

Though Melanie has raised all of her support, she is still in need of gifts for art supplies/framing as well as expenses to hold the Beautiful Art benefit. If you would like to contribute to this need, please contact her at mavanderwal@gmail.com. Also, if you would like to donate to Beautiful Gate, please visit the Beautiful Africa website.

If you would like to include Melanie in your daily prayers, she asks for:

• Wisdom in developing Public Relations materials for BG
• A sharp mind and wisdom from the spirit for strong and effective materials
• Continued health and safety
• Divine inspiration as she seeks what God wants her to show through her art work for the Beautiful Art benefit

We look forward to seeing you next Spring at Beautiful Art!

If you or someone you know would like to visit Beautiful Gate, please contact the Executive Director, Mr. Ray Haakonsen at opsdirector@beautifulgatelesotho.org.