Centre to help abused women to a better future
Miracle Connection Centre is set to aid abused women.
“We are here due to God’s plan and will do everything in our power to serve Him.”
These are the words of Dean and Marshelle Pillay, from Miracle Connection Centre.
The centre located on Main Road in Fishers’ Hill is slowly taking shape and the couple hopes that soon they will be able to attain their dream of opening a home for abused women.
Dean and Marshelle own D & S Bolts and Nuts across the road from the centre, and Dean told the GCN he believes God strategically placed them in the area for a reason.
They have been married for 32 years and have two children, Shazelle Govender and Sheldon, and two grandchildren, Michael-Dean (6) and Mickelah (4) Govender.
They purchased the property, which previously housed Classic Corner Headquarters (CCHQ), in September 2012.
The transfer finally came through in May 2013 and then the hard work began.
“It took us two years to break down parts of the building and another year to renovate the property,” Marshelle said.
“We couldn’t believe how many community members came to assist us.
“Our vision is to open a home for abused women and lead them back to God.
“They will stay with us for three months while we equip them with skills and help them get back into the stream of life.”
In order to make this vision a reality, the centre houses a coffee shop.
It also has a bookshop.
“The money earned through the coffee shop gets put towards our vision of the home, as well as helps us hold a soup kitchen on a weekly basis,” said Dean.
“We did not want to keep asking people for donations and the coffee shop can help keep the project self-sustaining.”
The soup kitchen is run every Wednesday, from 4.30pm at the NG Cachet Church hall in Thistle Road, Primrose.
“It started with 12 people coming for food, but has grown to 55 people,” Dean said.
The soup kitchen administers to both people’s physical hunger, as well as their spiritual hunger.
They do get donations for the soup kitchen, but more are welcome and volunteers to help are needed.
“You can volunteer just to come and listen to the people’s stories,” Marshelle said.
The couple also hosts men’s breakfasts at the coffee shop on the last Saturday of every month, where men of all denominations get together for fellowship.
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They also host a special event every September for widows and one for orphans in December where participants enjoy a special lunch and lots of spoils.
They also host women’s workshops with women from all denominations and host church leaders for meals.
The vision of the centre is “One body in Christ” and Marshelle said God willing they will open the home this year.
“We are experiencing a few stumbling blocks with regard to getting approval from the metro, but we pray we will open this year,” Marshelle said.
In order to get the plans approved the couple need to submit a proposed building plan to the metro and they need the assistance of an architect to do this – but this costs money which they don’t have.
They are appealing to a local architect to offer to help them make their vision come alive.
“Miracle Connection Centre is our baby and God will give us the strength to bring the vision to fruition,” Marshelle said.
If you would like to offer any assistance to Dean and Marshelle with regard to the centre or the soup kitchen contact Dean on 083 701 0205 or 01 822 1287.
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