JBay is calling Ren back!

H I !

I'm Ren and I have a passion I want to share with you. 
                                                      *
I love doing things differently; it’s something that’s given me joy since I was little!

Let’s start here: A few months ago, I was given the opportunity to partake in the Christian Surfers Africa Leadership Training program (CSALT)  in Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa. Whilst setting apart 5 months to intern and work through and for CSALT, I was blessed to volunteer with Aleph Surf International  and build relationships with the kids in the township while teaching them how to surf.

            On top of being able to volunteer with the children, I was asked to assist with the production of the Aleph Spring/Summer 2015 clothing and accessory line with the Creative Director, Vanessa van Zyl. That’s not even the coolest part- Vanessa and I both graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and are from the same hometown in California!

            As Vanessa and I began to wrap up our work before the year ended, she and her husband  (the founder of Aleph) Rehgert, asked me if I would be able to fly back to Jeffrey’s Bay to continue working on the production of the new Aleph clothing line for another six months. Of course my answer was yes! But I’m going to need some help to return back to South Africa in February 2015 since there is still much work to do at our office. For the Aleph 2015 line, we have decided to be completely South African made. This meaning that we will source materials, sew t-shirts, make accessories, create our own patterns and sew everything within only South Africa. This is the most beautiful opportunity to give local men and women jobs with a good salary.


            I’m not asking for money to just travel to Africa to do missionary work- I’m asking for an opportunity to do something different than that. I’m asking to return to the office where I’m blessed to work at everyday with Dorcas, Cassina and Wonderful, Aleph’s three employees that will be making the Aleph products alongside Vanessa and I.

I’m asking to go back to build stronger relationships with the adults and children in and out of the township and to share my story with all of them.

I’m asking for the opportunity to love these people the way God loves them and to embrace our mutual brokenness- only until we do this can we truly ALL make a difference.

This passion of mine is to be set apart and do things differently. I’m asking to do something different with and for people.