Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Just landed in Dakar for the halfway point home. Going thru routine security check, remaining onboard plane. Will depart again at 3am local Dakar time. Lord willing will be in Atlanta at about 8:15am. Everyone doing fine, just tired. Thanks for your love and prayers. Will see you Wednesday night! Pastor Tad
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Proverbs 27:17
I chose this verse not only because Pastor Tad used it in our fellowship meeting last night, but it also accurately describes the group here in ZA. As our time here has progressed and also as it winds down, we have all found that every single individual brings something different to the table. Not only have we been impacting the lives of the people and youth here, but we have helped each other to grow as Christians. Something that will affect us the rest of our time here on this Earth.
Thursday was a remarkable afternoon. The Lord placed a wonderful Christian woman in our path named Amy that is highly respected in the school where she works, which allowed for her to set up an after school program called the Fun Club. This allowed for the team to come in and share songs, lessons, and fun to the children of the school. Although we won't be able to be there, next Thursday they will hold yet another Fun Club after school and I am sure that God will allow for even more children to show up!
Because of the bad weather we were experiencing on Friday, Pastor Crane decided to reschedule our Game Reserve tour and instead gave us the opportunity to pass out more pamphlets and tracts concerning Agape Baptist Church here in George. This is always a fun time for the groups that go out and have to brave the streets of a foreign land in neighborhoods where every house has a dog as big as a small pony.
In all sincerity this was one of the more essential functions of our group while we here in South Africa. It allowed for all of us to come to the realization that mission work is very long term based relational work. You don't necessarily get the instant edification of seeing a soul come to Christ. Instead you must take a step back and look at it from the perspective that a year or more down the road, the community will know who Pastor Crane is and where his church is located and the church, through the Power of the Lord working through our outreach efforts here, will be able to make a much larger impact in this community. That evening the music groups practiced, the big ball was blown up, and we all prepared mentally and emotionally for another wonderful youth rally. That evening was a special blessing because one of the young men attending decided to place his trust in the Lord Jesus as his Savior! I believe I could speak for the whole group when I say that it was a truly uplifting experience to see another soul come to Him, and even if that was the only one during these two weeks, it was worth it.
Saturday morning we were able to go to a open air market where food and crafts were sold, and even music was played. At noon we drove to a town where we helped Pastor Miles with distribution and promotion of his church there. As Pastor Tad made it clear to us, we were here to promote and help out the local church in any way we can, and that is exactly what we did. We split into groups and headed down roads through townships and through neighborhoods where poverty abounded. After a small break that afternoon, we all were ready for the evening dinner and testimony time at the Crane's household. We cannot thank them enough for their hospitality and kindness they have shown us.
This morning (Sunday), the groups split up yet again, this time going to the opposite churches they went to last weekend. More children attended this time around, and I know that made it seem all the more worth it.
Again we cannot thank you enough for all of your prayers and thoughts and well wishes. God has been doing so much through us and for us and we can put our trust and faith that He always will. I believe we have all grown stronger in our faith in the Lord because of this trip, and will continue to even in our last days and nights here. We all miss you very much and love you even more! Keep a weather eye for us on Wednesday!!
I chose this verse not only because Pastor Tad used it in our fellowship meeting last night, but it also accurately describes the group here in ZA. As our time here has progressed and also as it winds down, we have all found that every single individual brings something different to the table. Not only have we been impacting the lives of the people and youth here, but we have helped each other to grow as Christians. Something that will affect us the rest of our time here on this Earth.
Thursday was a remarkable afternoon. The Lord placed a wonderful Christian woman in our path named Amy that is highly respected in the school where she works, which allowed for her to set up an after school program called the Fun Club. This allowed for the team to come in and share songs, lessons, and fun to the children of the school. Although we won't be able to be there, next Thursday they will hold yet another Fun Club after school and I am sure that God will allow for even more children to show up!
Because of the bad weather we were experiencing on Friday, Pastor Crane decided to reschedule our Game Reserve tour and instead gave us the opportunity to pass out more pamphlets and tracts concerning Agape Baptist Church here in George. This is always a fun time for the groups that go out and have to brave the streets of a foreign land in neighborhoods where every house has a dog as big as a small pony.
In all sincerity this was one of the more essential functions of our group while we here in South Africa. It allowed for all of us to come to the realization that mission work is very long term based relational work. You don't necessarily get the instant edification of seeing a soul come to Christ. Instead you must take a step back and look at it from the perspective that a year or more down the road, the community will know who Pastor Crane is and where his church is located and the church, through the Power of the Lord working through our outreach efforts here, will be able to make a much larger impact in this community. That evening the music groups practiced, the big ball was blown up, and we all prepared mentally and emotionally for another wonderful youth rally. That evening was a special blessing because one of the young men attending decided to place his trust in the Lord Jesus as his Savior! I believe I could speak for the whole group when I say that it was a truly uplifting experience to see another soul come to Him, and even if that was the only one during these two weeks, it was worth it.
Saturday morning we were able to go to a open air market where food and crafts were sold, and even music was played. At noon we drove to a town where we helped Pastor Miles with distribution and promotion of his church there. As Pastor Tad made it clear to us, we were here to promote and help out the local church in any way we can, and that is exactly what we did. We split into groups and headed down roads through townships and through neighborhoods where poverty abounded. After a small break that afternoon, we all were ready for the evening dinner and testimony time at the Crane's household. We cannot thank them enough for their hospitality and kindness they have shown us.
This morning (Sunday), the groups split up yet again, this time going to the opposite churches they went to last weekend. More children attended this time around, and I know that made it seem all the more worth it.
Again we cannot thank you enough for all of your prayers and thoughts and well wishes. God has been doing so much through us and for us and we can put our trust and faith that He always will. I believe we have all grown stronger in our faith in the Lord because of this trip, and will continue to even in our last days and nights here. We all miss you very much and love you even more! Keep a weather eye for us on Wednesday!!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Mission Update in George
The group has only been here for close to a week and already we have been overwhelmed with all that we have seen.
Sunday was filled with fun, laughter, and Bible lessons as the two groups were split under the leadership of Mr. Larry Haney and Mrs. Linda Haney. Mr. Larry's group drove to Sedgefield to teach at a small service run at a local Christian school. Ms. Linda's group ran the children service right out of Pastor Crane's own home. Both groups only had one visiting child, but a remark was made by the boy under the care of Mrs. Linda that "All the other children missed out."
After a wonderful lunch with the rejoined groups, a small amount of time for some resting was allowed before the next fellowship and service at the Crane household. As everyone arrived the smell of some foreign eat filled the area. We all were in for a wonderful and tasty surprise as Pastor Crane showed off some of his cooking skills.
The group started up a game of volleyball in the yard and soon thereafter everyone joined in. Visitors continued to show at the Crane's home and Lakesides group of young adults continued to invite them into the game. After having a wonderful meal Pastor Bryant Crane brought us a powerful and uplifting message to help motivate us on the week ahead. No one knew quite what The Lord had in store for us in the next few days.
Monday started early just as every other day had, but this time it was different. It was our turn to ever so slightly experience the poverty that had ravaged parts of South Africa for years and years. The black Townships. The tour guides, Penny and Ella, met with us and joined the ranks of our buses in the city of Knysna before heading to the township area.
Once we arrived at the first school, we all instantly felt that The Lord would never let us forget the work being done there, as well as the faces of the children we met. Many of us would count this as one of the most rewarding experiences thus far, but we know there are still so much more to come. We visited a few schools and an orphanage before returning to Ella's home for noon tea, a concept still very foreign to most of us. As we began to relax and finish our rooibos tea, Penny requested that Ella share with us at least most of her testimony. The tears welled in most everyone's eyes as we listened to a story of a young black woman who grew up in the lifestyle of the township. Of a young lady who had never owned a pair of shoes in her life until the age of twenty-two when a preacher asked her to come to church with him and his family. We listened intently to a wonderful story of a young woman's life that was changed and consumed by the power of God, and how He has given her a vision and passion to bring Jesus to the people of that township. I doubt most of us would argue she was the Person of the Day. To see someone so enveloped with the mission that God has given her was an encouragement to us all.
Tuesday morning we arose with a renewed spirit and desire to serve and bring the Word of God to those in need. We arrived at Sedgefield Christian school and set up for the morning assembly. The kids were alert and attentive as Mrs. Linda presented the wordless book, as Pastor Tad spoke to them on who lives within the Heart House, and as our puppet friends sang songs to them.
To end the day, we were taken to the Sedgefield beach and trekked across sand and rock enjoying the beauty of God's creation. It really was an amazing sight and so much to take in. After cleaning up and getting our groups of four together, we were given a map, a walkie talkie, and a drive to our start points for the distribution of Agape Baptist Church Tracts & Pamphlets. It was such an encouragement to everyone to know that this was perhaps one of the first major advertisements for Pastor Crane's church in the area, and that we had a major role in it. After covering our assigned areas, we met up at Pastor Crane's home and discussed everything that God has been doing in our lives and hearts since we have been here in ZA.
All in all the experiences we have all shared will forever resound in our minds and memories. We thank God continuously for His goodness and mercy, and we thank Him for all the love and prayers everyone back home has bestowed on us from day one. We Love and miss you all very much and cannot wait to report back all the work God will have allowed us to do here in South Africa.
Sunday was filled with fun, laughter, and Bible lessons as the two groups were split under the leadership of Mr. Larry Haney and Mrs. Linda Haney. Mr. Larry's group drove to Sedgefield to teach at a small service run at a local Christian school. Ms. Linda's group ran the children service right out of Pastor Crane's own home. Both groups only had one visiting child, but a remark was made by the boy under the care of Mrs. Linda that "All the other children missed out."
After a wonderful lunch with the rejoined groups, a small amount of time for some resting was allowed before the next fellowship and service at the Crane household. As everyone arrived the smell of some foreign eat filled the area. We all were in for a wonderful and tasty surprise as Pastor Crane showed off some of his cooking skills.
The group started up a game of volleyball in the yard and soon thereafter everyone joined in. Visitors continued to show at the Crane's home and Lakesides group of young adults continued to invite them into the game. After having a wonderful meal Pastor Bryant Crane brought us a powerful and uplifting message to help motivate us on the week ahead. No one knew quite what The Lord had in store for us in the next few days.
Monday started early just as every other day had, but this time it was different. It was our turn to ever so slightly experience the poverty that had ravaged parts of South Africa for years and years. The black Townships. The tour guides, Penny and Ella, met with us and joined the ranks of our buses in the city of Knysna before heading to the township area.
Once we arrived at the first school, we all instantly felt that The Lord would never let us forget the work being done there, as well as the faces of the children we met. Many of us would count this as one of the most rewarding experiences thus far, but we know there are still so much more to come. We visited a few schools and an orphanage before returning to Ella's home for noon tea, a concept still very foreign to most of us. As we began to relax and finish our rooibos tea, Penny requested that Ella share with us at least most of her testimony. The tears welled in most everyone's eyes as we listened to a story of a young black woman who grew up in the lifestyle of the township. Of a young lady who had never owned a pair of shoes in her life until the age of twenty-two when a preacher asked her to come to church with him and his family. We listened intently to a wonderful story of a young woman's life that was changed and consumed by the power of God, and how He has given her a vision and passion to bring Jesus to the people of that township. I doubt most of us would argue she was the Person of the Day. To see someone so enveloped with the mission that God has given her was an encouragement to us all.
Tuesday morning we arose with a renewed spirit and desire to serve and bring the Word of God to those in need. We arrived at Sedgefield Christian school and set up for the morning assembly. The kids were alert and attentive as Mrs. Linda presented the wordless book, as Pastor Tad spoke to them on who lives within the Heart House, and as our puppet friends sang songs to them.
To end the day, we were taken to the Sedgefield beach and trekked across sand and rock enjoying the beauty of God's creation. It really was an amazing sight and so much to take in. After cleaning up and getting our groups of four together, we were given a map, a walkie talkie, and a drive to our start points for the distribution of Agape Baptist Church Tracts & Pamphlets. It was such an encouragement to everyone to know that this was perhaps one of the first major advertisements for Pastor Crane's church in the area, and that we had a major role in it. After covering our assigned areas, we met up at Pastor Crane's home and discussed everything that God has been doing in our lives and hearts since we have been here in ZA.
All in all the experiences we have all shared will forever resound in our minds and memories. We thank God continuously for His goodness and mercy, and we thank Him for all the love and prayers everyone back home has bestowed on us from day one. We Love and miss you all very much and cannot wait to report back all the work God will have allowed us to do here in South Africa.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
George on my mind...
After a wonderful youth rally with over 100 teens the group was in need of nourishment and rest. We boarded the buses and headed to the city where steaks, burgers, and even snail was had! After a good nights sleep we have loaded the buses up and are already on our way to george. Breakfast should be in order soon. Thank for all your prayers and praise God for His goodness so far.
Friday, July 17, 2009
The day after the longest day
After two fried hairdryers and an artic night, we arrived to Mcdonalds for a warm breakfast. No biscuits here. Headed to do some sightseeing now. Videos and more pictures will soon follow. Everyone says hello...
Thursday, July 16, 2009
We made it!
This is Sean here just checking in before customs to say WE MADE IT! Thank you so much for your prayers and support. We love you all and will be keeping you updated!
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