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.