Tuesday, June 26, 2012

2nd Quarter Update


Shalom from Cape Town, South Africa!

Many exciting things have happened since my first quarter update. God’s Glory has been amazing as I watch the Spirit move in communities here! I am also grateful for His faithfulness to bless my health and ministry… especially as He continually opens doors for Bible Teaching in many different churches around Cape Town!
In the Assemblies of God church I have continued teaching on Evangelism. The last Saturday of May, after classes on “How to share a Testimony of Conversion”, we had an outreach evangelism. It was a new experience for some and went wonderfully for all. We were able to witness the joy of people in the community giving their lives to Jesus! I was especially encouraged to learn the church has decided to continue having monthly evangelism outreach. Praise God!
The Wednesday and Friday devotional at Living Grace is still going great and I am blessed to be part of God’s divine Restoration plan in the lives of these people.  I also continue to enjoy township weekend with the SBS students; a time to spend Saturday and Sunday with different churches and minister in those communities.
We are still working alongside Bridge for Hope sharing Bible Overview. It is amazing to see God’s faithfulness as He draws young people to Himself. We are grateful to have the privilege of leading some to the Lord through these Bible Overview classes.

6 Sessions of Bible Teaching On
the Book of Nehemiah: Rebuild the Broken Lives
          
The youth group at Faith Gospel Church have been moved by God’s Word as I teach from the Book of Nehemiah.  We have focused on the message of having a purposeful life. I challenge them to consider how important it is to hear the voice of God, have a committed prayer life, value stewardship and how to finish well along with other key topics.  In response, the youth have been asking about relationships (a BIG issue among the young in that township) so we brought a couple in from our ministry to share.  It went so well we are planning to continue on this topic next Wednesday!
Teaching from Nehemiah isn’t just affecting the youth.  I have been working with a co-worker to organize 6 weekly sessions of sharing from this material.  We partnered with a Pastor in Mfuleni, a township where two churches are coming together with many church leaders to hear this teaching.
The sessions run each Saturday from May 26th until June 30th. Already it has been amazing to see the light coming from believers faces after each session. Last Saturday it was my turn to teach and I shared on Overcoming Discouragement in our lives. In my preparations and teaching I found the experience and information to be personally encouraging.  As a missionary in South Africa, facing challenges of my own, I could truly speak from the heart.  I was further encouraged when one of the Pastors testified afterwards, sharing how many of his own questions on this topic were answered during the teaching. He has been encouraged to stand firm and not let discouragement stop him from his calling… and so have I !!

Send Bible Teachers to West Africa 
(Burkina Faso and Togo)

Looking to the months ahead… as you know, I am serving with Titus Project in the Biblical Studies Department here at YWAM Muizenberg.  Our Bible school is almost at an end and 15 of the students have decided to continue on to Titus. We will begin this 4 week Bible Teachers training on June 25th.  Through this training, students will learn how to share the knowledge they have received through SBS in simple and understandable ways to the Body of Christ. They will also be equipped to go and train church leaders around Africa who are in need of Bible training and tools for studying the Bible independently.  Titus Project is a great opportunity for students to put their SBS learning into action!
After the 4 weeks of lecture here, teams will be sent to various locations around the continent for 7 weeks of outreach. I will be leading a team to Burkina/Togo… my home country [Burkina Faso]!  It is a wonderful opportunity to go to the nations and teach the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What a great privilege and blessing to return home after 3 years with Bible Teachers to bless my nation. I am very excited!! 
We are leaving on July 22nd to Togo where we will be teaching for 3 weeks and then to Burkina for 4 weeks before the team heads back to Cape Town for their graduation on September 13th. I will be staying behind to spend time with family for a few weeks.

Plans while in West Africa

God has placed many needs and opportunities before me including a chance to serve in Togo and Nigeria for a time. Beginning in September I will help staff and teach at YWAM Noepé in Togo as they begin re-pioneering the 9 month School of Biblical Studies being offered in Bi-languages (English-French) there. I will remain there for the first quarter (Sept-December) with the exception of a trip to Nigeria in October.  There I will spend 4 weeks helping with Titus Project and a seminar of Bible Teacher Training.  I will not be taking an outreach team during that time but will return to Togo to complete the quarter.

The Lord has been blessing me as I have trained and served with YWAM over the years and most especially as I respond to his call in the needs around West Africa. It is a privilege to be able to Disciple, Train and Equip the church and young people and release them in their calling.
I enjoy sharing this journey and these projects with YOU too.  I am very blessed to have you as part of all that is going on in my life and ministry. Through your prayers and support you are effectively part of what is happening here.
As I look to all that God has called me to; past, present and FUTURE, I humbly acknowledge I cannot do anything alone, by myself. I trust God with these plans and I am blessed to also know I have you as partners who believe in what God is doing through me -- you are part of God’s story in my life.

Thank you… for your prayers, encouraging words, and generosity. Many Blessings!


Partnering Opportunity

I am excited to be part of what God is doing here and in West Africa.  I must admit, though, there are some overwhelming financial challenges but I know when God calls and sends He is always there to provide. I come humbly to you and ask if you would pray over partnering with me in His Kingdom’s Work.  Some of the current needs are:
  Titus Project Outreach Fees, leaving July 22nd:   (URGENT – tickets need to be purchased ASAP)
  Contact me if the Lord is leading you to support financially this mission trip

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