capricorn outreach

20 April 2010

 

I've always been a big fan of honesty. Honesty can open you up to hurt, but mostly, honesty opens you up for deep and meaningful relationships.

In my experience, people here in South Africa are honest when it comes to their spiritual lives. I see so many people on the streets of Capricorn that tell me they know who Jesus is, but they don't follow Him. People tell me they once 'accepted Him' but they slipped away and now don't have a relationship with Him. I even had a girl today tell me she wasn't ready to have the Lord in her life because she didn't want to give up the sin she was in/the things she loved about the world. This particular girl and I had about a 10 minute conversation about the seriousness of the commitment of Christ, but that it was the most freeing thing she could ever do. She told me she wanted to come to church on Sunday with me and that she might accept Christ then. I was thrilled about her interest, but something inside of me didn't want her to wait that long. I asked her "What if you die before Sunday? Do you not want to know that you have Eternal Hope in the Lord?" We didn't pray any prayer of Salvation, and I certainly didn't see the Holy Spirit come and grab her heart right there, but I know she was thinking about her life and her sin and her need of the Lord. I guess that's all I can ask for. I had my friend Timmy pray for her and her requests general for her family. Pray for my new friend from Capricorn, Mary-Anne. I'll let you know if I see her in church on Sunday.

 

Today is my 3 month milestone. I landed in South Africa in the wee hours of the morning on 20 January 2010. Three months sounds like such a short amount of time, yet it feels like I've been here an eternity. So many changes, so many adjustments, so many new people, so much to learn. As much as I say I've had a hard time getting into deep ministry and building fruitful relationships, I look back at my first 3 months and see so much progress, so many building blocks, so many seeds planted. I see the youth of Capricorn begin to trust me and respect my leadership. I see the Living Hope Teen Team members open up and really work together to reach schools and the communities. I see Capricorn Teen Clubs turn a corner in excitement and growth. I see the Capricorn Church building a leadership team that has a great vision for the church. I see the Capricorn Youth grow in numbers and in the beginning stages of true discipleship.

I'd still like to see myself in deep, discipleship relationships. I'd love to have Teen Club in Capricorn grow. I want to have a community of people to hangout with. But God continues to tell me to wait. He continues to tell me to be patient. I will be still and know that He is God.

 

Still waking up at 5:30 am each morning and spending alone-time with the Lord. Meagan and I have been to a variety of beaches and overlooks on our early mornings. It's been a sweet time of sitting in silence, knowing that the Lord is present, and talking/listening to Him. I'm anxious to see what the Lord does in and through Meagan- as this morning routine began out of her desire for accountability and needing to hear from the Lord about some really important things. I'm so thankful to have Meagan in my life. She has made my life here more comfortable and so much fun! Pray for her in these last few days of our morning prayer-times. Ask the Lord for clarity and wisdom and guidance in her life; pray that God speaks a strong call upon her ministry here in South Africa.

 

Thank you for lifting up my concerns and ministry in South Africa.