Legacy Thank You!

In 2011, Living Hope rolled out an internship program (called Legacy) for the Life Skills department. We understand that many young people want to go into ministry but furthering education around here is hard – finances and opportunities are not as vast as I’m used to. The Legacy Program allowed local pastors to nominate and write a recommendation for one of their members to come study under Living Hope for a year. The applicant must have graduated high school and be in good standing with their church. They were given a stipen for food and travel but this was not seen as an income-job, this was a gap-year type opportunity. The Legacy Interns for 2011 were able to see ministry first-hand, they were part of a community-team, they were trained in many skills (Worker Readiness and Ethics, Gospel Presentation, Computer Skills, etc). They were also educated each Friday during our training sessions together – going through the Rosebank Bible Course which is a survey of the Bible.

These interns were thrown into ministry and swam with us all. The two specific interns that I worked with became like Living Hope Capricorn family. They were treated as staff, they were given responsibilities as staff, and were trusted friends! They taught me a lot about myself and the reason relational ministry is so important here. We ministered to each other!

At the December Holiday Club, Avril allowed our staff to go to McDonalds for lunch and celebrate the year with our interns. I made a recap video of our interns’ year and highlighted all the many ways they helped us, and also the ways they were stretched. We’re sad to see them leave Living Hope, but they’re on to bigger things now. I’m thankful for the season God allowed us to learn from each other and I’ll never forget those lessons.

Living Hope Staff Christmas Party

Living Hope’s Trustees held a Living Hope wide Christmas Party. All 170 + staff, volunteers and their families were invited to a lawn party-braai (a big BBQ). We sat for hours and chatted and met family members of our colleagues.

After lunch, we gathered in the big chapel (barely fitting us all) and were thanked by our managers and the Living Hope board members. It was quite an event.

South African Family

My South African family had a wonderful occasion to celebrate this year. Our grandmother turned 90 years old! She’s been through a lot this year, but her faith continues to sustain her.

After taking this photo, I told my South African sister, Meagan, that she is a younger reflection of her grandmother; Ma and Meagan have a sweet connection and special relationship … and share so many of the same physical features. Happy 90^th birthday Ma! I’m thankful to have a South African family, and I’m honored to watch you serve the Lord with your every word! May God grant you peace and joy the rest of your life!

Youth Year End Celebration

The Capricorn Community Church Youth Committee (fore mentioned in recent posts) met and planned a Year End Youth Celebration. The idea was that we look back at 2011 and praise God for what He’s done. This idea was both exciting and hard – as we’ve all been through a lot together. I’ve always said I’m not here to be their friends, so when they’re not walking in a manner worthy of God’s calling, I let them know. There have been more than one Friday Youth where I cry and cry because I’m disappointed in these youth, BUT there have been many Fridays and weeks where I’ve seen baby-steps and slight progress in their Christian walk. So, we wanted to give God glory for His work and His pruning through this year.

The Youth Committee was given total freedom to plan – giving them ownership of things always makes the events and goals succeed because they fight and work for what they want and what they want to succeed. I sat back and took notes. The conclusion: they wanted to have awards presented (certificates with superlatives), they wanted to dress up in costumes (categories were given: best pair, most creative, recycled style, celebrity, etc), food was to be involved (no surprise), dance competitions on the agenda, and they even wanted to invited THEIR PARENTS! I laughed and laughed thinking about all the aspects of the night and the fact that if Meagan and I had come up with these requirements – specifically dress in costume and invite your parents – they would have balked at the idea and not shown up. But, with plans in place, everyone left the meeting with tasks and responsibilities. Everyone pulled their weight and the night was a HIT!

There were two emcees, dance competitions amongst the parents, light snacks, costumes and I made a video to recap almost every big and small event from 2011. Even our visiting teams made an appearance in the video and shouts of excitement came over the crowd when they saw my American friends! There were also some very sweet testimonies from our youth about certain aspects of Youth this year that touched them and allowed them to grow. I was very impressed with the outcome of the night … and year. God’s plans are unfolding –slowly – and we’re waiting patiently for 2012 to see what else He will do in and through the Youth of Capricorn Community Church.

Capricorn Community Church Carols

Dec 19, 2011

Our church held a community carols service outside our church building. We got lots of attention from the passers-by and many stopped in and joined us. We sang and danced and were reminded of the great need for revival in our Capricorn community. Praying God will use Capricorn Community Church to transform the misconceptions about Christianity in a culture that knows no selflessness.

Living Hope December Holiday Clubs

Another Holiday Club has come and gone. December school holidays allow us to minister to our community children for longer hours each day.

Kids 9:00am – 12noon and Teens 2:00pm- 4:00pm.

Children are not my thing, but there’s something about these children that have captured my heart. These are long, hard days – full of running around, playing games, doing crafts, wiping snotty noses, taking a thousand potty breaks for the little ones, and teaching about the love of Christ while showing it with your whole life!

Such valuable time with the least of these (Matthew 25:45)!

Christmas Traditions too

As my personal Christmas tradition continues, I’ve adopted a family’s children and taken them Christmas shopping for their parents. I did this last year with the Pastor’s children (3) and this year I added 2 more little ones from Capricorn that have been near and dear to my heart this year. I picked them all up at 11am, we went straight to the beach for some fun and a picnic, home for showers and dinner and to the big mall downtown for shopping and watching the Christmas crowds, then again home for a movie and bed! I was exhausted and I think they were too. We woke up the next morning, had breakfast, finished the movie that they all fell asleep to the night before, made Christmas ornaments, wrapped their parents gifts that they’d purchased, played outside and went home around 12 noon the next day. I never knew 24 hours with 5 children could be so difficult yet so much fun.

Wedding Provided

Our first Capricorn Community Church Wedding went brilliantly! This sweet couple is from Malawi. Their family gave them their blessing, the traditional wedding price (lobola wedding tradition) was paid and they awaited the right time. Their families weren’t able to travel for this occasion, so they decided not wait for them, they asked the entire church to come to their wedding – as we’re their only family near them. Actually, Pastor Severo made their wedding our Sunday Morning Worship Service last Sunday! The couple was greeted by Praise and Worship music from our Worship Team, the congregation sang along. The dress borrowed, the decorations donated, the reception provided by our congregation! All free to our very appreciative bride and groom! After the ceremony, the couple went for pictures (a photographer from our church provided his services) and the congregation turned over the church for the reception. Flowers, food, chairs, tables … all a surprise to the bride and groom who had no part in planning or arranging the wedding. As Francis and Bertha walked into the reception hall, they were overjoyed. They were astonished to see all the food and church members that pitched in to make the celebration possible.

This truly was the picture of the church coming together, providing for each other, being family for each other and celebrating life’s journey with one another. This couple hadn’t the means for a wedding (hence the Sunday Morning Service) and the church came together and showed love for this couple far away from their home.

Our church is a melting-pot of culture. Capricorn is full of refugees (Rwanda, Malawi, Somalia, Zimbabe), a variety of South African cultures (Xhosa, Afrikaans), and multiple other cultures. In our church, we currently have missionaries from America, UK, Germany, Sweeden. Our church speaks English predominantly, but English is not the first language of a of most in our congregation – it’s just the common language of all present. This truly is “every nation tribe and tongue (Rev 7, 14).”

Update

Update

Thank you to many who have emailed and responded to the need for prayer over what’s going on in South Africa. I’ve been greatly humbled to know how many of you are actually following the work going on here and are genuinely interested in me! Thank you!

Just to update you: December has gone well. We’ve done lots of deep ministry.

- The church is in a more stable place than it has been recently.

- Living Hope is on break – a much needed one for such a challenging year

- I’m still struggling with 2012 and what God wants me to be focusing on, but I’ve got some time before that has to be decided.

- My physical state and exhaustion is being rested with a 2 week Christmas break. I’ve had time to sit on the beach, read, sleep, and relax.

- Mentally, emotionally, spiritually – I’m doing better but I’m still challenged by the results of November and need some healing. God is teaching me a lot through the challenges of working with broken people and those affected by poverty-mindsets. Ministry will always be hard here, but I’m learning more and more that I’m nothing and God can only use those that are willing to be stripped and molded by Him. Pruning process continues.

- Capricorn – the military along with local police are still patrolling the area. I haven’t seen any big raids lately, but I’m not in the community on a daily basis right now as I am during the work-weeks. I’ve heard of some heavy military movements upon homes, but no backlash, which is a blessing.

Christmas Traditions in Cape Town

This being my second Christmas here, traditions are beginning. There’s a lovely Christmas production and Nativity Play at Kirstenbosch Gardens. With $8 US dollars, you can get a ticket, bring a picnic and enjoy a night of Carols with thousands of other festive attendees.

Upon entry, everyone is given a carol-flyer and a candle. When the sun sets, you can light your candle and have Carols by Candlelight. However, this year, they had Gardens workers walking around during the pre-show inviting all children to swap their wax candle for a “glow-stick.” Many did so and even the children in the play (on stage) walked around the production with glow sticks (that look nothing like candles but more like airport landing aids). I was wishing they had the battery operated candles like the American productions use now; there was something about the glow-sticks that didn’t ring true to the ancient attire the shepherds and angels adorned. But, safety first!

Youth Leadership 2012 Retreat

The year 2011 brought ups and downs in Capricorn Community Church that were unexpected, and God’s plans have prevailed despite our expectations. One of my goals in being in South Africa and specifically with church-planting is to raise up leaders that are confident, trustworthy and passionate disciples of Christ (Exodus 18:17- 23). So as 2011 began and the youth leader and leadership committee (made up of a variety of young-adults) fell apart due to many lifestyle changes, I found myself confused and with only one other standing member from 2010, Meagan. We met with Pastor Severo at nauseam and saw that God definitely wiped our slates clean and provided His team for the year. Due to our small crew and my goal for raising up leaders amongst our own church members out of Capricorn, we prayed and prayed about having a Youth Leadership Committee made up of the very youth that we were ministering to. We asked about 8 youth to pray about committing to this leadership position for the year; 6 returned to us and said they’d like to serve their peers and be an active part of leading the Youth.

This committee met regularly to plan for Youth events, they were called upon to help with administrative duties, they were the voices of our church youth, they were held at a higher standard, and for the most part, they succeeded! We began small, tested the waters with how much responsibility they could handle, and God has built His church with His very own commands (Matt 16:18).

With 2012 staring at us, we began the process of electing another Youth Committee. One night at Friday Youth, we allowed the youth group to nominate 2 people who they’d like to lead the Youth for 2012. There were a few additions and even subtractions from the nominations – and thus, we approached the nominated ones, asked them to pray about the responsibility, and with their acceptance, we began pouring into them and planning for 2012. This small group came to my house for the weekend. We had sessions on evaluation and leadership and planning. This group of young people are ready to be used by God and I’m praying they learn and grow as they lead.

Love from the USA

Shades Mountain's encouragement team are my heroes! This group of women send me care packages throughout the year & write such sweet notes - reminding me I'm not forgotten or alone. Their prayers are so sustaining!

THANK YOU! Your ministry is much appreciated to those of us far away from those we love in the USA. Your spiritual gifts are ministering. God bless you!

Thank you

Since my honest post about the recent trials and struggles going on here in Capricorn, I've received many affirming & encouraging emails. THANK YOU to all who are praying & have added to the confirmation that God is at work. I'm reminded of the trials and persecution that Paul went through and wrote about setting an example of perseverance for such a time as this.

Let me reassure you all- I'm safe. I'm not in any abnormal danger, but life here is hard. I can't wake up one day without asking the Lord for physical, emotional, mental, spiritual strength.

Keep praying. I feel your support & have loved your emails & much needed encouragement. I know I'm not alone. THANK YOU!

Some positive progress updates coming soon.

Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

Need a tax deduction?

Giving towards missions and missionary needs is tax deductible.

Make a donation today through Shepherd's Staff toward my 2012 financial needs and receive a receipt and a tax deduction.

http:www.shepsstaff.org/dill.aspx

This journey would not be possible without the generosity of God's people. Thank you for your support!

November 2011 Recap

This has been a difficult month. November 2011 is one I'll never forget.

Mentally, I'm down and losing faith in transformation.

Emotionally, I can't stop crying because at every turn there's another disappointment or trial, and it feels like I can't get a breath.

Physically, I'm tired and don't feel like strength is possible in life here.

Spiritually there's a battle going on that is hindering growth – both mine and others.

November has brought lots of conversations at Living Hope and at Capricorn Community Church about 2012 and what work needs to be done, what ministry needs to look like, and what changes need to be made. This has brought lots of thought and good discussion, but the practical is what everyone is arguing about right now. Many people here in South Africa have told me that they believe I'm here because I'm supposed to speak up and tell others what I'm seeing. I'm a natural analyzer and have fairly strong spiritual discernment; this is not an easy role in this culture. I'm fighting for what I believe is God's direction, lined up with scripture, and trying to stand firm in what I know He's called me here to do. This has brought conflict and many hard days. I've been persecuted, slandered, and even threatened. I've felt even more like an outsider and questioned like a stranger. I've been here almost 2 years now, but it feels as if I'm still unknown and unaccepted. From the recent talks and messages, this journey has only begun and it's going to take years of work for people to see God's purposes. This is long-term ministry.

Not only has this been a month of verbal, spiritual, and emotional trials for me, but Capricorn is going through some tough days too. Someone likened the scene as something from the Biblical Sodom and Gomorra. In the town right next to Capricorn and where a lot of our youth go to school, there have been a multitude of shootings and gang violence. There was a period of time when school officials were sending numerous letters home to parents informing them of students who have been killed and warning parents of the violence. The situation led students to stay away from school, losing precious days of education that were replaced by fear. The authorities have heightened security and the scene in Capricorn on any given day is like one in a war-zone. Around 200 men from the South African Army have been deployed to our area. Tanks and police cars roam the streets. Army-uniformed men walk around with guns. Raids have taken place and roads blocked. One day I was trying to leave Capricorn, I drove down one street, met a crowd of curious on-lookers, realized they were watching a police-raid of a drug-house, had to turn around, went down another street, met army gun-men who told me I couldn't pass … did this for about 15 minutes before I found a road that would lead me out. I'm thankful for the presence of such 'authority,' but I'm suspecting a revolt from the people to come. If the army keep doing their jobs, overturning lawlessness, punishing people, and revealing people's sin, the community will rise up and potentially turn violent. Capricorn's view of physical authority is a picture of their acceptance of Biblical authority – there's no fear, no compliance, no respect.

In the church we're seeing what this culture calls "11 month Christians." The school holiday begins early December and many people who have jobs take a long holiday this month. When the "festive season" begins, people begin relaxing, partying, even-heavier drinking - which leads to irresponsible parenting, violence, sexual abuse … Sodom and Gomorra. Some of our youth are making poor choices, blatantly turning their back on God and the Church. Disappointment is surrounding us. A whole year (or two) of pouring into young-people goes out the window in a day. The immediate pleasures of this world are out-weighing their knowledge of the Holy Spirit and the commitments they've made in their faith. I'm praying the seeds that were planted in them aren't drowned and destroyed; God needs to bring water and continue His work!

This is the picture of a community and a people who need prayer, who need God, who need revival. Please pray for these challenges and the ministry that needs to be done this December month and in 2012. Pray that my voice and what I'm hearing the Lord ask me to speak will be heard and accepted. I'm not asking for life to be smooth and without trial. Trials over the last 2 years have brought me so close to Christ, but I am asking that God's work will be done and that His plans will take root and flourish in the midst of this war-zone. Praying that the Church will rise up and bring revival to a community in desperate need of a Savior.

Zero

1 Dec is World AIDS Day.

Clearly, this is a big deal here in South Africa. Living Hope has teams of people doing outreaches in our local communities, mobile testing and education on HIV Prevention.

Here are some notes from the World AIDS Day Press Release:

Getting to Zero 2011 World AIDS Day Theme

(by Royston Martin)

Getting to Zero - Zero AIDS-Related Deaths: 2011 World AIDS Day Theme Announced - (September 5 - Cape Town, South Africa) World AIDS Day this year is about "Getting to Zero." Zero New HIV Infections. Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS Related Deaths. Backed by the United Nations the "Getting to Zero" campaign runs until 2015 and builds on last year's successful World AIDS Day "Light for Rights" initiative encompassing a range of vital issues identified by key affected populations.

The World AIDS Campaign focus on "Zero AIDS Related Deaths" signifies a push towards greater access to treatment for all; a call for governments to act now. A demand they honor promises like the Abuja declaration and that African Governments at very least hit agreed targets for domestic spending on health and HIV in support of the human right to the best attainable level of health care for all.

It's a global campaign that spotlights how our fundamental right to health is intrinsically and

inextricably linked to other basic rights – The right to food, to shelter, to freedom, to clean water and safety. Crucial too is access to affordable lifesaving quality medicines free from the crippling effects of excessive profit taking. In the coming months the World AIDS Campaign will be spotlighting a range of Getting to Zero initiatives to help see an end to AIDS related deaths

The vision for this year's World AIDS Day and beyond may be aspirational but the journey towards its attainment is laid with concrete milestones.

10 goals for 2015: [Goals list courtesy UNAIDS]

1. Sexual transmission of HIV reduced by half.

2. Vertical transmission of HIV eliminated and AIDS-related maternal deaths reduced by half.

3. All new HIV infections prevented among people who use drugs.

4. Universal access to antiretroviral therapy for people living with HIV who are eligible for treatment.

5. TB deaths among people living with HIV reduced by half.

6. All people living with HIV and households affected by HIV are addressed in all national social

protection strategies and have access to essential care and support.

7. Countries with punitive laws and practices around HIV transmission, sex work, drug use or

homosexuality that block effective responses reduced by half.

8. HIV-related restrictions on entry, stay and residence eliminated in half of the countries that have such restrictions.

9. HIV-specific needs of women and girls are addressed in at least half of all national HIV responses.

10. Zero tolerance for gender-based violence.