Youth Hike

I'm not a fan of hiking. Never have been. Now that I've been on my health-kick (life-style change), I thought I'd give it another try ... for the youth, you know!

Our Capricorn Community Church has a Teaching Pastor from the UK. His primary job is being a chaplain for local (big and small) Soccer players through an international sports ministry. Through his various jobs and roles, he met a well-off Christian man with an amazing home. Our church youth were invited for a hike in the vineyards and a swim at his house. It was such a neat afternoon. The house and pool (with a built in slide) was amazing! Our youth had a wonderful afternoon together - one of those bonding moments with lots of memories!

Recap in photos here:

Castle in the vineyard - where rich people host parties! If you look closely, you'll see a family of baboons sitting on top of the castle.

All the youth watching the baboons.

Swim and a view!

Awesome slide built into the mountain!

A festive, ceramic leopard. Maybe just to make you feel like you're in the wild?

Such a wonderful day. We were all exhausted!

[PS- My legs were SORE days and days after this extensive hike. I thought it was because I'm getting old, but after talking to our youth, they too said it they were sore. Whew! I won't hike any time soon. I need to forget the pain.]

D.A.D. Program still needs your friends

Many of you that have followed this journey with me - from Youth Ministry in Birmingham, AL to Cape Town, South Africa - are aware of the funding issues we have at Living Hope. Our ministry and employment of local ministry leaders depends on private donors. I'm honored to say that Shades Mountain Baptist Church, my sending-church, is one of the biggest supporters of the D.A.D. Program; however, we're not enough. If you have a heart for the children and teens of South Africa, tell your friends. Introduce them to Living Hope and the Life Skills Program. My heart is burdened for these people and you actually have the power to help them know Christ - just through donating. Please pray about this opportunity to serve the children and teens of Africa.

http://www.livinghope.co.za/become-a-d-a-d/

Fridays at Living Hope

This is what a Friday at Living Hope looks like. All the Life Skills Educators from all the communities come together for meetings, updates & planning. Today was one of those intense days where time is getting short and you've got to hammer out details. Today's topic: Teen Camp! Right up my alley!

Camp is March 26-29.

Pray that God will move & bring teens into a deep relationship with Him through this event.
Pray for all those sitting around this table (in charge of this event).
Pray that the team works well in unity & follow-through.
Pray for the 100 teens that will be invited to join & be campers.
Pray for budget & funding - this is always a leap of faith!

Avril turns 50

On 9 Feb 2012, Avril turned 50 years old. I was honored with an invitation to her party. Nadine, the Team House chef, catered. We had chicken and salad and pumpkin fritters! It was delicious!

After the meal, all the guests cleared the dishes, folded up the tables and ate cake (milk tart). Then, the party really took a turn of events when a dance instructor came on stage. The guests were totally shocked that we were now required to participate in proper dancing;we all hesitantly grabbed a partner and joined in. We did barn dances, line dances and other ethnic group jigs. Sadly some people took themselves too seriously and did not appreciate those of us making a mockery of ourselves; most of the Life Skills department laughed more than danced.

By the end of the night, we were sweating and our sides were sore from the laughter. It was the most active 50th birthday party I'd ever seen; guess that's appropriate for Avril who is really a 5 year old at heart.

Happy birthday to my boss, Avril!

5k for Cancer

One of Living Hope's partner organizations (http://www.hpcsa.co.za/) held a 5k walk for Cancer awareness. Living Hope was asked to participate because our Hospice/Health Care Center is greatly connected with this cause. Those from Living Hope decided we'd dress up in 80's theme-wear and make it a group fun thing! The walk was wonderful. My friend Eric was the organizer and we were all so proud of his organization and the effort put into this event. 

It was a blast! 

Pick n Pay: Cooking School: An Asian Affair

Last week I had the opportunity to attend a cooking class. This was a fundraiser for a local mentoring organization, LifeXchange. I got to spend quality time with 3 awesome friends and learn how to cook Asian dishes. We had so much fun and expanded our knowledge of sauces and cooking techniques - with a little laughter and fun served on the side!

I was so confident that I could duplicate one of the dishes, so this past weekend, I took the challenge in my own kitchen and recreated a Thai Chicken Laksa. Divine!

So for those who want to know what I do in my free time, I'm learning new recipes! (and sleeping!)

Hope for the future

Youth Ministry is hard.

It's hard to put your finger on why.

There's the teenage attitude, the vanity, peer pressure, undeveloped brains ...

But I think it's because we're working with such moldable people. They're not steady, they're not solid in anything - not self-image, not beliefs, not ambition, not commitment, NOTHING. So when focusing on making true followers of Christ, this moldable age is where it's most crucial.

Last Friday at Youth in Capricorn, I felt like we had some breakthrough.

We're camping out on Romans 12 for a few months. Specifically, we're teaching through Romans 12: 9-21. But, the first couple sections of this chapter humble me so much. Read with me:

....................................

Romans 12

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12&version=NIV)

Romans 12:1-8 kicks me into action by reminding me that ...

I must be a LIVING, ACTIVE sacrifice. A sacrifice is pure, an offering, a sign of peace.

I must be humble. I must use my gifts IN UNITY.

Romans 12: 9-21 is where we're placing heavy study amongst our Capricorn Youth. This past week, we rolled out a long piece of butcher paper and gave them time to write. It was brilliant. We watched the youth pour out their hearts on paper. We watched them dream for their communities. I was honored to be part of the moment - part of watching God work and mentally transform these young people!

Take a look at these photos. Our youth dream of happiness, love, transformation in their communities. They're not asking it for themselves, but they're asking God to do this for those around them - therefore, impacting their families, neighbors, and country in the name of Christ and His standards. We're taking baby-steps towards transformation - in God's perfect timing.

..........................

Jeremiah 29: 11

Plans for a hope and a future.

Jan 2012 RECAP

My theme verse for 2012:

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” - Luke 2:52

I’m working on my goals and already finding progress – even after only one month of perusing this theme.

Wisdom – I wanted to be spiritually challenged mentally. I’ve enrolled in a class at Fish Hoek Bible College teaching a 3 month course on 1 Corinthians. It’s going great. I’ve got lots of challenging homework and truly feel like I’m gaining spiritual wisdom. It’s the perfect course for someone who’s church-planting in a very immoral geographical location.

Stature – Working on physical goals - I’m jogging/walking 3-4 days a week. It’s so hot here, I have to wake up at 5:30am in order to work out in decent temperatures. I even went to buy a new pair of running shoes at the equivalent of American Outlet stores this past weekend. I’m in a 5k walk in Feb and plan on continuing this health-focus for the rest of my life! I can’t believe how healthy I feel! I’m praising God for a healthy body and ability to use my body!

Favor with God and man – I’m seeing God open doors in ministry that were previously blocked. I’m seeing him flourish relationships that encourage me. I’m still battling with some of the same issues I had in Oct/Nov when life was so hectic here, but I’m praising God for baby steps. Working with people in ministry is HARD. Working with poverty-minded people is even HARDER. I’m praying for favor in multiple ways.

........................................

IN OTHER NEWS

. Wrote my first funding proposal with the help of Avril and Chantel (to the US government) on behalf of Teen and Leadership Development Ministry. We applied for $15,000 US dollars for ministry that I’m helping lead at Living Hope. We’ll know in September 2012 if the proposal was accepted.

. We have 4 new Life Skills Interns at Living Hope. This is basically a gap-year program (called Legacy) so that young people from our communities can learn about ministry and hopefully want to serve the Lord through ministry after the year with Living Hope. The interns must have a Pastor's reference and sign a year contract. This program is not paid, but does have a stipend for travel and basic life expenses, but it's truly a small sum. This is definitely a learning internship! We're glad to have them and can't wait to see what they learn this year! You'll hear more about their progress in the months to come. I hope to be working with them in a Leadership Development capacity and to use them to help build their local churches at the same time!

. I got a desk! After 2 years at Living Hope, they finally gave me a small corner of the building and a desk to work at. It’s a small thing, but it meant the world to me. It was a sign to me that they see my small contributions as somewhat significant and long-term. I’m grateful. Along with the desk seems to have come a lot more work and responsibility. But bring it on! I’ve been craving it and now it’s arrived.

. Sad news: Big John (the backbone of Living Grace) died this month. His funeral was wonderful. Members of Living Grace sang and gave a beautiful tribute. We're mourning the death of this legend, but thankful that his many years of battling sickness is over. Pray for Auntie Joan as she carries on the ministry of Living Grace without her partner.

. Youth Ministry at Capricorn Church Opened – lots of ups and down within this group of Youth. Friday Youth is back in the swing of things and gender separated Small Groups began as well. We have 2 girl groups (led by me and Meagan) and 1 boys group (led by Pastor Severo). Keep this group of Youth in your prayers. Working with them is like being on an emotional roller-coaster and a spiritual crawl.

. Praying and prepping for my first team to visit in 2012. Shades Mountain Baptist Church is sending a group of 27 youth and adults in March. Living Hope and Capricorn Community Church are busy with those plans. Keep in mind that South Africans don’t plan far in advance, so this is a mission here locally just as much as it is for those traveling to come work with us. Pray for the details to come together and for God to move and work in the lives of the youth and adults that will be coming our way.

. Funding for 2012 – THANK YOU to all who have contributed to this mission and funding need thus far. I’m tracking well with my personal and ministry needs and will continue to pray that commitments roll in and God continues to provide – as we know He will! I’m honored to have you along for this journey.

........................................

SOME VISUALS FROM JAN 2012

My little corner of the world at Living Hope!

My sweet Mia - a Capricornian that holds my heart.

Capricorn Church Youth Opening Night

Maggie turns 65

My dear friend Maggie's birthday was today. This is the 3rd year I was able to celebrate with her. I surprised her by just showing up at her house with lunch & a pie (a milk-tart - very traditional dessert & party food). She was so happy to have a visit & celebrate her birthday! I'm honored to have old friends in Capricorn - those that welcome a visit anytime & enjoy the simple pleasure of friendship-chats! It was a great day!

Leadership Development - taking off?

As you may know from posts last year, Living Hope and all Non-Government Organizations (NGO’s) – non-profit organizations – were kicked out of school-ministry in Cape Town as of Jan 2012. School test scores have been low, and teachers’ classroom time has been taken up by so many outside organizations coming into the school doing educational, wonderful programs, but cutting in on the teacher’s time to fulfill their curriculum and goals. So, the Board of Education in the Western Cape of South Africa asked all NGO’s to back out of schools during school hours. The Department of Education was not unsatisfied with the quality of work NGOs were doing in schools, it was just a matter of going back to basics and trying to protect their teachers’ goals for educational scores to be boosted.

So Living Hope was crushed and our school ministry was cancelled. This decision effected about 13 Life Skills Educators and left a whole in ministry schedules. But, a huge opportunity has come our way that surpasses the number of schools we ministered to last year and is God-sized.

A local high school (with a Christian assistant principal who attends John and Avril’s church) put in a proposal for her school at the end of 2011. The proposal was blatantly Christian in theme – speaking of wanting Biblical ethics and morals to be taught as Leadership Development in her school and an initiative toward values-based curriculum to be taught to the student body counsel. The Department of Education supported the proposal but took it one step further; the Western Cape Department of Education wanted the action for all 53 schools they serve – not just the one proposed. The assistant principal in charge of this proposal approached Avril for guidance. It just so happened that Avril and I had just spoken about how to continue Leadership Development in the communities and were working on a plan for where this ministry was going to take me in 2012. Meanwhile, God was busy orchestrating lots of opportunities unbeknownst to us.

Avril and I met with this passionate educator last week to see what help she needs and how Living Hope might partner to educate all these schools. The deal isn’t done, but it’s looking like our Life Skills Educators could be teaching Biblical, ethical, values-based courses in all of the Western Cape schools. A truly overwhelming task, but a door flung wide open. We’re walking through all the doors and taking it one conversation at a time. Pray for this opportunity. Pray that we’re capable of meeting this need – we have little staff, little resources, little transportation, but God is the one over all those issues and we’re trying to trust that He’ll guide us and make it all possible in His time.

Huge things happening here through Teen and Leadership Development Ministry!