Journey of Purpose : Melanie Dill: January 2013 UPDATE

What a whirl-wind 2013 has been already. Here are some points of interest and ministry update:

. Church Congregation: We started the year with a Sunday morning of Small Groups - discussing ways we as a church and individually can take our walks with Christ to new levels in 2013! Our discussions in Small Groups were a welcomed activity - where everyone was given a voice and the goal-setting was personal!

. Meagan, my room-mate, began Seminary this month! Thank you to all who have been praying for her or supporting this endeavor financially. She's been overwhelmed with your confidence in her, and she's rising to the occasion by making her studies a priority and developing a deeper faith because of this opportunity. It's going to be a long, challenging 4 years of Seminary; she's going to need your prayers continually. Lift her up as the Spirit leads!

. Youth Gatherings at church have kicked off for 2013. Our first night was about casting vision and sharing our hearts as leaders for the spiritual growth of our Youth. Many in this group are Lost and not in a personal relationship with Christ. Others are being rooted in their faith and trying to figure out what life in Christ looks like in this very difficult community. We've got a big job this year as we try to establish firm foundation in the Word and build upon the work God's already doing in our Youth. Pray for committed, faithful Believers to come out of this group!

. Prep for 2013 Shades MountainTeams: Pastor Severo and I are busy with the details of our upcoming visits from Shades Mountain Missions Teams. This will be the 6th year Shades has ventured to South Africa to invest in Capricorn. Pray that we will continue this relationship with fruitful return for both Shades participants and also our Capricorn Community Church congregation! May the plans we're led to make be God-glorifying and advancing for the Kingdom!

Our first team will be on the ground March 16-22, 2013. [More about this team in the coming months. Stay tuned!]

. Announcing my next visit to the USA: 16 Feb - 6 Mar 2013.

I'm honored to be participating in Shades Mountain's Global Impact Celebration - a missions conference! I'll arrive a bit early so I can visit with friends and family before the conference begins. Pray for this trip to be purposeful and fruitful in educating others about what God is doing here in South Africa, and getting even more people involved in this mission in South Africa! I'll be accompanied by my Pastor and his wife from South Africa. I'm so excited to introduce them to my culture and for them to hangout with all those who have blessed South Africa with their prayers and support! Looking forward to seeing many of you while I'm back in the USA briefly.

. One more note: forgive my lack of blog updates and delays in responding to email. Since moving homes (closer to Capricorn), my Internet connection has been unpredictable and infrequent. I'm trying to sort out a modem and get connected again ASAP. I'm often jealous of the advancements in technology in the USA, but I'm really envious of the constant, easy access of the internet that most of you have daily. Hoping to be communicating more frequently in the future.