Adventures with God
The Widow's Offering
I've always loved the story in Mark of the widow's offering. As Jesus sits and watches the offerings being given he sees many rich folk giving lots and then along comes a widow and drops two coins into the offering. Mark 12:41-44 has the full story:
"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on.""
Recently we've seen just such an offering and I've been blown away by it. I'm not going to name names but anyone local who has heard me tell this story will probably be able to work out who I'm talking about and so I must apologise if I cause any embarrassment or rob anyone of any treasures in heaven.
We know a lady who has nothing. When I say nothing I mean nothing. No means of putting food on the table for her and her children, no husband to help, no regular income and no social welfare to help ease the burden. The house is bare!
One evening recently as she was praying with her children for some food she decided that they should go to bed and sleep their hunger off as there was no sign of any food coming from anywhere. A short while later the youngest child told his mummy "We need to keep praying" so they prayed some more. Within a little while there was a knock at the door and a neighbour had brought three fish and a loaf of bread for them to eat.
Now what happened next is truly remarkable!
Had the family simply sat down to eat and then gone to bed with full tummies no-one would have thought any the worst of them. After all they had prayed that our God would provide for their needs and he did just that. Hallelujah! But the mother took half of the food they had just received and gave it to her neighbour next door. That in itself is amazing. However, the neighbour is a bit of a nightmare, making the family's life a real pain at times. Most recently she has been mocking the family asking things like "What has your God ever done for you?". So when the mum took the food around she simply told her neighbour "This is what my God has done for me.", blessed her with the food and went back into her own home.
Two things come out of this for me. Firstly, to have folk like this in church makes me very excited because God has seen her heart and knows it is pure. A heart like this can be built with and God will honour her. Secondly, I've been left wondering quite simply, would I have done the same as this family or would I have been satisfied to go to bed with a full tummy for a change?
"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on.""
Recently we've seen just such an offering and I've been blown away by it. I'm not going to name names but anyone local who has heard me tell this story will probably be able to work out who I'm talking about and so I must apologise if I cause any embarrassment or rob anyone of any treasures in heaven.
We know a lady who has nothing. When I say nothing I mean nothing. No means of putting food on the table for her and her children, no husband to help, no regular income and no social welfare to help ease the burden. The house is bare!
One evening recently as she was praying with her children for some food she decided that they should go to bed and sleep their hunger off as there was no sign of any food coming from anywhere. A short while later the youngest child told his mummy "We need to keep praying" so they prayed some more. Within a little while there was a knock at the door and a neighbour had brought three fish and a loaf of bread for them to eat.
Now what happened next is truly remarkable!
Had the family simply sat down to eat and then gone to bed with full tummies no-one would have thought any the worst of them. After all they had prayed that our God would provide for their needs and he did just that. Hallelujah! But the mother took half of the food they had just received and gave it to her neighbour next door. That in itself is amazing. However, the neighbour is a bit of a nightmare, making the family's life a real pain at times. Most recently she has been mocking the family asking things like "What has your God ever done for you?". So when the mum took the food around she simply told her neighbour "This is what my God has done for me.", blessed her with the food and went back into her own home.
Two things come out of this for me. Firstly, to have folk like this in church makes me very excited because God has seen her heart and knows it is pure. A heart like this can be built with and God will honour her. Secondly, I've been left wondering quite simply, would I have done the same as this family or would I have been satisfied to go to bed with a full tummy for a change?
Learning To Fly
Just got to say what a great morning it was with Tree Of Life again.
It is such a privilege to see guys who have been stifled for so long finally spreading their wings and learning to fly again!
This morning Chris brought a word and it was brilliant. What an encouragement to see folk stepping out into new things with Jesus. I've never heard Chris speak like he did this morning but I know that as a church we are going to be hearing a lot more as he flies in his faith.
Others are beginning to step out too and it is both a privilege and amazing to watch.
Thank you Lord!
It is such a privilege to see guys who have been stifled for so long finally spreading their wings and learning to fly again!
This morning Chris brought a word and it was brilliant. What an encouragement to see folk stepping out into new things with Jesus. I've never heard Chris speak like he did this morning but I know that as a church we are going to be hearing a lot more as he flies in his faith.
Others are beginning to step out too and it is both a privilege and amazing to watch.
Thank you Lord!
It's Church Jim...
I've been wanting to blog about church for the last two weeks but haven't really got my head around what has happened or found the right words to describe how fantastic it has been.
Our inaugural Sunday was great and all I could say to the guys afterwards was that had I been able to plan the meeting in detail it wouldn't have gone as well as it did. Praise God for his infinite grace! However, planning and executing one meeting is easy, doing it week in and week out will be the challenge.
Wednesday evening was another really encouraging time together as we talked about the Sunday and considered what went well and what we need to work on. Our home group meeting then became another great time of sharing testimony and praising God for what he's doing in and amongst us.
This Sunday I felt lead to pick up on two words from last week and how they really complemented each other. We then moved into a time of allowing the Holy Spirit to have his way. Let's jut say it was an amazing privilege being used to minister to guys who were genuinely hungry for more of God.
I wrote this post yesterday and since then we've had a leaders meeting.
All I can say is that it was one of the best leaders meetings I've ever had the pleasure to be a part of. We met in Steers in the Strand for chips and a coke to discuss some business and then spent a lot of time praying together on the beach. That's how leaders meetings should be!
The most uplifting part though was hearing just how many of our folk went home and were unable to stop talking about what God is doing. Hallelujah! We have a hunger amongst us to see more of the things of God and to see his kingdom extended in Macassar and beyond.
More of this please Lord.
Our inaugural Sunday was great and all I could say to the guys afterwards was that had I been able to plan the meeting in detail it wouldn't have gone as well as it did. Praise God for his infinite grace! However, planning and executing one meeting is easy, doing it week in and week out will be the challenge.
Wednesday evening was another really encouraging time together as we talked about the Sunday and considered what went well and what we need to work on. Our home group meeting then became another great time of sharing testimony and praising God for what he's doing in and amongst us.
This Sunday I felt lead to pick up on two words from last week and how they really complemented each other. We then moved into a time of allowing the Holy Spirit to have his way. Let's jut say it was an amazing privilege being used to minister to guys who were genuinely hungry for more of God.
I wrote this post yesterday and since then we've had a leaders meeting.
All I can say is that it was one of the best leaders meetings I've ever had the pleasure to be a part of. We met in Steers in the Strand for chips and a coke to discuss some business and then spent a lot of time praying together on the beach. That's how leaders meetings should be!
The most uplifting part though was hearing just how many of our folk went home and were unable to stop talking about what God is doing. Hallelujah! We have a hunger amongst us to see more of the things of God and to see his kingdom extended in Macassar and beyond.
More of this please Lord.
New School Year
The new school year starts today for our boys and they're both looking very grown up in their formal white shirts.
They were both really excited about returning to school and catching up with their friends. Both boys have got great teachers again this year so we're really excited to see how they are going to fly again in the year.
Joel is now in Year 4 which is quite a step up for him. Things become a lot more formal from now which should be good for him. Joel will also join the junior school camp for the first time this year, which will involve three nights away from home. The parents are very excited about this!
Eli is in Year 2 with a teacher he had for the 2nd half of his reception year, hopefully the previous relationship with the teacher will stand him in good stead for a great year.
We are very excited for them both as we know their teachers and they are good. The school has a great ethos and the things it does well it does very very well so 2012 should be a great year for them both.
They were both really excited about returning to school and catching up with their friends. Both boys have got great teachers again this year so we're really excited to see how they are going to fly again in the year.
Joel is now in Year 4 which is quite a step up for him. Things become a lot more formal from now which should be good for him. Joel will also join the junior school camp for the first time this year, which will involve three nights away from home. The parents are very excited about this!
Eli is in Year 2 with a teacher he had for the 2nd half of his reception year, hopefully the previous relationship with the teacher will stand him in good stead for a great year.
We are very excited for them both as we know their teachers and they are good. The school has a great ethos and the things it does well it does very very well so 2012 should be a great year for them both.
Tree Of Life Planted!
What an amazing privilege to be a part of the start of tree of Life church in Macassar this morning!
Thank you Lord!
The sense of expectation was high as we planted from Love & Grace into Macassar and the spirit was certainly with us this morning. Now we're really excited to see how this is going to grow as we seek to serve and extend the kingdom of God in Macassar and beyond.
It wasn't a polished performance, far from it which is great as that's not what church is about anyway. Also, it's not a numbers game though we would just say that the classroom turned out to be too small. Hallelujah! The important thing is that as a group of people committed to this church plant we're excited about the things we see God doing in us and through us and we just know that this work will continue to grow in Macassar and beyond.
We planted out with a clear word about being the leaves of the tree of life for the healing of the nations and in particular for Macassar, a broken community that desperately needs healing. It's going to be a great adventure with God as we seek to serve him and the community with a view to honouring his word over us.
The vibe as a whole in Macassar High was also quite amazing as there were a total of 13 churches meeting in various classrooms and halls. It felt like revival had come to Macassar.
Worshipping the living God in a cramped classroom, there's no place we'd rather be!
Chadlee took on the kids work and we're really grateful for this!
Shaddie came with a few folk from Simon's Bay Christian Church to bless us and it was such an encouragement to have them with us!
Shaddie brought a great word for the church and it was a blessing to benefit from his wisdom and experience as we closed the meeting.
Click here to see more pictures.
Thank you Lord!
The sense of expectation was high as we planted from Love & Grace into Macassar and the spirit was certainly with us this morning. Now we're really excited to see how this is going to grow as we seek to serve and extend the kingdom of God in Macassar and beyond.
It wasn't a polished performance, far from it which is great as that's not what church is about anyway. Also, it's not a numbers game though we would just say that the classroom turned out to be too small. Hallelujah! The important thing is that as a group of people committed to this church plant we're excited about the things we see God doing in us and through us and we just know that this work will continue to grow in Macassar and beyond.
We planted out with a clear word about being the leaves of the tree of life for the healing of the nations and in particular for Macassar, a broken community that desperately needs healing. It's going to be a great adventure with God as we seek to serve him and the community with a view to honouring his word over us.
The vibe as a whole in Macassar High was also quite amazing as there were a total of 13 churches meeting in various classrooms and halls. It felt like revival had come to Macassar.
Worshipping the living God in a cramped classroom, there's no place we'd rather be!
Chadlee took on the kids work and we're really grateful for this!
Shaddie came with a few folk from Simon's Bay Christian Church to bless us and it was such an encouragement to have them with us!
Shaddie brought a great word for the church and it was a blessing to benefit from his wisdom and experience as we closed the meeting.
Click here to see more pictures.
Drum Roll Please...
Just 24 hours to go...
So this morning we're out in Macassar inviting people to join us tomorrow.
Our big prayer is that the Holy Spirit would go before us and rock up on Sunday, please join us in prayer for this.
So this morning we're out in Macassar inviting people to join us tomorrow.
Our big prayer is that the Holy Spirit would go before us and rock up on Sunday, please join us in prayer for this.
Plant A Tree
This morning was a morning of mixed emotions for the Macassar crowd as it was our final morning as part of Love & Grace Church as we're planting into Macassar from next Sunday.
The mixed emotions are born out of the many friendships we've all built with folk in Mitchell's Plain and the excitement of moving into something new with God. We'll miss our friends at Love & Grace but we know we'll see each other again soon and we'll remain in contact with each other.
Our time as part of Love & Grace has been incredible as God took us all on a journey of healing, restoration and growth. At the point at which we joined Love & Grace we were very down and were all hurting quite badly and as such we had no idea where our time with Love & Grace would lead us, we certainly weren't looking to plant a church at that point!
Thankfully we serve an amazing God who gave the leadership of the church the vision of planting back into Macassar. The journey this took all of us on has been far from smooth but we are utterly convinced of God's hand on this. We've seen some great stuff happening in folks lives and we are convinced that God has a plan for Tree of Life Church in Macassar.
So there we have it, Tree of Life Church will begin meeting on Sunday mornings from next Sunday, the 15th, as well as the usual mid week stuff going on as it has been for many many months.
Please pray for the church as we plant, we know attacks will come but we want to stand firm on the Word knowing the gates of hell will never prevail!
Our really big prayer request is for new folk to join us and for someone who can lead us in worship.
The mixed emotions are born out of the many friendships we've all built with folk in Mitchell's Plain and the excitement of moving into something new with God. We'll miss our friends at Love & Grace but we know we'll see each other again soon and we'll remain in contact with each other.
Our time as part of Love & Grace has been incredible as God took us all on a journey of healing, restoration and growth. At the point at which we joined Love & Grace we were very down and were all hurting quite badly and as such we had no idea where our time with Love & Grace would lead us, we certainly weren't looking to plant a church at that point!
Thankfully we serve an amazing God who gave the leadership of the church the vision of planting back into Macassar. The journey this took all of us on has been far from smooth but we are utterly convinced of God's hand on this. We've seen some great stuff happening in folks lives and we are convinced that God has a plan for Tree of Life Church in Macassar.
So there we have it, Tree of Life Church will begin meeting on Sunday mornings from next Sunday, the 15th, as well as the usual mid week stuff going on as it has been for many many months.
Please pray for the church as we plant, we know attacks will come but we want to stand firm on the Word knowing the gates of hell will never prevail!
Our really big prayer request is for new folk to join us and for someone who can lead us in worship.
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A very Happy Christmas to you all!
Lots of love
Dean, Paula, Joel & EliXXXX
Lots of love
Dean, Paula, Joel & EliXXXX
Eli's 6th Birthday
A very happy birthday to our special six year old bundle of endless energy and fun!
It hardly seems possible that it is six years ago today that Paula flew to Bloemfontein and held Eli for the first time as she waited to bring him home.
This little bundle of joy has transformed our family life with his boundless energy and sense of fun and also making us a truly international family.
We're so grateful to God for the miracle that is Eli and especially grateful that he blessed our lives!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELI!
It hardly seems possible that it is six years ago today that Paula flew to Bloemfontein and held Eli for the first time as she waited to bring him home.
This little bundle of joy has transformed our family life with his boundless energy and sense of fun and also making us a truly international family.
We're so grateful to God for the miracle that is Eli and especially grateful that he blessed our lives!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELI!
♫♪♫School's Out For Summer♪♫♪
Many of you who heard us speak on our last mission education visits or came along to one of our Facing The Mountain Roadshows will remember our two biggest prayer requests. Firstly we asked you to pray that we might be able to go church planting again, although we had no idea how this would be possible at the time. Secondly we asked that you join us in praying for our boys coming year at school but especially for Joel as we had some reservations about his year ahead.
Thankfully we serve an amazing God who answers our prayers.
God is indeed amazing and we've had some massive answers to these prayers! Firstly, we're on the cusp of planting a church back into Macassar, more on that next year, but needless to say we're really excited about it all.
Secondly, we can also report that our boys have had truly amazing years at school this year. We always knew Eli would as Teacher Chloë is brilliant and Botiswa is an absolute treasure who has known Eli for a long time now. But Joel's year has far outstripped our expectations, he's built a great relationship up with Mrs T who has worked really hard for Joel and acknowledged his areas of strength and need and really encouraged him to the point where he's grown massively in confidence through the year.
Thank you Lord!
Now we're really excited and expectant for the 2012 school year as both boys are going to have excellent teachers, both of which already know the boys quite well.
For now though we've got a long hot summer holiday to enjoy!
Thankfully we serve an amazing God who answers our prayers.
God is indeed amazing and we've had some massive answers to these prayers! Firstly, we're on the cusp of planting a church back into Macassar, more on that next year, but needless to say we're really excited about it all.
Secondly, we can also report that our boys have had truly amazing years at school this year. We always knew Eli would as Teacher Chloë is brilliant and Botiswa is an absolute treasure who has known Eli for a long time now. But Joel's year has far outstripped our expectations, he's built a great relationship up with Mrs T who has worked really hard for Joel and acknowledged his areas of strength and need and really encouraged him to the point where he's grown massively in confidence through the year.
Thank you Lord!
Now we're really excited and expectant for the 2012 school year as both boys are going to have excellent teachers, both of which already know the boys quite well.
For now though we've got a long hot summer holiday to enjoy!
WHCYIAMWOTGOC
On the BBC News website there is an article entitled "What would Jesus do?: The rise of a slogan"
It makes for an interesting read but I find myself disliking this logo quite intensely. I've always felt that it's a bit of a silly question for two reasons. Firstly, as the article points out, we don't really get much of a clue as to how Jesus conducted himself away from the limelight and so we can't really answer the question. Secondly, we often see Jesus popping off a miracle in a variety of circumstances and whilst Jesus told us in John 14 that we would "..do even greater things.." I and the vast majority of Christians have yet to fully understand and grasp that. So looking at a WWJD? wristband when confronted with a situation is not really a great help.
I have preached on this before and feel that rather than asking the question What Would Jesus Do? for most Christians we'd be better off learning Philippians 1:27 as a memory verse and applying it to our daily situations. It goes like this:
"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."
For me I really ought to get it printed in big bold letters and have it pinned onto my dashboard. Where would you pin these words to help you in your daily walk? I particularly like the fact that the sentence begins with "Whatever", it's not the 'whatever' of stroppy teenagers but rather the whatever that covers every situation and eventuality with no exceptions.
Sadly WHCYIAMWOTGOC doesn't trip off the tongue in quite the same way as WWJD? but I prefer it!
It makes for an interesting read but I find myself disliking this logo quite intensely. I've always felt that it's a bit of a silly question for two reasons. Firstly, as the article points out, we don't really get much of a clue as to how Jesus conducted himself away from the limelight and so we can't really answer the question. Secondly, we often see Jesus popping off a miracle in a variety of circumstances and whilst Jesus told us in John 14 that we would "..do even greater things.." I and the vast majority of Christians have yet to fully understand and grasp that. So looking at a WWJD? wristband when confronted with a situation is not really a great help.
I have preached on this before and feel that rather than asking the question What Would Jesus Do? for most Christians we'd be better off learning Philippians 1:27 as a memory verse and applying it to our daily situations. It goes like this:
"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."
For me I really ought to get it printed in big bold letters and have it pinned onto my dashboard. Where would you pin these words to help you in your daily walk? I particularly like the fact that the sentence begins with "Whatever", it's not the 'whatever' of stroppy teenagers but rather the whatever that covers every situation and eventuality with no exceptions.
Sadly WHCYIAMWOTGOC doesn't trip off the tongue in quite the same way as WWJD? but I prefer it!
On The Stoep
As summer finally heats up we're able to spend more and more time out on the stoep in the early evening and it makes such a refreshing change from wasting time in front of the telly.
It's a real privilege on the evenings when the southeaster isn't blowing to sip a chilled glass of vino and enjoy dinner alfresco, especially when the Hotties mountains are illuminated so beautifully by the sunset.
It's a great way to relax after a busy day!
Joel enjoying a late evening swing as he gets a bit of sneaky time outside with us after Eli's gone to bed
Rosie, the nosy neighbour!
Joel messing with Rosie
It's a real privilege on the evenings when the southeaster isn't blowing to sip a chilled glass of vino and enjoy dinner alfresco, especially when the Hotties mountains are illuminated so beautifully by the sunset.
It's a great way to relax after a busy day!
Joel enjoying a late evening swing as he gets a bit of sneaky time outside with us after Eli's gone to bed
Rosie, the nosy neighbour!
Joel messing with Rosie
Eli's Birthday Party
Once again we celebrated Eli's birthday just before the end of the school year so that as many of his friends were able to come as possible.
Much fun was had as 13 of his friends ran riot around the garden, climbing on the tree house, playing on the jungle gym, bouncing on the trampoline and getting dirty in the sand pit.
In fact so much fun was had we only had time for one organised game. Pass the Parcel went down a storm as ever and we even got away without having the inevitably distraught kid that can't accept they didn't win. Phew!
Eli wanted a picture of himself on his cake (and why not?) but sadly the icing was ruined when the cake slipped off the car seat.
So Eli's birthday month is well under way and he's really looking forward to sharing his birthday on the 21st with his middle cousin, Bethy who's joining us for Christmas.
Click here to see the full album.
Much fun was had as 13 of his friends ran riot around the garden, climbing on the tree house, playing on the jungle gym, bouncing on the trampoline and getting dirty in the sand pit.
In fact so much fun was had we only had time for one organised game. Pass the Parcel went down a storm as ever and we even got away without having the inevitably distraught kid that can't accept they didn't win. Phew!
Eli wanted a picture of himself on his cake (and why not?) but sadly the icing was ruined when the cake slipped off the car seat.
So Eli's birthday month is well under way and he's really looking forward to sharing his birthday on the 21st with his middle cousin, Bethy who's joining us for Christmas.
Click here to see the full album.
Another Year Gone
Not too sure what happened to the school year that was 2011 but it seems to have whizzed by. There is one week left but let's be honest, very little gets done in the last week. that will make up for the busyness of this week with awards ceremonies and school concerts, but it's been really good fun.
It's been a great year for the boys, not least for Eli who can now read and write. we're very proud of him for this achievement!
We had our concerns too at the outset of the year, particularly for Joel but he's coped admirably and had a really enjoyable year. We're really grateful for this massive answer to prayer as many of you may remember that one of our biggest prayer requests on our mission ed' trip last Christmas/New Year was for Joel's school year.
The feedback we've had from both boys' teachers has been very encouraging and we're really excited for them as they start in Year 2 for Eli and Year 4 for Joel in Jan. Both boys have excellent teachers lined up which is great to know. In fact one of the things that really excites us for the coming school year in January is the fact that just the other day we were discussing church planting with one of the teachers. Brilliant!
Click here for more pics.
It's been a great year for the boys, not least for Eli who can now read and write. we're very proud of him for this achievement!
We had our concerns too at the outset of the year, particularly for Joel but he's coped admirably and had a really enjoyable year. We're really grateful for this massive answer to prayer as many of you may remember that one of our biggest prayer requests on our mission ed' trip last Christmas/New Year was for Joel's school year.
The feedback we've had from both boys' teachers has been very encouraging and we're really excited for them as they start in Year 2 for Eli and Year 4 for Joel in Jan. Both boys have excellent teachers lined up which is great to know. In fact one of the things that really excites us for the coming school year in January is the fact that just the other day we were discussing church planting with one of the teachers. Brilliant!
Click here for more pics.
Girls Will Be Girls!
I had a very eagerly anticipated "girly" coffee morning with 4 special ladies at my house today - it was time to get my wonderful HOPE home based carers out of their community for a few hours to just spend time chatting, laughing, eating and reviewing the past year! Each lady is a special nugget of gold, they will definitely be taking their places at God's top table one day!! It was so good to enjoy some lovely food and to potter around the garden chatting about patients and friends and our lives. We definitely don't get time to do this often enough and I really thank God for the constant encouragement that each one of these special friends adds to my life, despite the fact that often their own lives are beyond difficult!!
As we reviewed 2011 it was really fun to show the ladies the DVD that we had made over a year ago now to take on our mission education trip last November to January! We are filled with anticipation for 2012 and the team is committed to moving onwards and upwards in loving and caring for their community. Please remember these ladies, Aunty Henna, Aunty Poppy, Lizbeth and Anne in your prayers and we are particularly asking God to move more powerfully amongst us in practical healing next year.
Please also pray for Elise in her own community who couldn't be with us today because she was busy with a World AIDS Day initiative, she really needs a partner to go around with her as she visits various patients, for safety and in order to increase her patient base. We believe God for this.
As we reviewed 2011 it was really fun to show the ladies the DVD that we had made over a year ago now to take on our mission education trip last November to January! We are filled with anticipation for 2012 and the team is committed to moving onwards and upwards in loving and caring for their community. Please remember these ladies, Aunty Henna, Aunty Poppy, Lizbeth and Anne in your prayers and we are particularly asking God to move more powerfully amongst us in practical healing next year.
Please also pray for Elise in her own community who couldn't be with us today because she was busy with a World AIDS Day initiative, she really needs a partner to go around with her as she visits various patients, for safety and in order to increase her patient base. We believe God for this.
World Aids Day
The world seems to have gotten a bit complacent about AIDS and the devastating effect it has so it takes a bit of shock tactics to get the world to sit up and listen.
Hopefully Willy the Tourist might help to do this.
The video doesn't seem to appear on the blog so here's the link to it: http://youtu.be/DjSv9jLt_vY
Encouraging Evening
Our life group in Macassar last night was such an encouraging and humbling time.
It was a real privilege to hear testimony after testimony of how God has moved mightily through the year to bring folk to the point of being excited about planting a new church into Macassar early next year. For some of the guys there last night this has been a torrid year, starting with the collapse of the church and the hassles resulting from it. Some have then lost jobs, had to move house a number of times, had family members die, one of our number has lost two brothers this year! Others have had to look after extended family to help out financially in tough times and one family have had a terrible time with drug dealers and all sorts of related nonsense.
Through all of this each of us was able to testify to the goodness and faithfulness of our God and how he's moved throughout the year to bring each of us into a very different place from where 2011 started. Some have new jobs, some have moved jobs closer to home, some have got new homes and others have seen their daily lives transformed through prayer and God's amazing grace.
We floated home last night!
On top of all this I feel so incredibly humbled by this amazing group of folk who are so committed to planting into Macassar and seeing God's kingdom extended and his name glorified.
To be a part of these guys lives is an awesome privilege!
It was a real privilege to hear testimony after testimony of how God has moved mightily through the year to bring folk to the point of being excited about planting a new church into Macassar early next year. For some of the guys there last night this has been a torrid year, starting with the collapse of the church and the hassles resulting from it. Some have then lost jobs, had to move house a number of times, had family members die, one of our number has lost two brothers this year! Others have had to look after extended family to help out financially in tough times and one family have had a terrible time with drug dealers and all sorts of related nonsense.
Through all of this each of us was able to testify to the goodness and faithfulness of our God and how he's moved throughout the year to bring each of us into a very different place from where 2011 started. Some have new jobs, some have moved jobs closer to home, some have got new homes and others have seen their daily lives transformed through prayer and God's amazing grace.
We floated home last night!
On top of all this I feel so incredibly humbled by this amazing group of folk who are so committed to planting into Macassar and seeing God's kingdom extended and his name glorified.
To be a part of these guys lives is an awesome privilege!
Weekend Stuff
Summer seems to be toying with us at present as the weather has generally been pretty good during the week and then pretty horrid at weekends. Winter is definitely hanging on to the bitter end!
This last week and the weekends either side of it has been a good time for us as we've managed to sort out and rise above a bit of rubbish that was thrown our way and as a consequence find ourselves in a stronger position than before.
Praise God for friends who believe in the best of you!
Dean has particularly enjoyed the last two Sundays as he was invited to preach in Simon's Town last Sunday and at Love and Grace yesterday. It is a real joy to be able to share the Word with folk and an immense privilege too.
Our big news of the week relates to Sunday 27th and whilst we're not posting the news here we would ask that you pray for us but particularly for Dean on that day. It will be a significant step as we move closer to planting a church into Macassar. If you receive our monthly updates you'll know what we're talking about.
To that end we had an excellent time together on Wednesday and the Macassar folk are really excited about the future, especially now that plans are firming up and dates are beginning to be written down in diaries.
Sadly we had to postpone our planned potjie with friends as the weather was truly foul in the morning, however it gives us something to look forward to next weekend.
We decided to go ahead and have a potjie anyway, Joel's disappointment at the thought of not doing it was palpable! Thankfully the afternoon was one of glorious sunshine after the hail storm had cleared.
The potjie was enjoyed by all and excellent practice for this weekend coming.
This last week and the weekends either side of it has been a good time for us as we've managed to sort out and rise above a bit of rubbish that was thrown our way and as a consequence find ourselves in a stronger position than before.
Praise God for friends who believe in the best of you!
Dean has particularly enjoyed the last two Sundays as he was invited to preach in Simon's Town last Sunday and at Love and Grace yesterday. It is a real joy to be able to share the Word with folk and an immense privilege too.
Our big news of the week relates to Sunday 27th and whilst we're not posting the news here we would ask that you pray for us but particularly for Dean on that day. It will be a significant step as we move closer to planting a church into Macassar. If you receive our monthly updates you'll know what we're talking about.
To that end we had an excellent time together on Wednesday and the Macassar folk are really excited about the future, especially now that plans are firming up and dates are beginning to be written down in diaries.
Sadly we had to postpone our planned potjie with friends as the weather was truly foul in the morning, however it gives us something to look forward to next weekend.
We decided to go ahead and have a potjie anyway, Joel's disappointment at the thought of not doing it was palpable! Thankfully the afternoon was one of glorious sunshine after the hail storm had cleared.
The potjie was enjoyed by all and excellent practice for this weekend coming.