Laff-a-lympics

Does anyone else remember the old cartoon Laff-a-lympics? The Scoobie Doobies, the Yogi Yahooeys, and the Really Rottens? I Googled it to get the name of the teams and boy, am I getting old!!!

Anyways, we had our very own Laff-a-lympics when we hosted about 30 kids from Leratong Children’s Home. Our interns have been working there for the past several weeks, and they did an amazing job with setting up this day of celebration and fun!!

Divided into teams, the kids competed in games such as soccer drills, paintball shooting, video game racing, and other relays. It was such a blessing to see the kids light up as they tried new things - like video games which are so common in the US that we take them for granted. I was like a kid again as well when I got my hands on a paintball gun!

At the end of the day, everyone left with a great prize, a huge smile, and the assurance of how much they are loved by us and by Jesus Christ. It was a very special day for very special kids!

A Love that Saves

Our Next Step summer interns spent their first week of ministry doing Relationship Evangelism and Children’s Ministry at one of our partner churches in Mangaung Village.

Here are just two of the many highlights from the week:

Relationship Evangelism is about building relationships to show the love of Christ. As our interns built a relationship with a young man named Thabo, he really opened up about the struggles he was facing - many the consequences of his own poor choices. He seemed to be searching for the right path, a better way to live. As they shared from their own lives and prayed with him, he was encouraged. And when they invited him to church the following Sunday, he came and accepted Christ as his Savior. Who knew that simply building a relationship could save the life of another? I guess Jesus knows, and we’re all reminded too…

Children’s Ministry is about sharing the love and Good News of Christ with kids who might not experience it otherwise. And often times, Children’s Ministry reaches even further – this was one of those times. A few days after a children’s lesson, our interns met a woman happy to tell them how much her grandson enjoyed the story of Daniel. He ran home, excitedly told her all about it, and asked her to read the story again from the Bible. And our interns were blessed to see how as they pour into these young ones, they in turn share it with others.

Meeting Christ

As the music blared throughout Pastor Maria’s village, kids came from all over to hear Bible stories, play games, sing, and learn what it means to follow Jesus Christ. The kids loved hearing about Jonah, Noah and Daniel, and the important lessons they still teach us today. Lessons about obedience, faith, prayer, and what can happen when we run away from God. Remember the whole whale "situation?"

Our Thrive Africa mission team did a great job of teaching Biblical truths in a way that was fun, memorable, and kid-friendly...something that kids don't really experience in their home churches. And in a few short days they impacted these young ones for a lifetime. Not only did the children learn about Jesus Christ, but they also met Him through each of the team members.

Impacting South Africa

Not every mission team that partners with us is from a specific church or organization. For the past 2 weeks, I have been blessed to serve with group of family and friends who decided to put together a team of their own. “We always wanted to travel to Africa and doing ministry while we were there was something God laid on our hearts.” Pretty cool, huh?

Called Impact South Africa, the team of 8 from PA and NJ served in Intabazwe. With 4 teachers on the team - the Lord was delighted to use their gifts and also stretch them as well. Each day, more and more kids came to the children’s program to learn from stories of Joseph, David, Noah and Jonah. They were quick to memorize Bible verses, and happy to sing songs and play games. The kids especially enjoyed the puppet shows which are a pretty rare treat here. And on the last day, more than 90 children prayed the prayer of salvation.

Another cool thing was when a local teacher stopped by to help and to learn how to teach children’s ministry in her home church. Basotho churches don’t usually have children’s Sunday school or VBS like we’re used to back home. Instead, children attend the same service as the adults. That’s why children’s programs are such an important part of our ministry in the villages. They are a great way to introduce children to Christ in ways that are understandable, memorable and also a lot of fun!

Thanks so much for supporting me as I support mission teams who come to Thrive Africa. Together we are changing the lives of children in South Africa!

Friends from The River

I spent the last 2 weeks serving with friends from The River Community Church in Highland, Michigan – 8 men and women with a love for the people of South Africa, and a desire to share the hope of Christ. It was an extra-special treat for me because we had served together years ago when our River and Kensington teams came to Thrive Africa together.

(Hope you enjoy The River pictures in the slide show on the left)

Working in Qwa Qwa, they built relationships with families and shared the Christ’s love in tangible ways: doing chores, planting gardens, caring for the sick. They also led children’s ministry each afternoon beginning with 48 kids on the first day, and ending with whopping 78 kids on the last day as excitement spread through the village.

Pastor Maria from Lighthouse Ministries Church was so excited to have the team come into her community sharing Christ’s love and connecting people with her church. She was encouraged as well because it confirmed that the Lord was truly moving in her church and village.

Please pray with me.
- That the seeds that were planted in the soil and in people’s hearts will grow into a plentiful harvest.
- That Lighthouse Ministries continues to thrive, reaching people for Christ and helping those in need in their community.
- That The River team is continues to be blessed by their experiences here.

Thanks for your prayers and support!

Ham and Cheese

Say Cheese

Children's Ministry

Children's Program in Khelangoni

We spent this past week ministering in Khelangoni where we built relationships, performed household chores, cared for the sick and shared the love of Christ with families in the village. We also had a children’s program each afternoon at Real Vision Church. The team did a great job! More than 50 kids attended each day and enjoyed games, songs, and Bible lessons complete with homemade props and a lot of group interaction. We were surprised and delighted when the children quickly learned Bible verses and new songs – they are so smart and eager to learn! And it was great fun to learn songs from them as well. The kids were especially excited to use the microphone and speaker – a special incentive for answering questions and volunteering to lead songs. We met Jesus in each special friend we made, and I pray they met Jesus in each of us.

Please pray with us for the children of Khelangoni. That they grow up to be healthy men and women, strong in their faith, aware of their God-gifted potential, and excited and hopeful about their futures. That they hang on to the hope of Christ when things seem hopeless. That they dare to dream dreams as big God. Thank you so much for your prayers and support!

A Week in Intabazwe

When the Bethesda team arrived, Pastor Mabena from New Life Church was so excited to have them come into his community to share the love of Christ and to help connect families with his church where they can continue to grow. As the first week of ministry wraps up, I am grateful for how the Lord has blessed, equipped, and used us all in so many ways. It has been blessing for me to serve alongside the mission team. I’ve been so inspired by their passion and compassion, by their enthusiasm and teamwork, and all of the wonderful stories they have shared this week. Relationships that will be remembered and cherished. Opportunities to serve others. A children’s program that seemed to double each day as kids excitedly told their friends.

One of the experiences the team shared last night was meeting with a Sangoma, or witchdoctor. She was a kind woman who expressed a desire to be a Christian, but also felt her ancestor spirits were directing her to be a Sangoma. She felt conflicted between her faith in Christ and her traditional practices. The team spent several days with her, serving, sharing the love of Christ, reading the Bible and praying. Not only was she healed from chronic pain, but she also expressed a desire to checkout New Life Church with us this weekend. Please pray with us for her and her family – that they come to have a saving faith in Christ alone.