Divine Appointments

Have you ever met someone briefly that changed your life forever? Perhaps a divine appointment of sorts? Yesterday, we said goodbye to our Crown College mission team after 2 wonderful weeks of ministry. In the short time they were here, they built relationships and made an impact that will last a lifetime.

One way they did this was through a week-long afternoon children’s program at Real Vision church. Each day, about 65-75 kids came to play games, sing songs, and hear the Word of God taught in exciting, kid-friendly ways. Children’s ministry has a huge impact in the villages because kids really don’t have it in their home churches. The kids loved the special attention and the fun teachings, and they really got a kick out of meeting people from America. And when the kids share their excitement with their families back home, they get excited too! And they also see how welcoming and vibrant the local church is – in this case Real Vision. (The mission team had a blast as well!!)

Another way the team had great impact was through each family they ministered to during Relationship Evangelism. As they planted vegetables gardens, they also planted spiritual seeds of faith. As they mended a woman’s fence, they also mended racial tensions in the name of Christ who loves everyone as His children. As they led people to Christ, prayed for the sick, and discipled Believers, they also grew more mature in their own faith. Quite an impact every way you look at it!!

Please pray with us that the Lord’s work continues in and through each mission team member – in the village of Khelangoni, in Minnesota as the team returns, and wherever they are called to next.

Bragging Rights

As we kick-off Term 2 of our Twenty4Seven internship program, I wanted to take a few moments to brag about our awesome group this year. 4 amazing young women, strong in their faith, motivated to make a difference in the world, and hungry to learn from “front-line” experiences here at Thrive Africa.

What’s cool about our year-long internship is that young leaders experience 3 areas of ministry.

First, they minister among the Basotho people in many exciting ways – teaching Launch Pad discipleship classes, leading our Hope House orphanage ministry, sharing the love of Christ through weekly Relationship Evangelism just to name a few.

Second, they are equipped through a variety of classes ranging from language and cultural training to digger deeper into Biblical foundations to exploring other relevant topics such as leadership development and world missions. Personally, I’ve enjoyed teaching the weekly world missions classes.

Third, they gain valuable ministry experience working behind-the-scenes at Thrive Africa within our various departments – Launch Pad, Leadership Summit, and Outreach.

It has been such an exciting and fruitful first Term! I hope you enjoy the pictures I’ve posted from their Hope House and Launch Pad experiences!

Please pray for these amazing ladies - that they continue to discover, develop, and use their leadership gifts as they serve the people of South Africa.

Modeling Leadership

One of the things I love about working at Thrive Africa is our deep, passionate commitment to training Godly leaders – in our schools, in our churches and communities, and also in our own Thrive Africa family. We know that we must model Godly leadership ourselves before we are able to pass truths on to others.

So within our Outreach Department, Pastor Abram and I have been digging deep into the Foundations for Christian Growth with our team of interpreters. Our most recent lesson was about becoming free from sin and being fully alive through Christ. The weekly classes have been life-changing. It has been wonderful to grow together, challenge each other, and equip ourselves to teach others.

We asked our interpreters “What impacted you most as you reflected on achieving freedom from sin?” Here is what some of them shared:

“That we are forgiven for our sins, but also that we should not misuse the grace of God by continuing to sin. We have the power and freedom to make good choices in our lives.” - Rabele

“When we sin, it’s by our own choice. We have the power to say no to sin.” – Eric

“In order to stop sinning, we need to identify the root and remove it, or like a weed it will keep coming back.” - Christinah

Please pray for our Outreach team - that we continue to grow as Godly leaders better able to serve and pour into others.

PS. In this picture are Rabele and Elias leading Children's Ministry with one of our Thrive Africa mission teams.

The Power of Prayer

Tshehla has a long, difficult road ahead of him. His family does as well. We met them last week while visiting the Harrismith Hospital. Tshehla is 14. So handsome. So bright. With an infectious smile that lights up the room.

It was a joy for our Thrive Africa mission team to meet him, but it was heart-breaking as well. What had started as a fun, innocent soccer game ended in a fight. Tragically, Tshehla was badly beaten by an older bully and he suffered a stroke.

When we met him, he had been in the hospital over a month. His outside wounds had healed, but half of his young body was still paralyzed, and he was just learning to speak again.

We also met his brother and sister, weary from visiting everyday to help feed, bathe and change him. As they poured out their grief, we listened, encouraged them, and prayed together. Through the grace of God, grief was replaced by hope. Anger was replaced by forgiveness. Weariness was replaced by perseverance and strength.

Please pray with us for the family’s continued strength and for Tshehla’s full recovery and bright future.

Prayer Requests

I also have some prayer requests that I would love for you to lift up with me.

- For each person who is being transformed by the love of Christ through our mission teams, Launch Pad discipleship classes, and Leadership Summit school program. That they continue to grow in their faith, discover their God-gifted potential and purpose, and make a difference in their communities.

- For our leadership and staff. For continued wisdom, passion, and focus as we plan for 2010.

- For my personal financial support. For additional people to partner with me on a monthly basis, as $500 per month is needed to cover vehicle, healthcare, and travel expenses (airfare to the US in 2010). Also for the finances needed to purchase a used vehicle in October.

- For our ministry finances, as this continues to be a challenging year. That our financial partners are encouraged and blessed by the huge impact they are having, and that new donors join with us as well.

- For protection of our mission base property and equipment, as there have been some robberies this past month.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support!! If you have any prayer requests I can help with please let me know via email.

Johanna and little Seipati

Last week I spent the afternoon at the Harrismith Hospital with the mission team from The River. And there I met a wonderful woman named Johanna. She had been staying at the hospital day and night with her 20-month-old grand-daughter Seipati who had a serious respiratory infection. Johanna shared with me that her daughter, Seipati’s mother, had passed away and that she is currently caring for 7 grand-children ages 20-months to 19 years.

Half-laughing and half-crying she said she was too old for 7 children (I think she said 59), but she trusted that the Lord would take care of them. When we asked what we could pray for, her request was so simple and so sacrificial – that the Lord would heal her hands so she could keep up with the laundry for such a large family.

What Johanna thinks she lacks in money, energy and strength, she more than makes up for in love, faith and courage. And with a lot to spare (and share) because I was definitely encouraged and inspired by Johanna. After a bit of playing, praying and light-hearted conversation, I hope that Johanna and Seipati enjoyed our time together as much as I did.

I pray that Seipati recovers quickly. And I pray that Johanna continues to trust the Lord to supply her every need, and passes that strong faith on to her grand-children as well.

PS. this pic is not them, but gives you an idea...

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!

Back Safe and Sound

Greetings from South Africa! My friend June and I made it back safe and sound. Praise God! Thank you so much for the prayers and support that enabled me to return. It’s such a privilege to be able to serve here in South Africa.

When we first arrived we spent a couple of days in Johannesburg to shop for supplies that we can only get in the city. A few staff members met us as well. Trips into the city have to be well planned because our base is 3 hours away, yet still flexible because of what we affectionately call “South Africa time”. I spent the weekend settling into my new room and catching up with friends, and then kicked off my new role as Outreach Coordinator on Monday.

It has been a whirlwind over the past 2 weeks between leasing and moving out of my house, spending time with family and friends, packing and storing all my stuff, traveling, etc. Whew! So it’s great to be settling into this next chapter of my life.

Praise Reports:
- For the support of my family who helped so much with the move and for giving me a place to stay during the transition.
- For prayer and financial partners who helped me to return. (I’m currently at 60% of my financial goal).
- For the significant impact that Thrive Africa is having among the Basotho people as they carry out their God-gifted mission.
- That we (you and I) are invited to serve alongside them.

Prayer Requests:
- That I adjust quickly to my new home and role as Outreach Coordinator.
- For the additional financial support needed to remain in South Africa.
- For the busy Internship and Outreach season that ramps-up in mid-June.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. Please let me know if you have any prayer requests that I can lift up. And please keep in touch – I’d love to hear from you. jillmariemarshall@yahoo.com

Blessings, Jill

Greetings from Michigan

Greetings from Michigan. Hi there. I arrived back in the US on Sunday afternoon and must admit – it feels a bit strange. On the one hand, so I’m excited to be home to see family and friends, and to plug back into church and school. On the other hand, I miss South Africa and my mind is whirling with all the things I need to do to go back. I’m so grateful that the Lord is giving me this opportunity, calling me into full-time missions which has been on my heart for many years now.

So let me back up just a bit. After my first mission trip in 2002 I was “hooked”. I felt the Lord had given me a glimpse into his purpose for me - a calling for which he had been preparing me through my education, work, and even life experiences. That may sound strange, but I knew I wanted to be involved in overseas missions someday, somehow – I just had no idea of the timing. When I was laid off from Ford I felt that the Lord had closed one door but opened another. My prayers regarding the timing had been answered. And so I embarked on a 2 month adventure with Thrive Africa to experience being a full-time missionary and to seek the Lord’s confirmation about making a “career change.” The trip was amazing! I had been to Thrive Africa several times before and it was “love at first sight”. The people. The land. The vision and their commitment to excellence. So I was grateful to have an opportunity to serve behind the scenes in their Outreach Department. Long story short – I felt the Lord’s confirmation that this is the right place to be for the next several years and who knows afterwards. Pretty cool, huh?

What’s next? There is so much to do to return – I’m excited, a bit overwhelmed, and trusting God for all the details. Visa and travel arrangements. Setting up a support account. Fundraising to cover monthly expenses. Selling or renting my house. Handling all my personal affairs, finances, etc. And most importantly, like I said, trusting God each step of the way.

Thank you. So thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement. Your partnership has been instrumental in bringing hope to people in need, and also in turning my personal dream into a reality. I am grateful for that. And I would so much appreciate your continued prayers.
- That my house would sell or rent quickly despite this difficult economy
- That all the details would be handled quickly and smoothly
- That I remain humble, obedient, and strong in my faith
- For the financial and prayer support needed to serve in South Africa

I also humbly ask that you pray about your continued role in this calling. Perhaps the Lord is calling you to be part of the prayer team, to give financially, to support one of Thrive Africa’s programs or projects, or to serve on a mission team… God has a plan and purpose for each of us. God Bless.

Lead. Serve. Love.

After the Bethesda team safely arrived at home our Thrive trip arrived - a team of 10 amazing men and women assembled from all over the US and even the UK. It’s so cool that Thrive Africa offers yearly trips for individuals in addition to the teams that come from churches and other sending organizations. We began the trip talking about how each person was called here (such inspiring and encouraging stories) and what each person expected from the trip. Praise the Lord for generously exceeding all of our expectations. The team bonded from day 1 and became fast friends, and it was a blessing to serve alongside them. We laughed and cried, learned from each other, and encouraged each other along the way. Our daily devotions focused on how we are called to follow Christ’s model of Leading by Serving, Serving by Loving, and Loving by Leading. Lead. Serve. Love. We each definitely have a long way to go, a long way to grow, but Christ has equipped us with everything we need for what we are called to today. I’ll share more about our work in some additional entries, but we ended the trip with an overnight safari. It was a way to rest, reflect, and celebrate a wonderful week of ministry. Afterwards, it was on to the airport for the return flights home. Amidst the hugs and tears we rejoiced at how the Lord knitted together such a great team and used us in surprising and amazing ways. Please join me in praying that their lives are forever changed by this experience, and that the Lord continues to use them to do wonderful things wherever he calls them to next.

Precious Little Children

Today we took the Bethesda team to Manapo Hospital in Qwa Qwa to visit the children’s ward. It was a heart-breaking experience because some of the children were so sick and weak. The illnesses varied, some of which likely caused by or complicated by HIV/AIDs. But it also was such a joyous occasion as the team loved on the kids, bringing smiles as they played and gave out beanie babies and sweets. The hard-working nurses and overtired moms seemed encouraged as well.

I was immediately drawn to a little baby boy alone in his crib. At first, he seemed so scared of me – I must have looked quite strange, and nothing like his mom. I held his hand, stroked his arms, and tried to play a little. Slowly he warmed up to me and reached out his hands to be picked up. He was as light as a feather and so precious. We walked a little, looked out the windows, and he soon nuzzled into my neck and seemed content. By the end of our visit he was playing with his stuffed toy and finally allowing another team member feed him his lunch. Please pray with us for all the precious children we met – that they are healed and grow up to be healthy, strong men and women with bright futures. Please also pray for safe travel as we take the team on a safari then back to the airport for their return home, and as we pick-up another team later this week.

PS. This is a picture of me with Qwa Qwa in the background. If you’re thinking I look pretty funny, it’s because I took it myself. Thanks 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.

Made it up Mt. Everest

Sunday I attended some additional training with the Bethesda team, this time to prepare for Children’s Ministry in the village. Not only was it great to learn the material, but also to learn how the training classes are taught and how the teams prepare for their programs. After lunch, we all set out on a hike of Mt. Everest which is 6,620 feet above sea level. The weather was beautiful, the scenery breath-taking, and the team really worked together to help everyone make it to the top. And what a view! Boy, did I feel small looking out over rolling hills and skies that went on forever!

Please pray for the team this week as they minister in Intabazwe: that they build strong relationships, have a fruitful children's program, help New Life Church to grow in their community, and serve those in need in meaningful ways. Thanks so much for your prayers and support!

Outreach Season Kicks-off

The first mission team of the season arrived yesterday – a team of 14 from Bethesda church in Sterling Heights, Michigan. They were a kick for me personally because I was able to get updates about the latest news and weather from home. We spent today with cultural and ministry training, followed by team building exercises among the obstacle and low ropes courses here on the mission base. Children’s ministry training will be tomorrow morning, and then a guided hike up Mt. Everest in the afternoon. These 2 days will help the team rest up, reenergize, and prepare for ministry in Intabazwe which begins on Monday. When teams go into the villages, they build relationships with the local families, doing what is called a Life Exchange. They ask questions about their lives and culture, share about themselves, and serve in love however needed such as with household chores, helping the sick, planting gardens, etc. The teams also conduct a children’s club in the afternoon. Our hope is to be the hands and feet of Christ, and to also connect families into the local church where they can continue to be nurtured, getting the help and hope they need.

Please pray for the teams as they minister in Intabazwe this week, for the leaders and interpreters, and for the families struggling with unemployment, poverty, and the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Please also pray for Thrive Africa as well. As the outreach season kicks off, I am saddened that their full service Dining Room and Conference Center burned 2 years ago and finances are still needed for the reconstruction. In the meantime, the staff is doing an outstanding job serving the teams in a temporary dining hall, and other buildings for meetings and classes. Thanks for all your prayers, support and encouragement! I so much appreciate it!