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.

Divine Interruption

I’ve posted pictures from our Common Ground team – hope you enjoy them. While here they served and shared the love of Christ in so many ways. Working with families in Intabazwe, teaching a daily children’s program for more than 75 children, visiting and praying with the sick at Harrismith Hospital, working on our cabins here at the base… We are so blessed by each team that serves here, and Common Ground was no exception. And I am blessed by being able to train them, share in their ministry, and serve them as they serve others.

One of the highlights of their ministry was meeting a man named Abraham. Abraham had stopped by the church before the team headed into the village. At first it seemed like an interruption, we needed to get going to make it back by our scheduled lunchtime. But as we got to know him better we found out that he was a Christian, had just had a house fire, and didn’t really have any friends or family he could rely on for help. We knew the Lord had brought him by the church for a listening ear, a compassionate heart, and a dose of encouragement. And it reminded me of how easy it is to overlook an opportunity to bless someone because we’re too busy, moving too fast…

Abraham continued to stop by each morning to catch the team before they headed out. He also accepted their invitation to church that Sunday where he was welcomed with open arms. Now he has friends he’ll remember from the States, but more importantly a church home where he can love and be loved.

little g - BIG G

It’s interesting that my last post was about Basotho spiritual beliefs, because our LifeChurch.tv team ended up meeting with a family where the parents are both Sangomas (also known as traditional healers or witchdoctors). The couple shared their spiritual beliefs with the team, and explained how ancestral spirits gave them the knowledge and power to heal others. They had no interest in or need for Jesus Christ.

The team wasn’t sure if they should go back, but when they prayed about it they felt compelled to return. This time, only the adult daughter was home. With her parents gone, she was eager to learn about Jesus Christ. Together they talked about giving up false gods and putting your faith in Christ alone. False gods (little g) are anything that we trust in and rely on rather than God (BIG G). For her family, they were ancestral spirits, but for others they may be very different and not necessarily “religious”. Money, possessions, a career, another person...good things unless they become more important than God.

Long story short, she was longing for Christ but didn’t really understand it until the team shared Him with her. She became a Believer and also came to church with us on Sunday. That was a courageous step given her family upbringing. Please pray with us that she continues to grow in her Christian faith and as a witness to her family.

Thank you for making stories like this possible. Blessings, Jill

Basotho Spiritual Beliefs

Over the weekend, I went to Johannesburg to help pick-up a team from LifeChurch.tv, and then provided them with cultural and ministry training in preparation for their week in Qwa Qwa. The Basotho culture is infused with spiritual beliefs. Traditionally, Basothos believe that when a person dies their spirit remains nearby. Most Basothos believe in God (Modimo) as a Supreme Being, and that ancestral spirits are an essential link between this world and the spirit world, between people and God.

Such spirits are believed to have supernatural powers to bless or curse, therefore people strive to honor and appease them. For example, they may set aside gifts or ritual offerings in order to receive various blessings such as wealth, health, children, protection, etc. Because of their special powers and nearness to God, such ancestral spirits are also considered to be the mediators between people and God. People will often pray to their ancestors asking them to go to God on their behalf rather than praying to God directly. And it’s these traditional beliefs that keep people from a saving faith in Christ alone, from living a life according to His purpose.

As we talked about Basotho cultural and religious beliefs, we also realized that barriers to faith come in all shapes and sizes, and you don’t have to be a “professional Christian” to teach others about Christ. It’s something we are all called and equipped to do.

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

Friends in Khelangoni

Emily and Menke

As I described in a previous entry, when teams go into the villages the goal is to build relationships, serve families, and share the love of Christ through what we call a Life Exchange. The mission team met so many wonderful people this past week, and my team (we divided into 3 groups) was privileged to spend a few days with Emily, her daughter-in-law Menke, and her 2 grandsons Joseph and Johannes. We helped with gardening and housework, played with the kids, and sat in the shade of the peach tree to get to know each other better. Such strong and beautiful women – we were thankful for their hospitality and the opportunity to get to know them better.

Emily shared with us that although she is a Christian she had also previously worshiped ancestors as part of her religious upbringing. She definitely believed the Bible to be the authoritative word of God, but had a lot of questions about what it said regarding ancestral spirits and what happens after we pass away. She had lost her parents and missed them very much – their love, their guidance, their support - and she longed to continue communicating with them. She also felt distant from her home church because it was difficult for her to attend regularly. I shared about losing my grandmother and how my mother and I both were with her when she passed away. My teammate Phong shared about losing his parents. While we may miss loved ones who pass away and still cherish fond memories and wise advice, they go on to be with the Lord. They do not remain as spirits among us to mediate between ourselves and God, to influence the powers of good and evil, or to answer our prayers. We shared some Bible verses, prayed, and had a great time together, and at the end of our visit Emily thanked us for sharing God's love and His truth. And we were so excited when Menke and the boys came to the afternoon children’s program, and then the whole family came to church with us Sunday. I pray that they felt welcomed and decide to attend on a regular basis. Real Vision church is a strong, Bible teaching church that is very close to their home. It will be a great place for them to learn, grow, and connect with others in their community.

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.

A Day in Qwa Qwa

Today I went into Qwa Qwa with the intern team doing relational evangelism and school assemblies this week. Qwa Qwa is home to about 1.8 million people. It’s also the poorest area of the country with 88% unemployed. I can tell you more about Qwa Qwa and how Thrive Africa ministers to them in future updates.

Twenty4Seven is Thrive Africa’s year long internship program for young adults who are interested in learning more about missions. They serve in the various ministries, attend classes, work on the mission base, and get immersed in the culture while they are here. This year there are 8 from all over the U.S. and Australia. I so admire their sense of adventure, obedience to the Lord’s call on their lives, and hearts for serving.

In the afternoon I also attended a training session with the interpreters. When teams go into the villages to help families, build relationships, share the Gospel, conduct children’s programs, etc. interpreters go with each of the teams to help. These are amazing young men and women as well – well trained in English, Sotho, and other languages as well as the Bible; hearts for serving; and gifted in connecting with teams and the local people.

Over the next few days I’ll be learning and preparing for the upcoming missions teams. I’m really looking forward to it. As I get time, I’ll send some updates about where I’m staying just for kicks, and the amazing property we are nestled into.

Thanks for your prayers and support!

PS. I didn't take pictures today - this is actually a picture from a previous trip.