Just a short update... more to follow!

Hey guys,
I am sorry for taking so long to write. It was pretty hectic around here and then I got a little bit sick. But here is a quick update. As for the decisions I was wrestling with last post I have decided to come home in July and start my Master's in September. I will share more about that soon. God has opened a huge door as I am being employed by SAFA (South African Football Association) to tutor the U20 National team girls at camp. I am spending the week staying in the same hotel and having some time to connect with them. I am also getting a chance to really connect with some of the coaching and support staff at meals. Please pray that God will give me wisdom and discernment in my interactions. And boldness to be intentional with those I am in contact with. This is very exciting open door and I don't want to step to hard and have it close, but I also don't want to leave without sharing Christ with the girls. I know that helping them with their studies does a lot for these girls and their confidence. But I also want to see change with their hearts. I also have a bit more exciting news. But I will put that in the next update. Love you all and miss you!!
Rachel

December at a Glance

Our 2011 Plett Team minus Auntie Hazel

The view of Central Beach from the Deck

I have had a difficult time writing this blog so far. So I apologize for the delay. I think a lot went on in December and a lot of questions have arisen and it is difficult to get it all into words. I think that too much time with yourself can be a dangerous thing. I have currently started a time of prayer and fasting to find some clarity and some answers to some of these struggles. The stress of feeling such a weight from these decisions left me pretty despondent which is why I haven’t written. On the plus side I am feeling much better after a few days of focus and some conversations with family and friends.

Some of our daily visitors Michael and Francois

Kaylin and I

That being said the month of December was an amazing time for me. Our Plettenberg Bay outreach mission was amazing. Having Kaylin along was huge for our relationship and it was so cool to see her grow in her quiet times and in the way she was willing to connect with some of the local youth. She was only able to stay for a short while but in that time God definitely moved in her life. I am also excited to say that despite a rough past year at the HPC she will be returning to complete her Metric (Grade 12) education in Pretoria at the HPC. I am excited to see what God has planned for our time together. I will give you her reflections from the trip when she has fully processed and gives it to me.

Dan, Me, Kirsten, Kassidy and Brad

Sharing my testimony on the beach

The common thread between what everyone said about our team, the girls that I connected with were no exception, (the ones that stand out most are Kirsten and Sam) was the unity and acceptance within our team. I truly felt like I was with family. That is what always amazes me about the body of Christ. When it is working how it should be focused on Christ’s glory there is no need for fights, tension, selfishness, instead the team is just working and serving out of His love. And even for people outside of our team they kept saying how they felt more loved and accepted in our group then they felt with their own friends. John 13: 34- 35 says: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” This was very apparent within our team and God used it to multiply our witness.

Mae sharing her testimony. I am so proud of the steps she took following God to share more of her story than she has ever done. 

KB, Mae, Missy and I 

The trip had a double blessing because I got paired up with one of the girls, Mae, as my prayer partner. We hit it off right away and it was such a blessing to have someone to share with and grow with and be challenged with during the trip. But even more than just during the trip is the bond we are continuing after. She gave me a verse: Psalm 45:11 and it is one that has definitely impacted my views on how God sees me. It has encouraged and blessed me daily to be reminded that God is enthralled with me and that I am called to honour Him. And even more important is the verse before that talks about how the girl should leave her father, her mother and her people to be with the one who loves and cares for her, serving and honouring the king. Currently I feel like I have taken that step, even if it is temporary, but it will carry into the rest of my life no matter where I end up. It is very comforting to see confirmation of this sacrifice in the word.

It was hard saying goodbye to the team and leaving the daily routine of heading to the beach, playing soccer and volleyball and just getting the opportunity to converse with the locals and visitors and knowing that you are planting seeds for their eternity. But I was blessed with the chance to stay in Plett for an extended visit and to spend Christmas with my friend Kyle and his family. This was a chance to be refreshed and renewed. I had some great quiet times and learning from God even more. It was great to have a chance to play with his nieces and nephews and to be a part of building into`his oldest neice Demi spiritually and just share an older girls perspective on things. His family was so kind and really made me feel so welcome. Christmas was still hard without my family there, but I was lucky enough to get to chat with them on the phone.

Kyle on our hike

I loved the chance to hike in the Knysna forest and just get a few more days at the beach, enjoying the chance to be around people. After Plett we went to Cape Town for a couple of days and staying with Kyle and his parents at his uncle’s home. The coast is absolutely beautiful and definitely good for the soul to be surrounded by God’s creation. We drove straight through from Cape Town home to PTA which was quite the drive, but highlighted much of the diversity in buildings and landscapes that South Africa has to offer. It was also an opportunity to have some good conversations and reminded me how blessed I am to have the friendships that I am making here.

Coming home was hard. All of my girls were at their homes all over the country, my team wasn’t training. My roommate is still back in the states and the couple that was house sitting upstairs was away on holiday. To top it all off I couldn’t figure out how to get the car I am buying from my friend Missy to start. Oh, that’s one of the other reasons I have been struggling is I lost one of my closest friends because she has returned home to the US. Normally we could fill this down time together so instead I was left with too much alone time. But God is faithful and as I have been going through this past week He has reminded me of why I am here and his purposes for me. I have been filling out my application for my Master’s program and have been praying for wisdom as to whether I should ask if I can start in January and stay until December or go home in July and start in August. I am leaning towards this option but it would be better for the girls if I can stay a little longer so I am praying hard about that. Also just praying for guidance in how to best handle my months here, what would be the most effective use of my time and ministry.

The ice cream owner that opened the shop back up for us

Please keep Rachel Sebati in your prayers. She just graduated and will be heading to the US for college in the fall but there is a lot to do and we need wisdom in how we can best support her and get her ready to go. Also we are looking for ways to use her in our ministry with the girls. Also please just pray for some added safety as there have been a number of break-ins in our area. Targeting places that look like they are still away mind you, but your prayers are appreciated. I will work to keep you more closely updated as things begin to move forward with our ministry here. Love you guys tons and thank you for your prayers and support!

PLETTENBERG BAY BEACH MISSION PRAYER UPDATE #4

We Praise the Lord for:

·         Good weather and for the many people who came to the beach yesterday and today.

·         Answering our prayers that the two Jewish boys Jet and Chase would return to the beach. They came on Wednesday and Thursday and participated fully in soccer and volleyball. Chase has developed a close relationship with Sammy.

·         All the children and teenagers who feel so comfortable being with the team that they come and sit at our gazebo and participate in refereeing games, corporate prayer and other duties.

·         The positive response to the team’s testimonies and gospel presentations.

·         Blessing the team with boldness to speak about Jesus and for physical strength to perform their many duties. For the Lord’s healing of some of the team who were getting sick.

Pray for:

·         Continue to pray that the Lord will germinate the seeds of the gospel in the hearts of Jet and Chase. Their father explicitly told them not to listen to us.

·         All those with whom the team have developed friendships, that those who do not know the Lord will re-evaluate their standing with the Lord in light of the challenges the team has given them.

·         Healing for those of the team who are injured. For refreshing rest tomorrow as the team has the day off from ministry.

·         Michael and Mark from Jews for Jesus as they engage with the Jewish people on the beach. Pray for a gentleman who was verbally very abusive and physically pushed and chased them off the beach. (Michael and Mark went as far as the parking lot and then returned a while later. This incident was witnessed by the whole beach.)

·         The team as they were profoundly impacted by this event. It deeply challenged them causing them re-evaluate their commitment to the Lord despite persecution. This was the first time they had encountered such anger towards Jesus and His Word.

PLETTENBERG BAY BEACH MISSION   PRAYER UPDATE #3  -- Wednesday, December 14, 2011

We Praise the Lord for:

• Continued interaction with people who have come each day this week. We thank the Lord that they came despite overcast and very cool conditions.
• Those people wanted to know more after testimonies and gospel presentations were given.
• Divine opportunities for one-on-one evangelism.

Pray for:

• The Jewish father who did not want his two young sons to listen to the testimony before the tournament. He called them away but allowed them to come and participate. The boys were involved in both the soccer and volleyball tournaments on Monday and Tuesday. They did not come today.
• All those with whom the team were able to interact with and build relationships. The locals return everyday to play.
• Good weather for the duration of the week. Yesterday 19 teams participated in the tournament-the weather was warm and sunny. Today it was overcast and cold and there were not many people on the beach- seven teams played in the tournament. Presently it is raining.
• Lord’s physical strength and spiritual protection and boldness in proclaiming the gospel.

PLETTENBERG BAY BEACH MISSION PRAYER UPDATE #2

We Praise the Lord for:

·         The rest day on Sunday, for fellowship with the people of St Thomas Methodist Church and time of relaxation at Keurbooms Beach.

·         The people who participated in the soccer and volleyball tournaments on Saturday and Monday despite the windy conditions. For the many meaningful and encouraging conversations the team had with children and teenagers.

·         A windless day on the beach today. Many people were already on the beach upon our arrival this morning.

Pray for:

·         Kaylin who is back home in Port Elizabeth and as she travels to Johannesburg for the national ladies soccer camp on Thursday.

·         The Holy Spirit’s continued working in Kaylin’s life and that she will understand that salvation is by grace and not by works.

·         Continued favourable weather.

·         Lord’s physical strength for each team member for each day. Some are weary from the sun, wind and sport activities.

·         The Lord’s wisdom and discernment for the team as they seek to make the most of every opportunity to share the gospel with the people.

·         Those who said they will come today to play soccer and volleyball with the team. Pray for continued meaningful conversations with these teenagers and children.

PLETTENBERG BAY BEACH MISSION PRAYER UPDATE #1

 Praise the Lord for:

·         Safe travel and the reliability of the vehicles travelling to Plettenberg Bay on Wednesday.

·         Ministry opportunities on the beach among children and teenagers despite the strong wind which blew all day. Many more people on the beach today the wind picked up at lunch time and is blowing strongly now.

·         Kaylin being able to join the team until Monday, she is a U20 national soccer player.

·         Unity amongst the team and their passion to share the gospel with people on the beach.

·         The blessing that St Thomas Methodist Church is to us in allowing us to use their building and its facility from which to operate

Pray for:

·         Spiritual and physical protection of the team on the beach.

·         Favourable weather.

·         Lord’s continued working in the hearts of every person who hears the gospel on the beach. Pray that He will convict them of their sin and need of a Saviour.

·          A deepening in our hearts as we grow in a love and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

·         The Lord’s wisdom and guidance for the leadership team.      

·          Kaylin- that the Lord will reveal Himself to her.

First day at Plettenburg Beach

First day on the beach! Good but very windy.