Hi everyone,
Just wishing you a very happy christmas and a wonderful new year to you all!!! Much love and hope you're all well. Thank you all for supporting me all this year!!!! x
Saturday, 25 December 2010
Monday, 20 December 2010
I'm back
hi guys,
just in case it wasn't completely clear but I have now returned to England and am now settling back into life here until God reveals what is next for me. Please can you all pray that God reveals his purposes as I am very much wanting his will for my life. Thank you so much for all your love and support and prayers. I really appreciate everything you have all done and look very much to sharing next steps and walk with God. x
Grace x
just in case it wasn't completely clear but I have now returned to England and am now settling back into life here until God reveals what is next for me. Please can you all pray that God reveals his purposes as I am very much wanting his will for my life. Thank you so much for all your love and support and prayers. I really appreciate everything you have all done and look very much to sharing next steps and walk with God. x
Grace x
Friday, 17 December 2010
Final South African DTS blog
Hi everyone
Apologies again for the delay of this my final update on my Arts DTS Journey with YWAM Jeffrey’s Bay. Here are pictures of our final day at the Taj Mahal and pictures of Nicolene who chose to stay behind. We were able to meet up with the South African team as soon as we returned to South Africa and so there is a brief summary of what the south african team have been up to followed by the whole team ministry in Uitenhage,Eastern Cape, final week of ministry in Jeffrey's Bay, our graduation and what's next for me!!! There is much to share so please keep reading.
After our return from India - which was emotional to say the least - we were blessed to meet up with the South African (aka Brazil) team in Ennerdale (just south of Joburg central). As some of you know already, one of our team - Nicolene - chose to stay on in India until March 2011. It was a true shock for the South African team but it really hit home for us when we met them too. A very close member of our family was no longer there but we knew and were very happy for her obedience and fully believed she had walked fully into the will of God.
Despite a very “relatively” peaceful time in India, we encountered problems only in the last few hours. To cut a long story short, after a day at the Taj Mahal and on our way to the airport, myself and 2 other team members were separated from the team. It took about 3 hours to be reconnected but amazingly, throughout this time, God gave me great peace and told me to worship instead of worrying about it. In the middle of worship, God spoke directly to me that He would bring the rest of the team to us and this is exactly what happened. The lesson was definitely learnt. The enemy tried once again to steal our peace with airport security trying to prevent us from saying goodbye to Nicolene and the faithful team who served us throughout our time in India but God was able to make a way. Jay Ma Seki - Praise the Lord).
We were all very keen to share our experiences and found that both of us had had equally powerful experiences. South African team shared that they had been on the radio sharing their testimonies, involved in many children ministries including visiting a few orphanages and had run a youth camp for teenage boys. As a team with only 2 white young people, they had amazingly ministered in an all - white church in Brits where at first, they were barely touched in a handshake but by the end of ministry were leaving contact details with various members of the church. A powerful encouragement to them and massive reflection of God’s awesome power, work and heart for reconciliation in the nation of South Africa with regards to racism which is obviously still rife.
We all headed to Uitenhage (Eastern Cape - predominately coloured community) to do a final week of ministry as one team again. We found this town to be filled with talented and gifted people musically and spiritually. We were built up greatly here which was awesome as we were all very tired both emotionally, spiritually and physically by then. Despite being a very poor community and high unemployment, many still had pride in their homes which was reflected in their immaculate landscaped gardens which they did themselves!!!! They were very welcoming and receptive to us and what we had to share and we received no resistance to our presence there. However, we did find that many struggled with alcohol and drug abuse. There was definitely a stronghold of homosexuality and many small children showing signs of this influence. Many of them suffered a lot from neglect from their parents and were modelled violence on a daily basis from their homes and gang-communities.
We felt God asked us to focus on the next generation while here so most of our ministry was Kid Zone - playing games, singing songs and instilling in them values of respect for each other. There was much aggression between the kids especially from very little children which was often unprovoked. It was very sad we couldn’t be there longer. Please pray.
Evangelism to the poorest township community was dynamic and we saw amazing breakthrough and healing in people’s lives. A few people became Christians and many recommitted their lives to Christ which was very exciting - this included a gangsta whom Ettienne (staff) was really able to minister to having been part of one of the worst gangs in the country himself. Truly his mess was used to bring an awesome message!!!
I was able to pray for a woman with a very bad and unexplained skin disorder and God told me that she would be healed in 3 days. Lauren, was there and had equally a strong sense that God was in control and would heal her after 3 washes,. Unfortunately, we were not able to return to the same area but I’m really believing God will have touched and healed this woman - Jeannie. Please can you stand with me and pray for her as often it is about our faithfulness in prayer, that miracles happen. The fact that Ettienne and Vicky were able to meet a lady almost fully healed from severe paralysis whom they had prayed for the previous year on their DTS gives me complete confidence in God’s healing powers.
We returned to Jeffrey’s Bay with great joy to see much missed friends and especially our street kids like Vusi and Diego. We found that they were regularly attending the base still and that there was now an after-school club in place to help them with their homework too. Please pray that this grows and is really a benefit to the kids and a way for stronger relationships to be built with the community.
Coming to the end of outreach was personally somewhat disappointing as I had really enjoyed it. When we were asked to minister to the September DTS and help out with the Christmas Party for the HIV / AIDS group - many of us were first on the volunteer list. I have to admit I felt alive once again and realised that outreach really doesn’t stop we just need to respond to the opportunities God gives us - right on our doorsteps. In contrast , we found the other DTS really struggling with their unity and unforgiveness and God really used us to help them move forward significantly in preparation for outreach. Many were released from bondages of un-forgiveness leaving a powerful and tangible peace between them. It was awesome to be part of that and truly believe this is what God wants to become a regular occurrence in my life.
So what now?
Well I am finally at an end of this journey now that I have graduated. I have learnt so much about God’s love, his grace and compassion for this world and us. I have been overwhelmed with what God has done in and through me and the team and feel so honoured to have been given the opportunity to have this experience. I will recommend to all who read this and others back at home - DTS has been the best “re-laying” of the foundations for my Christian walk and an awesome time to find out who I really am in God.
Next on the agenda is to settle in at home and see what God has for this season but I am deeply stirred to do a an intensive Biblical Core Course for 3 months (Intensive Bible School). The course helps you go deeper with God, challenges, refines your character and really equips you to be more effective in teaching and preaching and sharing the word in greater depth. I feel, I will need it for future ministry so would love for you all to pray with me for clarity and direction. If it is a BCC - then where and if not, then what else. I am totally open to God’s will and fully believe there is something very specific He wants to do in me and I am willing to be part of that.
To much is given, much is expected!!! Here I am Lord, speak for your servant is listening.
Apologies again for the delay of this my final update on my Arts DTS Journey with YWAM Jeffrey’s Bay. Here are pictures of our final day at the Taj Mahal and pictures of Nicolene who chose to stay behind. We were able to meet up with the South African team as soon as we returned to South Africa and so there is a brief summary of what the south african team have been up to followed by the whole team ministry in Uitenhage,Eastern Cape, final week of ministry in Jeffrey's Bay, our graduation and what's next for me!!! There is much to share so please keep reading.
After our return from India - which was emotional to say the least - we were blessed to meet up with the South African (aka Brazil) team in Ennerdale (just south of Joburg central). As some of you know already, one of our team - Nicolene - chose to stay on in India until March 2011. It was a true shock for the South African team but it really hit home for us when we met them too. A very close member of our family was no longer there but we knew and were very happy for her obedience and fully believed she had walked fully into the will of God.
Despite a very “relatively” peaceful time in India, we encountered problems only in the last few hours. To cut a long story short, after a day at the Taj Mahal and on our way to the airport, myself and 2 other team members were separated from the team. It took about 3 hours to be reconnected but amazingly, throughout this time, God gave me great peace and told me to worship instead of worrying about it. In the middle of worship, God spoke directly to me that He would bring the rest of the team to us and this is exactly what happened. The lesson was definitely learnt. The enemy tried once again to steal our peace with airport security trying to prevent us from saying goodbye to Nicolene and the faithful team who served us throughout our time in India but God was able to make a way. Jay Ma Seki - Praise the Lord).
We were all very keen to share our experiences and found that both of us had had equally powerful experiences. South African team shared that they had been on the radio sharing their testimonies, involved in many children ministries including visiting a few orphanages and had run a youth camp for teenage boys. As a team with only 2 white young people, they had amazingly ministered in an all - white church in Brits where at first, they were barely touched in a handshake but by the end of ministry were leaving contact details with various members of the church. A powerful encouragement to them and massive reflection of God’s awesome power, work and heart for reconciliation in the nation of South Africa with regards to racism which is obviously still rife.
We all headed to Uitenhage (Eastern Cape - predominately coloured community) to do a final week of ministry as one team again. We found this town to be filled with talented and gifted people musically and spiritually. We were built up greatly here which was awesome as we were all very tired both emotionally, spiritually and physically by then. Despite being a very poor community and high unemployment, many still had pride in their homes which was reflected in their immaculate landscaped gardens which they did themselves!!!! They were very welcoming and receptive to us and what we had to share and we received no resistance to our presence there. However, we did find that many struggled with alcohol and drug abuse. There was definitely a stronghold of homosexuality and many small children showing signs of this influence. Many of them suffered a lot from neglect from their parents and were modelled violence on a daily basis from their homes and gang-communities.
We felt God asked us to focus on the next generation while here so most of our ministry was Kid Zone - playing games, singing songs and instilling in them values of respect for each other. There was much aggression between the kids especially from very little children which was often unprovoked. It was very sad we couldn’t be there longer. Please pray.
Evangelism to the poorest township community was dynamic and we saw amazing breakthrough and healing in people’s lives. A few people became Christians and many recommitted their lives to Christ which was very exciting - this included a gangsta whom Ettienne (staff) was really able to minister to having been part of one of the worst gangs in the country himself. Truly his mess was used to bring an awesome message!!!
I was able to pray for a woman with a very bad and unexplained skin disorder and God told me that she would be healed in 3 days. Lauren, was there and had equally a strong sense that God was in control and would heal her after 3 washes,. Unfortunately, we were not able to return to the same area but I’m really believing God will have touched and healed this woman - Jeannie. Please can you stand with me and pray for her as often it is about our faithfulness in prayer, that miracles happen. The fact that Ettienne and Vicky were able to meet a lady almost fully healed from severe paralysis whom they had prayed for the previous year on their DTS gives me complete confidence in God’s healing powers.
We returned to Jeffrey’s Bay with great joy to see much missed friends and especially our street kids like Vusi and Diego. We found that they were regularly attending the base still and that there was now an after-school club in place to help them with their homework too. Please pray that this grows and is really a benefit to the kids and a way for stronger relationships to be built with the community.
Coming to the end of outreach was personally somewhat disappointing as I had really enjoyed it. When we were asked to minister to the September DTS and help out with the Christmas Party for the HIV / AIDS group - many of us were first on the volunteer list. I have to admit I felt alive once again and realised that outreach really doesn’t stop we just need to respond to the opportunities God gives us - right on our doorsteps. In contrast , we found the other DTS really struggling with their unity and unforgiveness and God really used us to help them move forward significantly in preparation for outreach. Many were released from bondages of un-forgiveness leaving a powerful and tangible peace between them. It was awesome to be part of that and truly believe this is what God wants to become a regular occurrence in my life.
So what now?
Well I am finally at an end of this journey now that I have graduated. I have learnt so much about God’s love, his grace and compassion for this world and us. I have been overwhelmed with what God has done in and through me and the team and feel so honoured to have been given the opportunity to have this experience. I will recommend to all who read this and others back at home - DTS has been the best “re-laying” of the foundations for my Christian walk and an awesome time to find out who I really am in God.
Next on the agenda is to settle in at home and see what God has for this season but I am deeply stirred to do a an intensive Biblical Core Course for 3 months (Intensive Bible School). The course helps you go deeper with God, challenges, refines your character and really equips you to be more effective in teaching and preaching and sharing the word in greater depth. I feel, I will need it for future ministry so would love for you all to pray with me for clarity and direction. If it is a BCC - then where and if not, then what else. I am totally open to God’s will and fully believe there is something very specific He wants to do in me and I am willing to be part of that.
To much is given, much is expected!!! Here I am Lord, speak for your servant is listening.
Thursday, 16 December 2010
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Thankfulness and Gratitude!!!
So guys, just a final update on our last and final week in Bilaspur, India!!!!!!!
No one can believe how fast it has gone and having made such awesome friends, it's so sad to be leaving so soon:-( After an action packed Sunday of ministry to youth, children, ladies, and the biggest protestant church in Bilaspur, we spent the week doing more touristy things and solidifying relationships. We found there is so much more ministry doors opening up here and rea). Amazingly though, God had already planned this and revealed to Nicolene that she was to stay for the next 7 months!!!!! A bitter sweet revelation but both we and the base team here are so happy that she is being obedient as coincidentally, 2 staff are leaving at the end of the month with an AIDS DTS to start in January!!!!! After all the planting of this month, it is truly awesome now that God has provided a longer-term worker to be a channel for His watering Spirit.
Please continue reading below for more details of this last week and check out pictures on facebook from next week.
Following on from that though, we are all very sad to be saying goodbye to Nicolene now. However we are all confident that this is God's will for her life right now so please do pray for her safety, passion and peace about what lies ahead. Everything is very uncertain right now including her finances, so these prayers are very much needed. There was a miracle in the financial arena that got her here too so we very much believe that God will provide.
Following the Friday night ministry, Baboo chose to spend the week with us. I was somewhat anxious about the repercussions of Friday night's bold gospel ministry evening but we have found that there have been none. In fact, one of Baboo's friends who attended the meeting - Prakesh, helped us with a few issues this week without any hesitation. Baboo has been truly an awesome friend and very much part of the staff and minitering to us every day. I really want to say thanks to God for him for his ever present love, joy and committment to the team.
I must say now that that is definitely one of the most wonderful things about India. Nothing is too big or small for them to do. Many have shown amazing servant heart with very grateful attitudes and spirits. We have been honoured and welcomed every where we go since the first day we got here. It has been somewhat overhelming but I do feel that this was God lavishly pouring out his love and blessing on us. We have been treated like superstars which unfortunately tonight took the glory from God. We were all moved with righteous anger, however, by His grace we were encouraged to seek to trust that He is able to work and minister even in the midst of this so this has been a mighty lesson for us to learn. We recognise that everything that has happened has been because of God and so we are all moved to make sure He will continue to get the glory in all things and that includes our attitudes. If we humble ourselves and pray, his glory and intervention will come.
As I said earlier that we really focused on strengthening relationships this week. Jon has been building a great friendship with the next door neighbour's son, Raavi. He is a Hindu boy but very much searching for something more. After attending the international food and ministry night on Friday, he came over almost every day this week and spent time dancing, talking and even joined us at a cross-church youth event where the Holy Spirit really came and touched people. Please do pray for Raavi that God provides people in his life to really help him grow in his faith and be supported not to fall back to old ways of the hindu religion. Boldness of character to fulfill the dreams within him too would also be an excellent prayer point. He's an excellent dancer, so let's pray that God really moves him to use it for His glory.
We spent a lot of time this week with the youth band from the Chhattisgarh Peace Festival. They really have an awesome heart for worshipping God and we had an awesome time jamming and worshipping with them. Please pray that God continues to work in their lives and move them from strength to strength in their faith. One issue we had this week was that they were not allowed to join us to minister to a cross-church youth service because the hosting band were not known and so they did not want glory to be given to the Peace Festival band. As a whole team, we were all mortified that ministry was being made about people and not God. However, the band received this very graciously and came in an opposite spirit and this really facilitated the Holy Spirit to move and touch hearts. We do praise God for them and hope they continue with this attitude even as young as they are. We are currently praying that they are able to really bond with Nicolene and befriend her while she is here and have every confidence that God planted them in our lives for such a time as this, so thank God for his faithfulness.
One last thing of note this week was when we were followed by the Indian Secret Service and questioned about our intentions here. We had expected this very early on in our stay in Bilaspur and so were a little complacent about this prospect. However, God in His mercy and infinite wisdom allowed this day to be the day when we did a lot of shopping so when we were approached we were only able to share truth with them as we are here on a tourist visa. We were completely blown away by this and really felt a confirmation that God has been here with us always. I just want to say thanks to all of you who has supported us in prayer during this time. I really feel that those prayers were surely answered and that God's hand has been holding back the tide on a wider scale too as there has been no backlash from the article nor the Peace festival performances. Thank you again but most of all, I thank God again for his love and commitment to us.
So as we finish off our time here with a trip to the Taj Mahal - eek!!! - I just want to say thanks so much for all your prayers and support. Please do continue as we still have a couple of weeks of ministry left in South Africa. I have learnt so much about keeping God first in your life and if He is not Lord of all, He really isn't Lord at all and how easily things can be our gods. Even the Taj Mahal is a testimony to the ruler who created it for his wife after she died and then cut off the hands of the builder. I don't know about you but our God does not require such craziness and I'm committed more and more each day to following His heart, His commands, His Spirit for He is my Lord of all.
Please do pray for our safety in travel to both the Taj Mahal and back to South Africa. Continued protection and for our ministry and especially for blessings upon this base and it's staff. THey have been such an amazing source of love, understanding, grace and compassion and truly showed us what serving the Lord is all about. We love them all even as some - Nermala and Angel return home now after their 3 year commitment but do pray for Nicolene as she stays and looks to staff and AIDS DTS from January and just for God's comfort and presence with her - leading and guiding her.
So we arrive in Johannesburg on Monday for a final week of ministry so I hope to update you in a couple of weeks. Take care and God bless. Remember comments are most welcome and hope you have enjoyed this blog.
G xx
p.s. please check out facebook updates for new pics.
No one can believe how fast it has gone and having made such awesome friends, it's so sad to be leaving so soon:-( After an action packed Sunday of ministry to youth, children, ladies, and the biggest protestant church in Bilaspur, we spent the week doing more touristy things and solidifying relationships. We found there is so much more ministry doors opening up here and rea). Amazingly though, God had already planned this and revealed to Nicolene that she was to stay for the next 7 months!!!!! A bitter sweet revelation but both we and the base team here are so happy that she is being obedient as coincidentally, 2 staff are leaving at the end of the month with an AIDS DTS to start in January!!!!! After all the planting of this month, it is truly awesome now that God has provided a longer-term worker to be a channel for His watering Spirit.
Please continue reading below for more details of this last week and check out pictures on facebook from next week.
Following on from that though, we are all very sad to be saying goodbye to Nicolene now. However we are all confident that this is God's will for her life right now so please do pray for her safety, passion and peace about what lies ahead. Everything is very uncertain right now including her finances, so these prayers are very much needed. There was a miracle in the financial arena that got her here too so we very much believe that God will provide.
Following the Friday night ministry, Baboo chose to spend the week with us. I was somewhat anxious about the repercussions of Friday night's bold gospel ministry evening but we have found that there have been none. In fact, one of Baboo's friends who attended the meeting - Prakesh, helped us with a few issues this week without any hesitation. Baboo has been truly an awesome friend and very much part of the staff and minitering to us every day. I really want to say thanks to God for him for his ever present love, joy and committment to the team.
I must say now that that is definitely one of the most wonderful things about India. Nothing is too big or small for them to do. Many have shown amazing servant heart with very grateful attitudes and spirits. We have been honoured and welcomed every where we go since the first day we got here. It has been somewhat overhelming but I do feel that this was God lavishly pouring out his love and blessing on us. We have been treated like superstars which unfortunately tonight took the glory from God. We were all moved with righteous anger, however, by His grace we were encouraged to seek to trust that He is able to work and minister even in the midst of this so this has been a mighty lesson for us to learn. We recognise that everything that has happened has been because of God and so we are all moved to make sure He will continue to get the glory in all things and that includes our attitudes. If we humble ourselves and pray, his glory and intervention will come.
As I said earlier that we really focused on strengthening relationships this week. Jon has been building a great friendship with the next door neighbour's son, Raavi. He is a Hindu boy but very much searching for something more. After attending the international food and ministry night on Friday, he came over almost every day this week and spent time dancing, talking and even joined us at a cross-church youth event where the Holy Spirit really came and touched people. Please do pray for Raavi that God provides people in his life to really help him grow in his faith and be supported not to fall back to old ways of the hindu religion. Boldness of character to fulfill the dreams within him too would also be an excellent prayer point. He's an excellent dancer, so let's pray that God really moves him to use it for His glory.
We spent a lot of time this week with the youth band from the Chhattisgarh Peace Festival. They really have an awesome heart for worshipping God and we had an awesome time jamming and worshipping with them. Please pray that God continues to work in their lives and move them from strength to strength in their faith. One issue we had this week was that they were not allowed to join us to minister to a cross-church youth service because the hosting band were not known and so they did not want glory to be given to the Peace Festival band. As a whole team, we were all mortified that ministry was being made about people and not God. However, the band received this very graciously and came in an opposite spirit and this really facilitated the Holy Spirit to move and touch hearts. We do praise God for them and hope they continue with this attitude even as young as they are. We are currently praying that they are able to really bond with Nicolene and befriend her while she is here and have every confidence that God planted them in our lives for such a time as this, so thank God for his faithfulness.
One last thing of note this week was when we were followed by the Indian Secret Service and questioned about our intentions here. We had expected this very early on in our stay in Bilaspur and so were a little complacent about this prospect. However, God in His mercy and infinite wisdom allowed this day to be the day when we did a lot of shopping so when we were approached we were only able to share truth with them as we are here on a tourist visa. We were completely blown away by this and really felt a confirmation that God has been here with us always. I just want to say thanks to all of you who has supported us in prayer during this time. I really feel that those prayers were surely answered and that God's hand has been holding back the tide on a wider scale too as there has been no backlash from the article nor the Peace festival performances. Thank you again but most of all, I thank God again for his love and commitment to us.
So as we finish off our time here with a trip to the Taj Mahal - eek!!! - I just want to say thanks so much for all your prayers and support. Please do continue as we still have a couple of weeks of ministry left in South Africa. I have learnt so much about keeping God first in your life and if He is not Lord of all, He really isn't Lord at all and how easily things can be our gods. Even the Taj Mahal is a testimony to the ruler who created it for his wife after she died and then cut off the hands of the builder. I don't know about you but our God does not require such craziness and I'm committed more and more each day to following His heart, His commands, His Spirit for He is my Lord of all.
Please do pray for our safety in travel to both the Taj Mahal and back to South Africa. Continued protection and for our ministry and especially for blessings upon this base and it's staff. THey have been such an amazing source of love, understanding, grace and compassion and truly showed us what serving the Lord is all about. We love them all even as some - Nermala and Angel return home now after their 3 year commitment but do pray for Nicolene as she stays and looks to staff and AIDS DTS from January and just for God's comfort and presence with her - leading and guiding her.
So we arrive in Johannesburg on Monday for a final week of ministry so I hope to update you in a couple of weeks. Take care and God bless. Remember comments are most welcome and hope you have enjoyed this blog.
G xx
p.s. please check out facebook updates for new pics.
More, Lord more!!!!
So after a crazy week of high profile ministry, this week was much more fellowship based. From a inspirational peace-filled lunch meeting with an entire family in ministry - Christ Lovers Ministry to a fun filled day at the local waterpark where we were the only ones just shows the uniqueness of this week. We had a few celebrations - Diwali, Ettienne‘s birthday, guys hostel ministry, and ladies ministry. Please click for pictures(more will be uploaded once we're back in SA in a few days time) or carry on reading below. I can’t believe our time here is almost over as it’s been so wonderful. Time really has flown as we have had a lot of fun - whoever said being a Christian was boring really didn’t fully let the Holy Spirit take over completely!!! More, Lord, More!!!!
So it's been a very varied week. The Christ lovers lunch was good. We all tangibly experienced a lot of peace and love between each family member. Everyone, you could tell was very in love with Jesus!! It was very refreshing to see the words of Joshua in Josh 2:9 where the father’s decision for him and his household to serve the Lord was actually in action. May it continue for a long time.
Ettienne - one of the staff had his birthday this week. We again, in true ywam style had a cake fight but this was topped with Ettienne being egged by Baboo (one of rhe guys here on the base but not official staff) immediately after prayer!! Classic pics but I just must add that Ettienne shared later on that the party we had for him was very special as in his entire 26 years, he had never had a party only for him. This was so precious to know and again really humbled me.
We also had a fire-works night during Diwali this week. We had a lot of fun and very exciting. There is no concept of health & safety when it comes to this too as many were doing it in the middle of the streets and about 10 feet from the house. This is a massive celebration (bigger than Christmas) in India and pretty much everyone celebrates for a good 4-5 days. We struggled with the fact that they did not start the barrage of fireworks until 9pm and felt the need to go on until the early hours of the morning. We also learnt that even people who lived in slums nearby and who hardly had any food or clothes but were able to afford hundreds of “expensive” fireworks (by India’s standard). Priorities of the people here were really very gob smacking!!! Not only was each night filled with bomb-sounding fireworks, but also ceaseless idol worship. The end of Diwali also signifies the end of the wedding season and time for the wedding gods to go to sleep for 6 months of the year!!!! Yes, I kid you not, there were processions leading the idols to the river for them to be buried. The deal being that if people choose to get married after this time, their marriage will not be blessed by the gods. Please check out a few pics in idol worship album as this was just one of many. Unfortunately, the last one cuts off a guy who was actually being whipped as he walked before the idols that were carried as a sign of worship and sacrifice - apparently, the whips don’t actually hurt, they just sound loud to make out that it’s painful. It’s so sad to see that even worship is false?
There are also a few pics about life here in Bilaspur. Ettienne and Lauren can be found helping prepare our exceptionally spicy dinners,; there is a picture of a cow outside the train station but I must add that is only one of the many crazy places we would find them. As a sacred animal with more rights than a human being in this place, it is common to see cows laying in the middle of the street, dogs running left right and centre. Every driver is contending with other cars, bikes, rickshaws, horse/oxen carts, cows, dogs and various other live-stock. Hats off to all who dare to drive in this place!!!!
The waterpark was a great time with both teams where we could relax and actually have something touristy to reflect our visas. It was very small with 3 pools but we had a great time. We happened to be the only ones there for the entirety of the day, so it was very special. We were treated to monkeys flinging themselves through the trees in the morning just outside the perimeter, a wave machine and Bollywood style rain rotunda where we cheekily decided we should do some of our dances just for effect;-) Ahhhh good times!!!!
We ended this week with a couple of awesome ministry times. The team of girls here were asked to minister to 3 different women prayer meetings and gatherings. We were told that many would come but found only a few and very small venues so some quick - spirit led adaptability meant that we were blessed abundantly with almost Rs2500 by the end of the two days. God was surely, with us. I was asked to preach again at one and to be honest I really don’t know what I said, but by the end of it we were all really filled with peace. God is so awesome!!!
Ending this week in a powerful way was a night of ministry with the guys from Baboo’s hostel that the boys have been meeting with weekly to play cricket and share the good news of God’s love. It was an awesome night! 30 people were invited and about 30 people turned up. The Holy Spirit really moved and touched many hearts. One guy named Ronnie turned up late - having taken a train and a taxi to get to us. He had initially thought he was going to a party but after listening to the gospel - which we chose not to hold back on - he shared that he was seriously considering becoming a believer - in front of all of his hindu friends - he too being a hindu. Many became uncomfortable but all listened - it was incredible - their attentiveness. The Holy Spirit was really in control as they didn’t even rush off after. They stayed to have food and loved it. Guys, we recognised that it was truly risky sharing as we did and also that Ronnie shared but we have had no come back from this either. God has had his hand of protection over everything and everyone and we’re all really believing that there will be fruit as Baboo will be around for follow-up with these guys. Please join us in prayer for the hostel guys. God has a started a good work and I believe will carry it on to completion!!
Catch you up next week and do check out website and leave comments at: www.artsdts2010.org for cool pics soon.
God bless
G xx
So it's been a very varied week. The Christ lovers lunch was good. We all tangibly experienced a lot of peace and love between each family member. Everyone, you could tell was very in love with Jesus!! It was very refreshing to see the words of Joshua in Josh 2:9 where the father’s decision for him and his household to serve the Lord was actually in action. May it continue for a long time.
Ettienne - one of the staff had his birthday this week. We again, in true ywam style had a cake fight but this was topped with Ettienne being egged by Baboo (one of rhe guys here on the base but not official staff) immediately after prayer!! Classic pics but I just must add that Ettienne shared later on that the party we had for him was very special as in his entire 26 years, he had never had a party only for him. This was so precious to know and again really humbled me.
We also had a fire-works night during Diwali this week. We had a lot of fun and very exciting. There is no concept of health & safety when it comes to this too as many were doing it in the middle of the streets and about 10 feet from the house. This is a massive celebration (bigger than Christmas) in India and pretty much everyone celebrates for a good 4-5 days. We struggled with the fact that they did not start the barrage of fireworks until 9pm and felt the need to go on until the early hours of the morning. We also learnt that even people who lived in slums nearby and who hardly had any food or clothes but were able to afford hundreds of “expensive” fireworks (by India’s standard). Priorities of the people here were really very gob smacking!!! Not only was each night filled with bomb-sounding fireworks, but also ceaseless idol worship. The end of Diwali also signifies the end of the wedding season and time for the wedding gods to go to sleep for 6 months of the year!!!! Yes, I kid you not, there were processions leading the idols to the river for them to be buried. The deal being that if people choose to get married after this time, their marriage will not be blessed by the gods. Please check out a few pics in idol worship album as this was just one of many. Unfortunately, the last one cuts off a guy who was actually being whipped as he walked before the idols that were carried as a sign of worship and sacrifice - apparently, the whips don’t actually hurt, they just sound loud to make out that it’s painful. It’s so sad to see that even worship is false?
There are also a few pics about life here in Bilaspur. Ettienne and Lauren can be found helping prepare our exceptionally spicy dinners,; there is a picture of a cow outside the train station but I must add that is only one of the many crazy places we would find them. As a sacred animal with more rights than a human being in this place, it is common to see cows laying in the middle of the street, dogs running left right and centre. Every driver is contending with other cars, bikes, rickshaws, horse/oxen carts, cows, dogs and various other live-stock. Hats off to all who dare to drive in this place!!!!
The waterpark was a great time with both teams where we could relax and actually have something touristy to reflect our visas. It was very small with 3 pools but we had a great time. We happened to be the only ones there for the entirety of the day, so it was very special. We were treated to monkeys flinging themselves through the trees in the morning just outside the perimeter, a wave machine and Bollywood style rain rotunda where we cheekily decided we should do some of our dances just for effect;-) Ahhhh good times!!!!
We ended this week with a couple of awesome ministry times. The team of girls here were asked to minister to 3 different women prayer meetings and gatherings. We were told that many would come but found only a few and very small venues so some quick - spirit led adaptability meant that we were blessed abundantly with almost Rs2500 by the end of the two days. God was surely, with us. I was asked to preach again at one and to be honest I really don’t know what I said, but by the end of it we were all really filled with peace. God is so awesome!!!
Ending this week in a powerful way was a night of ministry with the guys from Baboo’s hostel that the boys have been meeting with weekly to play cricket and share the good news of God’s love. It was an awesome night! 30 people were invited and about 30 people turned up. The Holy Spirit really moved and touched many hearts. One guy named Ronnie turned up late - having taken a train and a taxi to get to us. He had initially thought he was going to a party but after listening to the gospel - which we chose not to hold back on - he shared that he was seriously considering becoming a believer - in front of all of his hindu friends - he too being a hindu. Many became uncomfortable but all listened - it was incredible - their attentiveness. The Holy Spirit was really in control as they didn’t even rush off after. They stayed to have food and loved it. Guys, we recognised that it was truly risky sharing as we did and also that Ronnie shared but we have had no come back from this either. God has had his hand of protection over everything and everyone and we’re all really believing that there will be fruit as Baboo will be around for follow-up with these guys. Please join us in prayer for the hostel guys. God has a started a good work and I believe will carry it on to completion!!
Catch you up next week and do check out website and leave comments at: www.artsdts2010.org for cool pics soon.
God bless
G xx
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Looks can be deceiving!!!
Just a quick update this week:
So... can you believe it!!! I can't believe it's only a week and half to go. How time flies when you're having fun!!!It's week 3 and we've done a plumbline with the youth, ministered to families, led ladies bible studies to illiterate hindu women performed in front of 5000 people and the health minister of Chhattisgargh at a Peace Festival!!! and made front page of a local paper. Can there be more Lord, more? Click for pictures
Guys, India has really been full of nice surprises. People have been very hospitable. The team is gelling together and still very unified which is awesome and news about us seems to keep on spreading. Our hearts are totally that the name of Jesus is spread so we are a little down by this but we know that this is still very positive for a nation that is so much against the gospel. However, we can certainly testify that there are many here who are on fire for God and it is very exciting.
This week the boys have once again had another opportunity to spend time with the cricket guys and was able to pray with some of them and tell others the gospel which was very exciting. Please do stand with us to see further breakthroughs and continual openness to the truth.
As a team of girls, we have been finding teaching the ladies in the bible study a little difficult.There is very little visual responses, low literacy and language barriers bigger than we imagined. However, we are learning a lot and adapting the way we present everyday and trying to understand the culture and environment better. Please pray for a more uniting of hearts and spirit and that understanding and that the ladies are able to take things to heart and really process what Good leads us to say.
We're currently taking a step out of the limelight and doing a few touristy things so that any issues that have arisen from the article will die down. We hope to continue further ministry at the end of the week at another conference so will update you then.
God bless and do check out the blog next week for more information.
Grace xx
So... can you believe it!!! I can't believe it's only a week and half to go. How time flies when you're having fun!!!It's week 3 and we've done a plumbline with the youth, ministered to families, led ladies bible studies to illiterate hindu women performed in front of 5000 people and the health minister of Chhattisgargh at a Peace Festival!!! and made front page of a local paper. Can there be more Lord, more? Click for pictures
Guys, India has really been full of nice surprises. People have been very hospitable. The team is gelling together and still very unified which is awesome and news about us seems to keep on spreading. Our hearts are totally that the name of Jesus is spread so we are a little down by this but we know that this is still very positive for a nation that is so much against the gospel. However, we can certainly testify that there are many here who are on fire for God and it is very exciting.
This week the boys have once again had another opportunity to spend time with the cricket guys and was able to pray with some of them and tell others the gospel which was very exciting. Please do stand with us to see further breakthroughs and continual openness to the truth.
As a team of girls, we have been finding teaching the ladies in the bible study a little difficult.There is very little visual responses, low literacy and language barriers bigger than we imagined. However, we are learning a lot and adapting the way we present everyday and trying to understand the culture and environment better. Please pray for a more uniting of hearts and spirit and that understanding and that the ladies are able to take things to heart and really process what Good leads us to say.
We're currently taking a step out of the limelight and doing a few touristy things so that any issues that have arisen from the article will die down. We hope to continue further ministry at the end of the week at another conference so will update you then.
God bless and do check out the blog next week for more information.
Grace xx
Saturday, 30 October 2010
First week in India
Hi guys, so after a week in India my words to describe it is amazing. It's been very nice. I really like it although I am sick with cold / flu right now. I think it's cos of the weather change as it's going into their winter - that's a nice british summer for you guys - hehe!!!
Nevertheless, since we got here we've ministered to the youth through dances and dramas. I had the opportunity to preach a couple of days ago - which was cool. We have visited a mother teresa shelter for the elderly, insane and sick. That was an eye-opener but not as crazy as the aids centre in South Africa where we were witness to dead people!!! The guys have been building relationships with some guys in a local hostel which is going well and really challenging them on their values and thinking as many work for the sake of working and are motivated by money but never believe they will get anything in return - very sad. We, as the girls have been able to minister to the women in prayer meetings which has been nice.
The real challenge here is the anti-conversion law. We're not allowed to ask someone specifically if they want to have jesus in their lives so all ministry needs to be through relationship and outworking of our love practically. Please pray for the law to be changed in this area as it is only against Christians.
Key strongholds and areas for prayer:
* Unexplained sickenesses and depression over team
* Pornography and lust - all hidden
* Deaf, Mute and hiding spirits
* Anti-conversion law
* Poverty spirit
* Lack of sincere and love, purpose and real care for each other
* Spiritual attack and intimidation through dreams
* Religious spirit
* Finances for the base for a vehicle and the renovations for more staff and to grow the school.
Key things to thank God for:
* Base staff are really warm and welcoming - relationship with YWAM staff here is really growing and so praise God!!!
* Most of us have stayed well and really taken hold of the new culture
* We've all adjusted to the food and environment - yes, I'm getting used to the long-drops for a toilet!!!
* Passionate youth and their willingness to receive us even though they've never met foreigners before.
* Protection from the eye of the government and our ministry
Thank so much for your prayers and support. I really am grateful. God has done so much already and I'm so excited for what more He will do in the next few weeks. We're really believing for miracles and that God wants to do something big in this area.
Much love in Christ and blessings
Grace xx
Nevertheless, since we got here we've ministered to the youth through dances and dramas. I had the opportunity to preach a couple of days ago - which was cool. We have visited a mother teresa shelter for the elderly, insane and sick. That was an eye-opener but not as crazy as the aids centre in South Africa where we were witness to dead people!!! The guys have been building relationships with some guys in a local hostel which is going well and really challenging them on their values and thinking as many work for the sake of working and are motivated by money but never believe they will get anything in return - very sad. We, as the girls have been able to minister to the women in prayer meetings which has been nice.
The real challenge here is the anti-conversion law. We're not allowed to ask someone specifically if they want to have jesus in their lives so all ministry needs to be through relationship and outworking of our love practically. Please pray for the law to be changed in this area as it is only against Christians.
Key strongholds and areas for prayer:
* Unexplained sickenesses and depression over team
* Pornography and lust - all hidden
* Deaf, Mute and hiding spirits
* Anti-conversion law
* Poverty spirit
* Lack of sincere and love, purpose and real care for each other
* Spiritual attack and intimidation through dreams
* Religious spirit
* Finances for the base for a vehicle and the renovations for more staff and to grow the school.
Key things to thank God for:
* Base staff are really warm and welcoming - relationship with YWAM staff here is really growing and so praise God!!!
* Most of us have stayed well and really taken hold of the new culture
* We've all adjusted to the food and environment - yes, I'm getting used to the long-drops for a toilet!!!
* Passionate youth and their willingness to receive us even though they've never met foreigners before.
* Protection from the eye of the government and our ministry
Thank so much for your prayers and support. I really am grateful. God has done so much already and I'm so excited for what more He will do in the next few weeks. We're really believing for miracles and that God wants to do something big in this area.
Much love in Christ and blessings
Grace xx
Namastay from India
Hi guys,
Just to let you know we got to India ok with no delays or problems. We had to catch 2 trains from New Delhi to Bilaspur (central India) because of the holiday - Diwali and so there weren't enough spaces on the train - so the whole trip took 3 days from the time we left S.A. The base is very sweet - I'm still getting used to the longdrop toilets - it's tricky so please pray for that. The place is beautiful but we have already experienced spiritual attacks with me personally experiencing a demon sitting on my chest and making me unable to speak, move or call out in a dream - that has never happened to me before but Nicolene about an hour before also had a similar experience and we haven't even done anything. Really going to need that prayer coverage after all.Let the battles commence!!!!
We're going to be shopping tomorrow for necessities etc and getting prepped on our ministry plan for this week. We have a lot of mosquitos around but it's their winter so they'll be dying out soon apparently and so we're not going to need the malaria tablets after all it seems. We have a lot of bug spray so we're getting very familiar with the smell and it seems to be working. Ministry should be looking like lots of open airs in church areas, youth services and bible studies. Apparently most people don't know the basic bible stories and also testimonies work better here - if anything to prevent being arrested ;0) Please pray for this.
Love you all and please do comment and send emails.
God bless
Grace xx
p.s. Check out pictures from our first week here!!!
Just to let you know we got to India ok with no delays or problems. We had to catch 2 trains from New Delhi to Bilaspur (central India) because of the holiday - Diwali and so there weren't enough spaces on the train - so the whole trip took 3 days from the time we left S.A. The base is very sweet - I'm still getting used to the longdrop toilets - it's tricky so please pray for that. The place is beautiful but we have already experienced spiritual attacks with me personally experiencing a demon sitting on my chest and making me unable to speak, move or call out in a dream - that has never happened to me before but Nicolene about an hour before also had a similar experience and we haven't even done anything. Really going to need that prayer coverage after all.Let the battles commence!!!!
We're going to be shopping tomorrow for necessities etc and getting prepped on our ministry plan for this week. We have a lot of mosquitos around but it's their winter so they'll be dying out soon apparently and so we're not going to need the malaria tablets after all it seems. We have a lot of bug spray so we're getting very familiar with the smell and it seems to be working. Ministry should be looking like lots of open airs in church areas, youth services and bible studies. Apparently most people don't know the basic bible stories and also testimonies work better here - if anything to prevent being arrested ;0) Please pray for this.
Love you all and please do comment and send emails.
God bless
Grace xx
p.s. Check out pictures from our first week here!!!
South Africa Outreach update
Hi everyone, please find below an update of our outreach in South Africa / India. I now have internet in my room for free so you should get better updates now. I hope I find you all well:
Just an update to let you know that I am currently on 6th week of outreach having completed 3 months of life-changing lectures in Jeffrey’s Bay. Let’s just say, as they always say outreach is where you really learn the most and what is really inside people comes out. I have to say it’s definitely been like that for me and the team.
We have done a lot of school ministry in Patensie, Jeffrey's Bay, Secunda, Soshangoovee and Brits.
We have experienced amongst many amazing things cloudless rain; delivered people from evil spirits and battling spiritually with sangomas - witches/wizards. Yes, we have seen healings too where Mohau's twisted knee was healed at a Holy Ghost Conference where we served. One of the most impacting thing has been how God ministered his love to a group of 10 youths in a small prison in Brits through us. It was amazing!!!
Much of our ministry has been in schools and street evangelism. People have been very receptive and many have given their lives to Christ. The youth have been really touched and many from the schools want to join YWAM after school. It's been very humbling to see how hungry they all are for God and the Holy Spirit. God has really paved the way for us.
We have also really been challenged a lot on how important unity is. As many of us are from different countries and cultures around the world, this has been a great challenge to maintain and pretty much everywhere we went we had to deal with this. Everyone has had a heart to seek God on making sure we were united so we all regularly worked hard to make right any issues quickly. In turn, God has also used us to minister in this area too. We were asked to help reconcile a family who were on the verge of divorce and estrangement. It was so very powerful when we all used our different gifts together i.e. some interceding, others worshipping and still others talking directly to the family. By the end of our time (5 hours) it was really beautiful to see a once again united family. I truly believe now that where there is unity - God really commands a blessing.
On the other hand, we have a lot of difficulties with our transport. Not only have we broken down on several occassions but it also caught fire once while we had a Zamar (Moeniera's little girl) on board. God was faithful and saw us through this too and provided a second bus every time we really needed it. Financially this has really challenged the team in terms of repairs and recovery. However, our spirit has remained positive and enthusiastic. We used those opportunities to minister too and readily worshiped God even when things looked very bleak. It's so awesome to see how circumstances don't change our hearts towards God. The joy of the Lord, really is our strength.
Personally, I've been challenged to my core in pretty much every area of my life. My whole thinking about God and how important it is to honour Him in EVERY area of my life has been massive!!! It’s been the most rewarding and amazing experience of my life and I wouldn’t change it for the world. As I am on the verge of going to India, where we are at risk of being put in prison for sharing the gospel, I can't wait to experience what changes are next.
Please do continue to pray for us. The team up to now has been ministering together and will now split up for the next month. We have all grown to love and depend on each other a lot and so this will be pretty hard for many of us. Also, the team that was meant to go to Brazil still have not been able to raise the finances, so please pray for that and if you wish to sow into that team - please check out our website on www.artsdts2010.org and check out the Brazil team section.
Also, please note - one of our team - Moeniera and Zamar have left the team for various reasons. This was a difficult time for all of us, so please pray for them - in terms of protection and for God’s wisdom and will to rule in all our lives.
Much love and hope to update you once in India. For more details on outreach and pics so far - do check out Arts DTS 2010 website. xxxx
Just an update to let you know that I am currently on 6th week of outreach having completed 3 months of life-changing lectures in Jeffrey’s Bay. Let’s just say, as they always say outreach is where you really learn the most and what is really inside people comes out. I have to say it’s definitely been like that for me and the team.
We have done a lot of school ministry in Patensie, Jeffrey's Bay, Secunda, Soshangoovee and Brits.
We have experienced amongst many amazing things cloudless rain; delivered people from evil spirits and battling spiritually with sangomas - witches/wizards. Yes, we have seen healings too where Mohau's twisted knee was healed at a Holy Ghost Conference where we served. One of the most impacting thing has been how God ministered his love to a group of 10 youths in a small prison in Brits through us. It was amazing!!!
Much of our ministry has been in schools and street evangelism. People have been very receptive and many have given their lives to Christ. The youth have been really touched and many from the schools want to join YWAM after school. It's been very humbling to see how hungry they all are for God and the Holy Spirit. God has really paved the way for us.
We have also really been challenged a lot on how important unity is. As many of us are from different countries and cultures around the world, this has been a great challenge to maintain and pretty much everywhere we went we had to deal with this. Everyone has had a heart to seek God on making sure we were united so we all regularly worked hard to make right any issues quickly. In turn, God has also used us to minister in this area too. We were asked to help reconcile a family who were on the verge of divorce and estrangement. It was so very powerful when we all used our different gifts together i.e. some interceding, others worshipping and still others talking directly to the family. By the end of our time (5 hours) it was really beautiful to see a once again united family. I truly believe now that where there is unity - God really commands a blessing.
On the other hand, we have a lot of difficulties with our transport. Not only have we broken down on several occassions but it also caught fire once while we had a Zamar (Moeniera's little girl) on board. God was faithful and saw us through this too and provided a second bus every time we really needed it. Financially this has really challenged the team in terms of repairs and recovery. However, our spirit has remained positive and enthusiastic. We used those opportunities to minister too and readily worshiped God even when things looked very bleak. It's so awesome to see how circumstances don't change our hearts towards God. The joy of the Lord, really is our strength.
Personally, I've been challenged to my core in pretty much every area of my life. My whole thinking about God and how important it is to honour Him in EVERY area of my life has been massive!!! It’s been the most rewarding and amazing experience of my life and I wouldn’t change it for the world. As I am on the verge of going to India, where we are at risk of being put in prison for sharing the gospel, I can't wait to experience what changes are next.
Please do continue to pray for us. The team up to now has been ministering together and will now split up for the next month. We have all grown to love and depend on each other a lot and so this will be pretty hard for many of us. Also, the team that was meant to go to Brazil still have not been able to raise the finances, so please pray for that and if you wish to sow into that team - please check out our website on www.artsdts2010.org and check out the Brazil team section.
Also, please note - one of our team - Moeniera and Zamar have left the team for various reasons. This was a difficult time for all of us, so please pray for them - in terms of protection and for God’s wisdom and will to rule in all our lives.
Much love and hope to update you once in India. For more details on outreach and pics so far - do check out Arts DTS 2010 website. xxxx
Saturday, 18 September 2010
all change (part 2)
So guys, this is the extended and final update before we head out on outreach... I hope you enjoy it below:
This last week has been very emotional for many of the girls.Wednesday was d-day for all finances to be in and I have to say not everyone has everything.The date has been graciously extended to Monday as we all really feel God wants everyone to go to India and Brazil. For me personally, I have been greatly humbled even in this. As I have been truly blessed by you all to not have this worry about this, I really want to thank you all for making this possible for me. It has released me to be able to pray and encourage others to stay in faith so thank you once again. Do please stand and pray for those still in need as many have had people promise to support them and then not come through for them – Nicolene, Moeniera, Caleb, Nana, Lumka, Shasha, Lauren and our staff.Again, if you wish to support them, please do get in contact or go on our new website: www.artsdts2010.org
It's very exciting as most of the guys worked really hard on creating it from scratch. Please do check it out and leave comments. We've started a blog for our outreach which a member of the team will be writing each week. I've written our first blog from our outreach last Sunday with the Vineyard church to the what is known as “The location” - deep in Township of Pellsrus. It truly was an amazing time where God really ministered to the people and one person even said” I really see God, when I look at you guys” - how awesome is it that we have been able to show this!!??!! Please check out the blog for more details on how we got on.
Again, many things have happened this week – from teaching on God's word which completely transformed my thinking and made me realise just how exciting the bible really is. We take it all for granted so much that we miss the really obvious things and life changing things. We learnt about studyng the word using the inductive method – some of you may have heard of it. Let's just say, I really used to think I had a pretty good understanding for the bible – having grown up with it my whole life. This week “Computer says no... “ in other words – I was so wrong!!! There is more than a lifetime of study in the Word. People, don't underestimate this innocent looking book!! It's more amazing than you can imagine. Get stuck in.
So we're preparing for outreach with evangelism lectures – which were inspirational and the local outreaches to the street kids, KidZone and the HIV/AIDS support. This week, we got another chance to work with the Samaritan's feet charity again and give out the shoes and was feet of the HIV/AIDS support group. It was so powerful and many of those who come were really honoured.
I must point out something here though. As I said earlier, there are many changes going on now as we prepare to leave on Monday - 20th September. We at first had the April DTS return from their outreach. It was lovely to meet them and celebrate their time ministering around South Africa – ask questions etc and see their graduation. It did bring some home truths as we were also moved into a big room with just mattresses as provision in preparation for the next September DTS too – so it really is a bit crazy here.
Having now finished lectures, we're all spending time doing various things. I got to go to Port Elizabeth, see some amazing african craft and experience my first african taxi. It was so fun despite the journey being two hors rather than 30 mins. Not allowing that 6th extra person really isn't how things are done round here ;-)
So now we're leaving, relationships with the community people has greatly improved. From a few street kids and community boys daily joining in with various games, they are now allowing us to speak into their lives and pray with them – Vusi found money his mother gave him and Denevan was healed from a headache without pills. It's really sad to be going as not everyone who is on the base has a strong relationship with them – please pray that someone on the base can continue what we started.
Despite this, Phumlane – Xhosa guy from community – has been growing and changing too. This week I challenged him to fast and he did. It was quite an achievement as he virtually came from the streets and basically believed if there is food it should be eaten and no one should stop this. He's become more and more decidedly humble and despite a few difficulties in living in a community in peace with people, he has really grown from strength to strength. I really can see God working in his life so am very excited about what he'll be like when we return. Roll on December!!!
So this is probably my last blog before we go on outreach. I'm not sure if I will be able to access the internet as much as I have here so, please do be patient with me. If you do want more updates – please do check out the website: www.artsdts2010.org.
Oh, I almost forgot... last friday we had our final fundraiser (YWAM Dance JAM) as a dance for the youth where our community boys and the girls from the local church got to perform. It was great fun and even people from Patensie (we'll be going there first for outreach) came. It was a great relationship builder and a real eyeopener re: the talents of many of the kids in the area. Many are gifted but have little or no hope of a future in this area. I really see a ministry opportunity here – so please pray for guidance and clarity in where the base should go with this. We must spread the good news and what better way than in the language of the kids?!?
Finally again, just a quick prayer list reminder:
Peace
Spiritual protection and wisdom
Unity for the teams
Increase in faith for God's provision of finances
Favour with both God and man.
Kids work – Street kids / Kidzone
Continous blessing and wisdom over the ministries and more.
Thank you again for all your support, love and prayers. I really appreciate all you have done and look forward to sharing the exciting things with you very soon.
God bless
Grace xx
This last week has been very emotional for many of the girls.Wednesday was d-day for all finances to be in and I have to say not everyone has everything.The date has been graciously extended to Monday as we all really feel God wants everyone to go to India and Brazil. For me personally, I have been greatly humbled even in this. As I have been truly blessed by you all to not have this worry about this, I really want to thank you all for making this possible for me. It has released me to be able to pray and encourage others to stay in faith so thank you once again. Do please stand and pray for those still in need as many have had people promise to support them and then not come through for them – Nicolene, Moeniera, Caleb, Nana, Lumka, Shasha, Lauren and our staff.Again, if you wish to support them, please do get in contact or go on our new website: www.artsdts2010.org
It's very exciting as most of the guys worked really hard on creating it from scratch. Please do check it out and leave comments. We've started a blog for our outreach which a member of the team will be writing each week. I've written our first blog from our outreach last Sunday with the Vineyard church to the what is known as “The location” - deep in Township of Pellsrus. It truly was an amazing time where God really ministered to the people and one person even said” I really see God, when I look at you guys” - how awesome is it that we have been able to show this!!??!! Please check out the blog for more details on how we got on.
Again, many things have happened this week – from teaching on God's word which completely transformed my thinking and made me realise just how exciting the bible really is. We take it all for granted so much that we miss the really obvious things and life changing things. We learnt about studyng the word using the inductive method – some of you may have heard of it. Let's just say, I really used to think I had a pretty good understanding for the bible – having grown up with it my whole life. This week “Computer says no... “ in other words – I was so wrong!!! There is more than a lifetime of study in the Word. People, don't underestimate this innocent looking book!! It's more amazing than you can imagine. Get stuck in.
So we're preparing for outreach with evangelism lectures – which were inspirational and the local outreaches to the street kids, KidZone and the HIV/AIDS support. This week, we got another chance to work with the Samaritan's feet charity again and give out the shoes and was feet of the HIV/AIDS support group. It was so powerful and many of those who come were really honoured.
I must point out something here though. As I said earlier, there are many changes going on now as we prepare to leave on Monday - 20th September. We at first had the April DTS return from their outreach. It was lovely to meet them and celebrate their time ministering around South Africa – ask questions etc and see their graduation. It did bring some home truths as we were also moved into a big room with just mattresses as provision in preparation for the next September DTS too – so it really is a bit crazy here.
Having now finished lectures, we're all spending time doing various things. I got to go to Port Elizabeth, see some amazing african craft and experience my first african taxi. It was so fun despite the journey being two hors rather than 30 mins. Not allowing that 6th extra person really isn't how things are done round here ;-)
So now we're leaving, relationships with the community people has greatly improved. From a few street kids and community boys daily joining in with various games, they are now allowing us to speak into their lives and pray with them – Vusi found money his mother gave him and Denevan was healed from a headache without pills. It's really sad to be going as not everyone who is on the base has a strong relationship with them – please pray that someone on the base can continue what we started.
Despite this, Phumlane – Xhosa guy from community – has been growing and changing too. This week I challenged him to fast and he did. It was quite an achievement as he virtually came from the streets and basically believed if there is food it should be eaten and no one should stop this. He's become more and more decidedly humble and despite a few difficulties in living in a community in peace with people, he has really grown from strength to strength. I really can see God working in his life so am very excited about what he'll be like when we return. Roll on December!!!
So this is probably my last blog before we go on outreach. I'm not sure if I will be able to access the internet as much as I have here so, please do be patient with me. If you do want more updates – please do check out the website: www.artsdts2010.org.
Oh, I almost forgot... last friday we had our final fundraiser (YWAM Dance JAM) as a dance for the youth where our community boys and the girls from the local church got to perform. It was great fun and even people from Patensie (we'll be going there first for outreach) came. It was a great relationship builder and a real eyeopener re: the talents of many of the kids in the area. Many are gifted but have little or no hope of a future in this area. I really see a ministry opportunity here – so please pray for guidance and clarity in where the base should go with this. We must spread the good news and what better way than in the language of the kids?!?
Finally again, just a quick prayer list reminder:
Peace
Spiritual protection and wisdom
Unity for the teams
Increase in faith for God's provision of finances
Favour with both God and man.
Kids work – Street kids / Kidzone
Continous blessing and wisdom over the ministries and more.
Thank you again for all your support, love and prayers. I really appreciate all you have done and look forward to sharing the exciting things with you very soon.
God bless
Grace xx
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
All change!!!
So can you believe it – it's our last week of lecture phase before we go on outreach!!!! It's been an amazing and life changing experience. I must say, I really feel like a new creation. The old has gone and the new has come. For this, I am very thankful and really want to get going.
This week we have had graduation of the last DTS, more evangelism in the community, and a dance for the young people. It was super fun!!! Do check out the pics on facebook by following the links above.
This may probably be the last blog for a while - as we're leaving monday we don't know when we'll next have accesss to internet. However, we will be updating our website!!!!! http://www.artsdts2010.org. Please do check it out. It's got lots of pics and info about the team, our vision and what we will be doing throughout outreach.
Love you all and God's bless. xxx
This week we have had graduation of the last DTS, more evangelism in the community, and a dance for the young people. It was super fun!!! Do check out the pics on facebook by following the links above.
This may probably be the last blog for a while - as we're leaving monday we don't know when we'll next have accesss to internet. However, we will be updating our website!!!!! http://www.artsdts2010.org. Please do check it out. It's got lots of pics and info about the team, our vision and what we will be doing throughout outreach.
Love you all and God's bless. xxx
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
Outreach support request
Hey guys, so outreach is almost upon us as we‘ll be leaving next Monday - 20th September. Just a quick update to share where we’re at. I just want to say we had an amazing outreach here on Sunday just in the local community as part of the Vineyard church fortnightly outreach. It was very exciting and encouraging. We were able to minister in deeper heart of Pellsrus - playing and praying with the kids, handing out food and cool drinks and praying and blessing many adults with the truth, joy and hope of our Lord Jesus Christ. For more information and pictures, please, please check out our website which is now up and running and you can find out more about us all.
Really quickly I just to praise everyone who has covered me in prayer and ask only that you keep it up. Also, I want to thank everyone who has sown into my life financially. I really appreciate it and want you to know that God is really blessing people here through it. However, there are a few on the team who are really struggling financially - Caleb, Nana, Lumka, Shasha, Darko, Lauren, Moeniera and Nicolene. These guys are truly awesome and faith filed people and we really believe God wants to use each and everyone of them powerfully on this outreach. If any of you feel moved to support them, please, please get in contact with me asap via email: grace.troko@googlemail.com or send money directly to me via Sponsorship form on my blog marked for their attention. I love you all and thanks for your continued support, love and prayers.
May God bless you all greatly. Grace xx
p.s. more to come on the shennanigans of this week soon.
Really quickly I just to praise everyone who has covered me in prayer and ask only that you keep it up. Also, I want to thank everyone who has sown into my life financially. I really appreciate it and want you to know that God is really blessing people here through it. However, there are a few on the team who are really struggling financially - Caleb, Nana, Lumka, Shasha, Darko, Lauren, Moeniera and Nicolene. These guys are truly awesome and faith filed people and we really believe God wants to use each and everyone of them powerfully on this outreach. If any of you feel moved to support them, please, please get in contact with me asap via email: grace.troko@googlemail.com or send money directly to me via Sponsorship form on my blog marked for their attention. I love you all and thanks for your continued support, love and prayers.
May God bless you all greatly. Grace xx
p.s. more to come on the shennanigans of this week soon.
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
Samaritans feet
Hey guys,
This week was characterised by a real focus on outreach! From washing the feet of the street kids and adults from local Pellsrus Township to teaching dances to the girls from the local church (see fundraiser photos for pictures of some of them). It’s been truly a fun week of practically showing God’s love to the community. It's been amazing cos God's really been speaking to the whole team in our devotions and prayer meetings about how important His love is. It almost seems a shame to be leaving in just over a week to do our national and international outreach- AAAAHH!!!!!!!
Check out further details in the latest blog section - Thanks to those who noted that some pictures were not linked last week - hopefully they all should be sorted now. Photos of the samaritan's feet outreach are now up - click link above.
God bless and hope to speak again next week before we leave!!!! YAYYY South AFrica!!! YAAYYYY India!!!! xxx
This week was characterised by a real focus on outreach! From washing the feet of the street kids and adults from local Pellsrus Township to teaching dances to the girls from the local church (see fundraiser photos for pictures of some of them). It’s been truly a fun week of practically showing God’s love to the community. It's been amazing cos God's really been speaking to the whole team in our devotions and prayer meetings about how important His love is. It almost seems a shame to be leaving in just over a week to do our national and international outreach- AAAAHH!!!!!!!
Check out further details in the latest blog section - Thanks to those who noted that some pictures were not linked last week - hopefully they all should be sorted now. Photos of the samaritan's feet outreach are now up - click link above.
God bless and hope to speak again next week before we leave!!!! YAYYY South AFrica!!! YAAYYYY India!!!! xxx
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Open Heart Surgery
hey guys,
next update is now on the Latest Blogs section called Open Heart Surgery. These last few weeks have been pretty intense with week long fasting and prayer, Dong Uk leaving,Phumlane, a Xhosa guy from community coming in to join the base and do his DTS in September and is being mentored by one of the base staff.
Also, the outline of our outreach plans is now up - we'll be leaving J'Bay on 20 Sep and returning on 3 dec.
We will be starting:
Johannesburg - 3 weeks
Pretoria - 2 weeks
Bilaspur, India - 4 weeks
Peddie - Lourie - Vantagens - J'Bay - 3 weeks
It's very exciting right as we're doing a lot of outreach prep with fundraisers, learning lots of dances and dramas. I was feeling a little unprepared but actually it's all coming together now. Please do pray for funds for the south african peeps and prayer support for us all.
Do click on the hyper links for photos.
God bless you all and hope to speak to you all soon. I hope you are all well - please do send emails.
Grace xx
next update is now on the Latest Blogs section called Open Heart Surgery. These last few weeks have been pretty intense with week long fasting and prayer, Dong Uk leaving,Phumlane, a Xhosa guy from community coming in to join the base and do his DTS in September and is being mentored by one of the base staff.
Also, the outline of our outreach plans is now up - we'll be leaving J'Bay on 20 Sep and returning on 3 dec.
We will be starting:
Johannesburg - 3 weeks
Pretoria - 2 weeks
Bilaspur, India - 4 weeks
Peddie - Lourie - Vantagens - J'Bay - 3 weeks
It's very exciting right as we're doing a lot of outreach prep with fundraisers, learning lots of dances and dramas. I was feeling a little unprepared but actually it's all coming together now. Please do pray for funds for the south african peeps and prayer support for us all.
Do click on the hyper links for photos.
God bless you all and hope to speak to you all soon. I hope you are all well - please do send emails.
Grace xx
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Celebrating Jesus
Hey guys, tonight we had great prayer and praise party. One of our staff had been going through a really tough time over the last couple of days and had really lost his joy which is the essence of who he is. But tonight after some serious rebuking from God, we all had an incredible evening praying, worshiping God and he rewarded not only Etienne with joy overflowing but the rest of us too. God is so good. Tonight - both myself and few others were really able to say that we became drunk in the spirit and were overflowing with laughter. It was amazing!!! I love you Jesus - more of this!!! Watch this space on Friday for further updates as we hope to have an all-night prayer time where we go out to the community too and pray for the people in the clubs and pubs. Tis very exciting!!! Bring it on Jesus!!!
Here are a few pics - more to follow: Celebrating Jesus
Here are a few pics - more to follow: Celebrating Jesus
stripping away the dross and getting back to basics
hey guys, this week's blog is pretty deep as we went really deep this week from doing spiritual warfare, casting out demons to worshipping on the beach, clearing a more than overgrown school field to praying for a random guy in the street who was healed from alcoholism. Truly life changing and I'm not sure life is ever going to be the same again as I know I'm nto the same person I was when I left. Check out the recent pages section to find out more.
Here are few pictures from Kidzone and work duties: Click here
Thanks to everyone who made my birthday so special last week. I love you all and miss you very much. Take care and speak soon.
God bless - Grace xxx
Here are few pictures from Kidzone and work duties: Click here
Thanks to everyone who made my birthday so special last week. I love you all and miss you very much. Take care and speak soon.
God bless - Grace xxx
Wednesday, 4 August 2010
Totally Worth It!!!!
So guys, things are really heating up and getting deep here. This week we went from sharing compliments and building each other up to weeping before God as he healed us and helped us forgive many people in our lives as well as asking for forgiveness from each other. We ended the week on Sunday at different churches having been invited by the Dutch United Reformed Church and I had the privilege of spending the afternoon with missionaries to Zimbabwe and the Transkei (an indigenous people group of South Africa) where one of the girls on the team comes from - over our first properly cooked family meal and many stories of the rife witchdoctor activities in this country.
We learnt about witchdoctors this week, now we're all just getting over a freak basewide bug - a coincidence...hmmmm.... Nevertheless - this week we had a crazy celebration of nations where people danced, sang, cooked, and moved powerpoint presentations on with their toes - Dong Uk and Sin bong - how we love you guys. This week we're all learning about worshipping God and learning how to dance. Click this link to see pictures: Audience with God
More info on pages / latest blog section today. Please check it out. Hope you're all well and good. Speak soon.
Grace
We learnt about witchdoctors this week, now we're all just getting over a freak basewide bug - a coincidence...hmmmm.... Nevertheless - this week we had a crazy celebration of nations where people danced, sang, cooked, and moved powerpoint presentations on with their toes - Dong Uk and Sin bong - how we love you guys. This week we're all learning about worshipping God and learning how to dance. Click this link to see pictures: Audience with God
More info on pages / latest blog section today. Please check it out. Hope you're all well and good. Speak soon.
Grace
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
The heart of God!!!!
Hi guys,
Today's blog is pretty personal.This week has been about relationships and how much God loves relationship and restoring it!!! We've all been greatly challenged in many areas.
Personally, God has been doing a lot of work in my heart as well as many others. There has been a great drive towards sorting out our outreach so now we know that we will be spending at least 6 weeks in either Brazil or India. I have felt that God wants me to go to India - I'm super excited but very scared too!!!!Please pray!!!!
God has also been laying on the heart of everyone at the base that he wants to use us to serve the most vulnerable people groups - women and children. So my heart and as we have been preparing and praying many of us have been getting the same idea more and more.
In order to be ready many of us have been stepping out in their gifts. Tamara led us in worship yesterday, which was awesome even though she had never done it before. I got to preach and the guys started doing some awesome acting for the local HIV / Aids Community Support group.It was amazing and something I really want to grow in although this was the last thing I thought I'd be doing. Hagen is really stepping out in his gift of teaching.
We got to celebrate Mohau's 21st birthday this week and made her feel very special. She has never really had good birthdays and so this was a real blessing for her and awesome for us to share with. Relationships have been really growing here and all of us are really feeling that some of these friendships will really be for a lifetime -
I'm still on with the whole gardening thing and this week we got to clear out one of our neighbours garden. Next week we start a project with clearing a school field so they can have a rugby pitch. I can't wait!!!!
More details of what God is doing in here in the latest blog by the same title. I look forward to share more next week.
God bless and speak soon.
xxxx
Today's blog is pretty personal.This week has been about relationships and how much God loves relationship and restoring it!!! We've all been greatly challenged in many areas.
Personally, God has been doing a lot of work in my heart as well as many others. There has been a great drive towards sorting out our outreach so now we know that we will be spending at least 6 weeks in either Brazil or India. I have felt that God wants me to go to India - I'm super excited but very scared too!!!!Please pray!!!!
God has also been laying on the heart of everyone at the base that he wants to use us to serve the most vulnerable people groups - women and children. So my heart and as we have been preparing and praying many of us have been getting the same idea more and more.
In order to be ready many of us have been stepping out in their gifts. Tamara led us in worship yesterday, which was awesome even though she had never done it before. I got to preach and the guys started doing some awesome acting for the local HIV / Aids Community Support group.It was amazing and something I really want to grow in although this was the last thing I thought I'd be doing. Hagen is really stepping out in his gift of teaching.
We got to celebrate Mohau's 21st birthday this week and made her feel very special. She has never really had good birthdays and so this was a real blessing for her and awesome for us to share with. Relationships have been really growing here and all of us are really feeling that some of these friendships will really be for a lifetime -
I'm still on with the whole gardening thing and this week we got to clear out one of our neighbours garden. Next week we start a project with clearing a school field so they can have a rugby pitch. I can't wait!!!!
More details of what God is doing in here in the latest blog by the same title. I look forward to share more next week.
God bless and speak soon.
xxxx
Sunday, 18 July 2010
The best is yet to come!!!!
Hey guys, this week's blog is pretty long but it's really cos so much happened. Life is so very exciting!!! This week we had a lot spiritual and emotional healings and spiritual manifestations of demons etc - like stuff that took over people and made them speak in different voices and sounds. It was freaky man but I was amazed at how unfazed I was. God really enabled me to stand firm and get behind the whole deliverance stuff and pray. It's been amazing!!! The team here really feel that as stuff like this has been happening so early on in the school that there really is something special ahead of us!!! I'm really excited - please pray that I continue to stay strong and really embrace everything God has for me here so I can be most effective.
Also, we got to do some awesome evangelism yesterday at the Billabong Pro Surf Contest. Got to pray with a Xhosa lady for her son who struggles with drug addictions and encouraged an english guy to read the bible again. Please pray that He too returns to God. His name is George.
Special concerns:
Unity of the group. the lady - moenira, I spoke of is really struggling to let God in to do his work.Please pray for her.
Health and safety of all the pupils and staff - many people who don't normally get ill are and we so feel that it's the devil attack so please pray.
My weight - I'm losing weight again even though I'm not stressed at all this time and eating loads - please pray against whatever is causing it as I can't afford to buy new clothes but also when we go on outreach - we may not be able to eat that much. Please pray.
Spiritual protection and discernment for leaders and pupils - there is a lot of change and breakthroughs and challenges this week. Please pray that it continues.
Please check out the "Latest blogs" section on the left of this post of the same heading for more detail and photos on Facebook will be up tomorrow.
God bless and speak soon!!!!!
Grace xxx
Also, we got to do some awesome evangelism yesterday at the Billabong Pro Surf Contest. Got to pray with a Xhosa lady for her son who struggles with drug addictions and encouraged an english guy to read the bible again. Please pray that He too returns to God. His name is George.
Special concerns:
Unity of the group. the lady - moenira, I spoke of is really struggling to let God in to do his work.Please pray for her.
Health and safety of all the pupils and staff - many people who don't normally get ill are and we so feel that it's the devil attack so please pray.
My weight - I'm losing weight again even though I'm not stressed at all this time and eating loads - please pray against whatever is causing it as I can't afford to buy new clothes but also when we go on outreach - we may not be able to eat that much. Please pray.
Spiritual protection and discernment for leaders and pupils - there is a lot of change and breakthroughs and challenges this week. Please pray that it continues.
Please check out the "Latest blogs" section on the left of this post of the same heading for more detail and photos on Facebook will be up tomorrow.
God bless and speak soon!!!!!
Grace xxx
Friday, 9 July 2010
Welcomed with open arms
Hi guys,
Just to let you know I'm still doing great here. It's amazing and I love it so much!!! Everyone is still very nice even though we're spending almost every minute of every day together. All those who know me - know this is quite a feat for me but I have to admit it's not too bad.
So much has happened in this first week there's too much to say here so please do check out the pages section for more details. Key points though - We had an official welcome as DTS students where we were locked out of the base and then welcomed in officially - African village style with people speaking to us in lots of different languages. We were then treated to a range of traditional dances. It was amazing!!!
Also, there about 20 of us and we've all bonded really well even though there are some from South Korea, Cameroon, Ghana, USA and local J'Bay. It's so fab!!! We had a braii - BBQ at 9 o'clock one night for one of the guys birthday - Apparently this is normal?!? and very fun!!! Bring it on SA. Food here is so good!!!
Apart from various work duties (weeding, farming etc - yes, that's right I did gardening!!!)and lectures and worship - we have been able to start doing some evangelism this week. We got to speak to the local people and children on the streets and then had an awesome church service with loads of people we invited. One of the guys - johnson - a total druggy who actually used to supply one of the worship leaders whose life has been totally changed now -came and was asking for prayer to stop using himself and drinking and smoking. This is a real problem in the area so please pray.
Next week, We've been told we have to run 3 days from 5:30 - 6am. I've been up for a lot of stuff but for this, I am so not!!!!. I tell you people - I have not worked and been so busy as I have this week and I know it's going to get worse but in the midst of it all - God's been really speaking and changing me and all my perspective on so much!!! Next week we properly start going out and engaging with the community. I'm very excited about what God has in-store so will try and update you all then too.
Please think of me and continue to pray. Love you all!!!! Speak soon!!!! God bless!!
Just to let you know I'm still doing great here. It's amazing and I love it so much!!! Everyone is still very nice even though we're spending almost every minute of every day together. All those who know me - know this is quite a feat for me but I have to admit it's not too bad.
So much has happened in this first week there's too much to say here so please do check out the pages section for more details. Key points though - We had an official welcome as DTS students where we were locked out of the base and then welcomed in officially - African village style with people speaking to us in lots of different languages. We were then treated to a range of traditional dances. It was amazing!!!
Also, there about 20 of us and we've all bonded really well even though there are some from South Korea, Cameroon, Ghana, USA and local J'Bay. It's so fab!!! We had a braii - BBQ at 9 o'clock one night for one of the guys birthday - Apparently this is normal?!? and very fun!!! Bring it on SA. Food here is so good!!!
Apart from various work duties (weeding, farming etc - yes, that's right I did gardening!!!)and lectures and worship - we have been able to start doing some evangelism this week. We got to speak to the local people and children on the streets and then had an awesome church service with loads of people we invited. One of the guys - johnson - a total druggy who actually used to supply one of the worship leaders whose life has been totally changed now -came and was asking for prayer to stop using himself and drinking and smoking. This is a real problem in the area so please pray.
Next week, We've been told we have to run 3 days from 5:30 - 6am. I've been up for a lot of stuff but for this, I am so not!!!!. I tell you people - I have not worked and been so busy as I have this week and I know it's going to get worse but in the midst of it all - God's been really speaking and changing me and all my perspective on so much!!! Next week we properly start going out and engaging with the community. I'm very excited about what God has in-store so will try and update you all then too.
Please think of me and continue to pray. Love you all!!!! Speak soon!!!! God bless!!
Thursday, 1 July 2010
I made it!!!
Hi guys,
Just to let you know I finally made it to Jeffrey's Bay, YWAM Base in South Africa. I got my visa on Monday morning - no problem!!! Praise God. Thanks so much to all of you who prayed. I really appreciated it.
Jeffrey's Bay is really lovely and everyone is very, very nice. The peace of God is so here. I can't wait to start the actual school on Sunday. Only 5 other students are here so far - Caleb, Dako, Hagen, Moeniera and her daughter Zamar and Ashlee. They're all very different but all full of the Spirit. You can really tell. I love them all already. Check out the pages section for more info on the left of this post and pictures are on the left.
Sorry for the delay and hope to write weekly from now on. God bless and speak soon.
Lots of love.
Grace xxx
Just to let you know I finally made it to Jeffrey's Bay, YWAM Base in South Africa. I got my visa on Monday morning - no problem!!! Praise God. Thanks so much to all of you who prayed. I really appreciated it.
Jeffrey's Bay is really lovely and everyone is very, very nice. The peace of God is so here. I can't wait to start the actual school on Sunday. Only 5 other students are here so far - Caleb, Dako, Hagen, Moeniera and her daughter Zamar and Ashlee. They're all very different but all full of the Spirit. You can really tell. I love them all already. Check out the pages section for more info on the left of this post and pictures are on the left.
Sorry for the delay and hope to write weekly from now on. God bless and speak soon.
Lots of love.
Grace xxx
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Emergency prayer request
hi guys
Emergency prayer request for the next 2 weeks:
I have only just received confirmation letter from YWAM to support my Visa application. Please can you pray that the South African embassy will speedily issue my visa!!! I will be going on Friday to request it. They say it takes 10 days to process but I go in 13 days!!!
Luke 1:37 says "With God nothing is impossible," right!!! He has helped so much so far through all of you, I really believe this is totally under his control!!!
Thank you very much for your prayers and support in advance.
God bless
Grace
Emergency prayer request for the next 2 weeks:
I have only just received confirmation letter from YWAM to support my Visa application. Please can you pray that the South African embassy will speedily issue my visa!!! I will be going on Friday to request it. They say it takes 10 days to process but I go in 13 days!!!
Luke 1:37 says "With God nothing is impossible," right!!! He has helped so much so far through all of you, I really believe this is totally under his control!!!
Thank you very much for your prayers and support in advance.
God bless
Grace
Sunday, 6 June 2010
South African Cake Sale
Hey, thanks to everyone who came to support the Cake Sale at Sutton Baptist Church today. Really appreciate it - we raised £85.00!!! Special thanks to Danni and Gayle for your supply of cakes and helping me serve. Love you guys!!! Thanks again!!! One step closer to S.A. !!!!
Friday, 4 June 2010
90% of lecture fees raised!!!
Hey guys, just a quick update. Finally got the 90% of fees for lecture phase and can now apply for Visa papers!! Praise God!!!!
Thanks for all the prayers, support and finances to help me so far. Please continue to pray for favour and speedy responses.
I appreciate this so much and look forward to hearing from the rest of you.
God bless.
Grace xx
Thanks for all the prayers, support and finances to help me so far. Please continue to pray for favour and speedy responses.
I appreciate this so much and look forward to hearing from the rest of you.
God bless.
Grace xx
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Saturday, 17 April 2010
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