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
Saturday, 30 October 2010
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
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