Southern Cities: July 2011

An amazing Monday at Sophumelela High School in Cape Town. The team from the U.S. arrived safely this weekend. They have hit the ground running and proved it today as they were having their own sort of wheelbarrow race on Sophumelela HS "field of dreams." Treasures of the day include rocks, bushes, dead birds, cement with rebar, tires, and an assortment of rubbish. They did fabulous and even took time to eat their lunch with the students. Amazing how God can use an act of love in helping to clean up a field to speak volumes to the students and staff of the school. The Principal even came out to show his appreciation. What a great reminder of the team effort of churches, mission teams, prayer partners and missionaries that God orchestrates to share His love story. Thanks so much for being a part of this incredible ministry!

Cape Town Metropolitan Evangelism Team

Every Wednesday and Thursday girls meet for an afterschool girls club at Andile and Mzamomhle Primary School. During this time they do a variety of activities such as songs, games and crafts. Although these activities are enjoyable, the best part of the club is story and journal time. During this time missionaries, Michal and Sarah, share Bible stories and then give the girls time to respond to what they have learned by writing in their journals. After 15 weeks of club, during the first week of June, ten girls accepted Christ. Pray that they will grow in their faith and understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. Pray also that national Christians will participate in this ministry.

In their third week at Xolani, m Sarah was able to answer this question that a studnet had written: "When I do something wrong, does God hate me?" She shared with the learners in the class that when we do something wrong we must be punished and our punishment is to be separated from God. But God loves us and wants to be with us. God sent His own Son, Jesus, to die for our punishment but three days after He died, Jesus was alive again! If we will ask God to forgive us for the wrong things we do and trust that Jesus' death alone (and not anything good we do) takes care of the punishment we deserve. Praise God for this chance to share the Good News! Pray for the students to continue to ask spiritual questions.

Durban Urban Evangelism Team

Phoenix Baptist Church is reaching out to the area around the town of Bulwar in rural KwaZulu Natal Province. They are planning a mission trip there to train local leaders. Ask God to provide the needed finances and to raise up local believers who will continue the work into the future.

The AIDS pandemic in Africa has produced a multitude of orphans. The churches of KwaZulu Natal Baptist Association care for 18 teenaged orphans at Khulani Haven Orphanage. These soon to be young adults have many hopes and dreams for the future. Although these teens have grown up in a group home atmosphere, pray that the opportunities they have to spend in the homes of church families during holidays will allow them to see a model of what a Christian home and family should be like so that they will desire the same for themselves when they are grown. Pray also for opportunities for scholarships and other aid to allow them the opportunity to receive a higher education so that they will be able to capably function in today’s world.

Johannesburg Evangelism Team

International World Changers are returning to help the Joburg Team, July 21-30. They will be working with students and teachers at two different schools. They will also be sharing the gospel in an area that needs a church! Pray for the team members as they prepare to share at Joburg Girls’ Prep School in the mornings and teach “American Sports” at Barnato HS in the afternoons. Pray that God will open the hearts to hear His Gospel and that a new church will start downtown!

Port Elizabeth Evangelism Team

Continue to pray for the Halls, their family in the States and their ministry in Port Elizabeth. Pray for the Jensens as they serve in a support role.

Soweto Evangelism Team

July 21-30, 2011 a team of 30+ International World Changers will be working in Soweto. They will be teaching leadership development and True Love Waits in 4 high schools, plus American sports. They will also be spreading the Gospel through street evangelism. Pray for their preparations before they come and ours in South Africa. Pray God would prepare the hearts of hundreds of students to hear and receive His life changing message.

Tswane Evangelism Team

Pray for the Bible studies and ministry going on in Pretoria. Pray that a strong church will be started in downtown Pretoria.

Windhoek Evangelism Team

In May, the Windhoek Urban Team asked you to pray for the women’s conference “Mending Broken Hearts” that was to be led by a team of volunteers from Easter Heights Baptist Church from Jeffersonville Indiana. Career missionary Lisa Jones would like to thank you for your prayers and report that God answered in an incredible way. She and the team had prepared for 40-60 women and had over 75 women respond to the invitation to attend the conference representing 18 churches from all over the city! Many hearts were touched as several members of the team, as well as a young national, shared testimonies of how God had healed their broken hearts and brought transformation in their lives as they learned to apply God’s truths to their lives.

Pray with us that the many Namibian women who have agreed to participate in the Breaking Free Bible study, as a follow up to conference, may see similar transformation in their lives as they spend time studying God’s Word together and begin to apply the truths they learn in their own lives.

Isa 61:1: “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” NIV.

Support Center:

Finance Team

The FST praises God for time and opportunities team members have in outside the office ministry. Pray for salvation among the people they minister to each week. Pray that the team will not get discouraged by all the changes that have taken place in the Finance Department.

Logistics Team

Pray that all legal matters related to the building (construction that is now completed) at the SC office would be resolved. Pray for the new SCLC and his family who arrive soon that they will make a smooth transition.

Personnel Team

Pray for salvation for those that are hearing the Word through all the outreaches our team is involved in.

Communications Team

Using their skills as writers, videographers, photographers and audio specialists, communication team members strive to tell the stories of God at work in Africa in a way that magnifies Him. They also report on current events and how followers of Christ are impacted by what is happening in their countries. Pray that their efforts will lead Christians around the world to intercede for their brothers and sisters in Africa. Pray that the church in Africa will stand strong and be a light pointing to the One who is a Solid Rock in the midst of turmoil and uncertainty.