Eastern Heights Baptist Church in Jeffersonville recently sent a team on an international mission trip to Windhoek (vend-hook), the capital Namibia, Africa.
People there live in very poor conditions. Just outside downtown Windhoek lie several “townships” inhabited by many, many people who are in desperate need of both physical and spiritual fulfillment. Partnering with a local church, the team distributed the blankets along with the gospel. The team realized quickly that the fifty blankets they brought would not even make a dent in the enormous need for them. God has given this church a new mission and a project that will connect them with the people of Windhoek. They will continue collecting blankets for these people who have no other way to keep warm. One team member said, "A blanket alone will only satisfy one need, but a blanket with the message of hope in Christ will satisfy many."
Praise God for this church! Please pray for them as they share this vision and project with other members. Pray for the church as they continue to bless the people of Namibia!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
August 2011
Cape Town Metropolitan Evangelism Team
The CTMET team has been asking God to direct them to where He is opening new doors for His Good News. Bruce and Sheri Erickson went with Pastor Lucas to meet the Principal and teachers of a nearby high school to see if God was opening this new door. The school expressed a need for help with Physical Education, the exact subject Sheri had taught in the U.S. God’s plans are good! Starting July 18th, every Monday, Bruce and Sheri will be teaching PE, building relationships and sharing the Good News with Sophumelela High School. Please pray that the doors to the students’ and teachers’ hearts would be wide open to receiving the precious gift of Christ.
Praise the Lord! God is raising up a new church plant that is within walking distance from Mzamomhle Primary school. Thank you for your prayers. Please pray for Pastor Brian, his wife and this young growing church as they reach out into the Phillippi township and share the love of Christ. Pray that local youth and their families will come to know Christ and make this their church home.
Last month a team from North Carolina came to Cape Town to do missions work with the Davis’, local Pastors and some of their church members. During that week they worked in 6 communities including townships, low-income communities and informal settlements. They prepared soil to be laid on a field for children to play soccer and while the children ate lunch they had the opportunity to get to know them and witness to them. For the other 6 days of their mission trip they witnessed in different communities. After the week of witnessing was over, it was determined that 32 people gave their lives to Christ! What a bountiful week. Pray for the new believers that they will join other believers in their local Baptist church. The pastors of the churches have received the names, addresses, and phone numbers of these new believers and these believers were given the pastors’ names and the church phone number and address. Pray for the churches that they graciously accept these believers. Pray also that these churches be set on fire to go into their communities witnessing door to door and bring more seekers and new believers to the church.
God is multiplying. The ESL class begun at Claremont Baptist Church is seeing great steps being made in English comprehension. The ladies are beginning to understand English well enough to answer questions about the story and to read the Bible stories for themselves. Pray for the health of their families as they go through the winter; many of them have family members who are ill and they cannot afford to buy medicine. God has brought them this far and He will see them through this season. God has also begun a great act by letting it be known to more of the Congolese community about the ESL class. On August 5, 2011, another ESL class will be begun in another suburb for 10 young Congolese men. Pray that they will not only learn English but that they will also understand the Word of God from which the lessons are derived and that they will understand the gospel and accept God’s free gift of salvation. Pray for each of these men to have enough food to eat, clothes to wear, and shelter from the winter weather. Pray for them as they are so far away from loved ones and are concerned about their families’ safety.
Durban Urban Evangelism Team
Although English is the “business language” and “common ground” language of the cities of South Africa, leadership of the Durban Urban Evangelism Team has felt a need for a family to join the team who has knowledge of the Zulu language. Late last year, God answered that need and a couple is now established on the team who is able to communicate effectively with those who have minimal knowledge of English. Health issues have hindered this couple from having a smooth start to their ministry in Durban. Pray that this couple will be encouraged with renewed health and many opportunities to share the gospel in the heart language of the majority population of Zulus in this city of four million people.
Johannesburg Evangelism Team
The International World Changers (IWC) team made a huge impact on downtown Johannesburg (Joburg) this July! During their time, 319 heard the gospel and 40 responded! Two new home cell groups will begin in the area without a church, called Bez Valley. Please pray that these two groups will lead to a church. Pray that the nationals attending will be committed and will grow in their relationship with Jesus! Pastor R said, “I wanted to plant a church here. Now it’s easy!” They already have Pastor K ready to lead the new church!
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
The International World Changers have returned to the States. Please pray for the follow-up efforts of Alan and Beth Locke. Pray that they will find the men and women who became believers. Pray that they will be committed to knowing Christ more deeply.
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
Several months ago the Windhoek Urban Team asked you pray for God’s will to be done concerning the renewal of career missionary Ron and Lisa Jones’ work permit that was to expire in March. They shared that prior to their transferring to Namibia in 2008 that the government of Namibia had been refusing many requests for work permits for missionaries. The Jones’ submitted the necessary documents for the renewal of the permit, but somehow the documents were misplaced; and thus, only a short-term permit could be issued extending their stay until the end of June. This enabled the couple to continue their ministry, but left them once again facing much uncertainly concerning their future.
Despite the uncertainty, the two of them pressed on, trusting in God’s sovereignty in the matter. Ron agreed to take on another class at the local seminary and Lisa started two new Bible studies. And as usual, just in the nick of time, God responded to your prayers. Just a few days before the short term permit was to expire the government agreed to grant them a renewal; and not for the customary one year…but for two years!
The Windhoek Urban team would like to thank you for your faithfulness in prayer. Needless to say God is not only hearing those prayers, but responding in amazing ways!
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think… to Him be glory … Eph 3:20-21 NKJV.
The Support Center
Please pray for all our support center staff as they minister in different areas around the center. We praise God for all they are doing among the peoples in South Africa.
Please pray that God will renew and refresh them daily as they meet the demands of taking care of all our workers around Africa! We appreciate them so much!
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