Happy Spring/Fall! As we come into a new season, we have to admit this past winter was a tough one for our family...from juggling regular family demands, ongoing sicknesses, and ministry challenges, to striving to walk continuously in the Lord's will as we oversee the needs of orphans and impoverished children with constant spiritual attacks at our door. Many times we wanted to bury our heads in the ground like an ostrich!
However, the Lord is always faithful... as we focused on Him one day at a time, He met our every need. Looking back over winter we can see that no matter the highs and lows this season brought, God was in control as we submitted all to Him, "And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28). The knowledge that God is at work comforting us and growing us, even amid our weariness and challenges, is worth its weight in gold. We pray that as you face the highs and lows of each season, you too will be able to look back and see God's hand upon your lives, "working all things together for good."
We hope this newsletter blesses and encourages you today.
With thanks,
Ryan, Kirsten, and family.
In a previous update, we shared about one of our Gogos (Grandmas), Gogo N., who was struggling to feed her young granddaughters and how they were about to be put out on the street. We spoke about how the Lord was faithful in providing the means we needed to help her start a small roadside business to support her family.
In planning what business to start, many ideas were discussed with her, as well as the best items to sell – ones that were profitable enough to put food on the table and cover her monthly room's rent of R1,100.00 ($64). A good roadside spot had to be secured too. We are delighted to say that Gogo has now been selling lovely second-hand clothes and in her own words, “she is now able to take care of herself and her grandchildren.” We celebrated with her by doing some lovely roadside shopping at her stall!
We recently received a call asking if we were able to help provide some basic food supplies to another Gogo who had just been left with a young grandson after her daughter passed away. They had not eaten for a few days and were in great need of help. God once again supplied all that was needed and now just down the road from Gogo N.'s stall, Gogo M. has set up her own roadside business! We pray that the Lord's hand will bless both of these hardworking grandmas!
So, if you are ever in our neck of the woods, let us know and we’ll send you to the two best, little roadside boutiques in town….trust us, you won’t be disappointed!
(Side Note: If you desire to help empower a guardian or young adult to start an “Empowerment Business” please let us know, the amount ranges from R500 to R1,000 ($30-$60) depending on start-up costs).
"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?" Matthew 6:26-27
Blanket Bliss!
It is officially spring in South Africa, but as the wind whips through the trees and the weather forecast shows a high of 66F and a low of 41F, it feels like winter has not quite left the room! As we seek out some sun to keep warm, we are at peace knowing that this past winter all of our Hlanganani Orphan Care children and impoverished Bokamoso children, in need of a blanket, received a lovely, big, thick blanket, ones that keep out all of the wind chill!
The Lord is so faithful to provide in the big things and small areas of our lives; we just need to constantly step out in faith and as we do, we see His hand upon us!
"Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? “Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat? ' or 'What shall we drink? ' or 'What shall we wear?" Matthew 6:28-33
Holy Spirit "Hijacking"
Wearing a sports coat and standing behind a pulpit, I surveyed the audience of strangers, eager to share my teaching with them. As I began to teach a bubbling in my guts highlighted a section of the crowd. A coy smile grew on my lips as I glanced upwards - this preacher knew his strategy had been overruled - from above.
My preaching opportunity required a trek to the other side of the city, into an area which rarely, if ever, saw a white face. After locating the church building, conveniently located behind a club and bar, I hopped out of my vehicle, only to be surrounded by a gaggle of kids wanting free candy and to play with my straight hair.
Once ushered inside the church, I saw one of the deacons singing a prayer for revival with a modest yet enthusiastic crowd of 25 folks responding with hollers and dancing. Finally- the guest speaker was announced- “A great man of God all the way from America to spur revival in our community.” (This was news to me, as I was just there to teach on discipleship and mentoring).
Now standing there, feeling a pull from the Holy Spirit to set aside my notes, I exhaled heavily as “practice what you preach” and “trust in the Lord with all your heart” flashed through my mind.
I went down the steps, and asked, who was sick, pointing to the left. A woman stepped forward - as two ladies and I prayed for her to be healed of cancer, we felt a breakthrough physically, but together discovered she really needed to accept internal restoration, “His grace is enough, you’re perfect because Jesus made you perfect through the cross - accept it then let Him work through you!” She collapsed sobbing on the floor.
As the tearful sister drifted back to her seat, I thought that would be the only person we were to pray for. “One more! Thendo, come here!” One of the crowd shouted. It was an older lady, pointing at her husband who leered from the back of the church. All eyes went to him at once. The poor old man looked like a gazelle caught in some headlights. A gang of other older women, took him by the hand and forced him in front of me while the wife explained, “He’s deaf, heal him!” The statement was mostly matter-of-fact but slightly demanding, the “amazing man of God from America” had to soften a wince into a smile.
Before I had a chance to freak out too much, a ridiculous thought passed through my head. “Can you read my lips?” I asked. The man nodded, “I think God said to stick my fingers in your ears, is that ok?” He shrugged and nodded. I went for it, thinking at the least I was laying hands, or fingers, on the ear canal and eardrums, but the Lord wanted more. “Scream in his face as hard as you can.”
“Well, that’s not dignified,” I retorted to the Lord.
“Neither is spitting into a blind man’s eyes,” A familiar voice interjected.
“Yes, Sir,” I was still not convinced, but willing to try.
“AAAAAHHHHHH!”
“You can do better, “ the Lord said.
In for a penny in for a pound, I went again!
“AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!”
Deafening Silence. The church crowd said nothing, the pastor said nothing, the Lord said nothing- and holding my breath with apprehension I was definitely saying nothing. Without thinking and purely through His grace, I retracted the intruding finger and began snapping next to each ear. “Can you hear this or that?” I asked sounding a little more desperate than faith-filled.
Theno’s eyes widened and the leering expression softened as he nodded in disbelief, “Yes,” he breathed out, “I can.”
Five minutes later, I returned to my notes, yet this time much more eager for the Holy Spirit to hijack my plans - any time.
“They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.“ Mark 8:22-26 NIV
Prayer Requests:
Continued physical and spiritual protection over our family; we have experienced ongoing physical challenges & sicknesses over the past three months as well as extra spiritual warfare.
The Lord's wisdom and will to be done as Hlanganani goes through some structural changes.
Extra finances to help Bokomoso serve and help underprivileged children be fed, empowered, and know the Lord.
“The gates of hell will not prevail.” Jesus made that promise. Yet, in recent years, have you felt as though the gates of hell have been winning? The church has been rocked by sex scandals, financial fraud, and disheartened members. Even the best of pastors often look tired and defeated. Did Jesus lie? Are the gates of hell prevailing? Heavens, NO!
Jesus promised Peter that it would be His job to build His church. However, is the church doing Jesus’s job or its own? Jesus taught, “Repent, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” The word repent means to “Change your mindset.” This book offers a mindset change, back to Jesus’s way of thinking. We must once again become the church that asks:
“What did Jesus tell us to do and are we doing it?”
I invite you alongside me for a journey, as we explore a strategy that every believer, from every country and every denomination can get behind: Go out and do what Jesus did.
Specifically, go out and make disciples of those around us.
This book will delve into the Bible exploring these questions:
Why is discipleship important?
What is a disciple of Jesus?
How can I go out into my everyday life and make disciples?
How can the modern-day church focus more on making disciples?
