'GOLD' (Generation Of Leaders Discovered) an initiative started in South Africa (spreading to other African nations) offers students the opportunity to become role models for their peers. The program includes training on positive life skills and leadership and then challenges the chosen 'Peer Educators' to in turn share these skills with their classmates. YFC Knysna facilitates the GOLD program in 6 schools.

As the guest speaker at a recent GOLD "Peer Educator Conference", Nathan encouraged these young leaders to 'make a mark' with their lives. Each student attending has already been chosen and has a great sphere of influence. Nathan's talk challenged them to optimize this opportunity by: 1) Keeping focused on what is important and where they are going, 2) Leveraging their time, energy, influence and resources by investing in people who invest in people.

Bright color shoes and socks for the dreary winter...

In preparation for winter, a couple months ago all the children in Llalani traced their feet on paper for new shoes. A donation from an undisclosed member of the Island Church bought shoes for each child that we minister to in Llalani (informal settlement outside of Knysna).

Each week when we come to share God's love through a message of hope along with soup and bread, we watch the children take off their shoes to keep dirt out of our meeting room. When our story/activity time is over, they struggle to put on shoes that are too small for their growing feet.

Now that they all have one pair of shoes that fit - their biggest challenge will be to keep straight which pair belongs to whom!!

Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. (Psalm 41:1)

The sound of singing echoed throughout the whole prison as 70+ inmates worshiped in Xhosa and Afrikans during Wednesday's ministry visit by YFC.

Using prison anectdotes and video clips, Nathan brought a message of freedom... emphasising the prison they were in, was not the metal bars, but their mind. Jesus accepts them just as they are and desires to set them free, citing the redemption God gave to many characters in the Bible who also had shady criminal backgrounds.

Inmates and wardens were moved to tears as the Holy Spirit convicted and brought them to a crossroad, requiring a decision. Gospel tracts and reading materials were left for the inmates who requested future similar visits.

No pictures are allowed at the prison, but God always provides. These pictures came from the security camera's and were provided for us!

New house... new ministry opportunity

If you read the blog a couple weeks ago, you remember that we moved into a new house. Our first night was fun as we sat in the large living room by the fire... on bean bag chairs, and a heavy bedspread for a carpet... watching a movie on the laptop. During our first week, some items were loaned to assist us as we set up house for a team of 8 from YFC Magalisburg to stay for an outreach event. Our house transformed slowly as we added mattresses for each room, dishes, flatware, a livingroom rug, chairs for the dining room table. God truly provided all that we needed to make the house comfortable for the team. By Thursday we were ready, even had a vase of fresh flowers to welcome them.

Once more we lived the Biblical principle... A man makes his plans, but the Lord directs his steps! The team car broke down on the way! They called, expecting to get in sometime Friday morning. By noon, Knysna YFC was praying that they would make it in time for a rally in Karatara at 2pm. I'm sure you could hear the cheers as they rolled in after 1... exhausted, but ready to serve.

Tired and ready to relax after the outreach, our hospitality was finally put into action, as they chilled in front of the fire place and munched on snacks, catching just enough energy to serve again with us at Crossings, and then they drove on to Hermanus for an outreach the next day!

Our evening ended by driving a Combi full of kids home in Hornlee!

30 teenagers... 10 minutes...0 (zero) sound... impossible?

We witnessed a miracle 2 Fridays ago at Crossings (interchurch youth group) when the above actually happened!

Being our turn to lead, we faced an obstacle... the lack of our guitar player to lead worship. After searching You Tube, I found many worship songs that come with the lyrics. The kids really enjoyed our solution to overcoming this obstacle... and I am also using them with my Children's Church kids!

After watching the Nooma DVD "Noise", the students were challenged to spend 10 minutes listening to what God wanted to tell them. Many of these students are Christians, but they shared that they find it challenging to 'hear from God', therefore we gave them the opportunity to listen for His voice in the silence.

Separating the kids up into 4 groups, then we discussed what we heard God telling us. One of the young men shared that there are two things he loves to spend his time doing, and he felt that God was telling him to use his music and skateboard to worship Him! A girl from my group said that she experienced a warmth flow over her; when she asked God what it was all about, He told her that one of her friends was really struggling, and that He wanted her to encourage this friend by telling her that God sees her struggle, and is near and wants to hold her in His arms to comfort her.