Directing Vision Daily...



As part of our vision to equip parents to direct their children in the way they should go, Nathan conducted a parenting workshop at the Island Church last weekend. Most of the 21 people in attendance on Friday evening were parents from the Hornlee community.

At registration each parent received a small notebook with key handout notes relating to the content, a bottle of still water and a 'Book of Hope' (see blog dated 22 Oct 09) together with a pen for the making of notes.

Putting the group at ease Nathan opened with a side splitting icebreaker followed by scripture reading and opening prayer.

Using the DVD material "Directing Vision Daily" by Danny Silk of the Bethel Church (Redding CA, USA), a total of six sessions were facilitated. To overcome a challenge we incurred (most of these folk are Afrikaans speaking and all the material is in English) small group discussions, group feedback, prayer time for their children, and writing a letter to their children were means to review and apply learning.

The general feed back was that the content was excellent material, simplistic enough and very relevant; a must in our tool box of parenting tools. They assured me that if we ran this same workshop they would recommend it to other parents in their
community.

The harsh reality is that it requires practice, practice and more practice.

Thank you to The Island Church (venue) and Youth For Christ Knysna (transport) for contributing to empowering parents in the Knysna area!

(This is an email from Nathan to his most precious wife... me!)

Its great when sometimes we just casually say to a new aquaintance "Hope to see you again!" and God actually makes that happen! The crazy thing is we then say "Wow! Amazing! I never really thought we'll ever see each other again!"

I (Nathan) was given that privilege today.

When I was in Mozambique I met a young Dutch man from YFC Lesotho he was considering helping in the position of National Director, his name is Gert Van Den  Bos, well it just so happened that he and his family came to visit YFC Knysna and George especially to see how Options Ministry is working, also YFC SA has offered to partner with Lesotho hence the visit. We had the privilege to have them as guests at our home, He wrote in our guest book from the "BIG 5"... its Gert and his wife Brenda and two daughters Arwen and Nore (4/5 yrs) and a baby boy Ruan (1yr who took to me immediately). As they visited we had an awesome time praying for each other and sharing ministry experiences. You (Julianna) of course were quite a big part of our conversation, they were also at GA so they were trying to remember out of 100's of people who you were. I gave you all the credit for the Prayer Chapel. The kids enjoyed the games but unfortunately the tortoise was hiding. While the kids played... I saluted Brenda, its tough being a Mom to 3 kids.  I shared a prophetic word with her; how pleased God was with her and she need not feel as though she is not contributing to the ministry because she is 'ONLY LOOKING AFTER THE KIDS'. God sees her heart and he loves her and he is pleased with her. She was so overcome by emotion her husband just went to her put his arms around her and hugged her gave his handkerchief and smiled. They have invited us to visit their ministry in Lesotho.
 
I went to YFC centre this morning for devotions and Gert shared a message, dealing with the importance of REST as seen during the creation of the earth, light, waters, birds/ fish, plants, animals and man. It was indeed a blessed time. They are a wonderful couple.


 

Thanksgiving with my family!
Around the table... My sister Debbie, Tiffany and Johnny, Brian and Ciara, Kirsten and me!

YES!!

Brian does know how to smile!!











Debbie and her 'bo' Sam all the way from Denver











Still hard to believe Tiffany only has 7 weeks left!! Such a tiny little bump on that belly!

After some communication via email, Nathan was able to show off our house and the town of Knysna to Karsten from Athletes In Action Netherlands.

We are trusting God for 10 Dutch students to reside with us from the 25 July - 3 Aug 2010 (in conjunction with the World Cup Soccer in South Africa) promoting the gospel of Jesus Christ thru sport minstry and visiting various communities where this type of ministry could become a permanent and lasting model. We pray that all plans come to fruition as their 2 representatives came to visit our home to see the viability of the Athlets in Actions team actual staying in Knysna with us. Karsten was most happy with the potential accommodation and minstry opportunity happens.

Please continue to lift this opportunity up in prayer with us!

While I (Julianna) am busy visiting friends in the US...

Nathan has been extending hospitality to friends in South Africa... his words below:

Alton Fisher and Royston Bennett, Ex Pastor and friends of mine from Cape Town, took advantage of the availability of space in between guests coming and going from our home. It was a huge honor and privilege to braai (bbq) some huge Texian steak, break bread and fellowship. After supper we prayed and Alton brought forth a much needed prophetic word, in essence refering to a "Daniel anointing", and the importance of the secular powers to called upon "the Man of God "to read what the divine writings on the wall are about" giving prophetic direction and sharing words of wisdom and knowledge in order for the city to be run more effectively and the people in general will prosper.
 
Alton is very much in favour of market place ministry, whilst Royston a recovered drug addict walks in God's grace as he has opened himself to minister to affect families, offering holistic ministry including parenting workshops and lifeskill equipping to become overcomers in their plight and at the same time offer Jeus Christ by life style and example.
 
I was so privileged to help with an assignment they had, part of their portfolio of activities they do vehicle recovery for various banks, these recoveries are as a result of people unable to repay loans and defaulting on payment agreements. Never-the -less they needed some help on a recovery, by Gods grace He gave me a word of knowledge and led us directly to the vehicle in the heart of Hornlee, It was most encouraging to see how God would use gifts that we have been practicing via The Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry here in Knysna become a reality and showing how we can live naturally in the supernatural.

I am trusting that Allton and Royston will once again make use of our hospitality on their way back home.


 

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit...

A profound prophetic word by Cheryl over each gave a beautiful start to the public commitment to follow Christ for three ladies of the Island Church. Having repented and accepted Jesus as their Saviour and Lord, as a symbolic act, Katie, Elaine, and Monique made a public profession to follow Christ Sunday after the church service in the Knysna River.

Understanding the meaning of what they were doing, they agreed that they identify with the burial of Christ (as Nathan took them under the water) and have now risen with Him (up out of the water) to newness of life.

With delightful weather and water temperature many stayed to enjoy a picnic lunch and fellowship after the baptism. So Nathan continues ministry in South Africa...

me... I drove in the snow for the first time in 3 years (figure if I can drive on the left side of the road, what is a little bit of snow?!) Today I am Thankful for new life in Christ and God's protection and provision in the US!

YFC Knysna together with Child Welfare Knysna embarked on an initiative to hold a parenting camp for 20 parents from the low income and informal segment of the Knysna community. Using the materials from"Focus on the Family" by Dr. James Dobson we ran a very successful camp called "Parenting with Assurance".

Each letter of the word ASSURANCE was used as follows: Acceptance, Spiritual grounding, Setting Boundaries, Unconditional Love, Responsibility, Affirmation, Nearness, Character,and Emotional Security.

Nathan together with some ladies of the Options Crisis Pregnancy Centre Facilitated the weekend camp at a beautiful site
in Plettenberg Bay called Ingwe; an ideal venue to allow the parents just to focus on their commitment to their children.

Like most YFC camps it was filled with numerous interactive games, as well as the sharing of relevant topics by a most passionate bunch of facilitators. The group was lead into both discussions and debates that challenged many of their old parenting methods.

There is no doubt paradigm shifts occurred and most definitely seeds planted for transformation and change in parenting techniques.

The biggest conclusion... "it is absolutely imperative that we be praying for our children daily!"

Both YFC and Child Welfare have undertaken to have follow up sessions and the success of this camp will undoubtedly be
passed on by word of mouth to the rest of the community.

WOW! What a privilege to be change agents for this little community.

BABY SHOWER!!

Check out the little bump on this girl. Can you believe that she only has 9 weeks left... where is that baby!!

I know that Tiffany is a petite girl, but she must be hiding the whole baby inside of her.

Friends and family gathered to celebrate the coming birth of Ella McKenzie Saraceno. It was a delight for me to have both of my sisters, the silly 'Great Aunties' in this picture, here to share some of our latest antics. Laughing til it hurt, I think that Deb's (on the left) life could be written into a Seinfeld episode.


Bottom picture is Great Grandma Bernice... Ella will be her first great grand child! Like all pregnant mom's Tiffany can't wait for Ella to just arrive!!

While I am safe and sound after 36 hours of traveling from Cape Town to Spokane WA, Nathan is hard at work with the matriculants (High School Seniors).

As part of our ministry at the Knysna High School Hostel, Nathan was asked to ingivilate for the matric exams. For those of our American friends... that means that the Seniors take final exams that cover EVERYTHING they have learned in 12 years of school. This is kind of like our SAT's. Nathan's job is to make sure that the exams process is followed according to protocol and that the students are not cheating. These exams last every school day for the month of November, and into the first week of December. (one exam for every single subject)

Below are his comments:

"At Knysna High School 95 students are almost a third of the way thru. The papers generally have been pretty fair. I have the privilege of opening every exam in prayer, and whilst invigilating I am also interceding for each and everyone of them. I wear a happy face every day as an encouragement to them, and often go the extra mile to find a ruler, pencil or calculator.
I have developed a great repore with the students."

As exhausting as it is for the students to take the exams, I know that poor Nathan has been pooped when he gets home, with 2 exams a day, and each one lasting 3-4 hours... it makes for a loooong day. I am proud of you honey... you are the bestest and I know that the students appreciate and love you!!