Ministry doesn't mean holidays off...

Heritage Day on Friday created a long weekend and perfect opportunity for a youth camp. About 50 teens of AFJ (All For Jesus - Plettenberg Bay) gathered at Keurbooms Lagoon Caravan Park to fellowship and learn about Lifestyle Choices. As we joined on Friday, they were already awake, eating breakfast and trying to steal each other's team mascots. After worship and a personal student testimony Nathan opened our topic of the choices we make regarding our sexuality with the "Bubble Gum Skit", relating our virginity to a special present (piece of bubblegum) that loses it's flavor if opened and given away before God's perfect time.


Following the prompting of the Holy Spirit to cancel the planned DVD and share my own testimony, I explained the path my life took when I made poor choices regarding my sexual purity before marriage. The good news is that just as Jesus forgave Peter for denying Him, He forgave me, and will forgive them. He has a plan for our lives, and wants to complete His work in and through us!


Before wrapping up, Nathan used some team games to illustrate the importance of working as a team and having each other to support us as we are on this journey of life.


Barnabas was a bit bored by the prizes given to the students who could remember the scripture verses used in our session... he prefers bones! Blessed by a gift from Pastor Anton Van Stormbroek and the leadership of Evangelical Fellowship, we enjoyed a nice lunch and Barnabas did finally get a bone from the doggie bag!

My Body Is Mine!

"I am special"
"I am special"
"If you look"
"You will see"
"Someone very special"
"Made me very special"
"God made me"
"God made me!"
(sung to the tune of Frere Jaques)


God made my fingers
God made my toes
God made my eyes
God made my nose
God made my mouth
My head, my heart
God made all of me
Every last part!

Asked to teach a session on "Good Touch, Bad Touch" at the Vineyard Mission School my brain stretched to remember all the way back to my 4yr old BSF Childrens class in 1989, I dusted off songs, fingerplays, and all! I even found a teddy bear, Theodore, to help teach about the private parts of our body and what to do if we are uncomfortable from the way somebody touches us.

Puppy Training

Graduating with honors, Barnabas can sit, down, heel, and come!! Having trained his former dogs, Nathan spends at least an hour every day working with Barnabas. Weekend class is as much training for Julianna as it is for the dog!

Matrix September Prelim Exams

During a national teacher strike, Knysna High School teachers are committed to the success of their Matriculants and continued with classes. The September internal exams prepare the students for the external National Exams determining college/university entrance. Nathan spent these exams walking the aisle encouraging proper behavior and praying for struggling students.

ADVENTURE CAMP...

Last Friday 12 young men from Marlow (boys school in the karoo) came for a weekend of adventure and experience with God.


Nathan challenged the boys to look for something special from God while he prepared a baie lekker (very nice) wors braai (sausage bbq) and I played "tour guide" at the Knysna Heads. God never lets us down... we spotted my first Southern Right Wale of the season.

"...with God you see miracles happen!" (comment from one boy)



After the braai and some games of pool, the boys settled in for a testimony of Pier Spies, a South Africa Rugby hero who experienced varied life challenges (divorced parents, sister pregnant before marriage, father's death, broken arm before an important game, etc.) and kept a positive attitude with God at the center of his life.

"God showed me not to lose hope in difficult times, He will help us thru these times as there is something better on the other side!" (comment from one boy)

Saturday... the whole neighborhood was up early to the sound of barking dogs as Nathan roused the boys from sleep to a quick run around the block at 6:30! Poor Barnabas got a fright and ran home to wait at the gate!



After breakfast, a devotion about our "Back Pack" gave the boys opportunity to reflect on the stuff they carry around and how it shapes their lives.









On the road by 8:30, the adventure continued at Ingwe with an intense obstacle course that required perseverance and teamwork, it was impossible to complete without the help of the others.

The afternoon ending with time on the beach to cast the burdens from their 'back pack' to the Lord (in the sea).

"In a short period of time we saw dolphins and whales... The hike on the beach was baie lekker!" (comment from another boy)











Sunday was another early morning with a devotion about God's heart of a Father, then it was off to 'ab-sailing' (repelling) down a cliff at Wilderness. Another new experience for most of them. After climbing to the top, one changed his mind because "you look like ants down there!"


"I learned that God is with me - in good and bad times!" (another boy's comment on the weekend experience)