Holiday Club 2013

Jesus Is My Superhero!!

As Nathan would say... "Done and dusted!"


2013 Holiday Club was planned well, executed with excellence, and was a success!

Staff Orientation

Joining the YFC staff and local High School volunteers, 10 young men and women from Operation Mobilization, and 9 Ikageng volunteers (SA and international volunteers on the team that works the Cyara and L'Abri YFC camps) gave us the manpower needed to share our Superhero - Jesus with children in the Knysna area.

Staff Orientation lunch

Superhero Lois fit 10 children from Hlalane in her car... (don't tell the traffic officers!)

Immanuel Ministries brought 2 taxi's full from Oupad every day

 (I am thankful they pre-registered them before loading the taxi!).

After registration, every day started with Praise and Worship...

"Jesus, You're My Superhero.. my best friend!"

Dee Olivier, Theuns Visser and Anke Tiemann led with enthusiasm and spirit (Holy Spirit)!

The 'superhero' of the day was shared through skits and a short message:

• Jesus = Power of Love
• Gideon = Power of obedience
• Joseph = Power of forgiveness
• Esther = Power of courage
• Samuel = Power to hear and serve God faithfully

Then the children split into small groups to memorize a Scripture verse and enjoy a small snack.

The final time was divided up between games and sports on the field 

and making a craft

Every day was a step of faith as we relied on the Lord to sort out the weather... sometimes He wasn't clear whether it would rain or not... Day 2 was moment by moment changes of plans as the sun came out, then hid behind rain clouds... then came out again.  

Day 4 started with a rainbow and we knew the Lord was in control!!

The rain didn't keep the children from coming... even on the worst weather day 74 children.  On Wednesday one boy brought 7 friends so that he would win a soccer ball... the best part of that story is that they continued to come the rest of the week!  Usually numbers dwindle on the last day (because families leave town for a holiday trip) but Friday exceeded all expectations with 129 children.  220 different children heard the Good News of Jesus power over sin and given an opportunity to accept Him as Lord and Saviour.

Fraaisig Farewell

A bittersweet day!

Gathered at Fraaisig Primary on 21 June, YFC staff joined the students to say "Good Bye" to Mr Bredenkamp.  After serving the education department for 30 years, it is his time to retire.

Reggie shared a message with the students that they are each special in God's eyes.  He made each one individually perfect!!

Thank you Mr. Bredenkamp... 

You served well and these students will be forever impacted

 by your love and leadership!!

Little Julianna

Congrats to Ephriam and Annie!!

If you have been following our blog for the last 3 years you will remember Ephriam is a young man Nathan met during street ministry and led to Jesus.  On fire for the Lord, Ephriam immediately began sharing the message of God's love with his Malawian friends and soon started meeting with them in his home - followed by 2 baptism ceremonies... then Ephriam went back to Malawi to fetch Annie and Nathan officiated their wedding here in Knysna.  Then we celebrated Annie's baptism.

Saturday 29th of June... Ephriam called at 11:30 to say that Annie went to hospital by ambulance to deliver their expected baby.  I rushed to the hospital to find her already in the delivery room (for my American friends - notice the comfortable surroundings for delivering a baby here... NOT!).

Annie was only dilated to 1 cm - but contractions were coming 90 seconds apart.  From midnight until 6am EVERY 60-90 seconds I encouraged deep relaxing breaths through labor... at 5:30 they gave her nitrous oxide and we caught 15 min of shut-eye. .  The Doctor arrived to check her at 6:30 only to find her dilated to 6 and not going any further - a C-Section was needed for this baby to come out.  From 7-8 I slept in her post-operation room while she gave birth.  I was sending Ephriam sms's throughout the 

night to update him of her status... Just as she was wheeled into her recovery room he arrived at the door... God directed him with perfect timing as there was no cell phone service where he was staying and he only received my messages a few minutes before in the taxi!

During labor I asked her if they had picked out names and could she share with me what they were. (Some African cultures to not pick a name until after the baby is born - in The Gambia they did not announce the name until the baby was 2 weeks old.)  Annie said that Ephriam chose the boys name and they had a girls name... but she didn't seem to want to share what they were and I didn't push.  Only when Ephriam arrived did he tell me that her name is "Julianna... because I was there to bring her into the world!"

I didn't even get to hold her cause I had to rush home with the car for Nathan to speed off for church (he was a few minutes late).  Ephriam, committed to fellowship with the Lord, arrived at church a few minutes later and apologized to Nathan that his baby was not a boy... "he would have been named Nathan!" 

"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a real blessing"

(Psalm 127:3)

BABIES Born this month...

Nathan's book is published!!  After 15 years of labor, it is finally in print and has arrived. 

A testimony, from adversity to victory in Christ Jesus, In South Africa "In this book Nathan recounts the heartening story of one man's inspiring journey to God.  As we travel with the protagonist, Jonathan, through a life filled with innumerable challenges, trials and tribulations, we are invited to our own journey of discovery, whatever it may be.  Jonathan's passage echoes what many young South Africans experienced during the Aparthheid years,but with perseverance and the knowledge that God always has a plan for our lives, he overcomes adversity to triumph in spirit."

A quick trip to Cape Town last weekend to pick up the first 50 and make special deliveries to some special people in his life was fast and furious. (since we have found a printer in George for the next lot)

First stop... Mommy Overmeyer.  As she read her name in the dedication she told me how Nathan sat at her table 15 years ago writing and writing.

Next stop - Nathan's son - Dane

And then home to a book signing for the Volunteers

My baby only took 9 months...

4 weeks ago my High School client gave birth to a beautiful little boy... Such an awesome privilege to be an encouragement during difficult circumstances.  All praise and glory goes to our God!

Job Creation Projects

In the Garden...

YFC staff have long been brainstorming around how we can create jobs for "out-of-school" youth.  When the couple living in the cottage on our property moved out Nathan jumped at the chance to put the unkept veggie garden to use.

Meet Zola - a young man attending our church.  Like many South Africa men, he works odd jobs here and there for whatever income he can.  Nathan invited him to take this garden to task.  On the first day he cleaned out all the weeds and overgrown surrounding vegetation.

Day 2 he mapped out what to plant where...

and with seed in hand he has now planted most of the boxes!!

In addition to giving Zola an opportunity to feed himself and sell some veggies, YFC has provided instruction and everything to start 6 gardens in Hornlee. The new gardeners meet for a Bible Study and then observe new skills in the sample garden before returning home to work on their own garden.

While at the office...

12 new sewing machines are busy Tuesdays and Thursdays as clients learn the in's and out's of sewing after a Bible study.
.

Each lady earns "E-Bucks" for every class attended.  At the end of the term they can purchase their machine using their E-Bucks!  Graduating with the tools and skills to earn money from home!



Give a man a fish and he eats for today - teach a man to fish and he eats for life!

MIGHTY MEN 2013

The purpose of the Karoo MMC is to change men's lives by reuniting them with God and glorifying Him, allowing them to return home and love their families and neighbours in ways they have never done before and help them to become spiritual fathers.

This year Nathan took 4 young men from the Island Church to experience

the weekend retreat!

They had a great seat - close to the platform...

Best guess - about 10,000 men in attendance (unable to verify )

Good bonding time with Mark!

Kudzai, Junior (brothers) and friend Titus had open hearts for the Lord's message...

After a session focused on honesty, Junior (13 yr old) asked to borrow Nathan's phone.  He was very convicted about an incident of dishonesty with his mother...  "Mom, I need to apologize - when I was nine I drove your car."

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Hoy Spirit from me.  Restore to m the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.  Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you." Psalm 51:10-13

CIA (Christians In Action)

As part of the leadership team for Christians In Action at Knysna High School, it was Nathan's turn to lead the weekly meeting during interval.

God provided the perfect intro to his topic through a daily devo sent to his phone... God doesn't see you as a loser - "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (Romans 8:37)

Next he shared the following short movie

"The Butterfly Circus", starring Nick Vucijic (The Armless Legless Pastor) takes place at the height of the Great Depression. The Showman of a renowned circus leads his troupe through the devastated American landscape, lifting the spirits of the audiences along the way.  During their travels they discover Will, a man without limbs at a carnival sideshow, but after an intriguing encounter with the showman he becomes driven to hope against everything he has ever believed.

If you have the time (22 Min) you can watch the video here

Ending off the 35 minutes with a prayer - that each student would see themselves as God see them - all forgiven, set free, full of potential, ability to overcome all challenges, history makers.  

AMEN!!!

Hlalane Baptism

The baptism of 14 youth and one mother from Hlalane last Sunday was the culmination of many years of prayer and ministry.  A ministry that started by walking from shack to shack visiting and praying for the residents grew into an invitation to start a soup kitchen has grown to the distribution of weekly food parcels,  Sunday services and recently starting a preschool.  

This baptism was exciting for Nathan on many levels... he was one of those praying 9 years ago.








Another reason to rejoice was the opportunity to allow other members of The Island Church to perform the baptisms.  Lois Gardner (in the white hat) has put most all of her heart and passion into this small community.  Mark Rosewall (to Nathan's right) has been helping with Children's Church along with Melanie Koen - they both regularly work with the youth at the Sunday services in Hlalane.  Here we see Nathan explaining to Mark how to best hold onto the new believers as they profess their commitment to Christ publicly.

















A great crowd from The Island Church came to support and participate in the joy of the occasion!

A final prayer over the group led by Pastor Brian Long!

How exciting to watch God work...

We are confident that He who began a good work in these new believers will carry it to completion!! (Philippians 1:6)

Youth Week 2013

YOU DON'T OWN ME!!!

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Youth Week, almost 800 young people from all over Southern Africa (SA, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe) gathered for 5 days of fun, fellowship and feeding on God's truth.  

Our journey started with prayer by YFC staff and parents. 

The 17 hour bus ride was uneventful.  After the first 8 hours most slept.  On the ride up my prayer was that God would find a way to use me.





Waiting for our room assignments

Upon arrival of the CapeTown bus,(the rest of the "Levi Tribe") we joined and practiced our "war cry".  









A big pat on the back to Gautang (Tribe of Judah)... very creative banners and mascot!









Morning Devotions... 











First morning - first sentence out of the speaker -  "What did Jesus spend his time doing?"  The Holy Spirit instantly convicted me that Jesus didn't spend his time playing games on his phone!  Wow... I knew that if God was going to use me at camp I needed to delete all my games.  So while no one was supposed to be on their phones during sessions... I was deleting all my game apps!

















Morning and evening Tabernacle... an hour of worship followed by teachings of the freedom we have in Christ.  






Sin doesn't own us, our past doesn't own us, our circumstances don't own us... the games on my phone don't own me...

Sports and games 2 times every day... 
"GO LEVI..."






































Finally the opportunity came... God showed the time to share my testimony when the speaker for the "girls talk" finished early - 90 minutes early!!  After the session - 9 girls approached me for counseling sessions and my day was booked.  Issues dealing from boyfriend problems, re-newing sexual purity, sexual molestation, rape, post abortion syndrome... to just wanting prayer to remain sexually pure.

One girl stopped me to ask a question that wasn't asked at the session... she dragged her boyfriend over to me and said "Listen to this woman - she has godly wisdom."





Thank you Lord for cleansing me so I could be a clean vessel used by You!  

On the way home the Knysna girls said "Now we know who to go to with our boyfriend problems..."