It's lunch break at Percy Mdala High School, but 32 students chose to spend it growing in their relationship with the Lord!

As part of the goal of YFC to minister to the spiritual needs of youth.  Nathan & I have been invited to meet with these students once a week during their lunch break.  After a short time of worship in song we showed two short evangelism video clips.  Nathan related the story of Jonathan and his armor bearer to the influence they have with other students in the school.  Their relationship with the Lord can encourage others to persevere in school, to withstand temptation towards evil, and to become mighty young leaders in their generation.

After the message 8 students prayed to receive Christ as their Lord and Saviour.  Please pray for these new believers, and that this group will grow to have a positive influence on their peers!  

Welcome to Senethemba!

An outreach centre working with 'at risk' youth (street kids) with the goal of re-integrating them back into their families and school, encouraging them to become productive members of society.

16 children at risk (street kids) who have been re-integrated back into their families and school are involved in the 'after care' program.  Picked up from school each day, they are brought to the centre for help with homework and some nourishing food to nurture the relationship already built with volunteers and counselors.  The goal is to keep them from falling back to their delinquent ways and the street.  Together we (Nathan & I) are bringing a message of hope and encouragement through multimedia and God's Word once a week.  Using only our small computer speakers, our ears were strained to hear the movie as the rain began to pound on the roof.  We encouraged the students to pray with us for the provision of a new portable sound system that will cater to such ministry occasions (please join us in prayer for this!).  It will be fun to show them how God answers practical needs.

We will continue to report on other activities as we partner with the staff at Senethemba to reach out to the youth of the informal settlements around Knysna.

A ministry of The Island Church for about 3 years is the soup kitchen at Lhalane. Located at the east edge of Knysna, this informal settlement is not recognized by the municipality as it has no running water, or electricity. With a desire to show God's love to this small community the Island Church provides a nutritious meal, and a teaching to the youth here. 6 months ago a building was provided by others who wanted to sew into this ministry.

Once a week about 35-40 children of all ages gather for a time of games, Bible teaching, prayer and a simple meal. Many of these children take their portion home to share with the rest of the family.

God's love prevails!

Upon Returning to Knysna, the word from the Lord was "Be still, and know that I am God."  We weren't sure exactly what that looked like, and 'waiting' is very difficult.  One of the YFC board members told us we were welcome to listen to the still small voice of the Lord at her farm.

It seemed that we were being bombarded with requests to "do" things for the Lord, and after 2 weeks of unsuccessful "being still", we took up the offer and drove to "Tehillah"; a beautiful farm about 30 km from "De Rust" ("the rest" in Afrikans!).  With no TV, no radio, no cell phone, we finally could only but listen to God.  He displayed His majesty through His creation, as a troop of 29 baboons gave us daily entertainment.  We also were visited by a huge tortoise, beautiful birds, and flies (it is a working farm, so they are attracted by the goats and sheep!)

As it is VERY hot in the Karoo (dry low scrub brush desert),  the water reservoir was quite refreshing for a daily swim!  

Our time at Tehillah was quiet restful!!

Time to play 'catch up' again!!!  Such is my life!

As you read from Nathan's letter, we were in Cape Town for the first 10 days of January for his 'new teeth'.  In addition to receiving direction from the Lord to "return" to Knysna instead of going to Swaziland, Nathan also showed me many of the stomping grounds that formed his life growing up in Cape Town.  I have included some of my favorite pictures.  If you ever have the opportunity to spend time in Cape Town, it would truly require a couple of weeks and maybe even a month to do it justice.  I felt like I was on a whirl wind tour.  

Thanks to the generosity of Cape Town YFC, we were able to spend much of our stay at their international volunteer house on Blaauberg Beach.  Literally one block from the ocean, and ideal for morning and evening walks to commune with God.

One special event I have no picture for (the one day Nathan pleaded that I not bring the camera for our morning beach walk, I must admit, I couldn't get enough pictures of Table Mountain).  At Big Bay (the northern part of Blaauberg Bay) a school of dolphins (minimum 100) were feasting on fish for breakfast.  They ate for about 1/2 hour, and when the eating was finished they celebrated the fine meal the the Lord provided by playing.  I'm talking major jumping, flipping, some times 3-4 in unison... just like you see at Sea World... only they frolicked for at least a hour before moving on and there was no one prompting the show!  It was one of the most amazing productions of God's creation I have witnessed!  But it remains a memory for only Nathan and I... sorry!  :)

Dear Friends,

It is with deep regret that I need to inform you that Julianna and I will not be going to Swaziland at this time.  Numerous factors have led to this decision.  I truly believe that God orchestrated many of the happenings because He is more concerned about my character than my abilities.  

In the past few months I have been experiencing emotional and spiritual meltdown.  what has exacerbated my dilemma was coping with various stressors: culture shock - being no longer single but married and married to someone of a different culture, losing my sense of control, the impending move to Swaziland where a support structure was not already in place, having no fixed accommodation plan, most of all not being psychologically prepared to lose my Knysna links.  Most of my stress relief was unfairly channeled through my new wife, who too has been battling to acclimatize herself to marriage and South Africa culture.  

So finding myself in this difficult position and attempting to handle it I, in essence, had a break down - placing not only the pending ministry at risk, but especially my character and my marriage.  

I feel as though I have let down numerous people.  This episode has left me embarrassed and broken but I believe that God is still in control.  Together with good counsel and prayer, Julianna and I have decided to go back to Knysna.  There is a good support structure and love from the Island Church, YFC Knysna, friends and the close knit community.

We will continue as missionaries in Knysna assisting YFC Knysna and the Island Church until such time as God leads to move.  My accountability buddies will include the YFC Knysna Centre Director - Philip Schroeder, my pastor of the Island Church - Brian Long and a well trusted business man and friend - Garth Goosen.

We as a couple will receive joint counsel from FAMSA (Family Counseling South Africa).  We will also consider additional therapy for any other influencing factors.  

At this point in time I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to Jean and Gorden Steward, Philip Schroeder, Brian Long and Garth Goosen for their emotional support.  

I am also at a crossroads regarding financial support from numerous donors, especially toward our Swaziland trip.  Much of the finances donated were already spent on vehicle repairs and pre-trip items.  It will be extremely difficult to replace those finances immediately and I would request patience in this regard.  It would be good to hear your sentiments as my dilemma was in no way pre-meditated.  

I was blessed with this scripture regarding my traumatic ordeal - 1 Peter 4:12-13

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the suffering of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed."

Regard in His Love and Mercy,

Nathan & Julianna

Christmas in Knysna...

Just a few of the highlights of our Christmas Season here in Knysna.  

Mid December included 2 ministry events - Christmas Parties for children from the townships. Sponsored by the Island Church (the church for which Nathan is Associate Pastor) the party for   younger children included games, Christmas presents and lots of food.  The other for a girls Bible Study group was a day at the beach, playing in the water for hours and the enjoying a traditional braai (BBQ) of sausage, steak, chicken and rolls.  All together about 75 children enjoyed some fun and gifts as they were reminded of the "Reason for the Season"!

The week before Christmas I received a phone call (very unusual since Nathan is the only one who calls me and he was sitting right next to me).  Theo Bossom from the SMILE Team 08, whom I met in The Gambia and worked closely with this spring was calling to tell me that he and his family would be driving through Knysna the next day on their winter holiday tour from Cape Town up the coast of South Africa.  Nathan and I were done with all ministry, and excited to take a break from packing.  We spent the day showing them the Knysna Heads, a quick swim at the beach, and then a lovely hike to a beautiful waterfall in the forest.  God is so amazing to bring a Brit, whom an American met in The Gambia, all the way to South Africa to give encouragement... Our world is sooo small and our God so BIG!!

Christmas Eve Nathan and I started our own tradition of listening to Handel's Messiah in a very romantic setting.  With lights, candles, forest and stars, we listened to the story of God's sending comfort to His people through the birth, death and resurrection of His son.  Not only did we listen to it in my American symphonic version, but also Nathan's African symphonic version which included songs using traditional African instruments and style... It was a most glorious way to keep our hearts fixed on Jesus!

World AID's Day

Collaborating with different NGO's, YFC Knysna participated in an effort to inform a local community about what they can do to prevent HIV and AIDs.  

A march through the Hornlee community streets ending at the Knysna Sr Secondary School kicked off the event.  Personal testimonies were shared by a young lady and man regarding their battle with HIV and how they manage to live a positive life through all the challenges.  

Pledging to get tested, the mayor showed her commitment to fighting the disease, by supporting the main message "Know Your Status... because you can change lives.  Get tested and be safe."

Prayer at Plettenberg Baai Sr Secondary

After the 5th suicide this year at the Knysna area schools, the team as YFC decided that there needed to be an emphasis on the spiritual battle that students in the area are engaged in.  Mid November we gathered at Plettenberg Baai ('bay') Sr Secondary school and prayed with and for the principle (who had an open Bible on his desk).  After lifting him up in prayer we spent time outside asking the Holy Spirit to reveal what influences are attacking the students at the school.  Then we annointed the gates at the entrances and walked the grounds covering the students and staff in prayer.  God has great plans for these students, and we wish to see His will for these kids!!