With training finished for "Options" Crisis Pregnancy Center, Eunice the director asked what I felt called to do... I have a heart for the schools training side.  She asked me to pray regarding opportunities to speak in two high schools right in town (predominately white/english speaking).  Ever since Nathan and I moved in we look down the hill and pray over the town and especially for this one school (in the foreground of picture)  because it has a reputation for being "closed" to Christian speakers (it is an affluent private school).  

About a week ago God directed Eunice to a conversation that led to contact with the Life Orientation teacher in that school.  She was wanting outside help teaching her class about STI's and Abortion (this teacher is a Christian).  The kids in her class were asking very in-depth questions, and the teacher wanted us to come ASAP... which meant last week!  Eunice spoke to the class on Wednesday (while I was already previously engaged at another high school with Nathan), expecting to cover 'abortion', then Thursday I would come speak to the class about STI's.  

A man plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps... the class still had more questions after Wednesday, so Thursday we showed a DVD called "Crossroads" with interviews of young women who chosen abortion and suffered the physical, mental, and emotional consequences (the DVD also had interviews from those women who chose adoption and parenting).  Even after watching an actual abortion of video, and then the interviews of women who regretted the decision even 30 years later... these 10th graders reaction was "Yea, but those are the extreme cases!  It isn't like that for everyone, and the mother takes a pill that kills the baby before it is aborted, so it doesn't feel any pain!"  

Our hearts were broken for their hard heartedness towards the sanctity of life... It really didn't bother some of them to 'kill a baby' (their words).  We praise God for allowing us to tell the truth, and ask that you pray that the enemy will not steal the truth from their hearts (as a teacher from the class after related that some girls reported in his class that they would now "NEVER consider abortion!")  Pray that the seed of truth will be planted and grow.  I have been assigned to continue to present teachings to that school next term (starting April 15) and will give the same presentations to grades 11 and 12.  I also will be presenting to grades 8 and 9, but not showing the abortion video.

"I would love to live in that house"

Even before we found this flat to live in, Nathan would drive past a house on the top of Knysna Heights and comment, "I would love to have that house!"  It was new construction, at least 1 yr old, never been occupied.   I would always say , "Yea, right!"  Disbelieving that God would provide finances for a 4 bedroom 3 1/2 bath house (with a fireplace and view of the Knysna Lagoon in front and valley in the back).  Then we came back to Knysna from our Cape Town dental trip, and needed to vacate our other flat, we searched the newspapers, called all the ads and couldn't find something in our price range in s 'safer' neighborhood (really no such thing as a safe neighborhood due to prevalant violent crime).  Nathan took a drive around Knysna Heights one afternoon, and there was a "room for rent" sign on the window of his favorite house!  Wasting no time, we called the phone #, met the Ferreira's (couple leasing the house) 1/2 hour later.  They wanted to sublease part of the 2nd floor over the garage... one bedroom/bath and open livingroom/kitchen... plus 1/2 of the garage.  It didn't take a theologian to see that God had provided the perfect place for us to live (especially because the inside is painted blue... Nathan's only color of choice).  We have been enjoying the beautiful view, 4 channels of reception on the TV (didn't have any reception at last flat), wireless internet for pay in the front room and 35mb free wireless/week from the bedroom (which is also another story of God's provision, since the for pay wireless is a fluke... or God's favor because there is no reception from the 1st floor or street for either of these wireless options, but due to the side of the house we are on, and the height we 'accidentally' are in line with the tower next door that sends the signal)

But... all of that is old news! 2 months old anyway...

Last week as we pulled out of the garage, Nathan said "God is going to give us this house!"  Again I said, "Yea, right!!..."(you would think I would have learned by now)"The rent for the whole house is $700/month!"  He said, "You just watch and see!"  The same afternoon when the Ferriera's arrived home from work they came to tell us, "We have accepted a job up north, and last weekend bought a house... no worries for you though, as my wife will stay on here for about 3 months, and the owner (who lives in the UK) has said that you can still rent out your flat, but if you want the whole house you can have first rights.  When they left Nathan looked at me, without even needing to say "I told you so".  Now Nathan has a vision for using the rest of the house to board short term missionaries and international volunteers  (a program that YFC Cape Town utilizes with about 10-15 international volunteers at any one time).  We will still have our little corner, but manage the project... and have access to the awesome living room downstairs with a cool fireplace.  This fits into a bit of my passion, ever since my time in The Gambia, I have had a heart to come along side short term missionaries and sew into their spiritual development.  Please pray with us for provision of bedroom furniture and living room furniture for all the extra rooms (we are using folding camp chairs ourselves in our living room with a folding table to eat from), as well as the extra finances of $400/month to pay the rent until we have volunteers coming on a regular basis.  

"God will give us this house!"

The opportunity to openly preach the gospel of Jesus Christ has been afforded to Nathan... this is a huge privilege!! Over 4,000 students (at 5 different schools) heard God's words of Hope and encouragement in February. The motivating message to pursue schooling even though there are numerous factors of marginalization and poverty impacting their lives, is one that is greatly needed. South Africa suffers from an enormous lack of numeracy and literacy because of a high drop-out rate. Generally Nathan has invitations to speak 1-2 times a week at schools within 40 km of Knysna. Each week he chooses a new topic with a corresponding story from God's Word. (tried to download a video... didn't work... maybe next week!)

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