THERAPY DOG!!

On Thursday May 27th we welcomed a little boy into our family... Barnabas, Nathan's therapy dog. Not sure whether he is more for therapy for Nathan, or for Nathan to use in therapy with clients! Barnabas is a Golden Retreiver, and arrived via an airplane trip from Johannesburg.

Since picking him up at the airport,he has attended all our ministry appoint- ments. counseling at the church with Nathan, learning the 2010 World Cup Soccer "Diski Dance" at Holiday Club Training,

homework supervision at the hostel, even the baptism of Nathan's Children's Church students.
He loves all the attention everywhere we go, and we look forward for God being glorified through his comforting presense!

Shavout (Pentecost) Celebration...

In Jewish practice, the 50 days leading up to Shavuot are ‘counted.’ This is known as ‘The counting of the Omer.’ ‘Omer’ refers to a cultic offering of barley. Although this died out with the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE, the practice of counting the days continued, the focus now being to anticipate the Giving of the Law. This ‘counting’ of days between Passover and Shavuot highlights the fact that Shavuot is the extension and conclusion of Passover.


Similarly in the Christian Church, Pentecost marks the conclusion of the Easter season.The ‘counting’ of 50 days in Jewish custom enhances the sense of excited anticipation. Like a bride and groom looking forward to their special day, Jews look forward to Shavuot. Even after having celebrated the events of the exodus, there is a longing for the ‘something more to come.’ Similarly, even after reveling in the wonder of the Resurrection at Easter, Christians look forward to the gift of the Spirit at Pentecost.

In Knysna The Island Church observed Pentecost with a worship service full of Jewish symbolism. Decor of colorful flags and stars, symbolical blowing of the shofar, waving flags, and worship as we celebrated the sending of the Holy Spirit to empower believers to share the good news of salvation through Jesus!

The word shofar means hollow, from the Hebrew root word shpr (‘hollowness’). This infers that it is an empty vessel, and that it is only important and useful when the breath of man is blown into it. The shofar thus symbolizes the human being on Rosh Hashanah, who is likened to a hollow instrument that is capable of divinity once appropriately filled.

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to fill His believers (empty vessels) at Pentecost to complete His work here on earth before His return!! Hallelujah!!!

"Open Day" at the Prison...

A smile came to my face as I was hanging out my wash on the line to dry, I could hear the singing 1 mile away and knew that Nathan was in his element of ministry!



Once a quarter, the Spiritual Workers of the Knysna Correctional Facility organize a morning of ministry to the inmates. This day is also open to their families (thus the name "Open Day"). As part of our vision to encourage youth to use the talents and gifts God has given them for His glory, Nathan invited a youth choir to share in song.

Nine young ladies from the Apostolic Faith Mission Church in Concordia, brought encouragement to all in attendance. Not only through the use of their voices, but the fact that they woke up early on a Saturday and then spent 4 hours of their 'day off' to give to the Lord... that is sacrificial for a teenager!!



A powerful testimony given by a former inmate touched the men's hearts. Having spent 2 years in this facility, upon release he was soon arrested and charged for a more serious crime... serving an additional 13 year sentence. The audience was in tears as he pled with the men... "Crime does not pay! The only way out of the prison you are in is through Jesus Christ. You cannot do it on your own! Take it from me!!"

Only God can set the captives free!

Prayer works!

"Why are you looking so downcast?"
Nathan approached the Municipal Cleanser (street cleaner) outside the YFC office last month. Usually very jolly and jovial, 'Sam' (name withheld) was noticeably taking strain. Like Peter & Paul's response to the lame man at the temple (Acts 7), after listening to his family situation Nathan quickly recognized that the only thing he could offer was prayer. Last week 'Sam' couldn't wait to share God's working through the problem. His wife even attended church with him on Sunday!

"I'm sorry, Do I know you?"... Later the same day a tap on the shoulder at the ATM gave Nathan a fright when he didn't recognise the 'chappie' standing so near (with robbery a possibility). "Sir, you were at the prison last month and prayed that I would get a job quickly after my release. THANK YOU! I am working now!!


Her hand was cramping and she was in tears... While invigilating (officiating over) a 3 hour exam last week, one of the girls broke down in tears under the pressure. Asking if he could pray for her, Nathan brought her need for peace and clear thinking before the Lord. She relaxed and complete the exam with ease.

"Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have, I give to you..." (Acts 7:13)

Mighty Men 2010

A trip sponsored by a few amazing Knysnarian Donors who value the vision and equipping of yfc staff - I (Nathan) drove four mighty men(YFC folk) to Greytown 1300 kilometers. Leaving on Wednesday evening we arrived 15 hours later at the picturesque YFC campsite called L'Abri. As usual theYFC L'Abri Staff out did themselves by laying on the best food and accommodation. With the good, came one challenge - a gravel/dirt road of some 23kms. We did experience a tyre burst no doubt caused by a stone cutting into the tyre, but God's grace and protection enabled us to buy a second hand tyre that safely brought us all the way back home to Knysna.

The minstry of "Oom Angus" was simplicistic but powerful. With its theme being "The Watchmen on the wall" (Ezk.3:17); A watchman blows a trumpet to alert the people.He coined a phrase "As a man sees so he is" No doubt from the scripture "As a man thinketh in his heart so is he." (Proverbs 23:7) or "For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45). Not pulling back on the punches Oom Angus spoke directly into the hearts of the men. He took all 400 000 plus men through prayers of repentance. And his biggest request was "TO STOP IT". The atmosphere on his farm cannot truly be expressed in words. Hundreds responded to his call for repentance.



Another topic he covered was about "waiting/ serving" drawing his scripture from Isa 40:31. Oom Angus also spoke about "Not going back to the flesh pots of Egypt" Ex 16:3. This was the last mighty men conference to be held on his farm. This was my third mighty men conference and originally agreed to go merely just to serve by driving, however many of Oom Angus messages spoke deep into my heart. Perhaps one story that stood out was "Any dead fish can flow with the stream it takes a live one to swim up stream" So in appreciation to you one and all you supported us in prayer and financially may God richly bless you.

CHAG PESACH: The Passover Celebration



The Passover Seder is an ancient ceremonial meal which can be traced back to the Exodus from Egypt. The Seder ceremony is an object lesson; the items on the table, many of the foods eaten, all help to tell the story of the departure from Egypt. But, within the sympolism of the moder Passover Seder aqnd withing the Passover story, lies a message of a greater redemption, a redemption for all mankind found in Y'sjua (Jesus) the Messiah...

As a child I remember attending "Good Friday" service and remembering the story of Jesus death & resurrection through the "stations of the cross". This year the kids in my children's church have been studying God's plan of salvation from creation to Jesus fulfilling the plan at His resurrection.



Last week in Chilcren's Church I taught the lesson of "4 Suppers". The 'first' being the Passover meal as God gave the instructions for preparation from painting the lamb's blood on the doorposts for protection as the Lord passed over their home, to how to cook the lamb, and what kind of veggies and how to prepare the bread.



They were commanded to annually celebrate their freedom by eating this meal. The disciples didn't fully understand on that most important Passover meal(referred to as the "Last Supper" - 2nd supper of our lesson) that the "Lamb of God" was going to shed His blood once and for all in the next 24 hours. Now we celebrate "Holy Communion" as the '3rd supper', waiting in anticipation for the "Wedding Feast of the Lamb" (4th supper) at which time we will celebrate with Jesus in heaven.



With this lesson in mind, it was with great joy that Nathan and I were invited to celebrate "Chag Pesach" with fellow Christians. Candles reminding us that Jesus was the light, roasted lamb - "The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, ritual washing of hands - "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet", grape juice - "And wheh He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, 'Take this and share it among yourselves, for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now until the Kingdom of God comes'", matzah (unleavened bread) - Jesus, the Bread of Life, His body broken for us





Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. Salvation belongs to our God, who sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb! Praise and glory wisdom and thanks and honour and power and strength be to our God forever and ever, AMEN!

(And a special thanks to Steve & Lynn Douglas and their children for hosting the event... may the Lord richly bless you as you are a blessing to others!)

"All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort--we get a full measure of that, too." (2 Corinthians 1:3-5 The Message Bible)




training... training... training...









Last week Julianna completed the 3 day Options "Equipped To Serve" Counseling course for women facing crisis pregnancies. (ok, yes, I have taken this one twice... one can never be too prepared!)


and... today I received my certificate for completing 40 hours of formal training based on Selwyn Hughes Christian Counselling trainig course given by Reverand Winston Dickerson (St. Paul's Grahamstown)






Now that I am back into the swing of ministry at Options, I am ready to jump in with both feet!

CONGRATS... it is official. Completing a 3 year process of police clearances, reference checks Nathan is authorized to minister as a volunteer spiritual worker at the Knysna Correction Centre.

So... what does that mean? Nathan now has the privilege of bringing along fellow believers to participate in ministry to the inmates. He can now arrange Bible Studies, Life Skills programs, and any restorative justice programs that would bring about rehabilitaion. Prior to this, Nathan's access was tied to collaborative efforts at the request of other volunteer spiritual workers.

In conjunction to this privilege, Nathan has also been elected to the Executive Committee of all spiritual workers for the correctional centre.

I'm very proud of my hubby!

Worship rocked the roof of The Christian Faith Mission on Saturday night!

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Invited by Youth Ablaze (a youth initiative involving all local churches in the Hornlee area)the crowd came to meet with Jesus.



Following the CFM worship team, the youth choir of the Apostolic Faith Mission blessed the audience with accapella songs in Xhosa.





Traveling all the way from Cape Town as the feature attraction, SOULT (Youth Band for Father's House Durbanville)ministered in song, personal testimony and prayer through the power of the Holy Spirit.





Using a message from "Antoine Fisher", Ruben Bosman shared that Jesus wants to heal the deep hurts in our lives. Our job is to be vulnerable before God to allow Him access. Moved by the message, one girl responded with deep conviction to repentance and to receive inner healing and abundant life from Jesus.



John 10:10 A thief is only here to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. (The Message Bible)

While in the US this last Christmas I attended a few churches collecting boxes for Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan's Purse(see below). The video shown in the churches showed families collecting items to fill a shoe box for children in developing countries as a way to share God's love for them, as well as the children opening the boxes on the other side of the world amazed that the shoes in the box were just what they had been praying for.


Today those very boxes were distributed in Hlalane to the kids at our soup kitchen.





After a time of games and singing, a wonderful presentation of the "Greatest Gift... Jesus" by Sunshine (YFC staff) in their native Xhosa language held the attention of all ages.

Bringing smiles to the kids, each one came forward with enthusiasm to accept a Christmas box packed with care by Christians in Germany. German toys, chocolates & suckers, crayons & pencils, color books, hats & mittens, toothbrushes & toothpaste were common items in most boxes. Some had other articles of clothing, dolls, sling shots, marbles, etc.



Most of these children have never owned their own box of crayons and color book... and even more exciting to us was the 38 page color booklet explaining "The Greatest Gift Of All" in the Xhosa language that went home for the parents to read (most of our children are age 6 and under).











I can only imagine that I am one of very few people that have witnessed both sides of this project from the collecting to the distribution... Doesn't God allow us wonderful privileges!



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Operation Christmas Child is a 'global Christmas gift exchange' project operated by Samaritan's Purse. Each November it opens thousands of locations, typically at churches or schools, to collect shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies, personal items, and other gifts. These are then distributed as Christmas gifts to millions of children each year. Gift boxes are collected in North America, Europe, and Australia. From 1993 through 2008, some 69 million gift boxes have been handed out in more than 130 countries.