Western Cape Grade 9 Assessment

"I trust that your worst student will be your best student today..." Nathan saluted the efforts of the teachers at Hillcrest before praying God's blessing over their work.

Although many students are afforded the opportunity of education, the illiteracy rate in South Africa is very high. In an effort to assess the level and standard of the education 84,000 grade 9 students participated in literacy and numeracy assessment tests throughout the Western Cape.

As part of a team of 21 test administrators based out of Knysna, Nathan drove a team of 7 people to 8 different schools stretching between Knysna and Mossel Bay using our trusty VW Combi (mini van)to administer tests. With over an hour drive in the car each way, opportunity to share the good news of Jesus to some skeptics of the faith came natural to Nathan as well as offering prayers for families and businesses represented by his team.
Each day was a new adventure and always there was a story to share with me after coming home...

Nathan chuckled as one young man danced periodically in his seat... he was celebrating the completion of each section with a victory dance.

At one school Nathan gave his chocolate muffin to the last student to complete the test. The students were most amazed that it wasn't given to the first student who finished... "But didn't Jesus say that the first will be last, and the last will be first?"

Coming home late after Bible School on Thursday, Nathan's phone rang. One of the test administrators on his team needed assistance taking her mother to the hospital... "Would you possibly ber able to take her to George?" (a 1 hr drive).
With the back seat down and a foam mattress on the floor, Nathan transported the mother and ministered to her with peaceful music and prayer along the way. Suffering from cancer, the doctors were amazed at how quickly she recovered from the complications that brought her to the hospital.


As the project ended each of the team gave Nathan a hug thanking him for the peaceful and safe driving and atmosphere of camaraderie created as team leader.

God coordinated appointments...

"Julianna, your Monday morning plans have changed..." Nathan explained to me how God was directing my steps.

Scheduled to speak Monday at a high school assembly for Teen Pregnancy Prevention week, the principle "happened" to meet Nathan at the store on Saturday... "Nathan, I know God sent you my way, I have been trying to reach Angelia (YFC Schools Facilitator)to tell her the Assembly plans have changed, but I don't have her phone #. Would you please tell your wife we will re-schedule?" As the words left his mouth, Nathan's phone rang... "Greetings Nathan, are you available to speak at the "Send Off" Assembly for our Matric's (graduates) on Monday morning.?" And so Nathan knew that this was God re-arranging my schedule and didn't let me off the hook when I begged him to take the bigger schools assembly!

















With Nico DeVos and Angelia Simons as support, we headed to Plettenberg Bay Sr Secondary to "send off" the matric's on Monday. Armed with the story of Paolo Rossi (Italian soccer hero of the 1982 World Cup)and the faith the coach had in him tied to the account of Jesus' forgiveness towards Peter after he denied a relationship with Him. I encouraged these students that "God believes in you, even more than you believe in yourself!" They may have made some mistakes along the way, maybe they wasted time they should have spent studying (Matric Final Exams start soon), but God is standing in front of them to tell them that if they come to Him, He will forgive them and help them finish strong. Nothing is impossible with Him, and nothing is possible without Him!




I am walking proof... God believed in me, when I didn't believe in myself!

Staff Conference... "Hand Me Another Brick"

Wortelgat... the location for YFC Southern Africa Staff 2010 Conference. Described as God's own place uniquely and picturesquely set in natural vegetation of limestone fynbos and ancient milkwood thickets on the banks of the Kleinrivier estuary with magnificent views of the Kleinrivier mountains... walks and hikes meander through the fynbos, along the koppies and under the milkwoods along the lagoon edge... through the forests to waterfalls in the mountain add to the variety of flora and fauna as does the walk through the nature reserve to a long white sandy beach with magnificent views of whales and dolphins.

220 staff and family representing 10 nations converged for training, encouragement and renewal. Opening the conference with "Taste and See" each centre offered a taste of what their city represents and showed off pictures of their ministry. Knysna is known for their oysters, and offered seafood stew... cooked over the fire!








Daily devotions led by Vicar Dennis Stafford focused on Nehemiah 1 and the importance of prayer in a leader's life... here are some of the points that convicted me.

- "Prayer moves you into a realm of noticing things - God works the miracle out!"
- "Prayer allows leaders to: 1)See further/beyond other people - never having been there before 2) See more than others see - sees the real problem 3) See before others know."
- "Prayer is not to determine what to get from God - but what God gets from you!"
- "Prayer infuses vision - enabling us see what God wants us to do!"
- "Living in the realm of prayer we are not only aware of the need - we are willing to be the answer!"



Other sessions focused on culture and embracing diversity. Not only considering that the Southern Region represents many different countries and respective cultures, but also each YFC Centre especially in South Africa ministers to multiple cultures. During Apartheid YFC South Africa stood it's ground to include all races even when facing police raids at gatherings and camps. Conscious effort was made to include all cultures represented even at the worship at conference... see video!

Each afternoon was open for renewal... walks to the beach, kayaking, ferry ride on the lake, trip to the Hermanus Whale Festival, or just to take a nap! My walk to the beach also included seeing 2 whales!

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)

WHERE DID MY DAD & MOM GO...



Barnabas spent 10 days with friends (Thanks Steve, Lynn and family!) while Nathan and I spent 21 hours (on a bus) each way to get to Hluhluwe KZN South Africa for a week with Pieter and Elize Van Deventer to 'restore the foundations' of our lives at their "Healing House".




"Restoring The Foundations" ministry experience examines four problem areas that we all experience. Going through the ministry experience, God revealed patterns and 'cause and effect' relationships, with the buttons that we pushed as we related to each other. Issues were uncovered that shed light on, and helped us make sense of our relationship challenges. While the approach is systematic and thorough, God is tender and loving in revealing and healing our hurt. Foundational truths were applied to each problem area and system- atically addressed the spiritual root causes as God graciously prepared our hearts and minds to receive his love. Godly beliefs were formed to replace the ungodly beliefs as our true identity in Christ was revealed.

Our deepest gratitude goes to the leadership of our church, who provided this week of inner healing and restoration. We believe the Lord will bless you for sending us for this ministry! THANK YOU!!!

One of the unexpected blessings was a trip in our time off to the Hluhluwe Game Reserve... to relax and enjoy God's creation!















God's grand finale was the blessing of watching the first 10 of a herd of 50 elephants cross the road right in front of us!



Stopping off for an extra night in Durban, a visit to the U-shaka Sea World provided Nathan with the opportunity to flirt with a grouper before traveling home to Barnabas!