"We are family!" Welcome to the Overmeyer's.  Home of YFC International Volunteers in Knysna South Africa.  Joining us this week is Collins from Malawi sitting next to Nathan.  In the back we have Carolin (Germany), Julie (Ireland), Viola and Lissy (Germany) and me (Julianna).  


As I write this, the girls are at the Sedgefield Saturday Market, then going to hang out at the beach.  Collins is at a Peer Education Camp with Ruben and the Schools ministry... learning all he can to continue ministry in Malawi.  Nathan and Barnabas are taking a nice walk along the lagoon (probably Barnabas is swimming).  I have the whole house to myself!!  This doesn't happen too often... Thank you Lord for the blessing of community (and a few minutes of quiet!)

It is that time of year again... Nathan and 6 others piled into our trusty Combi to administer Grade 9 Assessment Tests for the past two weeks.  Traveling daily to schools all over the area from Plett to Mossel Bay they visited 10 schools.

This week started Matric Exams... from now through the first week of December you will find Nathan walking around and praying for peace and recall as these students' test scores determine whether or not they can get into a university.

Lord, we know these Matric's are facing extreme stress right now, and they need you in this time.  No problem is too big or small for you to handle, so we turn this stress over  to you.  Help them to focus.  Give them supernatural ability to focus while they study, recall and apply it well on the exams.  Give them confidence going into the test and the ability to relax a bit so they can concentrate.  

Give them peace, when it is all said and done, to know that they walked in and did their best.  I pray, Lord, guide their hand as they take the exam, and I ask for your welcome calm when they walk out of the classroom after.  

Lord, Thank you for being here in this time when they feel a bit overwhelmed.  We know that you have magnificent plans for their life!  Praise your name, Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  AMEN!!

"Julianna, it is very good to have you back!  I have a request of you.  Are you able to facilitate a Mother/Daughter camp for teen mom's and their mothers..." "It is next weekend!" My first week back at YFC-Knysna... and the work begins.

Working with this group for the past few months after school, through an after school support group and using home visits to build relationships with the whole families.

The goal of this camp was to improve communication between these high school teen moms and their mothers.  God prompted me to improve a talk I had previously given on "conflict resolution".

One of the challenges of putting on a camp of this nature is that the teen moms have children... perfect opportunity for our int'l  volunteers!!  Even Nathan and Barnabas found fun in playing with the little ones (age 1-3).

While some were playing, the others needed a soft lap to take a nap.

Sessions included a separate experience for the mothers, as Mrs Bowers (Plett Sr Sec teacher with a passion to support these teen moms) spoke to the mothers about setting boundaries.

While a psychologist encouraged the teens to embrace the responsibilities of motherhood while at the same time completing school and further education.

Wanting to give some time for creativity.  We taught them how to share the Good News of Jesus as they made "wordless book" bracelets.

Enabling them to tell their own children about the God of love

who sent His son to pay our sin debt and clothe us with his    

    righteousness... allowing us to live forever in heaven.

A time of games provided for laughter... something not experienced often together!

The final session included incorporating communication skills with the provisions to write a letter and share feelings with each other.  An activity that stretched teens and mothers!

We look forward to continued invitations to work with these teen moms and their families.  The girls expressed their appreciation the following week at their support group. Transformation has started in their homes, and God is at work in their hearts!

Life with Volunteers...

Poor Viola walked came in the door with pain written all over her. With Julie for company, Nathan drove them to the Hospital. Worried that she broke her wrist playing volleyball, her eyes were dripping mascara.

First comment from the Sister (nurse) was "What happened to your face?" (shouldn't a woman know it was just mascara?)

Final prognosis... too swollen to tell if it was broken... wear the brace, and if it doesn't improve in a few days, then return.  (2 days later the brace was left laying in a chair... don't think it is broken!)

CAPE TOWN A pleasant sight, a peaceful rest. A compressed holiday. An opportunity to fetch my wife from CT International Airport as she returns after a 3month visit to the US.

With the express instructions to "take it easy" while convalescing from my hernia operation, I utilized my German volunteers, Viola & Caroline, as drivers The favour of Almighty God produced a connection with my son over dinner at CT Fish Market, a supper and chat and prayers with my Mom, a long overdue supper and chat and prayers with my cousin Vourn and a wonderful time spent with a dear friend Sedrico from Scripture Union.

Early morning walks on Blouberg Beach stimulated intimate time with my Abba Daddy.


Playing tour guide we visited the infamous Brass Bell Restaurant when the whales revealed themselves, then on to Fish Hoek Beach - the location of a recent shark attack and Simons Town to hang with the Penguins ending with a visit to Rocklands campsite. Other points of interest included Table Mountain, Signal Hill and Camps Bay. A picnic on the beach in Hout Bay and shopping expeditions to Centuary City and Cavendish Square rounded off the experience.

The final highlight to the trip was to receive my first published work via Scripture Union.  A 90 day Young Leader's devotional;  a joint venture with a few other Christian Authors.

To this accomplishment I give God all the glory.


Wow!  God is good...
What a blast - CT rocks!!
Nathan

Arrival of more volunteers

With the arrival of Caroline and Viola, Barnabas now has two more girls to guard.

Sent to us from Germany YFC, Caroline (left) is volunteering for 9 months and Viola will be here for 4 months.

For their first weekend in Knysna, Nathan, Barnabas and Julie (UK Volunteer) took them to Buffalo Bay

Barnabas showed off when it was time to leave with the only trick up his sleeve a 'sit-in protest'!

We are looking forward to the many ways God wants to use Caroline and Viola as they serve with YFC Knysna!!

Washington-Oregon Coast trip

Realizing that I haven't seen my sister, Bonnie, yet this trip and my daughter Ciara (& husband Brian) having moved to Vancouver WA 1 week ago, I decided it was time to take a trip to the coast.  An unexpected blessing was the decision of my other sister, Debbie, to drive with me!

As Bonnie prepared supper, our conversation resulted in comparing bifocal prescriptions (trying on each other's to determine who's eyes are worse), frequency of hot flashes, and amount of gray hairs!  Wow... we are getting old!!  Debbie treated us to pedicures as birthday presents.  

Driving away, Debbie and I became conscience of the fact that this is the very first time that we have hung out as sisters only... without our kids with us! I have awesome sisters!!

After dropping Debbie off at Sea-Tac (she had to work the next day), I spent the evening at my best friend from Jr High, Linda Marburger (and her HS sweetheart hubby Randy).  Randy asked me, "So now that we are the age we are (50), most of us ask the question 'what do I want to do in my retirement?' What are you thinking about?"  My answer, "I'm already doing it!"  How awesome it is to be doing the thing I always wanted to do... full time ministry overseas!  I can't imagine doing anything else (except for spending time with my grandchildren on furlough!)... I am living the adventure!!

Next stop... Brookings Oregon to visit long time supporters Greg and Brenda Sandeno (picture to be posted soon).  Our conversation was filled with encouragement and spiritual refreshment! 

Never having been along the southern Oregon coast, I decided to be a tourist for a few hours, stopping at a little lighthouse (Coquille River) and walking a beach for seashells... which were non-existent!

Final stop... Vancouver WA to check out Ciara and Brian's new townhouse.  They have settled in nicely.  Ciara has a tough decision between two job offers at Veterinary clinics, nice to have the luxury of options in this economy, and another confirmation that God has sent them on this adventure!

Activities for Nathan and YFC-Knysna

Youth Alpha...
(an explanation from their website) 

"Youth Alpha is an evangelistic course that is being used by groups all around the world to help young people meet Jesus. Over 8, 9 or 10 weeks the course looks at topics from ‘Who is Jesus?’ and ‘Why did Jesus die?’ to ‘How & why should I read the Bible?’."

"It’s a more informal version of the Alpha course using the same teaching content but adapted in a way to better engage with teenagers. The course normally runs over ten weeks, plus a weekend or day away in the middle. Youth Alpha shares the same important elements as any Alpha course - food, worship, a talk, and small groups (except with a lot more fun and many more games!)."  Click on this link to see video http://vimeo.com/9854066 

Gathered from 5 churches in Knysna (August 18/19), a weekend of training by Nathan and Julie Murray (Int'l volunteer) prepared facilitators to share Jesus

GRADE 5 Assessment testing...

Intense day for grade 5 learners of 2 schools and Nathan as he facilitated the process over 2 days.

Starting with Numeracy test 45 minutes of writing then 20 minutes break and 45 minutes writing, then 20 minute break, then Literacy of 45 minutes written exam followed by 20 minutes break with a final 45 minutes of written exams.

Buyela...

Buyela! is a performing arts national ministry team of Youth for Christ South Africa.








Buyela! as a Zulu word, simply means “Return” and embodies YfCSA’s vision and focus as their drama's and dance encourage restoration of families and relationships through the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus Christ.  

Residing at our house while ministering in Knysna for 10 days was an adventure on it's own, as the first night with Nathan the geiser/water heater exploded all over the lower floor of the house and the water had to be shut off for a day! (Thankfully our awesome landlord was quick to get it replaced the next day - Go Mike!!)  

They were kept busy in Knysna as they visited Sinethemba, went to 2 soup kitchens, did an Assembly at Knysna Christian School, Visited 3 churches, performed & served at the Youth Alpha kick-off rally and had meals out at various homes (thanks to Ruben, Shaheida, Lois Gardener and many other friends of YFC Knysna).

Tragedy in Knysna

(The following email arrived at my in-box on Wednesday morning)

Good morning staff,

Our town was shocked this morning with a tragic bus accident whereby a number of school kids have been killed and/or drowned.

The accident happened just outside of Knysna in the early morning whereby a school bus transporting kids to Rheedendal (a settlement outside of town) left the road and crashed into a river.

The number of children killed not known yet (I don't want to speculate as

there is a lot of rumours doing the round and divers are still searching for

bodies)

All aid organisations are involved on many terrains and we have cancelled

all our schedules for the next few days to assist with counselling,

briefing, debriefing etc.

Please keep the family members who have given their young ones a 'good-buy'

kiss this morning and will never see them again in your prayers.  Also our

staff, volunteers and TEAM BUYELA  as they will be ministering to many broken families, friends and teachers the next few days.

(The next day was the following email)

It was a sad day yesterday to see so many traumatised parents, family and friends of the children rushed to the scene and hospital in search of their relatives.

Sobbing parents and family members were comforted by many pastors, social- and other aid workers and various bystanders as the news of deaths of the children were received.

Some of our Youth for Christ and Options staff and volunteers were debriefed this morning as they had to assist yesterday at the mortuary where families had to identify their precious lost children.

YFC staff and volunteers are back at the Rheenendal School and Community centre today to assist with the many other aid organisations comforting the grieved and shocked learners, their teachers and the families.

Many have asked how they could contribute.

We have opened our doors as a drop-off point for any aid (especially food) anyone want to donate.  Financial contributions could also be made into the YFC account.

Account details:

Jeug vir Christus

FNB

Account number 62291040641

Branch code 210214

Reference: "bus" (please add your email or cell number should you want a receipt)

Please keep on praying for the broken-hearted victims as counselling and caring for the friends and family will continue in the next days and weeks to come.

Youth Alpha Rally

Friday the 26th was the big day to rally excitement in students about "Youth Alpha"  following an emotionally exhausting 2 days of ministering to the students and families affected by the bus accident.  God provided energy to continue with the planned rally at the Vineyard Church.

by 6pm the tables were set

 and 30 staff ready for a fun-filled evening with youth from all over town. 

Buyela performed 2 dances in between video clips, Nathan's jokes, and giving away of awesome prizes (acquired by pounding the pavement and knocking of multiple business manager doors).  

Taking advantage of a teachable moment when supper was late, Nathan taught on God's faithfulness... the kids all shouted in praise as the 30 hot pizza arrived!

With a goal of 40 students to sign up for the Youth Alpha studies, 70 of the 90 in attendance committed to attend at their churches... God is on the move in the youth of Knysna and He won't be stopped.