Derek and Shea in SA

A conversation can show much more love and care than any amount of money.

Today shifted my world upside down when I started to realize the power of coming along side someone in need with weakness instead of strength. It was the difference of a hand out asking what will you give me to a hand to the plow asking how can I give.

We were a part of a support group today where Mama’s come to receive basic care from our friend Vava. At the beginning of the group they wondered why we were there and bluntly asked “What are you here to give us?”

We told them that we were there to offer a relationship and encouragement. To help them find the one true giver of life. We asked them what their biggest need was. As a group they decided that their community needed a clinic. The community is literally seeing young women and men die of HIV/Aids. It is running rampant in the village. Also, a lot of the mamas have high blood pressure and need basic care.

We engaged in a conversation.

We cast vision and gave them hope of a true community where each give a little for the greater good. We pitched the idea that they all give something to achieve the goal of a clinic with basic medicine and care giver for their community. One mama offered a building at her pre-school for the clinic to be held. Others offered to help fund the medicine. Vava (the woman who led us to the community) is a licensed care giver and offered to mentor and assist someone in the community to become the care giver for the clinic.

It was amazing to watch this all take place before our eyes. To watch an idea they had grow into a conversation and hopefully one day grow into a reality for their community.

We hope it can even grow into a place where care groups can happen for the people of the village to come. There the care giver could give them the gospel through discovery Bible studies and give them help for their physical needs as well.

It was amazing to be a part of that conversation and it gives us great hope for the future.

Today’s conversation makes me want to blow my vuvuzela (Even if I only have it as an iPhone app) that coming into a village in our weakness actually turns out to be a strength. To help them see a future that is brighter than the reality they live in today. They all have their heads down and can’t see any way out. The amazing things a conversation can do! The crazy hope I have for this country and the people in it!

World Cup Fever

Don’t ask…I just have World Cup fever and thought a SA colored mullet wig would help the fever…wrong…

Earlier today I tweeted…”Just finished our first discovery group in Bukwini. Kinda feels like getting on a bike for the first time. Shaky but excited for the future.”

This is so true! When I was a kid, I learned to ride my bike rather quickly. However, I remember there being a time where I was shaky even with the training wheels on. Riding downhill, even with the nerdy training wheels felt so scary. I felt insecure and unsure of how to make a turn going that fast or how I would stop if I was moving too quickly. Sooner or later it was no problem to turn and stop with the geek wheels on, so then it was time for me to be a big boy. To take off the little wheels next to me and go for it without them any longer. I decided my first try would be down the big hill in Judah park behind my house in Maryville, MO. My dad proudly took off the training wheels and puffed up his chest as I stood at the top of the hill for the first time ready to make my first move without the wheels. I was brave and went for about 5 feet and got scared and fell on my side. No damage done, just to my pride. I quickly got up and tried again. I sailed down the hill like it was nothing and never looked back. Later that week I think I even built my first ramp and started jumping my bike.

Our journey in South Africa can be tied to this example time and time again. Whether it be cultural experiences or spiritual ones. There is an obvious difference here on African soil, yet a glaring sameness. God is still God and he will get us through.

Today we launched our first Discovery Bible Study in Bukwini. We have a lot to learn, but we will stay faithful to where He has called us. We feel more confident now in the method than ever before. To make disciples just like Jesus did. To meet people where they are, just like Jesus did.

So we will continue, on our training wheels. Not knowing how to turn or stop. Not even knowing where to turn except to Him. We are confident that one day we will ride without the geek wheels down the hill and He will be guiding us as we go fast!

We drove into the Transkei last night and arrived in Mthatha around 5 o’clock. We met up with Bongile, a contact we knew through Rufus (www.HuntSA.com) and we went straight to his sister’s house in a village outside Mthatha. She has a nice portion of property with a main house and 1 rondoval that Shea and I stayed in. This morning we found out that we were the first white people to stay in her house and village. I felt very privileged to know this! Bongile’s mother lives on the property with his sister and she came to visit with us this morning. She was in awe and wondered why 2 white people from America would want to stay on this property in this village. She said she was thankful to God for us being there, and we assured her that we were just as thankful to God for her and their hospitality to us.

One of the most beautiful things about my day today was the fact that God was my only commonality Bongile from Mthatha. We are meeting, dreaming, and scheming about how the Gospel can spread like wild fire throughout his community and the surrounding villages.

He has a vast knowledge of the culture and the Transkei. Today we listed the different villages that he has direct access to, and the number blew me away. He knew someone from over 25 surrounding villages. This is a great access into a big portion of the Transkei. One of the surrounding villages he has access to is Bukwini! Most of you who may read this blog are familiar with this village because of the involvement of Shoal Creek with the Child Sponsorship Program for the orphans of the village. Tomorrow we (Me, Shea, and Bongile) are headed to Bukwini to try and start a Discovering God group. Pray for us as this is the first time that we are going to crack open the Bible and help the committee of the village discover God for themselves. To see our strategy check out www.cpmtr.org and www.discipleship.co.za.

It’s crazy how in one day we can go from feeling hopeless to having hope. There is so much to do here and we have to celebrate the small victories. Food was delivered to the orphans of Bukwini and there was great rejoicing. Lots of dancing and happy babies receiving their food parcels.

Check out the pics of the food drop!

Today was a day I won’t forget in all of my life. Today Shea and I experienced hopelessness like I have never experienced before. We experienced heartache that we haven’t experienced in a long time, if ever. We experienced something words can’t explain. I experienced Africa. What life is really like here.

We are currently in the Transkei with a couple from Montana who is here to do some film work for the ministry and make videos to send back to America and anywhere else to help raise awareness of what is going on here.

We went to a school today that was full of orphans who borrow clothes from other kids and who literally only eat the soup that Oceans of Mercy supplies. The kids expressed their thankfulness to the American donors and were very happy to see us. The principal of the school introduced us to an orphan who doesn’t even have a care taker. His parents have passed away from AIDS and have left him all alone.

Doesn’t even have anyone to go home to at night. He was in sixth grade.

She asked the student to stand in front of the class so we could see that he didn’t have clothes that were worth wearing. Our intentions were to just say hi and film the soup club. Those intentions only went so far because somewhere there was a communication breakdown and the school thought we were there with lots of funding to help their school and possibly all of the kids. If I could’ve bought all of the kids who had shabby clothes on new clothes, I would’ve on the spot. So the story goes on with her making it public that this child in particular was an orphan with no one to go home to at night and borrowed the clothes he had on. There were holes in his shoes and he was wearing a winter coat to cover the shirt underneath. Her intentions were good as well as she was trying to get this child taken care of. After the child sat back down he had tears streaming down his face. Tears of pain, lonliness, and heartache that I can’t even begin to understand.

My heart broke. I wanted to freak out. I feel like I can’t shake the look in his eyes.

After the class was over, Shea and I pulled the child aside in private and told him that we loved him and that we wanted to help him out. That we would make sure that he had shoes and clothes that were worth wearing. My heart is still broken. We still lay in bed crying and praying for him as he lays in a hut with no one.

I feel a bit hopeless and really helpless. I feel guilty for the things I have. I feel like screaming at God and getting really mad. I want to ask why this child? I know we can’t save Africa even though I wish we could. I know we can’t see change happen overnight, but I wish we could. I know that change can’t happen here without leaders. I know now more than ever why we are here. I know that this blog and this ministry is not about Derek and Shea.

I know that change can’t happen in Africa without Christ-centered leaders.

I know that the people here need the hope of a Savior. The only Savior, Father, and Friend that can save us, Jesus.

In our short time here I’ve seen that the native people are the only ones who can make that change. I’ve also seen that our role is to help and guide them. To give them someone to talk to and walk hand in hand with.

Today is over and tomorrow is a new day. Please pray for this child and many, many more like this one.

Today was a beautiful South African day that started at 5:30 AM. Shea and I got up and headed to Grahamstown to pick up Rufus and head to Keiskammahoek to visit a ministry located there in the Ciskei. The ocean held the fog close as we drove through the mountains and trees on our way.

After a 2-3 hour drive, we were greeted by a couple in their mid sixties. Their names were Brian and Jeri Du Plessis. They could be the bravest people I have met in South Africa, besides Rufus and Almarie of course.

We pulled up to this farm with 3 building structures, 2 veggie gardens, 1 paprika garden and some other plant that I can’t remember the name of because it was used to make some sort of essential oil. I thought that was amazing until I found out their hearts and how their ministry came to fruition!

They got saved late in their life, about 12 years ago and felt like God called them straight into missionary work. At the time, they lived in Johannesburg which is way far away from the Ciskei. They literally took a camper and moved into the neighborhood. Now you have to remember that these were 2 brand new Christians. They said it was beautiful because they hadn’t read any books on how to do ministry, they literally relied on a move of God. On top of that they gave up so many worldly possessions to get to this place. They gave up a 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 3 car garage house, with a pool and Brian took an early retirement at 55…no pension. They were sold out to God and His mission! They stressed that it wasn’t easy to do this, but they talked about it all as if it was easy as pie.

So in their time of living amongst the people, God began to reveal to them that they couldn’t just do ministry and preach to people without giving them something to fill their bellies. He began to open doors and they didn’t look back.

So they got into some practical ways of doing things. They began farming and offering job opportunities for the village workers. At this present day, they now employ 1000 workers from the local villiages surrounding them. In Keiskammahoek, there are something like 45 surrounding villages, and they employ workers from 32 of these villages. The coolest part about what they do is that they work in villages and let the village commitee’s pick the workers that will work on the farm with them. There is OWNERSHIP from the villages.

Speaking of ownership, the workers were gleaming as we toured their farm, and farms in the surrounding villages today. They couldn’t wait to tell us of what they had accomplished.

The supervisors of these workers also come from the villages. The supervisors are all Christian people. Not all of the workers are at this point. The supervisors, and Brian and Jeri are all mentors to the workers. They do CPM (Church Planting Movement) Bible studies with the workers.

It was such a cool moment to see practicality mixed with the Gospel. They are truly teaching indegenous leaders how to support themselves and spread the Gospel in the Ciskei, and surrounding areas!

I feel like I could tell so many “Brian and Jeri” stories, but this blog post would go on for days! The experience was truly unforgettable and the relationship that we have started with them will definitely be one that is cherished. I count it as a true inspiration for me and my life. How selfless to give up everything for the sake of infecting people with the Gospel. They didn’t care about life stage or anything else. All they cared about was God’s voice.

He spoke and they moved. Took action. I pray that I can be like Brian and Jeri.

Well, it’s been a month since I updated this thing. I always say I’m going to do better about blogging, and then it keeps getting pushed off because of how busy we are.

No excuses though.

A lot has happened in this last month of us starting at the Training Center.

We have begun doing the 7 Journeys Bible study with the students. Most of you know how impactful that study was for you in your life, and we are seeing some of the same results here as well. It has been crazy to see the difference of moving the desks away and putting their chairs in a circle so they can talk face to face. We sit and read together for 20-30 minutes and then talk about what the scripture means in their own life and how they can practically apply it. This has also opened up the door for them to learn how they can connect with God when they leave the school.

We’ve heard the students say things like “This is what Jesus did with his disciples…” and “I think this is something I could do in my village…”

The other day we really started getting below the surface in their lives. They started sharing stories of how their families will make them choose between family and Christ. They can either participate in animal sacrifice, ancestral worship, and everything that goes along with that OR they can choose Christ. If they choose Christ, then they will be written off from the family.

It’s in these moments that I think “I have no clue what I’m doing…”  “Why did God pick ME to be here?”

The truth of the matter is that I don’t have all of the answers. But I am there to listen and encourage. I am there to just be there and share in their struggle.

Most of our students have left for home because of Easter break. Please pray for them as most of them are going into difficult situations. Situations that would bring most of us to our knees. Pray for their strength and commitment.

We have finished our first day at the Training Center in Grahamstown! It was so exciting to finally be where we feel like God has called us to.

When we got there today it was very encouraging to find the students working in a garden that they are trying to start. They’ve got 4 tomato plants and some spinach planted as well. It was really encouraging  because part of the idea is to develop leaders who can be self-sustaining! To develop true disciples of Christ who can stand on their own two feet and essentially support themselves.

This week at the Training Center is called “practical week.” We are teaching them how to take care of things on the property so that they can learn to take care of themselves in the same way.

This week we will get to see some teaching sessions as well. The students are working around the heat because it has been getting so hot here the past few days. So tomorrow, we will get to see some of the teaching that is going on in the center as well.

We hung out with Peniel and Veera (teachers) all day and got to hear their heart for the center. We also got to spend some time talking practically about how things are ran on a day to day basis. This was nice because we feel like we are a part now…feel like we are in the loop somewhat. It is going to be huge for Shea and I to be here just to relieve them for a bit. Peniel told us today that just our presence here eases their stress and tension. This is because they have been doing a lot on their own. So we are just excited to free them up a bit.

Before we left for the day, we got to share with the students why we came and who we are here for. We shared our hearts about mentorship and that we believe they need someone to talk to. We offered ourselves to them to freely talk to us about any and everything. It felt really good just to share our hearts and tell them that we have a huge army of people back in the US that were praying for them. They were all soooo excited to hear about this and they shared some of the vision that they have for their lives because of the Training Center and what it has meant to their lives.

Day #2 is tomorrow and Shea and I feel fired up to go back. It is so good just to finally be in this place!

We arrived back in Grahamstown on Thursday evening and took Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to relax.

It has been nice to relax and get our minds ready, or as ready as possible, for what we came here to do. It’s almost the same sense you have before you get married, or possibly before you have your first child…I wouldn’t know what the second part of that is like…yet.

Before Shea and I got married, we read a book called “Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts.” We met with Roy, the pastor of our church, and did as much as we could to get ourselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually ready for the transition we were about to make. But nothing seemed to make us feel like we 100% knew what we were doing. This feels somewhat the same. We’ve read books, training manuals, researched the web, and have been on our knees before God. I think we’re probably as ready as we’ll ever be, but there is still something that feels like there is no way you can ever 100% prepare yourself for this type of work.

For the stories we’ll hear and be a part of…

For the lives we’ll see change…for the good, and possibly the not-so-good…

For the students who will take their commitment with Jesus seriously…

For the students who might not…

Whatever happens in the time we are here, I know we were called here. For this time and for a purpose! Please pray for and with us. Please pray for transformation in the students lives.

Hello everyone!

We haven’t blogged in awhile because of poor internet connection at the JAM camp where we’re staying, but we leave here at the end of this week and will get more updates soon.

We plan on doing video updates as well. We will shoot for 1 a week, but it may be more like 1 every 2 weeks. Check out our first one by clicking the link below!

Update From South Africa