2 things
The text from this post comes from an update I put on "The City" which we use at Shoal Creek. You can check out the post here.
Two things that I figured you all would be interested in!
1. Business Leaders Meeting:
We met on Friday night in Richard’s Bay (3 hours North of Margate) with a group of Business Leaders. This group came together around the idea that they would be creating funding necessary to move Church Planters around in northern KwaZulu-Natal Province. They will also be helping to mobilize leaders through training and coaching when necessary. One of the main things that they will be doing is helping to create ministry opportunity for Church Planter’s through HIV/AIDS training. Mercy Alliance has been able to offer project based funding alongside the TAN Foundation and local Business Leaders to get the Business Leader hub off the ground. As a SA team, we are looking at starting 5 total hubs of Business Leaders who have the same heart throughout the country. It was cool to see some local initiative to fund the work that is beginning to happen! They still have a bit to raise, but I don’t think it will be hard as there’s not much left to go for their start-up budget.
2. KZN Coalition:
On Saturday, we met with 20 representatives from different ministries throughout KwaZulu-Natal Province. It was a great time to hear some stories of what God is up to and where He is working. For us, it is great to see so many people getting on board and working to make this thing happen. It takes a lot of people to make a movement happen! We look forward to contributing to the coalition by helping in the way of Curricula Design and Mapping as we all work together to create disciples of Jesus in SA!
South Coast CPM
The text below is from a post that I put on "The City" through Shoal Creek. Here is the link if you are interested in checking it out on The City.
We’ve been given access through an organization called World Changers to do a follow up course alongside of their teachers. This means that we go with the teacher (who we’re mentoring in CPM) to find people of peace. This is a huge breakthrough as it gives us access to close to 1000 people who live in the South Coast region of South Africa.
World Changers targets the unemployed population in local rural/township areas. They give them a 4 week ‘Life Skills’ training to help them find work and change the way they see their current situation. They’ve had great success within the program, but are looking to plant the Gospel alongside what they currently do. If what we are doing on the South Coast turns out to be successful, we could see other parts of KwaZulu Natal Province affected by this type of POP finding/Gospel planting begin to happen.
Please pray for 2 potential POP in a rural area called Bhoboyi. They have started going through a discovery process and God has really opened up a lot for them through the scriptures. The other day one said, “Wow, Jesus will be with me until the end of the age? For me that means that I should start to realize that he is there all the time…not just when I’m down or think I need him most.”
I couldn’t have done it without you, but I also can’t do it with you
Things have been super busy here in South Africa. We've been moving around a little less...meaning a little less driving long distances, but more short distances. We've been building a strong relationship with a group of people in an area very close to us...only 15 minutes away! This has been a huge success for us and the relationship is proving to be one that we feel led to invest in very strongly. It is a group of younger people who are passionate about reaching their community, KwaNzimakwe.
Most of them have come together through a program led by the team there called 'Life Skills.' This is a program that targets the unemployed portion of urban/rural communities along the eastern coast of SA. It gives them more skills, helps them develop a vision, and uplifts the community that they live in through challenging the students to action. It has had amazing results in the Durban area and here along the South Coast where we live.
Along with that team, we've been opened up to relationship with approximately 1000 people who've been through Life Skills along the South Coast. This is a huge opportunity for us to begin looking for People of Peace! People who will open up the community to us and be an entrance for the Gospel to change the community. When I say this gives 'us' the opportunity, I'm referring to more than just Shea and I. We've been facilitating discovery for the KwaNzimakwe team to begin looking for People of Peace to start some Discovery Groups.
Last week we saw some of our very first generational growth when a group of leaders went out and led their own Discovery Groups! This is a huge win!
Yesterday when I was driving through town, I had a thought that I couldn't shake. I've been trying to come up with a 'mantra' for our time here being catalytic in movement of making disciples. I finally came up with it and I like it quite a bit!
When I leave SA, I want people to say to me, "I couldn't have done it without you, but I also can't do it with you." This sounds weird right?! Shea and I are here to EQUIP people with a process through facilitating discovery...a process that we believe has the potential to transform communities from the inside out, but we can't DO that process. This also eludes to the fact that they will continue to do it long after we're gone. That process looks different in every community all over the world where it is being done. The leaders in the communities that we work in have to own the process...and even more than that, it has to become more than a process, but needs to be a way of life! When this happens, they adjust it to their context and culture. We're not here to impose Western Culture or Western Christianity.
This group of people has been doing an amazing job and we couldn't be more happy about what God is doing! Please keep praying with us as we continue to go where He leads!
defining people of peace
Headed to Durban today to meet with a team that longs to bring healing and transformation to South Africa through discipleship and excited about how we may be able to add strength to their efforts.
We are also meeting and speaking with a small church mostly made up of brand new Christians who are longing to carry His message into where they do life. We are really excited to have the opportunity to work alongside of them and invest into their lives.
Found such encouragement through Him and His word this morning...
"13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us." Acts 16:13-15
"30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household." Acts 16:30-34
Just a little reminder that He is at work in the hearts and lives of those around me. Trusting Him to lead us to these kind of people, these 'people of peace' people who are open to discovering who He is, and eager for their families and friends and neighbors to do the same.
Praying for existing teams and individuals we are working with...Mr. Vumile, Ms. Vava, Mr. Bongile, Mr. Derrick... that they would be provided opportunity for relationships like these...that families and entire villages and communities would be transformed from the inside out.
Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho off to Qumbu we go
Today we are driving through Transkei to Mr. Vumile's home town (or should I say Village) of Qumbu. He has invited us along with our friend & partner Raymond to come train his simple house church of about 15 people in CPM principals. We are so very excited to provide the support and tools for Mr. Vumile to lead his community in reaching those that are far from Christ within their village and to be the church body within their rural African community.
God has begun doing some exciting things within this area. We see a team of African leaders developing around Umthatha, all who have a passion for bringing their friends and neighbors into a life-transforming relationship with Him. It's beautiful-each of them have their own contribution to communities that also provide them access to other influencial leaders in these areas.
As we go this week we are praying:
-for clear communication and open receptive hearts and minds for the folks we are going to build relationship with and train
-we are thanking God for the team of African leaders He has begun constructing in the Eastern Cape and praying for their unity and relationships this week as they spend a bit of time together connecting with Him and finding ways of reaching their communities together
This way to Zulu Land
We are spending this week in Zulu Land with new friend and partner Mr. Derrick-what a name, huh?
We met Derrick at a leadership conference earlier this month and his passion for his community is evident from the moment you meet him. He is easily excitable and has a beautiful grasp of vision mixed with hope for the area in which he lives. Mr. Derrick has started a handful of Discovery Groups in the last month and is eager to see more of his friends and neighbors begin the journey of discovering who God is...
We're headed about 3.5 hours north of us to see what he has going and offer to serve him and his team in any way we can.
Won't you spend a little time this week joining us in praying for Derrick and his team there, for his friends, neighbors and community....
This week we are praying for:
-eyes for specific needs within the community that may uplift the community and provide opportunity for relationship between Mr. Derrick and his team and other community leaders and/or people of influence that are open to discovering who God is
-our relationship with Mr. Derrick and his family and team, that we might have hearts that serve them in a way that sharpens, strengthens and adds value to their team
-as always, a community with a growing hunger and desire to know God...really know Him, in a way that changes the way people think and live
We are incredibly privileged to be here-to see, smell and taste what God is doing in the hearts and lives of the people here, thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement.
Spend a Summer in South Africa
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runnin runnin run runnin runnin
It has really been a long time since I've written on this thing...actually it's been just over 3 months...wow I didn't realize how long it really had been.
A lot has happened since I last updated. So much in our life has changed and we've learned even more.
All of you know by now that we have been doing so much traveling as we have changed the vehicle for making leaders to going to where the people live instead of having them come to us at a central location. We've seen some amazing things begin to happen since we've made the switch!
I've started jogging here lately, and for those of you who know me you know this is like me to get hooked on a new hobby for awhile and then quickly put it down. Running has been different for me though...so far. I've learned that it helps me refocus, get out extra energy, and get rid of my man-boobs. Just kidding I don't have man-boobs that would make me a disgrace. I just turned 26 and that means I am on the downhill slide to 30. I don't want to get to 30 and look back and wish I had jogged because I look in the mirror and now see my disgraceful man-boobs.
Anyways, when I first started jogging, I was using an old pair of Nike's that I brought over with us. They were a bit small and weren't a comfortable ride. When I would finish my run for the day, I would have blisters and my feet would be sore. I finally broke down and bought a new pair of New Balance running shoes. I hated doing this because it meant I would have to spend my birthday money. In the end, now when I run I don't get blisters and my feet feel perfect. The shoe that I now wear helps me to be most effective.
This is basically in a nut shell what has happened since we've gotten here. Since we have started to go and to make disciples, we have felt like the shoe fits perfectly. We have seen what it looks like for people to read God's word and obey what he is saying to them. We have seen what it looks like for someone to be infected by the Gospel and want to change the community that they live in. We have seen the power of putting the word in the hands of ordinary people just like you and me.
It hasn't been an easy journey since we've arrived. Things that we thought we'd be doing are now an afterthought. The main thing we came to do, raise leaders, hasn't changed though. The only thing that's changed is the shoe. This shoe allows our impact in our time here to be deeper and wider than we ever dreamed.
One reason that I believe I need to start blogging again #1 is so you can join us in our journey and #2 so that you can be praying for us and the people we work with. This is the biggest key to developing a movement of people actively seeking Him and His ways.
We are moving to Keiskammahoek (QoboQobo) until the end of the year. We will be living in this area continuing some work that has been started there. Our partners David Broodryk, Greg Eland, and Raymond Murisa have done previous trainings and we have came alongside Raymond to assist with mentorship in the Keiskammahoek valley. We feel that it is key to be there to fan the flame that has begun to grow. We are more than excited to come alongside Brian and Jeri DuPlessis as their work in that valley has existed for the past 12 years. Please join us in prayer as we move into the valley. This will be an experience we will never forget as we will live more of a true African lifestyle! Along with that, we will experience things we have never experienced regarding witchcraft and the likes. Our twitter account (@DerekandSheaSA) will be used to update you more frequently so you know exactly how you can pray for us.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us this far and please join hands with us in prayer as we walk out in faith like never before!
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