SNAPshot a day: funeral traditions

Today, we went with friends to go visit their father who recently lost his wife.

Some traditions I've observed surrounding death:

1. Someone sits on a mattress in a room from the time of death till the time of burial which can easily be over a week. Not allowed to leave except to use the toilet.

2. A candle sits beside the bed and must be lit at all times for the spirit of the person.

3. The night before the funeral there is an all night vigil with singing and praying. The body is brought into the room for the night.

4. Most people are part of a burial society where people must come and give money to you upon someone's death.

5. Family must go through a mourning process for a month after the death. This usually includes wearing clothing that signifies that one is mourning.

6. Everyone is invited to the funeral.

SNAPshot a day: leaders

It always gets me excited to see my fellow believers in Christ preaching the Word. Pray for God to call men to lead the churches in Snake Park, Dobsonville and Lehae.

Zakhele preaching from James 4

SNAPshot a day: soccer saturdays

We went out to play soccer with some kids in Dobsonville where Zach is currently ministering. The kids went through drills and then played a game with a Bible story at halftime. I decided to hang around on the sidelines and play with the smaller children.

Zanele is known for being a handful but we have had a breakthrough in our relationship and are now the best of friends. Love her!

We handed out little flyers with information about Dobsonville Baptist Church and told the boys to give them to their parents. Praise God that on the way home Zach received a phone call from a mother of one of these children!

Pray that these boys and their families would understand of God's love for them and put their faith in Him.

SNAPshot a day: guitar

Guitar Lessons

SNAPshot a day: raise up a child

In discipleship we are currently studying women of the Bible. It has been great learning from these women of the faith and being able to relate to situations they faced. This week we discussed the birth mother of Moses and his adoptive mother, the Pharaoh's daughter. Some of the discussion led to child rearing... Stephanie, Lori and I do not have children but we can share truths from the Bible regardless. I shared the verse Proverbs 22:16 which speaks about raising up a child in the way he should go and that when he is older he will not depart from it. This verse speaks to me because it is true within my own life. My parents raised me up in the way I should go and I walked away from God for a time but returned to what I knew was the truth.

It was awesome to hear Sibongile say that she wanted her son, Kabelo, to grow up to be a God fearing man. And Thembane said that she didn't want her daugther, Koki, to make the same mistakes that she did. Amen!!

Pray for Sibongile and Thembane as they raise their children up in the Lord.

SNAPshot a day: new friends

Making new friends.

SNAPshot a day: welcome hands on

Finally here to stay for 4 months :)

SNAPshot a day: girls club

I'm so excited that school is back in session after a month long holiday!! I am now in the process of contacting the 3 schools Lori, Stephanie and I will be working in doing Girls Club. No surprise... it has been difficult.

Thulani Secondary: (1) Went by but the principal was not there. Left a letter. (2) Called and made an appointment. (3) Came for appointment and principal was busy so he sent me to talk with another lady. This lady is going to offer Girls Club to the grade 8 and grade 9 girls and get a list of who is interested. Next step, come back on Friday to retrieve list.

Side note: I'm excited about working at this high school because I know many of the grade 9 girls from 2 years ago doing Girls Club at 3 primary schools in the area. Pray for me to be able to grow deeper in these already established relationships.

Hector Pieterson Primary: (1) I already have an invitation to continue Girls Club for the 3rd year! Next step, call and confirm.

Dr. Mary Primary: (1) Dropped in and no principal. (2) Phoned and left message with secretary who said principal would call back. (3) Called again and set up appointment for this week. Next step, meet with principal.

Pray that Stephanie, Lori and I will be able to begin next week with Girls Club. Pray teachers and principals who are helping will make this a priority and realize the value Girls Club can be for these girls. Pray for us as we prepare and make plans for what we will be teaching and doing.

We don't have much time... only 4 months... and some of that time will be holiday breaks and school events that prevent us from coming. That means we have at most 12 weeks to make an impact for Christ in these girls' lives!

SNAPshot a day: church location

Lehae Baptist Church

Faith Baptist Church

Dobsonville Baptist Church

All the churches that we are currently working with meet at schools for Sunday worship services. The monthly fee can be expensive for the use of school facilities therefore we have been through different avenues trying to find a plot of land but to no avail. We always hear the same answer... that there is no land available for a church.

Please pray that each of these churches would be able to find a plot of land to place an izozo (shack). Pray for members to "continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel" (Col 1:23).

SNAPshot a day: babysitting

Tonight I watched two different families' children so they could enjoy a dinner out with some Americans. A team of International World Changers leaders from America came to set up plans for a future mission trip to Soweto this summer (winter in SA).

We had the pleasure of having a team of 50 highschool/college aged kids come to SA during the World Cup to work. Another team of 100 will be returning this year to minister in Soweto again. Unfortunately, I will not be here this time!

Babysitting. Love it. Love children.

The hat is to mask the identity of this child for security purposes :)