By Tony Stewart
WFC Southern Africa Director

On the 8th of October, the day dawned for World for Christ’s first ever fundraiser: a kite flying event for Abaphumeleli Place of Safety in Khayelitsha at Rendevouz, Zandvlei.

Once at Zandvlei, there was a hive of activity where jumping castles were being put up, sound systems blaring away, and the lovely smell of food to tickle the taste buds. But the most important ingredient for this whole event were the children from Abaphumeleli. When they arrived, they immediately started running around and loving the freedom after been cooped in a small home and began playing WWE-style wrestling in the jumping castle. Then, what we all had been waiting for, the wind , which Cape Town is known for, finally arrived and with great excitement and shouts of glee the kites were put together. In no time the sky was a sea of colour and different shapes and sizes. It is also amazing to see what a kite can do to an adult as they were having just as much fun as the kids.

People mingled around, chatted, ate, laughed, and played with the children. There was a lucky draw with great prizes won and everyone was having so much fun. The children then entertained us with an amazing dance which ended up having most of us dancing as well. The joy and smiles on the faces of the children was worth more than any money raised on the day.

And like all good things, the day unfortunately had to come to an end. The place was cleaned up and as the children were taken back home, they fell asleep in the vehicles from exhaustion. Even Evelyn, the amazing lady who looks after all these children, started to doze off. Truly a great fun day was had by all.

All proceeds that were made went directly to Abaphumeleli to provide new flooring for their kitchen and living room that was badly damaged. It is a great honour to be able to partner with these children and show them that God loves them and that He has a purpose for their lives and to give them a hope for their future.

This event would not have been a success had it not been for the hard work and dedication put in by Ronel Prinsloo, our Marketing and Event Coordinator, who worked tirelessly to ensure that all went well. It was an amazing event and thanks to all who sponsored, supported and prayed for the event. It was really and truly appreciated.

Here’s looking forward to the next exciting myCapeTown event as we continue to make a difference in our community!
 

Pray for India

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Upcoming World for Christ Events
Come be a part of what's happening!

:: 7 August 2011, 10 am - Greg Owens at Real Life Church, Cincinnati, Ohio  513.741.1428

:: 21 August 2011, 6 pm - Greg Owens at Tylersville Worship Center, Hamilton, OH  513.863.6029

:: 3 September 2011 - myCapeTown Event, Fundraiser for Abaphumeleli Orphanage, Zandvlei, South Africa

:: 24 September 2011 - myCapeTown Event, Khayelitsha Assembly of God, Khayelitsha, South Africa

:: 8 - 23 December 2011 - WFC Mission Trip to Mongu, Zambia

Schedule Greg Owens to come and inspire your church, youth group or organization by contacting him at 615.823.3927 or click here to email him.

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Linking Africa and America
Expanding the work of World for Christ

In April 2011, Sarah, Abby and I moved back to the United States.  We are living in the Cincinnati, Ohio area and are enjoying spending time with our families, which live only 20 minutes apart from each other.

I am working full-time with World for Christ, expanding this ministry in the States by speaking at churches and youth groups sharing about our time in South Africa as well as inspiring people to get involved in missions.  I am also working with our WFC team in South Africa as they continue the work that was started there.  They are doing an excellent job!  Sarah is staying home raising Abby and is really enjoying watching her grow up. 

Please keep us, and World for Christ, in your prayers as we seek the Lord's guidance for what He will have us do and where He will have us go.

If you would like to schedule a trip to Cape Town, South Africa or support the ministry there, please contact me at 615.823.3927 or email me.

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Read the article:

Help for the Homeless
myCapeTown Event :: U-Turn :: Report Back

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How Does A Pastor Make Time for Evangelism?

In the midst of sermon preparation, preaching, counseling parishioners, dinners with first-time Evangelism cartoon visitors to the church, weddings, funerals, board meetings, committee meetings, returning phone calls and emails, going to your children's sporting events, spending time with your spouse and practicing your hobby, amongst many other responsibilities, a pastor's time is very precious.

Unfortunately, we as ministers find it hard to make time for the most important aspect of our ministry: evangelism. There is no greater reward then leading someone who has experienced the love of Christ for the first time in a salvation prayer. We know that evangelism is important and that it is something that is commanded of us, but for some reason we find it difficult to make it a priority in our life and our church.

In this three minute video, Jeff Vanderstelt, Vice President of Acts 29 Network and Lead Pastor at Soma Communities in Tacoma, WA, gives some great, practical advice on how to incorporate evangelism into our daily routine.

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Tears of the Saints
Having God's Heart for the Unreached

The task of reaching those who have never heard the Gospel before is far from over. I pray that this video will fan the flame of missions in your heart and compel you share Jesus' love to those who don't know Him as well as open your eyes to the bigger picture of the task that is before us. And may the tears you shed for those that are lost water the soil of their hearts in preparation for the Gospel that will be sown in their lives.

Tears of the Saints from AsiaLink HistoryMaker on Vimeo.

By Tony Stewart
Southern Africa Missions Director
 

On Saturday 9 July 2011, World for Christ had the privilege of sponsoring our next myCapeTown Event to an outstanding ministry called U-Turn, an organisation that works with homeless and street people.  We came to help feed the individuals, talk with them and to share the love of Jesus.  We brought a team of six people and it was well received by all.

On arrival we were given an overall idea about the ministry from Sean and Randall, full time workers for U-Turn.  We learnt of the history of U-Turn which was very informative and an eye-opener into the homeless community.  We also saw that having a soup kitchen is only a very small part of what they are about.  They have 3 phases to their work:

1. Contact
2. Rehabilitation
3. Reintegration

Many people think that giving small change at a robot (traffic light) or street corner helps, but this is not the case.  One of U-Turn's sayings is "Small change is no change".  One can rather assist by buying a pack of five U-Turn vouchers for R20 ($3.25USD) at various places in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town.  This voucher entitles homeless individuals to a meal or some clothing.  But the larger point in this is that they have to go to the U-Turn facility to redeem the voucher and this puts them in contact with the team at U-Turn.  In order for them to receive the benefits offered by U-Turn, they have to join a program of rehabilitation and reintegration.  You can read more about their broad-based process they take the homeless through on their website www.homeless.org.za.

After hearing about how U-Turn operates, we started setting up and preparing breakfast and setting the tables and as we were doing so, so our guests started arriving. There were 15 homeless people that arrived. This is not done haphazardly.  They were given invites to attend and they do not just allow anyone to attend as it is a process that needs to be followed. When they had all arrived, we mingled with them and served them coffee and chocolates, which they enjoyed in addition to the fellowship. We gave them bacon and egg rolls, which they thoroughly enjoyed. We all then spent time talking and listening to their many stories they have to tell, of which there are many, some short and some very long. Sean shared from the word of God.  After he finished, we then handed out sandwiches and fruit to all the people as the left, with lots of hugs and tears, leaving us changed and with a lot to think about.

One young man, who was 21 years old, has been on the street for seven years already.  He lost his parents at an early age and went from children's home to children's home.  After failing grade nine, he started living on the streets and has never had employment.  All he wants to do is work. But at U-Turn you will find out that there is normally something more that needs to be dealt with than just being homeless, usually an addiction or condition.

This where the full time staff step come in and help.  Their program or re-integration process is of a minimum of eight months, sometimes longer. U-Turn offers them small jobs where they can earn some money to keep them going.  They also try to get accommodation for them which they “pay for” with the money earned from working.  These jobs include rolling yarn, earning R2 ($0.30USD) a roll, and there is also a second hand store to work at as well. U-Turn has a very strict policy that must be adhered to, as they have become very ”streetwise” and this is also part of the learning process.

We will definitely follow up and keep in contact with this wonderful ministry as there is a lot we can learn from the lives of these people that touched our lives.

Well done to Leigh Newton for organizing this amazing event.  We are looking forward to the other myCapeTown events that lie ahead.
 

From December 8-23, we will be taking 18 young people from Cape Town, South Africa on our next mission trip to Mongu, Zambia. After driving three days to our destination, we will work with Paul & Marinette Van Coller and support their amazing organization, The Zambia Project. We are so excited about this opportunity to serve the community of Mongu and we are in need of your prayer support as we go into the surrounding villages sharing the love of God.

Would you also support us by giving a financial donation toward this trip? Your gift will allow us to cover the many extra expenses that have unexpectedly come about in reaching this remote area in addition to supporting the work of The Zambia Project. Every donation is greatly appreciated!

Click the 'Donate' button to the right to give via our website or follow the giving instructions below. Thank you so much for your prayer and financial contributions.  We couldn't do this without your support!

Giving Instructions

USA Mailing Address: 

Mail your check made out to 'World for Christ Ministries' to: 

5519 Ridgeview Circle
Stockton, CA 95219

615.823.3927

South Africa Banking Details

Acct. Name: World for Christ Ministries

Bank: First National Bank

Acct. #: 62280830673

Branch Code: 200409

Branch Name: Tokai

Acct. Type: Current Account

What fun our last myCapeTown event was! Around 35 kids from Abaphumeleli Place of Safety in Khayelitsha joined us for a fun day at Zandvlei park on 5 March 2011. The kids arrived looking rather timid and shy…that didn’t last long! Once the jumping castle was spotted, the kids got running and jumping! Jungle gyms were climbed, castles jumped, soccer balls kicked and tables were coloured in (the colouring pages seemed to be ignored!).

By 12 pm the kids were exhausted and were all sitting along the vlei (water) edge regaining their energy. After some boerewors rolls (South African meat similar to sausage), juice and some sweets they got right back to having fun! What a wonderful day it turned out to be. At three o’clock the children were taken back home with their tummies full, bodies tired and having had a day they will most likely never forget!

Thanks to all who came out to help!

Leigh Newton, myCapeTown Coordinator
Cape Town, South Africa

Lesotho 2010 Missions Trip from World for Christ Ministries on Vimeo.

We sponsored our first missions trip to Lesotho in December 2010 and had a wonderful time. We want to share our experience with you.

Our second myCapeTown Event was held at Sibongile Day & Night Care Centre in Khayelitsha, on of the impoverished townships in Cape Town, South Africa.  Sibongile is a diamond in the ruff.  They give excellent around-the-clock care to 24 children with cerebral palsy and it was started in 2005 by Nomasongo Xabanisa.

Nomasongo asked Greg if World for Christ could help paint one of their houses and we agreed without any hesitation.  We got the help of members from The People's Church in Constantia along with Khayelitsha Assembly of God and together we were able to give their house a fresh look.

It's an honour to have a continuing relationship with Nomasongo and Sibongile.  This is a phenomenal organization and we look forward to partnering with them on a long-term basis.

To find out more information about Sibongile, go to www.sibongile.org and watch the video below.

Lesotho 2010 Missions Trip from World for Christ Ministries on Vimeo.

To view all of our pictures from the trip, click here.

LESOTHO TESTIMONY

Charmaine is a 16 year old high school student that went on our December 2010 Lesotho mission trip.  Below she shares about her experience:

“The Lesotho trip was such an awesome and humbling experience. God was with us every step of the way.  He shone his light for us, through us and with us. Never did he let us down!!

The trip changed my heart so much.  It taught me a lot of valuable lessons such as looking into people’s heart and not their outward appearance, appreciating what I have in my life, as well as teaching me to be flexible and adapt to all kinds of situations.

Serving God in Lesotho was awesome!  The people of Lesotho were so hungry for God’s love.  I will never forget the children and how they just loved us no matter what we looked like. I really enjoyed spending time with them and teaching them God’s word and ways through the holiday clubs (children’s ministry similar to Vacation Bible School)!  I will never forget those children and the bonds I made with them.  They will always be in my heart!

I served with a group of amazing people and I am so glad to have had this experience. The memories we made will never be forgotten! God brought us through a lot of things together and he has been so good to us.

All I can say is I am hooked on mission trips and hope to do more in my life!  I love Lesotho and miss it a lot!”

REPORT BACK

“Many people come and bless us with things, but your group brought us Jesus.”

Jill Kinsey, founder and director of the Pulane Children’s Home, shared this with our Lesotho mission team, where we went and ministered 6-15 December 2010. This was the first missions trip sponsored by World for Christ Ministries and it was an absolute success, as shown by this wonderful compliment.

We took a team of twelve people, including nine high school and college age students, and went to the rural village of Pulane (poo-LAWN-ee) in the country of Lesotho (leh-SOO-too).   Once in Lesotho, it took us 4 hours to travel 30 miles (50 km) in our 4x4 trucks to Pulane because of the road conditions.  It was worth every minute! Travelling over and around the magnificent mountains that Lesotho is known for, we entered this simple farming community that has no electricity or indoor plumbing.  We came to serve and bless the people in that community and God did amazing things.

We hosted three Holiday Clubs (a children’s ministry similar to Vacation Bible School) at three different schools, did maintenance on a suspension bridge that the children’s home uses, prayed for HIV/AIDS patients at the local clinic and Greg lead a day-long pastor’s workshop.

As with any missions trip, the #1 rule is “Be flexible” and our trip was no exception.  Two hours after leaving Cape Town our rented 4x4 truck broke down delaying our arrival into Pulane by a day and a half.  Then it rained the last half of the trip preventing us from doing our other scheduled activities.  But God knew why He needed us there and that was to show His love to the kids.

Because of our altered schedule, we were able to spend a lot of time with the children at the Children’s Home.  There are 61 children that live there.  It is always amazing to see how accepting and loving children are, even to complete strangers.  They came up to us with open arms and immediately took our hands establishing instant friendships.  All they were looking for was love and affection and were so willing to give it to us in return. 

One of the most powerful testimonies from the trip was of a little girl at the Children’s Home named Liletu.  When we arrived, she was afraid of white people.  Every time a group came in to volunteer at the home, she would scream and run away.  And it was no different when we arrived.  But several of our team members kept trying to make friends with her.  At first she didn’t respond favorably but slowly she began to open up and trust us.  By the end of the week, Liletu was running and playing with us and having a great time.  She has a beautiful smile!  The Children’s Home workers said she had never done that before with any other group and couldn’t believe what they were seeing.  She was a completely different girl when we left.  It’s amazing how the power of love can change a child’s life.   Praise God!

Thank you for all your prayers and support for World for Christ Ministries and our missions trips.  Together we are changing lives with the power of God’s love. 

It’s hard to imagine what life would be like without the internet.  The ability to find out information or purchase a particular item or reconnect with long, lost friends is immediately available to us.  And then there’s Google: the web search engine that has changed how we surf the web.  It has the capability to search billions of websites and put whatever information that we are looking for at our fingertips in a matter of seconds, if that slow.  I’ve used Google to help me with everything from finding out how to spell a word to finding a picture of SpongeBob Squarepants to looking at the front of my house using Google Maps Street View.  Whatever I need, I can find it using Google.

As I was thinking about the beauty of Google, I was reminded of a passage of Scripture I read in Exodus 20.  It’s telling the story of the Israelites two months after they have been freed from slavery in Egypt.  They wandered to a place called Mount Sinai where God came and physically resided on the mountaintop.  Every Israelite saw God in the form of a cloud where there was flashes of lightning, loud thunder and smoke billowing from the mountain.  They even heard the voice of God speak to them as he gave them the Ten Commandments.  They had the opportunity of being able to come to the one, true God and talk with him.  They could get to know the heart of God and ask him any question they wanted.  What an awesome privilege!

But they didn’t want to.  Look at what verses 19-21 says, “And they [the Israelites] said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die!”  ²⁰“Don’t be afraid,” Moses answered them, “for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!”  ²¹As the people stood in the distance, Moses approached the dark cloud where God was.”  You see what happened?  The Israelites didn’t want to talk with God directly; they wanted Moses to do it for them.  They couldn’t get past the lightning, thunder and smoke to realize that they were as close as they would ever be to touching the God of universe.  But they wanted an intermediary.

You know, we can be like that too.  When we’re trying to sort out a situation in our life, we’d much rather read a book on the subject, or talk to a friend, or listen to a pastor preach about what the scripture says rather than go to God directly.  Or maybe we would even Google our problem to see if we can find a website dealing with the same issue.  I’m not saying that books, friends, pastors or Google are wrong.  But the problem comes when we are more inclined to go to one of them first before we go to God.

The Israelites were afraid to go to God because they were afraid of what would happen.  Sometimes we are afraid to go to God because we are afraid he might bring up that sin we’ve been hiding and don’t feel like dealing with.  Maybe he will ask us to do something or give up something that we are unwilling to do or give up.  Or maybe we’re afraid because he’ll tell us that we need to end a relationship with that person we really “love” but know isn’t a good relationship to be in.  Whatever the reason, we think that God is going to hurt us.  But if you think that way, then you have the wrong view of God.

God wants nothing more that to show you his love and for you to love him in return.  He wants you to know everything about him and is willing to help you achieve that endeavor.  But the only way you can truly know him is to be more like him, so God does whatever is necessary to make sure you become like him.  That means offering you forgiveness from your sins, blessing your life, and guiding you in the way he desires you to go.  Sometimes, however, that means that he needs to show you things in your life that make you look the complete opposite of him in order for you to get rid of it.  But we would much rather skip being cleansed by God because we don’t want to be made uncomfortable and therefore, we don’t communicate directly with God. 

Can God use other things or people to get our attention?  Absolutely!  And he’ll do our use anything he wants to in order for us to see him.  But I’m talking about the attitude that doesn’t want to go to God because of being afraid.  Listen, you don’t need to be afraid of God.  He wants to help you become the person that he created you to be.  He can be trusted.  Don’t look for an intermediary to talk to God on your behalf, like the Israelites did with Moses (see Hebrews 4:14-16).  Look to God!  You will find every answer that you need in him.  You will be completely satisfied when you turn to God first.   Use the books, friends, pastors and maybe even Google as confirmation or wise council for what you feel like the Lord is already telling you to do.  But they should never replace the original source of knowledge, God.

Google may know a lot, but it doesn’t know enough.

Copyright 2010, Greg Owens, World for Christ Ministries