At a new start shack church

I am going to try and send some more pictures today if everything cooperates. Last night it would not let me upload.

Saturday night's service was so exciting. Many children and youth came forward to receive Christ. Also some adults came forward to completely surrender their lives to Christ.

Sunday was a good service also and some came forward for various reasons. They had a meal after service for everyone. We had chicken, squash and samp (like hominy). We were disappointed that there was no pap. We found out somehow they thought we did not like pap.

Please pray for better understanding between us and the South Africans. Lately many things are getting lost in the translation. We are always able to work through it, but sometimes it gets interesting. Flexibility  is the key over here. It is there culture and we are the ones who must adjust.

We have a day off today and a car. We were hoping to leave early, but found out this morning, before they left for work, the owners son is coming to get the mothers car. We have to wait so we can lock the gate on the fence behind us. Everything here gets locked up with a fence and gate if you have anything. There are bars on the windows and butler gates at the doors of the house also. Anyone who knows me knows I am chomping at the bit to be going as we need to be back by dark (appx. 6pm) so I do not get lost. We have to buy a new carry on suitcase for Mikki as the zipper broke on the one she brought with her.

I was asked to post pictures of Mikki's drawings. Here is the one Sunday in stages.

start

getting there

almost done

completed

adult choir singing

church nursery

some at altar

ladies serving food

kids outside church

eating after service

 

Back in the rural areas

If you are on facebook with me you know we have a car to drive this week. Not many places to go, but we do have a car. A young man went with JoAnn to show her where the petrol station was. She prayed them there as the car was running on fumes.

It is interesting that some of them do not understand what a day off is supposed to be, especially here in the rural area. We were supposed to be off today and we are sort of. We have breakfast here and lunch then have a short farewell service at 2pm. Then someone will go with us to guide us to the next church and where we will stay. I must admit this has been the hardest time culturally and I do not know why.

Here are some more pictures from the services and pictures of the churches. Notice the block church with blocks and trees inside. They had to get a structure up before some one moved on to the property and built there own thing.

Praise the Lord!!! Mikki just came in from the sitting room and told me there is a new soul in the kingdom. This is what it is all about. Her testimony has impacted many people.

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Shack churches to brick buildings- wherever God opens the door

Tonga - light for service

Tonga - preaching by candlelight

We have been in 2 shack churches and one larger block church in the last few days. JoAnn tried to video us singing but must have bumped the camera when she pushed the button. All you can see is her. So no video of us singing.

The Lord has been varying what we are preaching on. He is still speaking to peoples hearts and they are responding each night.

The church we were in last night was a shack church, however they have the walls up for their block church, but no roof yet. They build as they can. It was lit by a few candles at the front on a bench. Mikki took a picture of JoAnn preaching with the candles and a small torch (flashlight). They finally ran some wires from a neighbors house and just as we closed we got light. If the wires are still there Mikki may have light to draw and preach by tonight. Unless the Lord changes the sermon she is preaching on healing tonight and not just physical. New adventures every week. 

We had an interesting visitor fly in to join us the other day. Not sure exactly what it is but it was large and green. We also had a dog barking under our window at 4 AM and then the roosters decided to join it. Finally things quieted down and we were able to get back to sleep for a while. Buena Vista will seem quiet when we get home.

Please continue to pray for our strength, protection, hearing God's voice for our messages, and God's anointing on the services.

Here are a few photos from the last few days.

riding in back

Bosfontein

 

Bosfontein Sunday

our visitor

worship team Kamhlushwa

young man in wheelchair singing

preacher singing

Tonga worship leader

Kamhlushwa

Tonga

First in a long time today

Mikki preached to a group of pastors last night and her message was well received..JoAnn preached tonight and had her first ride in the back of a pickup truck since she was 12. You get to church however you can. There are advantages to being older over here. Mikki got to ride on the inside. They did bring JoAnn a cushion to sit on because of the bumpy dirt road. There were 7 in the back of the truck. They took a picture of JoAnn in the back with a little boy who also rode in the back.
A few pictures are enclosed,This church is what they call a shack church. It was too dark to get a picture of the outside tonight. We will try and get one tomorrow.
We have 2 services tomorrow. So this is short.
Continue to pray for us.

new way to church

youth & kids

others

short update with pictures

It is late so this will be short.
Tonight was our last service in this area. The Lord has been really good. Here are a few pictures from the last few days. The last picture is of the moon rising on the way home from church. Would you believe in a moving car.

Hluvukani old and new

Mgiba family 2014

Mgiba family 1998

Mikki preaching

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People responding to the Lord

Moon rise in Africa

God is building His Kingdom

We went back to Thulamahashe for the first time since 1998. We were surprised as we pulled in at the new building they have constructed. The interior is not finished, but the building is great. It is a blessing to see how they have grown. It was dark when we arrived so we did not get a picture of the outside. W will try and get one. JoAnn preached and the Lord blessed with souls at the altar. By the time we finished praying and people greeted us most of them were gone. So no picture of the congregation. They do not have all their lighting installed so it was kind of dark. You do not use many or any notes when you preach here.

This morning we visited the site of the Eastern District Center that is under construction. They have a great vision for this land that was given to them by the chief in that area. Many of the bricks were provided by a donation from a family in America. They are having a problem with people encroaching on the on the property in the back so are raising funds for that. Pray God will give them all they need to complete this great dream of helping the churches and community. Many church activities will be held here, small cottages for poor pastors, feeding program for the children just to name part of it.
We also visited a church called Oasis, it was started before any houses were built out there. It is winning people to the Lord. If you look at the picture I took through the bars of a missing window you can see they have a roof problem.

Tonight we were at Mbumba for service. Mikki preached about the return of Christ. Again God gave us a good response at the altar. It is all possible because of your prayers and financial partnering with us to help us come here.
here are a few pictures.