First of all...Misty and I hope you had a wonderful Resurrection weekend. We had a great Easter here in S.A. Truly we worship the One who conquered death! We missed our family and CCT family, but the Lord gave us the grace we needed to not focus on that and just rejoice in our risen Lord. We would ask you all to please pray for a place for us to live in Paarl, We had a house open up to us at one point in Wellington (small town near Paarl) then it fell through. That was actually just the conformation we needed that the Lord wants us living in Paarl.
The Lord has really led us recently into a season of prayer and waiting upon Him. We have been driving out to Paarl several times a week just to hang out with and meet whoever He wants us to meet, and we just drive up to Paarl rock (a huge rock/mountain above the town) and spend time praying over the city and for the people. Misty and I are convinced that revival is coming again to this valley and thus is going to spread throughout the country. All of us Calvary guys here in S.A. are quite certain it's coming and many other churches here are convinced as well. There was a time a few generations ago when a man named Andrew Murray was raised up here in this valley as a leader and Pastor in the midst of a great revival and we believe that another day of grace is coming to the country of South Africa. The Lord gave me a verse it's Isaiah 49:23 it says "Then you will know that I am the LORD, For they shall not be ashamed who wait for Me" the Lord showed me that the best thing I can be doing now is to PRAY, PRAY, PRAY and wait upon Him to unveil His awesome plan and I don't have to stress or strive because "they shall not be ashamed who wait for Him". It's God's way in God's time that we desire. Much is happening here in the city of Capetown, the bible study we're doing on Wednesdays at the shelter is being blessed greatly, and the body here at CCCapetown is doing much to reach this city for Jesus. Pastor Demitri and his wife Karen have become great friends and encourager's to us, Please pray for them for wisdom and that the Lord would just bless them as they are currently needing a permanent church building and also searching for a building to start a CCbible college ext. campus. This area is so ripe for souls right now, People are getting saved every week. However the reality is that most people here still have not yet been born again or are not walking with the Lord as they should be. Please pray that Misty and I would remain faithful and flexible as there is still so much work to be done.
We would also ask that you would please be in prayer about how the Lord might want to use you and your support to further this work here in South Africa. There are many expenses for us to be able to live here, driving, housing etc. We know that the Lord will provide all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus, and He just might want to use you in doing so. Thank you most of all for praying for us (Nothing is more important and effective than that) and Thank you all who have or currently are supporting us while we serve here in SA.
We miss you all and pray for you often. Misty and I have added some pictures so you don't just have to imagine whats happening.
God Bless You all,
The Portlands
Michael after a hard day of ministry
Andrew Murray Center (Wellington)
Woodstock shelter bible study
Calvary Chapel Capetown Baptism service
It's so hard to find a good mechanic !
You never know who might show up at the door.
Matie, Karen, Misty, Sandrine, Engela
