"I have many people in this city"

"Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city." (Acts 18:9-10)

I love this word that the Lord gave the Apostle Paul while he was experiencing many discouragements ministering there in Corinth. Corinth was arguably the most wicked city around at that time and Paul though seeing some fruit, was experiencing discouragement and even a desire to quit.

This is a very intriguing verse to me. I can almost hear Paul saying “Ok Lord you have many people in this city...that sounds great...but, where are they?” The point the Lord was making is “I have many people in this city that just aren’t saved yet, so don’t leave Paul". We see the election of God and the responsibility of man all in one passage. The Lord wanted Paul to know that He had a plan for the people in Corinth and He wanted Paul to begin to see the city the way that He saw it. The Lord would say...."Paul I want you to see this city through the right lenses, Through the eyes of faith".

If you're at all like me it gives you great comfort tho know that Paul needed to hear the Lord say "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you". Sometimes I tend to think of Paul as some kind of super saint who was never discouraged and always fruitful. Of course we know that he was a mere man, as we are mere men and women. The Apostle Paul was a man who was filled with the Holy Spirit and totally dependent on the Lord in all areas of his life, He learned to look at his life and ministry through the eyes of faith.

The Lord has been speaking to us at CC Paarl Valley and reminding us that He indeed does have a vision for this city as well. He has many people here in Paarl that will be saved and set free...so we shouldn't be discouraged and that "we will reap if we do not lose heart". We just need to be attentive to the people around us and looking for opportunities to share Jesus with them. That goes for us here on the mission field and for you too wherever God has you. Let's be men and women who are connected to our communities and who try to see people the way the Lord sees them. Often we can ignore lost people around us while Jesus would say..."they are sheep without a shepherd". Let's ask Him for "eyes of faith" that we might see the people in our own communities, families and work places through His eyes.

The Lord has been opening so many doors here for us, both to preach in schools and to just pour ourselves individually into people that are hurting and confused and needing to be loved. God is so good! The longer we are here the more we realize why God has brought us here in the first place. The word of God has lost it's place in many of the churches and false teaching is more common than you can imagine. This past Sunday a couple in the fellowship came up to me after the service and said that they had never heard a teaching like that on "the grace of God". Not that the message was particularly epic in any way....but for the first time ever to hear the biblical reality about the grace of God...they said..."I feel free"....It doesn't get any more rewarding than that for me. Legalism is the common thread weaved through most of the churches here...God's grace is like cold water to a dry and thirsty people. The whole counsel of God is what is going to change this community along with the power of the Holy Spirit working through it. Please keep praying for new opportunities for us to reach out to the people here.

Misty, Michael and I are doing well. Misty is making friends and the Lord is really using her with the women we get to minister to. Michael is going to pre-school and he will be in his first school play this month (will post pic's). We all feel great, and we're really looking forward to the upcoming CC Africa Conference next month....it's great to be around other servants doing what we're doing and being built up by the teaching and times of prayer.

We want to ask you to please keep the work that God is doing here in prayer, We are seeking His direction on a few different things right now...so we need His wisdom and discernment. We also would ask that you please prayerfully consider getting behind us financially as well, there are so many expenses needed in order for us to be here. The Lord has been faithful to meet all our needs and we know He will continue to be. The opportunity for you to give your support is one that needs to be prayed about for sure...Remember that the fruit of our ministry is to your spiritual Bank account too...Phil 4:17 "Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account". If you should desire to support us and the work here in South Africa, you will find our support info. on the right hand column of our blog. Thanks you for your heart to see the gospel go forward here in South Africa.

Many Blessings to you all and please send us an e-mail as you feel led.

In His love, Mike, Misty and Michael



People pay good money to make their hair look like this



Michael and his best friend Emme





Anson leading worship at a local school







The Beautiful Paarl valley