Church growth the old fashioned way...

The Lord has blessed us with a new baby boy....Asher Lincoln Portland! He was born on the 20th of July at 12:58pm at over 8 pounds. Misty and baby are doing well, a little sleep deprived but nothing too out of the ordinary. As a family we have been so so busy in the past couple of months with Grandma visiting and another old friend of ours came for a week, plus the busyness of ministry. But we can truly say that it has all been a wonderful time.

We so appreciate all of you guys who pray for us! Please continue to lift up

the people of the Paarl valley and specifically this ministry; so many needs and so little time, help, resources, or power to meet those needs. Yet we rejoice in the fact that like the Apostle Paul, we have a confidence that the power of God is in the glorious gospel of His Son! God is doing a great work here and yet we believe that we're only scratching the surface of all He wants to do.

Michael and his new baby brother.

The World Cup turned out to be a real blessing for the nation of South Africa. It was very cool to see people of all races coming together to cheer on their team "Bafana Bafana" who happened to do much better than expected.

Just last week a friend of ours from the U.S came and stayed with us for a week or so. He was doing some ministry work in Tanzania filming a music video for a Christian Hip Hop group. He was able to visit us on his way back home. He happens to be a photographer and took a few pictures of the farm children we as a church get to minister to each week.

Being on these farms is always a fresh reminder of how much we can take for granted. Please pray for the children and youth on Vryman's Fontien wine farm, Ruitersvlei, and the Vlakte brick yard. We are hopeful to see them all come to know Jesus and live their lives for Him.

For those of you who have been praying for the Zimbabwean's in our fellowship; The Lord has answered those prayers and protected them all from significant loss or worse..bodily harm. They would still however covet your prayers as things may be calm for now but the hatred and jealousy behind the Xenophobia still remains. It's so great to be able to worship our King Jesus with these beautiful people.

As a church, we've seen some new families join our gatherings in the past few months, which is a blessing and a work of grace. Because of the growth of our childrens ministry at the church we now have 4 women who help serve our kids on Sunday mornings.

Some other great news is that Dave and Vicky Emmerson who serve here with us in Paarl have recently found out that they are having another baby. We are very excited for them. Please pray that the pregnancy would be a blessed one.

Here's a few pic's of church.

We love you all and ask you to please continue praying for us and if so led supporting us financially. Our family has grown and along with baby stuff, Michael starts primary school next year which will add to our financial needs. Any help is much appreciated!

Love and Blessings,

Mike, Misty, Michael, and Asher Portland