Jan-Feb 2011 Ministry Updates and Prayer Needs

Hello dear friends and family,

I am sorry to only be updating our blog in mid-February, I will not let it go this long again. Misty and I want to thank those of you who helped us in getting home for Christmas. We appreciate so much all you have done to make our Christmas so special! (you know who you are). We had such a blessed time in the states during Christmas and New Years, seeing our friends and family was the best part. We arrived back in South Africa on the 14th of January and it has been very busy since returning.

However, we really missed our church family and friends here in Paarl, so it was great to see all of them again. We have been very blessed since we've been back. We have seen several new people coming to the church which is awesome and we've seen many people who have been coming sporadically really begin to be committed and step up and start serving this year.

In fact, this Sunday we are having a Baptism service after church. We will be baptizing about 8 people in the church, Lord willing. It will be a great day!

In a couple of weeks we will be beginning a ministry at the church called "Life Groups", they are small groups of believers who will be gathering weekly to pray for each other, to eat a meal together, and then to go over the content of the previous Sunday's message, drawing further application in community, which we feel is essential for living out the gospel as a church. If you would join us and pray for much fruit to be born through these groups, we will be having one in English and another in Afrikaans.

Prison ministry is going great as well. We have seen a huge increase in attendance (which is optional) this year. We have finished going through the book of Revelation and we will be starting a new study in the book of Genesis soon. Please keep the men of Allendale Prison in your prayers, God is working powerfully in that place, pray that these men would be strengthened to walk with Jesus in such a dark place.

The ministry to the youth on the farms has changed a bit recently. Since Dave and Vicky will be having another baby soon, Dave has not been able to continue with the regular program. But, just a few days ago we found out that there is an open door in the local school (where all the youth from the 3 farms go) to do a weekly bible study and to just be available for mentoring, or whatever for the kids after school before their bus comes for them, which means a good 1-2 hours. We are praising the Lord for His wisdom and compassion for the poor and marginalized youth in this valley! We are hoping to have many opportunities to show the gospel to these kids by meeting some material needs and especially their spiritual need. Please pray that the kids would meet Jesus truly, and that they will learn and desire to be His disciples for the rest of their lives.

We will be beginning a sermon series in March entitled "Manifest" where we will be looking at the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church. This is a huge issue here in S.A. and there is a lot of confusion on this topic. So, Please pray that I would be doctrinally sound, clear and humble in delivering these messages. Thank you!

On a personal note, the family is doing well. Misty is busy being super-mom and I am just in awe of her constantly. Asher is getting so big, he has two teeth popping through his bottom gums, so cute! Michael has started "big boy" school (as he calls it) and loves it...wheew! He also just had his 6th birthtday which was a lot of fun. I have posted a few pictures for you...

Michael's Birthday cupcake!

First day of school!

Our Boys!

We will post more pictures soon.

We love you and so much appreciate your prayers and financial support. If you would like to contribute to the work here, you can do so with the info on the right labeled "donations". Thank you! and God bless.

Mike, Misty, Michael, and Asher