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 Karl
has been asked to partner with an organization founded by
Casey Prince called UBUNTU
Sports.
UBUNTU Sports Outreach exists to connect boys to
mentors and coaches that can connect them to their Heavenly
Father.
Over the next two weeks they will be hosting 6 clinics
for 12 and 13 year olds from the local townships. The goal
will be to identify kids for an academy program that will
give Ubuntu a platform to speak the message of Jesus Christ
into the lives of these kids and give them quality soccer
training at the same time.
Please pray for the right kids to come to these
clinics and that they would respond to God's call in their
lives.
.
 Karl
and Julie participated in their first adult co-ed Bible
study in Ocean View today! On this Thanksgiving Day, it
truly is a reason to be thankful.
We were so proud of Thelma and Claudine for facilitating
this new group.
Thelma has been a part of the women's Bible Study for
several months and said, "I have been
a Christian for 10 years, but it was not until I started
going to this Bible study that I could pray in front of
other people or share my testimony. Now I am not afraid."
She wanted to start a co-ed Bible Study in her home to
involve her husband and other men and women in the community
who were interested. Today she invited a family member
that recommited her life to God a few days ago and another
member of the family who is not yet a Christian.
One of the questions asked in the Discovery
Bible Study is, "What do you need today?" People
in the group said...
She chose I Corinthians 13:4-7 as the scripture, a description
of what love is. Everyone in the group felt convicted
for ways we do not show real love to others.
The key part of the Discovery Bible Study format is making
an "I will" statement at the end - deciding
something you will change about your life, based on the
scripture just read.
One person said, "I am rude
all the time. I will not be rude any more."
Another person said, "Every day I like to judge
people for what they are doing wrong. I will not judge others."
Another person said, "I am impatient with my
husband. I will be patient." Some one else
said, "I have been discouraged but will persevere."
We stand in amazement at what God is doing in Ocean View!
Karl said, "It was awesome just to see
their hunger to learn more about what God has for their
lives!"
Claudine and Lorraine as they proudly hold
up
their certificates of completion
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We have our first two
graduates of the computer class!
Lorraine said, "I got a call for
a job from the resume I posted online. I can't believe
it!"
We want to combine principles of discipleship with
the computer class and have an exciting new approach:
Women in Ocean View can take the Computer 101
at no cost. If they want to advance their skills
and take Computer 102, they must teach the Computer
101 class to new students.
- This is a great way to empower Africans
to teach other Africans their skills
- They gain more experience and understanding
of technology by learning the materials
and then teaching the materials to someone else
- Although the class is free, this gives them an
opportunity to give back to their community
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1. Faithlessness
2. Prayerlessness
3. Lack of balance
Let me just say – if someone ever asks you this
question and your answer is in the ball park of the first
two points, be very, very afraid.
The fact is, if you want the Lord to grow you in prayer
and faith, he certainly will. Yes, yes he will.
The first month we struggled to find a house
and a car – two things you really need
to be able to move forward here. I was impatient and bitter.
It was not pleasant. The Lord came through. We are renting
a great little house and are so grateful to have a good
vehicle.
Then I struggled to feel like I
fit in here and actually have friends (yes, 4th
grade re-enacted). Leaving family and life-long friends
back in Omaha,
Past these two hurdles, our health has waned.
Emme had a horrific cold that went on for weeks
(matted eyes, nose that ran like it was in a triathlon,
etc), Jensen’s had several bouts with 105 temps,
and Karl’s been in excruciating back pain (from
all this moving and lifting). He now he has tonsillitis
while I have a sinus infection.
The real kicker, however, has been our parents.
Karl’s mom is going through chemo for breast cancer
and bravely battling the emotional horror of losing one’s
hair and exhausting physical side-effects. My dad, who
finished chemo several months ago, is left with an immune
system that no longer wants to be a team player (high
temperatures and canker sores have linger for over a month
and make it excruciating to eat, speak or function).
For this we had to rally the troops! 30
people stood with us to fast for my dad on his birthday
a few days ago. The scriptures and prayers were so encouraging
and the email
I got from my dad tonight has moved me to tears.
So this is where we are. Tired and discouraged –
but pressing on.
He is our hope. He is our faith.
His love is enough.
We had our first baby left in our Sun Valley "Baby Safe!"
 Here
is a photo of our team introducing her to the All Nations
staff members and praying for her.
We know the Lord has amazing plans for "Baby Joy!"
We prayed for his goodness and protection to follow her
throughout her life.
Baby dumping is a growing problem in South Africa. Here
is an article...
Johannesburg - The ANC in Gauteng implored new mothers
who did not want their babies to stop the "horrendous"
practice of dumping them in the veld, dustbins and pit latrines,
in response to a picture in The Times on Wednesday of a
dead baby found in Soweto...more
Baby
Safe is countering infanticide through providing
alternatives to desperate mothers. We intervene in South
Africa’s baby dumping crisis by providing a drop off
point (the baby safe), where a mother can leave her baby
anonymously, legally, and safely, 24 hours a day.
.
Now that we are more settled in to life here in Africa...plans
are underway! Here is a quick update...
-
Discovery Bible Studies (DBS)-
we will be involved in several Bible studies in Ocean
View (a co-ed adult group, a women's group, and a high
school group)
-
Soccer - Karl will
start coaching a team of players from Ocean View
-
Micro Loans - we will
be partnering with two successful micro enterprise organizations
and are developing a curriculum tailored for Ocean View
-
Sewing School - we
have brought cool patterns and samples for aprons and
handbags to be used in the first sewing class and will
meet with a potential facilities director to inquire
about a classroom next week
-
Computer Class - we
have continued to offer the computer class and are expanding
it to more students (women love creating their first
resume, getting their first email account and learning
to type)
From January through June we attended
CPx 2010 (church planting experience) and learned different
models of church planting and discipleship.
One of the great things about All Nations and
CPx is their belief that Africans are the best way to
reach Africa. We are excited for the CPx in 2011
as many of the students will be from all over Africa.
Karl has been asked to be a part of the team that helps
with the content and programming of the 2011 CPx. Along
with all the other things we are doing here in South Africa,
he is very excited to to help in this way!
 It
was great to be able to reconnect with a high school student
we had met with regularly during CPx!
She contacted us because she was struggling with a personal
situation. We shared how God has an amazing plan for her
life and that He loves her more than she could ever imagine.
She is interested in meeting with a group of
friends for a Discovery Bible Study and would like to
start a street performing arts group.
We are excited!
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When
I first arrived the director at Baby Safe asked us to
write down three areas where we’d like to grow.
It took me about 10 seconds to come up with my list:
