Monday, April 13, 2009

Easter Sunday - SA Calvary Baptist Church


He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed! Easter Sunday 2009 found us at the Calvary Baptist Church in Orange Farm. We arrived at 9:30 and greeted the children, did some active songs with them while we waited for others to be picked up and brought to church. Our students divided the 80 or so children into four groups and taught Sunday School using the Ressurrection Eggs. The first hour of the chuch service was testimony and song time. Many of the Africans gave wonderful testimonies and even more amazing song times. Members from our team did the drama, the praise dance, Julia sang "My Redeemer Lives" as a solo, Justin and Julia led in a couple of choruses, Sara explained the meaning of the salvation colors on the bracelets, and Julien and Justin gave their testimonies. The next hour and half of the service was preaching. Our team went with the crew who took the children outside to play games and eat sandwiches that we had prepared. We returned for the conclusion of the service. The congregation, all made up of people who walked to church this morning and live in the township houses that you see in the pictures, took up three offerings: one for the tithe, one for John Paige (the missionary), and one for the transport fund. At the invitation time, 8 adults and 18-20 kids cam forward to accept Christ! Praise the Lord! At the conclusion of the service, our team was asked to stand at the front and be introduced. The Africians were amazed that there are Americans who look like them. They were ready to do match making and arrange a marriage for AdeZ'sa. They were also amazed to hear them talk and not have the African/English accent on their words. All those who attended the service went out for one big group picture. We'll post that one soon. We were able to hang out and have conversations with small groups and individuals for about an hour and half while the vans transported others home. Some even prayed with the groups. We loaded all our stuff - the lunch coolers and supplies, the supplies for games and Sunday School, drama and dance stuff into the trailer that we pull behind the van everyday. We pulled out about 4:30pm. It was a great celebration of our Savior's resurrection. In the evening, we went to another missionaries house for a traditional American Easter Dinner. There were three missionary families, a couple who lives on the same property as one of the missionaries and us. Hallelujah! He Lives - Salvation to impart! You are in our thoughts and prayers. Keep praying for God to work in the lives of the Africans that we meet and in our own hearts growing and stretching us! Thanks for your encouraging comments...we all love reading them!
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14 comments:

  1. How wonderful to hear that so many souls accepted Christ. We are praying that God continues to use you for His glory.

    Your day yesterday reminded me of many Sundays in Brasil when we would travel to visit different chruches. My dad would preach, mom would teach Sunday School to the children, and
    then we would spend the afternoon visiting.
    Every moment is important and makes an impression.

    Darren - you are looking great! Love your smile.
    Miss you but am glad you had the opportunity to return to SA.

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  2. Hey Sara,

    It was so good to hear from you Sunday. Hoping you're have wonderful, blessed time, and I'm praying for your boldness and confidence.

    I'm typing this in for your Mom as she says it to me over the phone:

    "I Love you and miss you and can't wait to see you. The people at Glad Tidings say 'Hi'."

    Love, Dad.

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  3. Carrie,
    Happy Ressurection Day! Have fun in south africa and the whole family says hi!
    Love,
    Shaniyah,moochie Well the whole fam from Conneticut

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  4. The Whole Heavenly Hosts rejoices when a soul is saved! Praise the Lord.

    Ade'Zsa i miss you so much! who's trying to marry you off? there's is no dawry big enough for you. what are they offering? (just kidding ;) i'm very happy to see and hear that you are having a good time. serve the Lord with gladness. i bless God for you.

    on resurrection day dyshon and i went to sunrise and 11am service. sharanda and ashley were there. they're very excited about your trip. the say hello. lillie said tell rita we're gonna get some chik-fil-a and watermelon from acme. we ate dinner at pork's with the whole family. it was nice.

    hugs and kisses
    mom

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  5. Justin,
    We are so thankful that you have this opportunity to serve the people of South Africa and show them that God loves them through your service. We are praying for you all and were thrilled to hear you were giving your testimony and singing on Easter. We miss you and hope that you are staying well. We look forward to every blog posting and love the pictures. Keep up the great work and when you get home we will go out to the Cheesecake Factory to celebrate your 18th birthday!

    Love, Mom and Dad

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  6. Philippians 1:3-11 says, "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God."

    Praise the Lord for everything He's doing in South Africa. I wish I could be there with you all -- I'm excited to return to King's in May and hear all the amazing stories you'll have!

    - Katie German

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  7. Praise God for the souls that were saved on Easter Sunday. I am praying for all and your prayer requests.

    Julien, we missed you at our Easter dinner and we didn't have the egg hunt without you. I told Sister Betty and the Sunday School teachers about the mission trip and they are praying for you and the group.

    love you and miss you,

    Grandmom and Grandpop

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  8. hey trev keep doing the good work and thanks for the phone-colin
    Hey trev hope your having a great time over there again! Even though your having fun remember why you are there dude...keep spreading and showing the love of God. Stay safe and focused. And btw I took colin, mickey, and ryan swamphopping today and it was good times...its definitely ready for us to do some more damage out there. Umm but ya some news is Flyers play Pens in first round, Harry Kalas died today, and ryan has been here pretty much everyday up until 4 in the morning just like the good old days. Alright dude have a good time. Love you.-Drew
    I love you so much. Hope you have a safe trip home. Hope you don't get plane sick. -love, Allie
    hey man im having some fun times at yo house, your beds pretty comfy u need a new pillw thou i kinda drooled but anyway on the plus side i will come over more to see u.-Ryan
    All in all we are all praying for you and love you. We are so proud of you!

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  9. Ade'Zsa nobody can marry you!

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  10. Thats awesome to hear that 8 adults and 18-20 kids got saved!


    Neal

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  11. I love my Gia Mia... miss you my love!!!!!!!!

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  12. Gia, dinos hatched - I think they thought they were real. Cold and rainy here today. Can't wait to read the next blog update to the boys. Love you! Aunt Shel

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  13. Dear team,
    We love you all and are praying for you daily.
    What a terrific Easter to be part of a service where South Africans came to know the Lord! The Romania team left today, arrived safely at the airport. Pictures are great! Justin, I had a Clemson flag for you to take to South Africa and forgot to give it to you. Go tigers!
    Much love,
    Dr. Stiegel

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  14. ALLIE,
    I wish we could have spoke more. Bad connection!
    We are so happy you are having a great time. It sounds like not only are you blessing the children but they are blessing you as well.
    Continue to have a great time - we hope to hear from you again.
    We wait in anticipation very day for an update on the blog.
    We love you!

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