December 2012
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Reflecting back on 2012, we can only thank our Lord for His mercies and faithfulness the past year, our first year in Onseepkans.
So much has happened, and we experienced so much of our Lord’s presence, guidance and provision, that we truly rejoice in Him for all that He has done for us. We experienced many highlights the past year, and would like to share just a few with you.
End of May beginning June 2012 we started our little shop, serving the community with basic necessities that they need. The cost of basic necessities is very expensive in Onseepkans, and this together with a system of “buying on account” had enslaved the people in the vicious cycle of debt. The main reason why we started our little shop was to give the people the opportunity to buy groceries and other necessities at affordable prices on a cash basis. After six months in operation, we thank the Lord that we can look back and truly testify that this shop was and continues to be a tool in God’s hand through which He gives us wonderful opportunities to reach the community. Countless times God opened the door for spiritual conversations with clients that visited the shop. From young to old, we could not only serve people with physical food, but also with spiritual food. Please pray for our little shop, that most of all it will continue to be a tool in Gods hands in the year to come.
For the past year every school holiday we had a children’s club for some of the children from the communities. An average amount of about twenty children continue to partake in the children’s club, and already we had opportunities to pray for these children as they share some of the many problems in their lives. We also run the children club this December holiday, and one evening showed the children the film “Song of the Martyrs”, giving account of how the Gospel started in Korea. Afterwards I pondered on the film show, and rejoiced that we already made enough spiritual progress with the children that we could show them a film with such a deep spiritual message. I was reminded of our Lord’s words “Let the little children come unto Me …”
Shocked to Hear pull QuoteOnly a few days ago we were privileged to receive our first invitation for ministry to some of the youth of the neighboring town Pofadder. We could speak to the little children on the importance to hear God’s voice and addressed the teenagers on the very important and relevant subject of human trafficking and drug abuse. Some construction work is taking place in the area and I was shocked to hear testimonies about foreign men who approach the local girls and offer them money to sleep with them. The young girls of the Northern Cape are very naïve and also very emotional, both characteristics make them a vulnerable target for the evil perverse wolves of this world.
God made it possible for us to buy our first property for the mission in Onseepkans. This has been a great joy to us, since we now have our own property which we can develop to suit our needs as the ministry expands. The existing buildings on the property are in need of much renovation work, but we trust the Lord and hope to make it habitable in the New Year.
We want to sincerely thank all of our brothers and sisters for their prayers and support the past year. Words cannot describe how much this meant for us. We wish you all a very blessed Christmas and a happy New Year.
May our Lord continue to be your Guide and your Strength.