Cross Cultural Project: South Africa

coffee dates...

2010-08-06T05:43:00.000-07:00

Sarah and I took a girl to the Student Center yesterday for a coffee date. The story with this girl is very cool. First of all, she was a random door that we knocked on at the beginning of our time on campus (4 weeks ago). She had expressed interest in finding a church, so we invited her to our church that we have been attending while in SA. Her and her roommate both came to church but after that we saw no interest in returning or even speaking about spiritual things, so we had marked her off as exposed and not interested. However, we set up a coffee date with her because Fifi wanted us to get her alone (away from her roommate) to see if she would open up and to see if she was really uninterested or if she was interested but cared about what her roommate said (went with the flow). Well, we got her alone yesterday for a coffee date and it was amazing the way she opened up. We talked for about 1 1/2 hours and the whole time we discussed spiritual things and mostly talked about the gospel. She explained how she grew up in church and at one time really followed God, but ever since moving into res and being at school she's really been sucked into the party world and her roommate doesn't help her. She wants to pursue the Lord again, but falls into temptation easily. Sarah shared her testimony with her and explained that trusting the Lord to change your heart is part of walking with him, but what helped her the most to stay away from temptation is community, surrounding herself with people who follow hard after God and who have the same ideals, beliefs, and convictions she does. In community you have accountability...it makes dealing with temptation easier. So, be praying for her. That she will surround herself with other believers and that the Lord will change her desires....Also, she has expressed and interest in coming to the camp that we have next weekend (kinda equivalent to a mix of our ski trip and new year's conference), but she is lacking some of the funds to go. We are giving her the opportunity to earn some money by doing odd jobs at the COJ staff houses. This will allow us to see if she really wants to go (willing to work for the money to go). Pray that she doesn't let her roommate talk her into not going and that God would begin, even now, to work in her heart, preparing her for the camp.

An update on Mo: she came to bible study the other day (but had to leave early) and during that time she told us that she had committed (a few days prior to the bible study) to Christianity. This is a big step for her because the first talk Sarah and I had with her she told us that she was searching for what she believed...so she was investigating all different types of religions. The Lord is drawing her to himself. Pray that she continues to hear the Gospel and that she becomes broken over her sin and see her need for a savior. She needs to know that you can't just accept Christianity to be a Christian...there must be life and heart transformation.

After today we only have one more week on campus. We leave in 9 days to return to the US and 10 days till we land back on American soil. (The flight from Jo-burg to New York is 17 hours long). Hopefully I will have one more update before leaving next week. :)

Trusting in Christ,
Danielle

P.S. We've had 2 more girls come to Christ in a different res! Praise God for bringing men and women to himself.

One on Ones, Smores, and Answered prayers

2010-08-03T11:04:00.001-07:00

Another update...

This past week on campus was cut short. The girls had to practice Monday and Tue for a performance they had Wed-Fri night. So it as hard getting time to hang out with them. We did get some time alone with a girl named Rochelle. We found out that she believes that you can be born Christian (if your parents are Christians than you are too). She doesn't get that it's a decision she has to make to accept Christ. So, pray that this week we would be able to meet with her again and can speak truth to her and share the Gospel.

We also have already got 3 girls to meet with us one on one for this week. It's so hard to get girls alone to have more personal conversations- they are always hanging out with each other in their rooms). So, we are excited about the one-on-one time with them this week.

Please continue to pray for Mo. She is still wanting to hang out and is asking questions...We feel like she is very knowledgeable but she needs to be broken over her sin and see her need for a Savior. Patience is still wanting to hang out too but anytime spiritual convos come up she gets quiet or leaves. We really feel like the Lord is doing work in her heart but she is resisting. So keep praying for her.

Yesterday, we had a great convo with one of the white girls in res. Her name is Jess. Jess, Sarah and I had a great spiritual conversation and it was apparent that Jess is a Christian. We were so encouraged by her convo. The Lord is definitely answering our prayers for boldness and time one-on-one with the girls.

Please continue to pray for boldness for us and salvation of these women. We only have 7 more days on campus. Pray that we would use our time wisely. Other girls you can pray for are: KK, Lucinda, Nthaby, Gu-Gu, Debra, Elaine and Yachna.

Last night we went to a social with the girls on one hall. It was a lot of fun relaxing and getting to hang out with them. The theme was bedtime so we dressed in pj's and they had a chocolate fountain. It was a great time for the girls to see that Christians have fun too. Tonight is their freshman formal for their res so our time one campus will be cut short. But we are excited to be able to help them get ready and take lots of pictures.

On a fun note, we camped out in a game park this past weekend. It was a lot of fun. We slept in tents and had a campfire...roasted marshmallows and made smores. Then Saturday we drove around the park and saw all kinds of animals. We even had an elephant 5 feet from our car!!! I can't wait to show everyone pictures! :) Hope you're all doing well. Miss ya'll!

Danielle

Interest and Bible Studies

2010-07-28T09:36:00.000-07:00

Sarah and I had our first Bible Study last Wednesday. Sarah gave her testimony and we went through the first part of a "Come and See" investigative study. We had 3 girls come to the Bible Study. 2 of the girls we had met before and one was a random girl who just wanted to come. We are pretty sure that one of the girls is interested in hearing more...she was listening intently during the study and taking everything in. The other girl that we already knew was very vocal for most of the bible study. We think that she is at least exposed to church and the bible so we are trying for figure out if she is interested. The other girl (random) we think is a believer and is currently involved in another ministry on campus.

The girl that was listening intently, her name is Patience. Please be praying for an opportunity to follow up with her. She is interested in hanging out and we want to use our time here wisely. Pray that we are able to share the gospel with her and that she may come to know the Lord. Just a little background on her....She is a lesbian and in the past has gone to church, was ready to give her life over to God, but when she was walking to the alter someone made a "prophecy" over her and told her that she had to get her life together first, told her that she wasn't worthy to come to God. (Which we all know is not so....God tells us to come to him as we are....he will then change us and change our desires.)

The other girl at he Bible study was KK. Again, we are not sure where she is at spiritually. We scheduled time to meet with her yesterday but she fell through on our date...maybe miscommunication, maybe we got stood up. Who knows. But we are hoping to have some good follow up conversations and maybe get to share the Gospel with her. We would (at least) want to find out for sure if she is interesting in spiritual things and in Jesus or just exposed.

Another girl we are trying to invest some time in is Mo. Mo is a girl who is extremely involved...she is a great leader. She has a great personality and loves to be with people. We had one conversation with her last week and she basically told us that she is not at all interested in religion or the church. We explained to her that we are not about religion either but about a relationship with Jesus. Religion can get "sticky" but a relationship with Jesus is what it's about. She is wanting to "find herself' and what she believes. So, we asked her this week if we could go through a series of small books with her. They are called "Life Issues" books and the series goes through the book of John answering different life questions. She agreed so we are hoping to start that this week.

We had our second Bible study today. Courtney (our woman's leader) came with us to res today so she was there during the Bible study. I was able to give my testimony and so was she. We also went through the second part of the study. It was the story of Nicodemus in John 3. During the Bible study we talked about what it means to be born again, how a person is born again, what it means to believe in Jesus, what the consequence of not believing in him is....esentially...we got to share the GOSPEL...multiple times and I'm pumped about it. Mo came and it was great. She asked a lot of questions. We could tell that she is definitely investigating. She just needs to be broken over her sin and realize her need for a Savior.

Some other girls you could be praying for are Yachna (she is a Hindu girl), Lucinda, Rochelle, Nthaby, Gu-Gu, Penelope, Jess, Elaine and Khanyi. Khanyi is a fairly new believer so we want to invest time getting to know her and trying to instill in her a vision for mission and seeing people come to Christ. All the other girls are non-believers who are all fairly exposed to the Bible, but we want to be able to have some more conversations with them to find out if they are interested. Please pray that we are intentional with our conversation and that we spend our time on campus wisely. We only have 11 more days on campus. Also, at the end of our trip we have a camp for us and the UJ students, please pray that we would recruit well for the camp and that many of the girls would come. It will be a great way to sum up what we've been trying to instill in them the time we've been here.

Fun non-ministry related info: This weekend we are going to a game park. We are leaving Friday about noon and are camping overnight at the park. I'm so excited, but hoping that we don't freeze. It's been warmer this week (like fall weather) but it's always chilly at night. I'll definitely take a lot of pictures for everyone. Sorry I'm not posting them...

Thank you for your prayers. Miss you all!
Danielle

Campus, Jesus, and baby lions!

2010-07-20T11:23:00.000-07:00

Hey all!
To catch you up, I have been partnered with another girl from NGCSU. Her name is Sarah. Sarah and I have the opportunity to minister in the ladies res (dorm) called Benjemijn. The women in this res are known for being brainiacts (study girls). One of the campus outreach Johannesburg staff (Fifi) has been doing ministry in this res since January. SO there are key girls that Fifi wants us to really invest time in. These key girls are all first year (freshman). The COJ staff think that if they can build the majority of the ministry with first years then these students will have 4 years to advance the Kingdom.

So, this past week, Fifi introduced us to multiple girls. Our conversations this week have been very shallow-getting to know the girls and establishing relationships with the girls. We had our first evangelistic meeting on Thursday. Praise God we had 7 girls come to the meeting, all of them first years. Most of the girls left quickly after the mtg but we were able to walk back with 2 girls. The COJ staff (during orientation) had told us that many (most even) people claim Christianity and are comfortable with speaking about Christian things and coming to Christian events but there is no life (heart) transformation. So they would like us to try and filter the exposed from the truly interested and invest our time in the interested rather than the exposed.

That is the prayer for this week. Sarah and I are going to be starting a Bible study (tomorrow will be our first one) in res. We are hoping that this might be a way for us to have good spiritual follow up conversations with girl to see who is really interested. Sarah and I are also praying for opportunities to share our testimony with girls and at least one opportunity to share the gospel. We only have 4 weeks left and we need to make the best use of our time.
One a fun note, Saturday we went to a Lion and Rhino park. It was so awesome. We got to see so many animals and I got to pet a baby lion. I’ve got pictures to prove it. Then we went (as a team) to a restaurant called Carnivores. Carnivores is an all you can eat meat place. It had “normal’ meat such as chicken, beef, pork and lamb, but then it also had other game meat such as antelope, crocodile, impala, eland and wildabeast. I did not like the eland at all but loved the impala. And the crocodile really tasted like chicken.

So, if you could be praying for the first year students (unbelievers) that they would come to know the Lord. Pray that Sarah and I would make the best use of our time and intentionally have spiritual and gospel conversations.
Desiring to see God do great things,
Danielle
Colossians 4:2-6

Wrapping things up in Joburg...

2009-06-17T10:19:00.000-07:00

So the Countdown is on...
only 14 days left in South Africa! I'm excited in many way and also sad in a few others. I'm so excited to get home to see everyone and to get back into the routine of things, but I will definitely miss the people here and a few of the random spots we have grown to love (Mugg & Bean is at the top of that list! - a fun coffee/restaurant place Hannah Sanders, Craig, and I have been 1 to 2 times a week for our Sabbath/Planning times).
As others have said, we went to Pilanesburg this past weekend (I like to call it a Safari, but some say a "game drive", whatever you call it... we got to see lots of animals!) Below is a picture of part of our team (the UGA folks, where Craig and I work). It's amazing to see God's vast creation through landscape and all the amazing animals!
This trip has definitely been challenging, but how else does God teach you so many great lessons and show you sin in your own life. I have seen many biases in my own life that I have just from being born and living in America - it has helped me to start to appreciate things on a more global level - politically, economically, culturally, etc. I have also seen how impatient and frustrated I can get. There are LOTS of situations that have tested that - 17 people in a tiny kitchen making dinner with a tiny refrigerator that something falls out and breaks every time you open it; a place that's supposed to be 2 hours away actually taking 5 hours with traffic for the 2010 World Cup construction; and the list could go on. But, I think God has taught me so much about taking things in stride and just trusting Him for my comfort and not outside circumstances.
We have been studying the gospel of Mark this summer and seeing the character of Jesus has really convicted me and challenged me a lot. The patience, compassion, and love that he showed others is hard to compare, but asking for a better understanding and likeness to Him is what I have praying for all summer.
One thing that was really cool was that I ate lunch the other day with a girl, Vanity (pictured above), who became a Christian when Craig and I were in SA in 2006. She was one of the 3 main girls that I spent my time with in '06. It was so encouraging to see her still walking with the Lord today and trying to share Christ with the people at her workplace. That is the whole reason we even come to South Africa and on the CCP - to prayerfully introduce people to or help people grow in their relationship with Jesus and to continue to walk with Him for the rest of their lives and share that good news with others. It's amazing that God would and even could use people like me!
So, although the summer has had it's ups and downs, I know God has worked both in and through our team.

Our Schedule for the next 2 weeks:
June 19th - 22nd we leave for the COJ Leadership Camp in Delmas, SA
June 22nd - 26th we are doing some Mercy/Justice ministry at a nearby township called Botleng
June 26th - July 2nd we'll be in Capetown
June 2nd we depart from Capetown
July 3rd we arrive in Atlanta!

Thanks for all of your prayers, and we look forward to seeing everyone soon!

- Hannah (Kate) Hensley

Adam: Last Post from Campus

2009-06-17T04:51:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day on campus. We might be able to come back tomorrow, but I think today might be it. That said, I need to be brief.This past weekend, we went to Pilansburg, which is a Game Reserve. We went there for two nights, and we saw some of the most amazing things. I will have to show you all pictures from our time there, but I still can't get my head around some of the stuff we saw! We saw pretty much every crazy animal you could think of, right up next to the car.

Unfortunately, when we got back I started to get sick. It probably was the sickest that I have ever been, actually. I'm still not sure how I got it, but it definitely was not fun. I did get over it relatively quickly, and was back on campus after only a day of being sick. Probably the worst part though, and the part that I fell worst about, is that one of the other girls got it from me, and she has been sick for the past two days. Now that two people have had it, it is a huge possibility that the rest of the team will get it. As we are transitioning off campus to do mercy ministry, this could be one of the worst times to get it! Please pray that the virus will stop spreading.

Ok, so now the awesome news. Moses has been a guy that I have been investing in a lot this summer, and I also believe that God has really been drawing him out. Yesterday we got in the Word together, looking at scripture together. After discussing God's Word and how it applied to us, I asked him where he thought he was spiritually. He said that he understood it in his head, but he didn't think he really believed it in his heart (Rom 10:9). I asked him if he would want that: he said yes. I asked him if there is anything that held him back: he said no. I asked if he wanted to ask God for this belief and surrender to Christ: he said yes! We prayed, and I really think that he might have entered the Kingdom yesterday! Obviously I can't tell what is going on in someones heart, but I really feel like God has been moving in him.

I really wish I could say more, but I need to go hit the Res now and hopefully talk to Moses again. I look forward to telling you all of God's work in this guy's life when I get back home. A couple quick prayer requests, then I must go:
-Pray for Moses, that God would guard his heart and continue to draw him to Himself, especially over the winter holidays
-Pray for the illness that is passing around the group. Pray that God would provide, and the sickness would stop spreading-Our next two weeks will be spent doing mercy ministry mostly. Pray that we would make that transition well, and that we would walk with God through it.
-We will be traveling a lot soon, so pray for our safety as well.
-Lift up this campus and all the people we probably will never see again. I miss so many of them already, and I look forward to seeing some of them in Heaven. Pray that God will continue to work in the hearts of the believers and non-believers that we have spent time with.

Alright, I gotta go. Thank you all for everything, for all your support, and all of your prayers. I have been so blessed by this whole experience.

Cheers,

Adam

Finishing Strong: Jonathan

2009-06-15T12:13:00.000-07:00

We're now entering into our last week on campus, which will end with a Campus Outreach leadership camp that many UJ students will be going on. It is really tough to accept that we'll be parting ways with all the people that we've gotten to know; even though this is the longest mission trip I've been on, it still seems like we're just getting started here. In a way it gives us a taste of long term missions, building lasting relationships with people in a culture far from our own. It also makes us more aware of what ministry can look like in our own places that God has for us back home; living for His kingdom through living out the gospel in the relationships that the Lord provides for us. It's just hard to see that through the business of life and my desire put my agenda above His.

On campus was a little scattered, trying to meet with guys amongst negotiating through their writing (exam) schedules. However, Matt and I were able to get a bunch guys to come over for a nice American-cooked meal, because no one can ever say no to free food. It was pretty hectic to say the least. What started as one or two guys halfway committing turned into six guys piling into the kombee along with the ten CCP girls that we had to bring back, but we made it work. The kitchen was another story. We normally have three working eyes on the stove that we can use, but that night one decided to break (along with blowing a fuse). Apparetnly it got pretty entertaining to see me put together pasta and chicken fried rice for eight guys with just one pan, having to cook both an egg on one half of the pan and chicken on the other, while sharing a pasta pot with Katie Calhoun. But we pulled it off, the guys liked it, and we had a great time.After praying with the UJ student leaders at 6:30 am

Friday morning, we made a four-hour drive over to Pilansburg, a huge game reserve park. Unlike the Rhino and Lion park, we camped out at the park and drove around the entire time, searching for animals. Along with the beautiful scenery, we got to see a ton of different animals, everything from Rhinos, to huge herds of Zebra, and even got to trail an elephant on a night safari drive. On thing that took me by surprise when we first arrived were the stars, never in my life have I seen so many at one time. Even though we're in Africa, we're normally in the city, with lights everywhere. It is only when we drive four hours out of Joburg that we get to see how awesome they can be. There were a few monkey wrenches thrown in the mix. First was finding that out of the four tent bags we had, only one of them had poles in them, resulting in having to string up a five-person tent to the surrounding trees, and the guys sleeping outside. The next was all me. After seeing a few hippos at one of the watering holes, I started slowly backing up the car, eventually hearing a loud pop from the back of the car: a tree branch had completely shattered the rear window. The last was Adam getting what we think was the stomach flu or food poisoning, but whatever it was, we quarantined him in the man-cave until he got over it, and so far it's worked. Right now we are pushing as hard as we can to finish strong with our last week on campus, before heading to the leadership camp and Cape Town.

The next few weeks after the camp will be pretty much devoted entirely to doing mercy ministry in the townships, caring for and spending time with people in the shanty towns outside the camp and in Cape Town. It's going to be a pretty exausting schedule, but the Lord will get us through it. I'm just hoping that God will use me so that I can make a difference in these people's lives, because I am going to be depending heavily on Him for strength, endurance, and energy as we work through these next few weeks. As exciting as this trip has been, it has been pretty exausting as well.

I am really hoping to get lunch a few times this week with Klip. Because of his exam he has coming up, he's going to be studying most of the time until then (these exams are no joke to the South Africans, I never studied half this much when I was freshmen). I am really hoping that we can have some good conversations during those times, I've been trying to think for that time a lot this past weekend, for what would be good for me to challenge him with that would bring him to a better understanding of the gospel. Please pray for that time, and that we as a team would be effective in all the places that we will be in the next few weeks.

Cheers,

Jonathan

Time Flies: Jonathan week of June 7

2009-06-15T12:04:00.001-07:00

Well, we're now another week closer to the end of our time with the students, who are now in the middle of the final exams for the semester, then most will be heading home within the next week or so. It's ridiculous how fast this has gone by, and how much God has been working through our time here, both with our ministry on campus and within our team. Usually when you cram 17 college students into a house (front entrance pictured) together for seven weeks, blow-ups between individuals or genders are bound to happen, Christian or non-Christian. I am amazed to say that the Lord has preserved our team in that way, which is so helpful for team unity, and effectiveness in being Christ-centered. With the students, it's been so cool to see each member of our team find his/her niche with certain students, and see the relationships that have formed. The girls have grown very close with the girl leaders, and I've already heard many stories of great conversations that they've had with them about ministry, helping them invest in other Christians and also strive to share the gospel with non-Christians.

Matt and I have been holding it down in Afslaan, both of us are spending more and more time with the first-year guys (Kaptein, Klip, and Ndaba), even amongst the crazy exam schedules these guys have. I had the wonderful privilege of tutoring Klip in genetics (pictured), a class I took last semester, so needless to say I was pretty fresh (if that's not God working, I don't know what is). It's funny to think back on the first time I met all the guys in Afslaan. Most of them were pretty quiet initially (just like me sometimes, depends on the day), so Matt and I were pretty apprehensive about the impact and relationships that we would have with them, but now he have a blast when we are with them. Africans are subtly hilarious. For example, we were with Rubber in his room. He gets up with a small bag to meet someone at the front door, and returns empty-handed. He then answers to the sketchiness by nonchalantly telling us that he sells his ADD medication to classmates to help them study. Matt and I are totally convinced, and have no idea how to respond. Thankfully he then told us that they were free vitamins he got, but he had us for a while. Friday night us Afslaan guys got to hang out at McDonald's, demolish a few McFeasts, and watch Black Hawk Down, which was definitely much more thought-provoking to see in Africa, since it took place only a few countries north of here.

Saturday was a field trip to Soweto, a township outside of Joburg, where 5 million people live in a not-so-huge area. After someone backing in our car, meeting them at a police station, filling out our own police report, we finally got to visit a UJ student's home, where we got to enjoy some delicious African homemade soup. It's their tradition to offer something, usually food, to anyone who visits (even the students on campus will do it). It was great to be able to hang out and meet her parents, and get to find out more about how life is growing up there. The ride back was a whole other experience. The SA vs Poland soccer match has just ended, so traffic was horrendous. In the States, bad traffic means sitting at a light until finally getting through. Here it means large intersections are packed with cars that are trying to make their own way through, resulting in an absolute standstill. We finally got out of there when a traffic cop directed us to drive on a sidewalk. Hilarious.

Sunday was our last service at the church we've been attending (Melville Union Church), which has been so great to be able to be a part of, with both serving in worship and meeting with those who work in it. We then visited Neil Gooch's house, a man from Georgia who has now been here many years, and has been pivotal in creating the Campus Outreach ministries at the Johannesburg campus. It was a treat to be able to pick his brain while on his experiences with ministry over a braai, and hear advice on how to be effective in each of our areas back at home. His house was incredible, designed to have large get-togethers with mission teams and give his kids a great place to grow up. His family is full of builders, so he naturally has the gift of constructing a home that does just that.

So that is the run-down of our week/weekend, and as you can imagine, it As much as ministry is supposed to be God-centered, it is easy to get caught up in the business of schedules and giving all my time and energy to the people I'm around, and neglect my time and focus on the Lord, and allowing Him to be the source of my strength and truth. I have to fight the urge of relying on myself. Whenever seeking time with the Lord starts to feel more like an obligation instead of a passion, it's a sign that I'm missing something, and that I'm my own life above the Source of life. Yesterday (Monday) was very helpful for me, because it was our Sabbath, planned so that we can break from the hectic week, and simply rest in the Lord, reminding ourselves of His presence, His faithfulness, love, and truth of the gospel. So yesterday I got to take advantage of that, and realign my focus (and get some much-needed exercise at the rugby fields afterwards).

This week is one of our last with the students, and Matt and I's (along with the rest of the team)
focus is to cement the work that we've done with the students into something that will continue here the next few semesters, whether that means connecting guys with Bible studies, non-Christians with other Christian peers, or simply giving them books that might challenge their faith and understanding. Please be praying for the team, that God would give us wisdom for these last couple weeks on campus, that this would leave a lasting impact on the students, and on the Christian movement on campus.

Cheers!
Jonathan

P.S.- Here are a few more pictures for you

A few guys manning the braai stand

Me, Kaptein, Tyre, and Matt chilling by the fire

Matt and Rubber hanging out outside one of the complexes in Afslaan

From 2006 to 2009...

2009-06-09T04:54:00.000-07:00

We have hit the 4 week mark here in South Africa. It's hard to believe we have been here that long and then some days, it feels like forever! With only 1 1/2 weeks left on campus, it's hard to see the impact of one summer of being in South Africa. But, having the priviledge of this being my second time on CCP, I have the opportunity to see 3 years of what God has been doing through the CCPs...
Friday night, we had a Leader's Night for some of the girls involved in COJ and there ended up being about 40 girls, including us, at our little guesthouse! We talked about the amazing potential these girls had to impact thir peers, their country, and even their continent! The picture above is a group of 4th and 5th year students who I knew when I was here in 2006. These girls were new Christians or being introduced to Christianity through our CCP team in 2006. Now, they have grown into some of the key leaders in the ministry! One girl, Fifi (3rd from the right), has actually been on staff with Campus Outreach in Joburg for the past 2 years. God really does use the work of those that are just being faithful.

- Hannah Hensley

South African Police Stations and American Surprises

2009-06-08T12:01:00.000-07:00

Hello All!!

Ah, I hope you're all doing so well!

We passed the half-way point of the trip last week--can you believe it?? Me neither...

Wow. A lot has happened in the past week. I'll try to hit the highlights:

1. Friday night we (the CCP girls) invited all of CO's women-leaders over to the Butterfly for a night of American desserts (chocolate delight and rice krispies), games, and a dance party. There were probably about 30 students that came, so we crammed into the house and had a great night with all the girls. They are all buried in their books because of exams, so the night was a much needed reprieve. Our hope was that the night would help encourage unity among them, since they are usually very segregated based on what res they call home. We also had a really sweet share time; each girl spoke about someone who had been a strong spiritual influence in her life and why that women meant so much to her. It was really moving to hear so many different names and so many different ways in which the leaders had been impacted. Afterwards, we talked about how each of us has the opportunity to be "that woman" for others. It's tough to convey how powerful the night felt. I hope the South African girls felt the same way.

2. Saturday our team traveled to two different students' homes in Soweto (short for "South Western Townships"), the name for over 23 townships formed at the height of apartheid. Over 6 million people live in Soweto today. As you can imagine, there's a huge range of living standards within Soweto. We passed some areas that reminded me of the garbage dumps in Mexico City; other areas are some of the richest in South Africa. Another point of interest: the ex-homes of Nelson Mandela and Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu are in Soweto; we got to drive-by both. On our way to Soweto, we got in our first South African fender-bender... We were driving through an intersection, but had to stop (almost in the middle of the traffic light) because the car in front of us was stalled. All of a sudden, the car started backing up. And kept backing up. And backed into us. Whoops... There was a short moment of shock and panic and the realization that none of us had a clue how to handle a car accident in SA, but we got the guy's DL number/information and headed on our way... Craig (our team leader) wasn't in the car with us, and when we finally got in touch with him, he told us that the rental car company required that we file a police report. Whoops again. Thankfully, we were sitting still in traffic and the driver was only a few cars in front of us. Thami (the SA student with us) had to run down the street to tell our new favorite driver to follow us to the nearest police station. Two hours and way too many pictures of the Sofiatowne Police Station later, we were on our way to Soweto...

We only had about an hour at Thami's house, but we were able to enjoy so incredible vegetable soup her mom made for us. Her dad was glued to the TV, watching the D-Day anniversary speeches and medal presentations in France. So, we spent the hour discussing Obama (her dad was uber-impressed that he didn't use any notes for his speech) and trying to convince him that U.S. winters weren't as unbearable as he believed and that, somehow, the wildlife did manage to survive. I'm not sure he believed us...

The SA and Poland soccer teams were playing at a stadium in Soweto, so traffic was out-of-control. There's no way to describe the driving experience except to say that at one point, we could have touched another vehicle out of any window of our car and that every car was attempting to drive in a different direction.

We got home from the most ridiculous driving experience ever, excited about a night of "Team Time." Craig informed us that he'd been felt like, as a group, we'd started to complain a little more, be a little more selfish, etc. Soooooo...our "team time" was going to be a time of talking through group conflicts/problems, etc. Needless to say, we were not excited... Craig decided to kick off the group "confession" time and started by saying that he hadn't been entirely honest with us since we arrived in SA. I wish I could know what was going through everyone's mind at that moment...haha. It turns out that he was being "dishonest" about a care package that Steve McGuire and some other folks had put together for us. Craig had told us that the massive gray box we brought from Atlanta was stuff from the States for some CO staff members. Oh contraire (spelling?). Instead, it was filled with anything and everything we could have missed from home: goldfish, chips and salsa, tons of gum, chex mix, rice krispies treats, fun-fetti cake mix, nilla wafers (it took every ounce of effort I had not to eat the whole box), some movies, a frisbee, and more... It was seriously like Christmas morning. With 17 children. We made the fun-fetti cake and snuggled together to watch a movie. A great ending to a ridiculous day.

3. Sunday night we had a braai (a cookout) with Neal Gooch--the director of CO Johannesburg--and his family. The man is like a legend, and we looooved being able to talk with him and his wife (Jennifer) about their last 7 seven years in Jo-burg. Neal and our guys "braaied," and Jennifer made us macaroni and cheese and baked beans, so our weekend of American surprises continued. =)

Treager Update: Howzit?

2009-06-08T11:19:00.000-07:00

It sure has been a while since I've updated. Actually, I haven't yet now that I think about it... Sorry for the delay, but things have been rather busy lately. So, where do I begin? How ‘bout with “God is good!” One of the coolest things I’ve experienced thus far on the trip has been seeing that wherever we go in this world, our God doesn’t change at all. His Gospel is still just as relevant to a lost people who are searching for more than what this world has to offer. To see Him working here has been a great blessing and an answer to many prayers. I wish I could tell y’all all of the stories from our trip thus far, but I suppose that would take quite some time. So here is a brief story of what ministry has been like thus far in Aflsaan res:

Because much of the adult staff for Campus Outreach here at UJ has had to leave campus and raise support (due to the global financial crisis), our main task this summer has been to partner with the student Outreach leaders in the res. Whereas in the past, most of the time was spent sharing the gospel with non-believers, this summer’s mission has been more focused on strengthening the leadership on campus so that when CO re-launches next year, their leadership core with be a strong and united fellowship.

In Afslaan, that means we’ve been spending most of our time with the Campus Outreach leaders there: Rubber, Tyre, and Cinderella. Yes, those are their names … monikers of course. One aspect of the res life here that makes it different from the traditional dorm in the States is that each res is more like a fraternity. They have a sense of brotherhood in the res’ and each first year gets a nickname from a senior in the res. And more often than not, they have no clue how they got them, which adds to their absurdity.

Our time with these guys has been pretty “lekker”. That is to say in Afrikaans, “grand” or “cool”. We have been involved also with a Bible study that they are leading for some first years: Ndaba, Valley, Kaptein, Vain, Secret, and Sevice. Both Jonathan and I have had a chance to lead the Bible study and both times they turned more into fruitful discussions, which was the ultimate goal. I would go into further detail about my time with each one of these men, but I suppose that would take a while. I'll try my best to update with some of these stories, but that may not work out knowing how little I'm able to gather my thoughts, let alone type them out (Jonathan is better at that anyways). So be sure to ask me when I get back and I’ll be glad to tell you the stories of how God is working in the hearts of the Aflsaan guys. In short, He is. And in ways that only He can do.

Spending time with these “gents” has been both a blessing and a great learning experience. And when I say learning experience, I don’t just mean how to share the faith relationally. It has been a stretching time where I am constantly reminded of how much I need God everyday to be an effective carrier of His Word. I often don’t have the words to say or the strength to endure the long days on campus. I’m no good by myself, but His power is perfected in my weakness, a sentiment I share with the Apostle Paul. And to see God show up in our ministry has been a powerful reminder that God is for us and for His Gospel to be heard by every person on this earth.

Please be praying for our time with these guys in Afslaan, because they are the future of Campus Outreach and the future of God’s Kingdom at UJ Kingsway. We don’t have much time left here on campus, so pray that in these last couple of weeks we would finish well. That we would devote our time to helping these leaders see God. That they would see the impact that He can have through them at UJ, in Johannesburg, and in all of Africa.

Thanks for reading!
Cheers,

-Matt Treager

4 Weeks In

2009-06-03T07:22:00.000-07:00

Having community with the leaders has been difficult here at Kingsway. So, in an effort to help build community with the girls in all the different areas of ministry on campus, we all get together at the student center on Thursdays at 3. Last week, we were all sitting in a circle and somehow ended up playing duck, duck, goose. It may sound strange, but it was so fun! And, as you can see from the picture, Austin had to sit in the stink pot (i.e. the middle of the circle) because Caitlin got her.

Our first team picture since we have been in RSA...and it only took us 3 weeks to take it!

This was at the end of our day at the Lion and Rhino park.

Jonathan: Rion and Lhino

2009-06-02T12:05:00.001-07:00

It has been quite a weekend, both incredibly encouraging and a lot of fun (the picture is of when us guys decided to get on the roof of our house and do some worship during our sabbath). It started off on Friday with a braai that we put together for a few guys that we've been ministering to. Dispite the wind fighting hard to keep us from lighting it, we got it going, had some incredible meat, and great fellowship. It was awesome for our ministry, too. A first-year, Klip, that I've been around for a bit got to meet a few of the Christian CO leaders that are in his res. A huge part of what we are doing is connecting the guys we get to know to the leaders so that the ministry can be strengthened when we leave campus (which is in only ten days!). With Klip, he seems like he is definitely interested in spiritual things, and I see a lot of potential in him to lead other guys. Another guy we met, Ndaba, seems very solid spiritually, and just needs to be put in the right direction as far as ministry and leadership, so Matt and I are going to be challenging him in the next couple of weeks to start thinking for that. All in all, I am very excited for what God seems to be preparing for us in our ministry. I'm not sure what He has in store for us with these guys, but it's looking pretty awesome so far. One thing that I've been actively praying for is that all of this would be in accordance with His will, because it's easy to think we have it all planned out, but it's only the Lord who makes it happen (Proverbs 16:9, 1 Corinthians 3:6).

The next day we hit the road, out of Johannesburg, and drove to a Rhino and Lion park and got to see zebras, hippos, lions, cheetahs, tigers, and rhinos in the wild. Summary of the trip: God's creation is magnificent. Seeing all these different creatures that He has made was a true worship experience for me. Most of the animals we saw were from driving around the reserve looking out into the bush, but we also got to hold lion cubs in an enclosure that they had set up. They were adorable, and the only kind of cat that I would keep around if I could. haha. They were definitely feisty though; I left with many scratches and a few bites, one on my chest that I hope will leave a sweet scar.

After that it was off to dinner at all-you-can-eat African steakhouse, where the menu includes zebra, buffalo, coodoo (African venison), and crocodile, along with more domestic meats like lamb, beef, and pork. Needless to say we were in heaven, until us guys turned it into a man challenge to see who could eat the most meat. If you know me well enough, you know that I can't bow out of a challenge, regardless of the absurdity or pain. By our 14th round of meat, I was in pain, but I could not stop, not while there were still other guys in it too. Eventually, it was down to just Keith and I, and Craig (our leader) announced the last round, which I was thoroughly relieved by, because I was fuller than Violet Beauregarde in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I thankfully made it through the last drumstick, and had a very uncomfortable ride home. Totally worth it though.

Sunday night we had an awesome church service that ended with a choir that sung songs in at least 3 other languages besides English, and we all got to dance to it; a tad bit different than our conventional American services. Afterwards we headed to campus to meet with the leaders in Afslaan, and discussed ministry for this week. It was encouraging to be able to plan our week together to be most effective for our ministry, and be united with them in what would best serve us and them. This week will be individually meeting with Klip, Ndaba, and a few other guys that are in the leaders' bible study, and Friday night arranging a big get-together for fellowship. God's given us great friendships with those guys, and I'm really looking forward to seeing Him work through it. Thank you all for your prayers, and I hope to write more soon!

Cheers,

Jonathan

Jonathan: Pressing On

2009-06-01T10:24:00.000-07:00

We are now in our third week in Johannesburg, and it still feels like we are just now getting started. The Lord has been constantly blessing us with awesome fellowship with the believers at UJ, and encouraging time together as a team. The other night our guys went to one of the res's and had a huge braai with a bunch of the COJ guy leaders. A braai is another word for a grill, but also means a cookout. Especially at the one we just went to, guys bring a ton of meat (the most essential food group), cook it, and chill by the fire all night; it doesn't get much better than that!

Our living accomidations are a little cramped, but we are blessed to have a place that's as nice as ours. Some girls are having to share up to five to a room, two have made a bedroom out of a hallway, and the four guys get to share a fairly spacious room in a house slightly disconnected to the rest of the house, dubbed the "man cave." It's been nice to be able to have some room to get away the craziness of twelve other girls (not that I'm complaining). I mentioned previously that things tend to take a while here; this applies specifically with trasportation. What leaving the house entails is first unlocking the front door, unlocking the gate, locking the front door, locking the gate, walking to where our big van is parked, unlocking that gate, backing up the huge van (which, like all cars here, is stick-shift) through a gate that gives about four inches of space on each side (right mirror missing because of the lack of space), locking that gate, unlocking the house gate, unlocking the front door, getting everyone together, then locking the front door then the gate. Phew! If you didn't have the patience to read that process, you can understand the patience that we have to be reliant on God for in order to pull this off. The best thing about it is the perspective I've gotten from it of how incredibly blessed we are as a country to not have to worry about the intense security measures these South Africans have to go through. Johannesburg, where we are staying, for a while has been the no. 1 most dangerous city because of crime. That's no joke. All the time that it takes to get places is almost entirely due to ensuring our protection. It's a harsh reality we've had to face.

There are a few guys that Matt and I are focusing on/starting to bulid more of a relationship with. For most of the students, they are very exposed to Christianity, through either growing up in a family where church is the accepted thing to do, or through other people around them. Because of this, the challenge (experienced first hand in a recent bible study we had) has been to get to find out whether they have true faith in Jesus, or that they're just reliant on their head knowledge to save them, because they definitely know all the right answers. Are approach to them has been to simply get around them a lot and model for them a life that is actually living for God, through both ministry and applying the gospel to our own lives. The difficulty amoung guys is that men don't thrive off of sitting around having conversations, we have to be out doing things for more effective "male bonding." Through what we've seen with the girls, they've been perfectly fine with talking with UJ girls for hours on end, and by the end of the day they'll be best friends. This just means that we've got to be active in making things happen for the guys, creating events and braii's, going "gymming" (working out), etc. It has been encouraging to get to know the guys at the Afslaan res. I've noticed that people are a lot more welcoming here, you can just walk into one of the main rooms in the complexes, start talking to whoever's there, and they are completely OK with it. Not in the States, I can tell you that much. There are too many social stigmas we face in the US, so the difference has truly been refreshing.

These next two weeks are going to be crucial for us, because students are going to start doing final exams, and then they are on break until after we leave. I would greatly appreciate it if you could be praying for all of us as we spend more time with these students; that we would be intentional with our conversations, pointing them towards Christ, and that the Lord would work on their hearts. Thanks!

Crosby: Update #2

2009-05-29T06:45:00.000-07:00

Hey friends and family.

I can’t believe a week has gone by since I last updated you. The week has flown but so much has happened since last Monday. Last week was our first official week on campus ministering full time. It was very tiring (long days) but very encouraging as well. We spent a lot of time with the Campus Oureach leaders in Lebone (the res I’m ministering in). This year is a unique year for Campus Outreach Johannesburg. They have been on campuses in Jo’burg for 6 years now. Ministry has exploded and the Lord has been alive and working, but the staff have been very overwhelmed. Finances are also a big issue. Virtually their entire staff team was pretty deeply in the red with support. They came together and prayed about the situation God had placed them in, and decided to take a step back instead of moving forward in the Campus Outreach movement on the campuses. Their theme for the year is “re.” They are reflecting on what the Lord has done, taking a step back from campus to rest and rejuvenate for the years of ministry ahead, and preparing to re-launch ministry full fledge next year.

We’ve come during this unique period of time. Because the staff is primarily off campus raising support, the student leaders are primarily keeping the Campus Outreach ministry afloat this year. The main objective and purpose for our team's time here is to encourage and help equip their leaders in their walks and in their particular ministries with unbelievers. At first I was kind of disappointed with the task we had been given. I wanted to spend a lot of time going into the res (dorm) in order to build friendships and share Christ with unbelievers. After spending time with the CO leaders this past week, I can see now why it’s vital for us to be spending a lot of time with the CO leaders. The CO leaders are essential to sustain and move forward the CO ministry. I think I had high expectations for where the leaders in Lebone were at in their walk with Christ. This past week I discovered that some of these girls are very new believers and are not completely sound in their faith. On top of this, some of these girls have had very hard lives. I have been reminded of how blessed I am when it comes to the family I was placed in and the community I grew up in. One of the girl’s father is a priest yet lives a very worldly lifestyle. He essentially has two lives but believes he is hiding it well. He has been unfaithful to his wife and has emotionally abused his children. The girl also told us that most of the men (around 90%) in her village are unfaithful to their wives and display poor leadership skills. This has had a traumatic impact on her life, and it has been hard for her to be rooted in the truth of the Gospel instead of the reality of how she grew up and what is considered “normal” to her. What she needs is someone to come along side of her, affirm and encourage her. It was neat to see how she felt comfortable enough to be so vulnerable with Meredith and I. We were able to read her Scripture and speak truth into her life. Through that conversation I saw why I am here in South Africa. I am here to, by God's grace and help, come along side women and help raise them up to be women who love the Lord and are committed to His kingdom on a continent filled with discouragement, pain, and suffering.

I also noticed through this week that the CO leaders in Lebone are not as connected to each other as much as I thought they were. On top of this, their dorm has very few Christians. It’s very hard to walk with Christ alone—that’s why we have the body. It’s also hard to have ministry and reach out to unbelievers when you feel alone. I think a large part of our ministry will be encouraging them and finding ways to grow them closer to the Lord and to each other. This week I plan to get in the Word with each of the leaders and through His Word, reveal and speak truth into their lives. They first need someone to encourage them and spur them on in their faith before they begin to know what it looks like to give their own lives away. Nevertheless, we really want to get the leaders around other unbelievers we have been spending time with to allow them to see what ministry looks like. I think part of their fear is that in order to be a leader and to be in ministry they have to be perfect. But, in fact, this is not true. The Lord did not come for the righteous but for sinners. The Lord does not require that we be perfect, but that we be faithful.

Meredith and I have also been spending some time with the freshmen in Lebone who don't know the Lord. I'm excited to see how the Lord will use us. I've been convicted that I may be the only taste of Christ they will ever see, and that I need to make the most of every opportunity. But then again, it comes back to the dilemma of who would lead them and aid them in their faith if they do become Christians? That is why it's so important that we spend a lot of time with the Campus Outreach leaders in Lebone so that they will be able to come along these first years if they do become Christians and aid them in their walk with Christ. I'm sorry if this has been scattered, but I have not had much time. I hope this gives you a little glimpse of what ministry has been like this past week and what we will be doing in these upcoming weeks. Please pray for discernment for me as I seek guidance from the Lord of who to spend time with and invest in; after all, I cannot pour all of my time into a lot of different people because I am on a time line. Instead, I want to go deep with a few girls and really love and encourage them. Please also pray that my reliance will be upon the Lord. Days have been long and we do not always get a lot of sleep or down time. Pray that my dependency will be upon the Lord and not on how much alone time I get or how much I sleep.

One last thing-- as I told all of you ealier, we've been studying the Gospel of Mark. The Lord has been teaching me so much. Just seeing what Jesus was like and how he handled minstry has been so encouraging and challenging. One of the main points I've taken lately is that Jesus was misunderstood often-- even by those He was closest to (his disciples and family); however, He was grounded in His purpose on earth and was in continual communion with His father. Because of this, his passion for people and purpose on this earth did not waiver. I want to be more like Jesus in this way. Pray that the Lord would convict me of my purpose as a Christian (to love Him and to spread His good news) so much that I will not waiver even when I am misunderstood. Thank you for your prayers for me and your encouraging emails. They are both greatly appreciated. I appreciate your partnership in the Gospel and look forward to seeing how the Lord continues to work in South Africa.
Grace and peace,
Katie Crosby

Crosby: Update #1

2009-05-29T06:42:00.000-07:00

Hey friends and family.

I am so thankful to finally be getting the chance to update you. I have been itching to write you all since I first got to South Africa, but this is actually the first time I have had access to a computer. Even though I have only been here a week, I am overwhelmed by how much I have learned and experienced. I just hope that I am able to relay some of it to you in an effective way. Our team of 18 is staying in a bed and breakfast here in Johannesburg, but it is definitely not one you would think of in the states. I share a room with four other girls in a room smaller than the one I shared in my sorority house. Hot water, water pressure, and the ability to flush the toilet are all luxuries around here that we have learned to ration. Our team quickly learned that we will be living on top of each other the entire summer and that living together alone will be a sanctifying process. It has been a lot of fun so far but I know that as the summer goes on and the newness wears off, we will begin to grow weary. Pray that our team would rely upon the Lord for patience and long suffering with each other. Pray that we would love other people above ourselves as we experience how much Jesus loves us. Regardless, we are adjusting to life in Jo’burg and are very thankful to be here.

Our team is on the University of Johannesburg Kingsway campus. There are currently three staff on this campus—Jeff, Kris, and Fifi. Jeff is Afrikaans from SA and Fifi is from SA as well. Kris is from the states and has been here for 6 years. She is also married to Jeff. A cool side note for all you Macon folks is that Josh Garrett was very influential in Jeff’s growth as a Christian while Josh was here on CCP. It’s crazy how small and connected the world is! I am paired with another girl named Meredith for a ministry partner. We have been placed at the Lebone res (dorm) on the Kingsway campus. There are currently three girls living in this res who have been involved in Campus Outreach. According to the staff here in SA, our goal is to cast vision for these girls to see what it looks like to give your life away and to pour your life into other people for the sake of Christ. We will be reaching out to non-believers in this res as well as building relationships with the three girls who are involved in Campus Outreach. I am both humbled and somewhat anxious about this task. That’s when I remember that it’s not about me—it’s about Christ working in and through me. On my own I will never be able to spread the news of Christ yet alone get through the day unless He is alive and working in my heart. I need your prayers that I will rely upon the Lord and not myself and that my love for Jesus would govern my ministry in this res and not vice versa. I’m excited to see what the Lord will do.

We have been going nonstop since landing in Jo’burg and I have learned so much. The first couple of days we had orientation training to get a grasp of what the Campus Outreach ministry looks like here in South Africa. We’ve learned about their culture, their lingo, and how they relate to one another. I feel like the Lord is very much expanding my worldview and has been rebuking me of my tendency to think that the American way is the only way. It has been so easy for me to get caught up in my little way of life in Athens and to think that the rest of the world revolves (or should revolve) like this. The bottom line is that every culture is unique and has something to bring to the table. The American way is not the only way and shame on so many Americans for thinking this like myself. I believe that we as Americans can get so caught up in our own culture and nation that we forget about the rest of the world. I am learning through being so far away from home that the rest of the world is very much connected and concerned about the world and not just their own nation. I think we as a nation have a lot to learn from this. I can definitely see how the Lord is broadening my view of the world and is rebuking my selfishness.

We got a chance to go to the Apartheid museum on Saturday. It was very moving. I actually talked to a lady who was there with her daughter who had experienced Apartheid personally. She was almost arrested for not carrying her ID but actually escaped. It was very emotional for her to go through the museum and relive the harsh realities she experienced only 15 years ago. Being able to talk to her made the reality of Apartheid more real to me, and it was a very humbling, heart wrenching experience. Our team is studying the gospel of Mark this summer and it has rocked my world already. My time with the Lord has been sweet and I am so thankful. Seeing the way Jesus lived and related to people is absolutely amazing, and I am learning so much. I feel like I could go on and on about what I am learning and experiencing but unfortunately I am out of time. Thank you so much for your prayers. I am thankful for all of you and your support. I am excited about the coming weeks to see how the Lord works in my own heart as well as on campus, and I look forward to updating all of you on both. Hopefully I will be able to next Monday as well. Your partnership in the Gospel is greatly appreciated.

Grace and peace,
Katie Crosby

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

2009-05-27T05:45:00.000-07:00

Just some pictures from our first few weeks:

Most of our team at McDonald's for dinner one weekend

Amelia, Treager and Caitline take a visit to pride rock

Katie, Meredith, Audrey, Lindsey and Hannah S. with some girls in Lebone

Dressing Up, South African Style...

2009-05-25T12:53:00.000-07:00

Hello all!!
Has a week really passed since the first update? Wow. So much has happened since then... I'll do my best to recap. =)

As a team, we're starting to feel at home (well, more at home, anyway...) on the UJ campus and within our CO "bubble"--the semi-safe places aroung Jo-burg that we're allowed to go. Also, we've finally settled into our weekly routine, which definitely helps us feel more, well, settled. Austin (my ministry partner) and my time on campus has been pretty challenging. Like

I said in the last update, Amper Daar has a lot of leaders within the ministry, but many of them are young; without the staff around this year, the girls' vision for ministry has slowly dissipated and their involvement in CO has become almost mechanical and formulaic. It's an thing to have happen...

It's tough to know what our role is suppossed to be in these girls' lives; many of them (if not most of them) have already experienced much more pain and hardship than I may ever know. I want so badly for them to see their potential for influence--within Amper Daar, on the UJ Campus, in the country, and on the continent, and I'm praying that the Lord will use Austin and I to reingite these girls. Praise Jesus my only job is to be faithful to the Lord and to remain in the "true vine" (John 15:1-5), because only then will our lives produce fruit. We have such a limited amount of time with them, though, and there is so much about their walks with the Lord that we don't know. The temptation for me, since we've spent less than 2 weeks with these girls, is to psycho-analayze and critique their every move--this, of course, translates way-too-quickly into being critical and judgmental. So, I'm praying like crazy that I have nothing but the love of Jesus for these girls.

It's "block week" here--the week before students start "writing" exams (although some students are writing this week). Exams last until June 20th. That said, life is crazy and stressful for the students, especially for the students who carry the additional pressure of doing well so that they can provide for their families after graduation. I'm thankful (most of the time, anyway...) that I feel inadequate and unsure of our next step in AD, because only then am I reminded that only God makes the seed of faith grow (Mark 4:26-29). Christianity isn't a science, and although I sometimes wish that it were, I'm fighting to walk daily in the truth that I mentioned earlier: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

In other news, we went to a "Missions Ball" on Saturday night. Three guys within with CO leadership are going to Ghana in July. As a way of raising 1) funds and 2)awareness about missions/their trip, they organized and hosted a formal "ball." (South African students love to get dressed up!) The girls rounded up dresses for most of us, so we headed to the "ball" for a great SA meal cooked by the CO girls and a night of dancing with our new SA friends. The night before, we had about 12 students over to the 'fly to play cards and board games. Naturally, a dance party broke out, so we thought it only proper if we taught them the Cupid Shuffle (I thought of you, Mel!). They loved it, and--surprise, surprise--were ten-times better than us...

Keep praying. =)

Much love,
Katie Clay

Katie's First Update

2009-05-25T12:47:00.000-07:00

Hello from the University of Johannesburg computer lab! It's hard to believe we've only we've only been here a week--it feels like a month since we left Atlanta. (p.s. We saw T.I. in the airport. Evidently he's not in jail anymore...)

Where do I start??

How about our accommodations... So, we have 17 folks on our team (12 girls and 5 guys. Slightly lopsided, I know...) The girls, as well as Hannah & Craig (the couple leading our team) are staying in the "Butterfly" guest house, while the other 4 guys are staying in the "man cave"--a little house behind the 'fly. We're definitely cramped, but we're becoming more "family-like" by the minute. We'll see how the next 6 weeks turn out...haha. The truly miraculous thing, however, is that we've managed to squeeze food for 17 people into a teensy refrigerator. We're also learning to take ridiculously fast showers, drive on the left side of the road, and adapt our speech to the local South African lingo. For example: lecker = lucky; brai = barbeque; res = dorm; robot = traffic light; the list goes on... Also, we've learned not to carry our book bags and nalgene bottle on campus; evidently they allow the students to automatically peg us as Americans. Even without the nalgene, I think it's still pretty obvious...

The Campus Outreach student leaders are amazing--incredibly friendly, open, and (thankfully) excited that we're finally here. We've gotten to spend some time on campus, and tomorrow our first "regular day" at UJ Kingsway begins. (Most of last week was dedicated to learning about Campus Outreach Johannesburg's movement, developing vision for the summer and learning more about our roles on campus.)

A little background info about UJ Kingsway: until 2000, it was "RAU" (Rau Afrikaans University, or something like that)--an all white, Afrikaans university. Since integration and the change to the "University of Jo-burg," the campus has become predominantly black, but the Afrikaans presence is absolutely felt. I'm still learning about the racial dynamics on campus, but it's obvious that SA has come a long way since the end of apartheid in 1994. As you can imagine, there's still a ton of racial discrimination, but I just haven't seen a lot of it yet. In fact, within CO's student leadership, a white Afrikaans guy and a black SA girl are now dating. Things are changing for the better, I've been told.

These students are the elite of SA--of the entire continent, really. They will become the country's (and the continent's) leaders, doctors, politicians, businessmen and women. If a generation of selfless, integrity-filled leaders could be raised up, everything could change. That's our hope and our prayer. That the Lord would use us--broken, empty and poured-out--to influence a generation of Africans who have the ability to change the nation and the continent for His glory.

As far as ministry goes, I've been assigned a female "res" called Amper Daar (an Afrikaans word for "Almost There." No one really knows why...haha.). There is a lot of older CO leadership within Amper Daar (most people live in the res all 4 years of "varsity"), but a division still exists between the ministry of the white and black girls. Also, we've been told by CO staff members that there's a generation gap within leadership, meaning that there aren't a ton of younger leaders that will be around to carry on the movement once the older girls graduate. One of our role's--with the Lord's grace--is to motivate the older girls to pursue organic, authentic relationships with non-believers in the res and to cultivate a desire to shepard younger, hungry believers who can carry on the ministry's momentum. It's easy for me to want a formula to follow when it comes to spending time with girls in Amper Daar, but I'm praying that Jesus would remain the heart and focus of our team. It would be so easy for ministry to become an idol, a distraction from the gospel. We're praying against that.

As far as CO J staff goes, the ministry is in a unique place; the staff are stepping (or have stepped) back from campus for a year to raise support, which has fallen to an incredibly unhealthly level. So, it's vital for the ministry that the student leaders really catch the vision of disciple-making. That said, it feels like a weighty role as a team, to help the current leaders seek out and develop the new leaders that are needed in order for the ministry to survive and flourish until the "Relaunch" in 2010. But--the Lord promises to use His children if we are willing. I'm praying that He would use us mightily--not because of anything we will do or say, but because of His grace. His grace is sufficient and His power is perfected in our weakness. Praise God for that.
In Exodus 3 & 4, Moses asks the Lord 5 times to send someone else to Egypt because he feels inadequate and unprepared to lead the Israelites out of slavery, but--surprise, surprise--the Lord promises to go before Moses and help him. I'm clinging to that same promise and believing what God later says to Joshua, "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you...Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." I'm sure I've forgotten to tell you something, but hopefully updates will be coming fairly frequently from here on out. Thank you for all the encouraging emails and updates from home. I miss you all! Enjoy the warm weather for us--we're all bundled up in scarves and North Face jackets...

Keep praying. =)
Much love,Katie Clay

Howzit Boet?

2009-05-21T06:22:00.000-07:00

So this is one of the first times that I have had access to a computer Johannesburg, South Africa. If there is one thing that I've learned so far, it's that everything that you need to accomplish in a foreign will take forever. Despite the minor inconveniences, it's been awesome! We are now in the middle of week two of our time down here, and by now we have gotten to know most of the students that we will be doing ministry with, and are now focusing on getting to know/building relationships with the first years (freshmen) in the Res (dorm) that we've been assigned to. Matt Treager and I are hanging out in the Afslaan Res, and as expected, the college dynamic is set up a little differently than in the States. For example, they do not have a Greek system on campus, therefore the fraternities and sororities are replaced by the Res halls. This means that similar brotherhoods, stuctures, and initiations are established for in Res as would be for a fraternity. This includes everyone going by the nickname that their leader gives them (the guys Matt and I are with are Cinderella, Rubber, and Tyre). It makes it easy on us, because we don't have to remember their African names, but for them it can be tough, because they have no say in what they will be called for the next for years (some names are so bad I can even write them).
Here's a short description of what our goals are for the next 6 weeks:

Encourage and strengthen the ministries of each of the student leaders in the Res we are working in (which could be helping in bible studies, modeling ministry with the surrounding students)
Get to know a lot of the younger students, and find those who can be effective for the Campus Outreach ministry for their campus (looking for potential leaders, who have a genuine interest in Christian ministry)
Growing closer to the Lord through preaching the gospel to others (and ourselves), having dependence on the Lord for Him to move in our ministry (because the power is in His gospel and the Holy Spirit working, and not our plans), and continuing learn for about Him through the studies that we are doing as a mission team (studying the gospel of Mark, reading the Discipline of Grace, memorizing scripture)

As great of an opportunity it is that we have to experience the Lord in a foreign mission field, we are ultimately here to do what we can to strengthen the existing Campus Outreach Johannesburg (COJ) ministry at the University of Johannesburg. We are reliant on the Lord and His provision for the success of this trip, and so far He has blessed us tremedously with all the great students in COJ that we've gotten to meet, and the fellowship and unity that has formed in our mission team.
So that's a little bit on what we here for, I'll write more soon on the day to day experiences that we have and will soon encounter. Cheers!

Jonathan Swanson

2009-05-20T07:50:00.000-07:00

To say this has been a crazy week and a half would be an understatement (maybe the craziest part is that it is 5 in the afternoon here as I write, but your day is just beginning - 6 hour time difference). The flight here was quite smooth and I, for one, was able to sleep for almost half of it, so that definitely helped with jet lag when we arrived.

The first week was been busy with orientation, meeting students and getting to know our way around the campus and town. In orientation, Jeff, Kris and Fifi (the CO Johannesburg staff at Kingsway) helped us think through language, safety and ministering to students who no doubt have drastically different backgrounds from us. A highlight in that has been learning some of the unique South African lingo. A traffic light is a robot. The hood of the car is the bonnet and the trunk the boot. And my favorite Afrikans phrase is Baie Dankie (pronounced “Buy a donkey”) which means “thank you very much.” The unfamiliar terminology coupled with our southern (trying to sound british) accents is quite funny.

Another highlight has been the time with the students here. So far we have mostly met the Christians who are already involved, and I quickly noticed that I have never met a group of people who are more relational. This is a great scenario for taking the Gospel (in both word and deed) to these people who desperately need it. And the Christian leaders here on campus are perhaps the most humble people I have ever met. I’m really challenged by their sincerity, brokenness over sin and understanding of their identity in the gospel. This week on the campus has been spent getting to know students who are already involved in the ministry here.

On a safety note, one of our girls did have her purse stolen Thursday night while at dinner. She had it hanging on the back of her chair while we were eating, so it was so frustrating that somehow it was taken, quite literally, right before our eyes. Please continue to pray for the safety of our team and for us in our coming weeks on the campus, that will have discernment and wisdom as we spend time there.

Cheers!

Hannah Sanders (or Hannah Grace)

Getting Used to South Africa

2009-05-20T07:19:00.000-07:00

So, we have been in Joburg for over a week now. Hard to believe! We are getting used to driving on the left side of the road, shopping at the Pick n' Pay (grocery store), and cramming all our groceries into one small refrigerator. It's a funny sight to see 17 people try to fix meals in a tiny kitchen every day.
We had our first full day on campus yesterday and it was exciting to hear all of the stories from the days' events. I could tell everyone was tired though... the Lord is going to have to give us lots of strength and energy as the summer goes on. The students are so friendly and easy to talk to here. Last Friday I went with Audrey and Lindsey to meet some of the daily students and we ended up walking up to these 2 girls that were hanging out and ended up talking to them for 2 hours!
Continue to pray for the gospel to be proclaimed through us.

Hannah Hensley

We Made It!

2009-05-18T10:53:00.000-07:00

So we made it to South Africa safely. Our flight couldn't have gone any better than it did. We've been the past week getting settled and acclimated to South African life. The guys have been learning to drive on the left side of the road, we've been attempting to avoid taking naps during the day so we can recover from jet lag more quickly, and we are trying to learn our way around the suburb we live in and the University of Johannesburg.We start doing ministry on the campus this Tuesday.

There are some Campus Outreach student leaders that live in the men and women's res halls (dorms) on campus that we will be connecting with. Our job is to meet new people in res, share Christ with them, and also help the student leaders have a personal ministry. We are excited about getting started and look forward to sharing some stories from campus with you all.

Craig

South Africa Preview

2009-05-07T07:19:00.000-07:00

On May 11, Hannah and I will be departing to lead our Cross Cultural Project in Johannesburg, South Africa. We are very excited and blessed to lead this team.

Take a look at the video I've posted. This is footage that I took on a set-up trip to South Africa when Hannah and I went back in February. It has some footage of Joburg and the campus we will be serving on. There are also three interviews with South African students that are very helpful in understanding where these people are coming from. Please keep us in your prayers.

-Craig

2009-03-27T14:08:00.000-07:00

CCP 2009 Team!

Josh finally posts!!

2008-06-05T02:25:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,
Well the students here are all finishing up their semester and we have about a week and a half left on campus. We’ve been having good times on campus and getting into some serious gospel conversations with some students. We have some students seriously considering coming to the J.W.C. such as Tebza, Spooku, Latong, K, Buntu, and Moshe. Please pray that these guys will come so we can get them around the body of believers here and hopefully connected with some of the campus outreach guys. That’s another one of our main goals while on this trip is to help build relationships between the students we’re talking to and the students already involved in the ministry. We don’t want to leave here and have been the only connection these guys had to the ministry.
Yesterday Robert, David, and I had a really good conversation with a guy named Jon. He said he believed in God and Christ, but thought Christianity was too hard and stressful because of having to do so many good things to cancel out the sin in his life. I’m so glad we got to talk to him so we could tell him that that’s not Christianity at all. We told him about grace and how all sin is forgiven, and it’s actually incredibly easy because Jesus did all the work for us. He was very receptive and honest about what he thought. He said he has a hard time believing the bible is all from God and not messed with any way, so it was hard to point him to scripture. Please pray for him that he will continue asking questions and seeking answers. I believe if he does he will come to the truth, and his faith will be so strong he’ll have to tell others.
We were also able to help out at a refugee camp last weekend at Primrose Methodist church. There were hundreds of homeless men, women, and children there because of the xenophobia violence going on in this country. This is a huge issue over here right now and it became a lot more real for us after serving food and helping out at the church last Saturday. Pray that God would work in the hearts of these people and stop all this hatred. Also pray for the families of all the people who lost their homes and jobs to the xenophobia violence.
Thanks for your prayers and support guys, talk to you all soon!

Ministry at a Refugee Camp!

2008-06-05T01:38:00.000-07:00

hello everyone!

Well, as of today we have been in South Africa for four weeks!! I can't believe it! We will have one more full week on the Wits campus and then we're off to Campus Outreach's JWC (Joint Winter Conference). It's very similar to the New Year's Conference that we have in the States. I do not have much time to tell everything that has gone on this past week, but I will try my best to give an overview.
Last Saturday, we had the opportunity to go to a refugee camp located right outside of Jo-Burg in Primrose. I wasn't too sure what to expect because the closest I had ever seen of a refugee camp was in the States, and let me tell you the places that refugees live in in the States is in no comparison to the conditions here. For awhile, God has given me a passion to want to work with and help refugees, but I haven't been too sure what that looks like. As soon as we got to the camp my heart immediately ached for these people. At this particular camp, there were about 800 people (men, women, and children) living in white plastic tents that were about 4 x 6 feet. The entire camp was fenced in with barb wire and children were just running around, bare foot, and many of them unsupervised. A local church in the town, along with the Red Cross, has been helping to feed these people and provide extra clothing, blankets, mattresses, hygiene kits, and any other necessary items for the people. Despite the better food that was being served at this particular camp, the conditions were still dangerous for the people and especially women. Each camp does have security, but even with that there have been reports of women being raped inside the camps and even by the guards. This was crazy for me to hear!
When we got there, we were hoping to have a tour through the camp, but due to dangerous conditions the S.African Red Cross didn't think it would be such a good idea because many of the people were drinking a lot. Instead, we had the opportunity to serve the people dinner and also just walk around some and talk with them. Many of the refugees are still very angry about all that has happened, so we had to be careful in our conversations with them. I mostly played with the little children and girls and talked to some of the mothers. I think for our entire team this experience was truly eye opening. It brought the reality of the Xenophobic attacks that we had heard about so much to life when we saw how many people were seeking refuge and scared for their life. Despite the conditions these people are living in, I still was able to have hope and for all the 50,000 displaced people in S.Africa. I realized that the Gospel is what changes lives and what could change even the hearts of the persecutors that are promoting these horrible attacks. For the refugees, there is hope that Christ came to save a broken world and bring restoration for the country of S.Africa. I will be forever impacted by my experience at the refugee camp and hope that when I come back to the States God will use me in the lives of refugees that have been placed in Atlanta. I think it's easy to think that what's going on in S. Africa is so far away, but I've been learning how there are many ways we can help by being in the States. I hope this helps to bring light to a little about what is going on in S.Africa and just how God is using us in small ways to help some of the thousands that have been displaced.

Love,
Jenny

The Most Impacting time of the week!

2008-06-05T01:37:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!! sooo I'm not so much of a blogger...but I thought I should join the bandwagon!

It's weird to me to think that I am writing an email to you all from South Africa...I'm pretty sure it was never in my wildest dreams that I would be here! BUT I AM! I enjoy the Lord's plan! :) haha

Most impacting time of the week:
Last Saturday we were able to serve at a Refugee Camp in Primrose which was only 30 min or so drive from where we stay. There were about 700 to 800 men, women, and sweet children at this camp...most from Zimbabwe...but other countries were represented as well...they were there having fled from incredible violence and hardship. A church, people in the community, and the red cross partnered to set up 100s of tents to provide shelter, policemen to provide safety, and two meals a day for each person. The day we got there was the day that mattresses got there as well and that night would be the first time these people had slept on something other than the ground in about two weeks. The Tents were closed in by a gate and fence and we were going to go inside...before that happened we were told to be aware that some are still very angry and might hurl insults at us...BUT the volunteers decided that it was actually too dangerous for us to go inside because many had been drinking and might act unpredictably. SO...what we did there...we were there to serve them supper. The supper station was just outside of the fenced in area. Lindsey and I (my good ole partner) were put on the "pap". Pap is a very popular food item here...its cheap and it's like rice or grits where it expands to make a LOT and fills you up. Some of our students grew up eating pap everyday. SO they all lined up in two lines...one being men's line...one being women and children's line. Because I was serving food I didn't really get to talk to the people much which was a bummer...people who were in line control got to talk to some of them...but some of their english wasn't great whcih made it hard. It was such an eye opening experience. The crazier thing is that we watched blood diamond just a couple nights later as a team and we saw camps on there that looked like the one we had been to. We can't imagine the tradegy these people have faced! We cleaned up all the dishes and then went home. We plan on going back and helping next weekend. I can't wait!

Love you all!! ~Julie

Arrival, Xenophobia, and the Joy of New Salvation!

2008-05-29T01:12:00.000-07:00

Lindsey Clark and my arrival to Johannesburg was great.Unexpectedly and pleasantly,we flew over with the CCP Augusta team...Thank you Susie for introducing me to them before!In SA,Lindsey and I were greeted by a few members of our team and South African CO staff.That was another welcome surprise after an 18 hour flight!

If you are wanton to watch the news- as you are Mom- you probably know that xenophobic attacks and killings have spread throughout South Africa. Thank you for your prayers,and we again want to assure that we are fine and safe.Especially in Johannesburg,refugee sites are set up at churches and other areas to provide shelter and food and clean clothing to those who were forced out of their homes. The University of Witwatersrand is safe for international students, but I have talked to a few who are cautious to stay on campus. Our CCP team has had many discussions about xenophobia and the sadness of seeing South Africa digress back in social equality,joined with student leaders in prayer for the country,and learned. I think that we feel a connection to the South African students as we now see this unfold before us all now.This friday,I think that we will be going to Pretoria and seeing what we can do to help a church;the details are not completely ironed out.

Elisa Carluccion(beautiful in every way) is my ministry partner. Almost daily,we go into the Sunnyside women's dorm. We hang out with and encourage the Campus Outreach student leaders there,attend and assist with bible studies,and recruit for the upcoming JWC conference in June. Elisa and I work very well together,I think. We often pray that God would use us and give us the words to say.He has been so faithful and good to us in this way. Elisa meets regularly with Lesego,Phumbla,Tee, and Ricabeth; I often meet with Sandrah,Thandeka,and Thendo.Thendo and I became fast friends.We found that we share many of the same struggles,and I think that God is using that. Last week,Thendo told me that she was not a Christian. She has been to many CO events and regularly attends bible studies in Sunnyside dorm. However,she thought that being a Christian would be boring and require to be a GOOD person. We had many conversations about this.

Finally,God led me to share scriptures with her about what real Christianity means: that salvation is a free gieft,because Christ died we can have forgiveness for our sins,we do not need to be a GOOD person to earn salvation,and that the Holy Spirit works in a Christian's life to make them more like Christ. I felt that God wanted me to leave these scriptures with her, to think about and pray through them. The next day-Thursday-she told me that she had and realized that she had associated her relationship with God to that of people. Like people,she always thought that she needed to work very hard to be accepted by God. Thendo started saying things about Christ and the Gospel that were so beautiful.Jesus said that no man comes to the Father except through him.Well,Thendo was saying and I knew that God had revealed the truth about Christ to her in a real way.She told me that she had asked God to forgive her of her sins that night. She was a Christian!

Since that day,it has been a beautiful thing to see her life change.Not even days after her salvation,her cousin died in an accident. She and her family were distraught. That night,we prayed for the Holy Spirit's comfort and Thendo said that she just wanted to go to sleep instead of hanging out.Later on,she told me that she woke up after sleep and read the Bible. Thendo said that God gave her a peace that she knows she would not have had before salvation. I say all of this to say that God is very much working in South Africa. Our team is excited to see how God will change students in Wits and all of Africa.We are not focused on numbers,but we really want to see God make a real impact. Thank you family,friends,and supporters for all of your assistance and prayers. Love you.

Amber Sansbury and the CCP team

We're Safe!!!!!

2008-05-24T03:00:00.001-07:00

Hey y’all, our time in South Africa thus far has been one BIG learning experience. Personally, this is my first time out of the United States and now that I am here I wish that everyone could experience another culture. We have dedicated our time to being students of the culture here in hopes that we can “become all things to all men” as Paul directed in 1 Corinthians 9. The students on campus at Wits are usually interested in the States as well which provides an easy conversation starter. My eyes have been opened to the ongoing affects of apartheid and the similarities to it and former segregation in the south – And the negative affect that Christianity had on both, as many “Christians” during those times promoted segregation and racism. In the Apartheid Museum here in SA an African man was quoted during the time of apartheid as saying, “The Dutch came with Bibles and we inhabited the land; now they inhabit the land and we have the Bibles.” The Dutch came in the name of Christianity and began the process of moving black South Africans to townships – this still has a mark on culture here and I have been able to have a couple discussions with one student named Clement about this and many other issues. During a couple conversations with Clement he has discussed how he believes that all religions lead to the same God – He is very interested in Rastafarianism and has explained it some to me. He is a 3rd year Law student and has expressed how he wants to return to his home township and help the people there. As he says it, He has many barriers to Christianity but also has a lot of questions. I really enjoy our conversations as we discuss the Gospel and I learn so much from him about African culture and history. Pray for him and our interactions that God would soften his heart to the good news of the gospel.
As most of you read about in an email I sent there are currently issues of xenophobia (hatred towards foreigners/immigrants) here in Joburg. You can read much more about this online but know that we feel no more danger because of this. As Americans we are treated for the most part as tourists and not “foreigners”. Pray for this issue and that it would be resolved. There are plenty of political undertones to all of the plotting and killing which may imply that this problem is not going away soon – as elections are roughly a year away. Sorry for so little explanation but there is plenty to read about and we will keep our faithful readers updated!
There are many other students we have been around and other great stories that will hopefully be shared. Last night we had a games night in one of the Res Halls which was a great time. I played a game with a bunch of students called 30 seconds which was mostly African Trivia – So after playing soccer (which I am terrible at) earlier that day it was quite a humbling day. Today we are leaving the city for the first time and heading to the Lion and Rhino Park. It is a very cool place and there is nothing like it in the states - Picture Jurassic Park only without the trees so you can actually see all of the animals. Well this is very scattered as it is a summary of two weeks but I hope you all enjoy the updates. Here are some other Wits students y’all can pray for – Buntu, K, Moshe, A.J., Tebsa, Letang, Moosa, Owen, and Lazarus. Later Y’all!!

Week One

2008-05-17T01:18:00.001-07:00

Hello family and friends!!! Howzit? (As the South Africans say). Amber and I arrived safely in Joburg on Sunday and were met at the airport by some members of our team. What a relief to see some familiar faces after that looong plane flight.

I guess I will just tell about some experiences that have been exciting for me so far. So this week we began going into the res halls (dorms) and meeting up with students. I was somewhat overwhelmed at first but very excited to be there. Julie (my awesome ministry partner) and I have been able to spend time with some of the CO student leaders who live on the West Campus. They have all been so kind and helpful. I feel so connected to these girls although I have only known them for 5 days and I know this is because we are bonded as sisters in Christ. I am praying that Julie and I can help these student leader girls to develop and strengthen their ministry with students and friends around them.

Julie and I have also been able to make lots of new friends by just sitting down with girls at supper in the dining halls and hanging out with girls in the halls of the res. They all seem to be interested in us and everything about American culture. I am excited to spend more time with our new friends and learn more about South African culture! Here is a photo of some girls as we watched our American guys and South African guys play soccer together.

Thursday night we had a surprise birthday celebration for Josh at Micky D’s. That’s right – good ol’ McDonald’s. It was a fun treat to have some McFlurry’s. It has only been a week but I already feel that our team has bonded. We are really trying to be unified by “being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose” as Philippians 2:2 says. I really feel that this is true for our group and we are intent on one purpose – to minister and share the Gospel with students here at Wits.

Another great cultural experience was the Braai that we had on Friday night. A Braai is basically a cook-out. We all invited CO students and new students we have been meeting. We ate voors and pop (sausage and grits-like stuff) which was actually very tasty. Most of the night was a huge dance party which was great – I am trying to learn some Zulu dance moves! Here is a photo of some of us at the Braai.

Today we are going to the market (dad, I will get you something authentic). I love yall and miss you! Thanks for all the support and prayers!

Love Lindsey aka Lindiwe (my new zulu name)

NEW TEAM'S HERE!

2008-05-11T08:30:00.000-07:00

And we’re here. We got here Thursday and after meeting up and praying with the Campus Outreach Johannesburg (COJ) staff we went straight to the University of the Witwatersrand (University of Wits). So, after our 18 hour flight, we were a little tired. But God got us all through it. We had dinner at the “matrix,” which is like a food court at Wits. We then headed to the CO evangelistic meeting. With so many people, their at first difficult names, with us being so tired , and as loud as it was in the meeting/class room, we were all a little overwhelmed. After the meeting, we went to our new home for 7 weeks… “the butterfly.” We fell inlove. ☺

Friday day we got a tour of campus and then that night was a gathering for us and the leaders came to mingle and talk about their ministry in the Res halls (DORMS). Wow, the passion these students have. It’s amazing. We were all so excited about their passion and desire to share JESUS with their fellow students. I mean, you can’t mistake that the love HIM.

Saturday, (JULIE’S BIRTHDAY) we had some GOOD south African food cooked for us at one of the Staff Guy’s house. It was soo fun to get to “taste” a bit of South Africa (SA)… From there we went to the Apartheid museum. I think we would encourage everyone to take a minute to research this piece of history. It really gave us a better understanding of the culture NOW in S.A. The tension that there was and still is in some places between the blacks, whites, and “colours.” After discussing this situation with Pinkie and K we developed our understanding even further. But we still are lacking in a true grip on it; our education is continuing now.

Today we went to Melville Junction, our church. What awesome vision they have for ministry. It's totally in line with ours... Our first day there and we are so pumped about it!

We love you all, We'll update as much as we can.
Elisa and the CCP team.

As our CCP comes to a close...

2007-07-11T10:59:00.000-07:00

I still can't believe that we have been back home for a full week, but then again I also can't believe that we lived in South Africa for an entire two months. Time has gone by so fast, I sometimes feel as though I am still processing and learning from my experience even here at home. What I have taken from this trip the most is how the Lord has taught me both so much about Himself and how I am to serve Him in my everyday life, but also bring to light how small America really is. Seeing how dedicated the student leaders are to the campus ministry, how they take such ownership in what it is and what it will become, expressed to me how we are supposed to see ministry as a part of our whole life and not simply a small percentage of our time. These people invested into getting to know each other better and growing together as a real body, and this genuine love for one another continued to show into their passion and dedication for their personal ministries. To say the least, I was amazed with how much their Campus Outreach expressed real value and interest in each person involved that they functioned not so much as friends but more like a family. To be apart of this ministry was an incredible opportunity and allowed me to experience how God really does reach all over the globe.
The end of our trip was definitely bittersweet in that saying goodbye and preparing to leave South Africa came much sooner than any of us expected. The Joint Winter Conference was a good ending to our ministry time on the UJ campus, the time of worship and fellowship with people we have been developing such close bonds with was beyond amazing. Sara and I also were busy running the book table, so the weekend felt even shorter on time than normal. But I think we both were happy to be able to serve so others, who had students from their personal ministries, were able to spend quality time with them at the conference. Once the conference was over, we then traveled to Limpopo and worked under a few missionaries in a township to build vertical vegetable gardens. Regardless of how much I have seen or think I know about those who are in poverty, nothing compares to actually seeing the people who know nothing beyond than their tin shacks in their small town. What is so interesting is that though we see these people are greatly without the educational, medical, and financial resources we expect, they still seem to be so happy. It still makes me realize how little we need and how much we really do have.
After our visit to the township we didn't have much time before we had to begin packing up for America, but in that time we were really able to not only be with the CO leaders at UJ but also get to see the CO Augusta team a bit more. One of the coolest things about this trip is the close bonds and lasting friendships we all have made, simply because an experience like this is so unique it is hard to find people who can relate to your new perspective. What has hit me the most and has made the greatest influence on me for home by far is to have ministries and a missional mindset of my own. Already it has become so easy to become comfortable in what I am used to, my prayer is to not let this trip be my last nor let its impact on my life grow to be more of a memory than a change in how I see the world. It is hard to summarize what this trip and the people involved have done for me, but what I can say is that never would I have had the opportunity to truly see God's glory in such a real and personal way. I cannot thank all of you enough for your support towards this trip, and I am looking forward to visiting the Beach Project this weekend! - Lisa

We're home and a recap of our last weeks in south Africa

2007-07-10T10:32:00.001-07:00

Hey All,

First, I wanted to say thanks for keeping up with the blog over the past several weeks. We appreciate your interest and your prayers.

The last couple of weeks in South Africa were a blur, and now we are back home safely in the States. So, I wanted to take some time to fill you in on all that happened before we left. I also asked everyone on the team to give a final update to close out the summer, so you should be hearing from them soon.

I think the last thing time we posted, we were getting ready to head into the JWC, a conference that Campus Outreach Johannesburg hosts for their students during winter break (end of June/early July). Before we started the JWC, we had to say good-bye to a lot of folks who we had become good friends with at UJ. There were several guys who chose not to come on the JWC for various reasons, and it was tough to leave without any of those guys really making any significant decisions for Christ, despite several good gospel conversations. Also, there were several guys that were hungry to know Christ and grow, but couldn't make it to JWC because they had to take a winter term class for their degree. I am excited about those guys’ interest and hope it continues even after we are gone. It was tough to say good-bye, but we are trusting God that He will continue what he started in the hearts of several guys in Aflsaan.

Then, to close out our time with students at the JWC was pretty incredible. Three guys from Afslaan ended up coming to the conference; Tire is a young Christians that is hungry to grow, Jesse is a first year who I shared the gospel with who wanted to come to investigate what it means to truly be a Christian, and Rudolph was a first year that attended a bible study that Badi, one of the COJ staff, had started in Afslaan. We also got to spend a good bit of time with 2 commuter students, Lawrence and Craig, who had connected with Badi early this year.

The conference is a really special environment because it really brings you into contact with the Body of Christ, the Word, and to worship in a focused and powerful way. By the end of the conference, it was evident that God really does use those things to change lives. Throughout our time there, it was incredible to see the Spirit at work and the guys wrestling with truth and the gospel. As young, hungry Christians, Lawrence and Craig grew like crazy and made new commitments to walk with Christ and to become laborers for the gospel. And after much heart-wrestling and several significant conversations with Badi, several others, and me folks, Jesse became a Christians the last day that we there. It was amazing to see God answer my prayers for this guy and to see him come to know Christ. It really was all Christ, and I am praying that Christ would keep this guy and raise him up to become a leader in the Kingdom, especially in Afslaan. Over all at the JWC, more than 20 people professed faith in Christ at the JWC, and our prayers now are that God would solidify these professions as lasting faith and would connect these students to the ministry in SA, even moving them to go on their STC (Summer Training Camp). So, please join us in prayer for these things.

Jesse and I at the end of the JWC

Our last week in SA was a very different, but very stirring time. We got to travel to a rural part of the country to stay with a long-term missionary to SA and help meet some physical needs of poor South Africans in a rural township. I had done some research on poverty in SA before we went, so I was not shocked by the conditions. But, spending time in the township begins to change your perspective on a lot of things; how we live in America, money, our time, what we hold on to for comfort, and a million other things. SA is such a funny place, because extreme wealth and poverty live next door to each other, and the solutions that the government and the world try to offer just don't work. More than anything, it made me see that we can't just meet physical needs and we can't just meet spiritual needs. The world needs laborers willing to go out to hard places to meet peoples' spiritual and physical needs, to share Christ in word and deed, and foster real life transformation. That is the only thing that will make a lasting impact in SA, Africa, and the World.

Our last few days were a whirlwind - last goodbyes with staff and students, packing up, and then we were off. The flight went better than expected. It is long, but I would gladly make it again to go back, if the Lord is willing.

Please pray for our team as we adjust back to the states. It is not an easy transition from life in SA and the dynamic that exists on a CCP. Please pray, more than anything, 2 Thess. 1:11-12, that God would fulfill and complete all the work that He started in us and in SA, and would help us to live all of the resolves that we made there, for the rest of our lives.

In Christ,
Steve

Hey again from Nicole!

2007-06-20T06:44:00.000-07:00

Hey friends! Well, you must have prayed really hard because a lot of cool things have happened since my last post...things in Benjamijn have been going great, we were safe on our safari, and I got to see about 20 elephants!!! Also, this weekend we went to church at Hillbrough which was amazing-they actually have 2 services, one specifically for the homeless, so we went to both. After the homeless service, we got to chill with some guys that were really cool & share with them about Christ's love some more as they enjoyed a warm meal. Pray for this guy I met named William, he just came right out & told me that he had tested positive for HIV. I really didn't know how to respond except to pray for him. Also, I was talking with a guy named Konza and he seemed in a hurry to leave & I asked him where he was going or if he was going to hang out with any friends and he said he had no one. It's just hard for me to swallow, I'm so blessed to have all of you. Anyway, South Africa has totally won my heart and although I miss ya'll terribly, I would sell my plane ticket & stay here if I could! We've already had to say goodbye for forever to some of our friends who are done with their exams & not coming to the JWC. I basically cried half the day yesterday. I just want these girls to know Jesus, ya know? So pray for my ever-breaking and changing heart that I would make the most of every minute I have left here in South Africa. It's crazy to think that we've nearly been here 2 months and I love these people so much! Also, keep praying for the JWC that more people would come to know Christ there & that those who already know Christ would be spurred on to know Him more & make Him known! Pray that God would keep blessing the ministry here at the University of Johannesburg! Also, next week, we will be doing our mercy ministry! So, pray that the Lord uses the team mightily for His glory! I love you all & miss you all so much!

Love in Him from SA,
Nicole

2007-06-19T09:01:00.000-07:00

Well i guess after 6 weeks of being in South Africa it is about time i posted something on the blog. These last few weeks have been really good for me. I feel that i have grown in my relationship with Christ more than ever and am experiencing Him in many new ways. Our theme verses for the summer are from Philippians 1:20-24. There could not be a better passage that shows exactly what God has taught me this summer. The key verse being verse 21 which states, " For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
Although our departure from this world to be with Christ will be to our gain, God sustains us in this world because he desires to use us for his glory. Knowing this, the only life fit for me to live is one that exemplifies Christ by being sold out to his cause of leading others into a trusting relationship with Him. If I truly believe that a relationship with Christ is the greatest thing that anyone can posess then it would question my own relationship with Him if I did not share it with others. That being said, I feel that telling other about my faith has finally become the purpose of my life. Not just because I feel obligated, but because I delight in seeing others come to know Christ and I find joy in the fact that my faithfulness in sharing Christ with others brings Glory to God.
To give an update on ministry in the Afslaan dorm, it has been really great the last couple of weeks. I really didnt't know if i was going to make it those first couple of weeks. Steve and I, not knowing anyone, basically just went around knocking on doors trying to find anyone willing to talk to us. Despite my unwillingness at first, and with Steve having to practically drag me into some of the rooms, God has blessed us by allowing us to see Him work in several of the Student's lives.
This was espcially evident last week during the time I spent with a second year from Afslaan nicknamed Stool. I have been able to spend a lot of time with Stool over the past few weeks and have talked to him about my relationship with Christ on several occassions. Stool recently told me that after the last Campus Outreach meeting he had decided to give his life to Christ. He has experienced a lot of rough times in his life and has searched for happiness in many different places. He said he now knows that Christ is the only one who can provide true joy and satisfaction.
It has been amazing to be apart of what God is doing at the University of Johannesburg. Please remember to pray for the work that God has begun in the Afslaan dorm, that it will continue long after Steve and I are gone. Also pray that Christ would truly take hold and be the center of Stool's life. That he, along with many other guys in Afslaan, could confidently proclaim as Paul proclaimed, that for him, "To live is Christ."

I hope to see you all soon,

Matt

2007-06-19T08:08:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!
I just wanted to give a quick update as to what has been going on here recently. As Nicole posted earlier, we had 2 girls become Christians at our bible study a few weeks ago. We have been following up with both of them and just really trying to encourage their early growth in their relationship with Christ. They are both coming to the JWC (like our Christmas Conference) which is awesome because it will help get them around more of the Campus Outreach leaders and plugged in with the staff here.
This past weekend we went to Pilanesburg for our Safari. We camped there for two days. I really enjoyed getting outside of the city and seeing more of this beautiful country. We spent most of our time driving through the game park trying to spot all of the animals. We ended up seeing Elephants, Giraffes, Zebras, Wildabeasts, Hippos, Crocodiles, Empalas, and a bunch of other things I dont remember the names of!
This is our last week on campus and I am begining to realize that our time here is just about up. We have had to already say bye to a few of our girls because they finished with their exams and were heading home. Friday, we leave for the JWC and we have 5 girls going from Benjamijn. We are so excited and are praying that God speaks to each of their hearts this weekend. It is our prayer that God will raise up these girls to be leaders and laborers for Him in their dorm and on campus.
Have a great week!

-Hillary

Praise Him some more!

2007-06-06T09:39:00.001-07:00

So, after my last post last week, Hillary & I led a Bible Study in Benjamijn about the difference between knowing God and just knowing about God, and God showed up! Two girls, Dorcas & Vuyo became Christians that night! Please keep praying that they would grow in their faith and get more plugged into CO. Also, another Bible Study held on the Bunting Campus this week brought 3 more girls to Christ! It's so awesome and encouraging to be here right now! Keep on praying! Tomorrow is the deadline for people to commit to going to the Joint Winter Conference (JWC) so pray that God would stir their hearts and provide for those who need to be there! Much love to everyone from SA,
Nicole

Lebone Update!

2007-06-05T07:57:00.000-07:00

Hello all! I cannot even begin to express to you how great this past week has been! Robin and I have been getting to know a lot of girls in our res, recruiting some girls to come to the current bible study as well as the one Robin and I have started. Last week, a few newer girls whom we haven't seen or talked to as much as we would have liked came to our bible study, and by the end of it two of them became Christians!!! God is sooo good! We all were thrilled, to say the least. Our team as a whole is learning so much, this whole experience has been stretching but giving us such incredible growth, I am getting anxious to go back to my daily life and implement what we have all learned here! Right now, our biggest efforts are going towards recruiting students to the JWC, so prayers for that to go smoothly would be awesome. Also just for our teams overall perseverance; the conference is fast approaching and we really need to work to get people who want to go there, so please pray for that as well! Thanks so much for all the support, we are all seeing much fruit and can't wait to come back to the states and tell you guys all about it! - Lisa

2007-05-31T10:41:00.000-07:00

Hey from Hillary!

I am loving South Africa! The weather has warmed back up quite a bit and it is comfortable during the day. I would say that it is about like our Fall. This past weekend we went to a Lion Park. It was really cool because we were able to see the lions up close and without any sort of fence. We also got to play around with some of the lion cubs. That has been my favorite thing we have done so far.
I have been working in Benjamijn with Nicole over the last few weeks and overall it has been really encouraging. We have met a lot of girls that are exposed to spiritual things and from what I have gathered are interested in growing more in their relationship with Christ. We have our bible study every Thursday night and the past few weeks 15-20 girls have come. They seem to understand what we discuss and they have opened up to us through different questions and discussions. We have two girls that are definitely coming to the JWC which is great and will enable them to get plugged in with Campus Outreach. This week has been a little more difficult, because a lot of the girls have gone home to study. But we have still been able to spend time with a few girls.
Please just continue to pray for the strength of our team, that we will be intentional in sharing our faith and that we will be bold in sharing the gospel. Also, just pray that God would continue to work in the hearts of the girls in Benjamijn and that they would be ready to surrender their lives to Him and come to understand what the true meaning and life of being a Christian looks like.

-Hillary

Praise God!

2007-05-31T10:09:00.000-07:00

So, this week in SA has been really encouraging & I wanted to share a little bit with everyone! Four guys from the Bunting campus became Christians this week and last night, Lisa & Robin held a Bible study & two more girls became Christians! (I'll save the details for them to share!) Ministry this week has been a little more difficult since no one has class & many of the Benjamijn girls have gone home to study, but God has been really faithful anyway! Hillary & I have had some one-on-one conversations & we've become better acquainted with some more girls that we didn't know very well before. Tonight we are leading a Bible study in Benji and having some birthday cake for one of our friends, Lerato.

On a more general note, South Africa has been amazing- I love the people, the city of Jo-berg, the campus, and everything we've done so far!

Please keep praying for us...I know I need it! God has really been working in my heart and it's exciting, but at the same time not that easy! Pray that He would use us for His glory!

That's a crazy spikey tree we saw in the Botanical Gardens!

...and that's me almost getting taken out by a lion cub!

Much love in Him from South Africa,

Nicole

Beginning Our 3rd Week of Ministry

2007-05-28T05:39:00.000-07:00

Hey All,

Just wanted to update you on how things have been going and ask for your prayers for our mission here in this coming week.

This past week was one of the coldest in Joburg history and the power went out several times in our area, so night time was a bit chilly. But everyone handled it really well, we bundled up and made it fine. We saw in the news that over 55 people had died because of the cold, and God used that to give us better perspective on how well we have it, yet how quick we are to complain.

Ministry went very well as we continued to build relationships with students here and began to move into gospel conversations with the students we have gotten to know. It isn't always easy to get around the students with their classes, activities, and upcoming tests, but it is exciting to see God at work connecting us with students here.

Here are a few highlights:

Robin and Lisa led their first Bible study in Lebone
Nicole and Hillary shared their testimony at one student Bible study and led another study with girls from Benjemijn
Our girls and the CO leaders here hosted a social with Lebone and Benjemijn for the girls they are ministering to. They watched a SA movie called Faith Like Potatoes and had a great time connecting with the girls.
The girls have gotten to share the gospel with several students from both Lebone and Benjemijn.

Matt and Steve went to couple of rugby games to support guys from Afslaan and also met a lot of Afrikaans guys at res league (like intramurals) squash.
They also got to share the gospel with 2 key guys - Warbus and Greg, but have had a tough time finding opportunities to have good conversations with a lot of other guys.
Several Folks came to the CO weekly meeting - lots of girls from Lebone and several guys from Afslaan, which was really encouraging
We all went to a Lion Park on Saturday and got to see lions, cheetahs, a giraffe, and play with several lion cubs - it was amazing.

Please pray for us in this upcoming week:

We are trusting God to continue opening doors for good gospel conversations
We are beginning to focus on recruiting students to the Joint Winter Conference - a four day conference similar to the Christmas/New Years Conference we host for students back in the States. This is a key way for SA students to connect with ministry here and stay plugged in after we leave.
The girls will continue to lead bible studies and we will all be trying to have individual meetings with students.
This week is UJ's block week (a week of no classes to study for upcoming finals), so students will be harder to get around - please pray for God to make the students more available and for us to use our time very intentionally.

Thanks so much and God bless,
the CCP team

Women's update!

2007-05-23T05:31:00.000-07:00

Hey from Sara!

South Africa has been amazing so far! The weather when we first arrived was amazing and everyday was comfortable and sunny! The skies here are the clearest blue and hardoly ever have clouds making it seem endless. Today and yesterday have definitely reminded us that it is winter here with freezing weather. The power outages have also been more common at our house, but even still the beautiful sun is always out!

The people here have been so hospitable, friendly and warm. Most girls we run into are excited to get to know us and talk with us about America. Surprisingly, the majority of those we've talked to actually are very exposed to the church, reminding us of the culture in the Bible Belt. However, we've also met many spiritually hungry and interested girls. And, after spending time with some girls, Robin and Lisa learned some of these women know the Lord! I was so thankful to be able to spend time with all of them and have incredible fellowship so many thousands of miles from home. I cannot express the exictement and joy to see how big God is and how He transcends all languages, cultures, countries, and races! These women were such and encouragement and now we want to share the vision of living a life worthy of the gospel and to usher new believers into the Kingdom!

Please pray still that we would all be wholly rooted in the gospel, fulling understanding God's grace and love poured out to us. Also, please pray for our safety, warmth and electricity, and for perseverance, boldness, and confidence in sharing the gospel with these women!

Ministry in Lebone

2007-05-22T05:21:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, it is Lisa and Robin!!!!! We have been having an incredible time here in South Africa and some times we can't believe we are actually here. As partners, we have been assigned to an all girls res and have been blown away with the people we have met there. They are all so open and willing to get to know us, always inviting us in to their rooms and offering us things to eat and drink, not like America as you can probably imagine. We are actaully having our first bible study tonight and are very excited about it. We could really use your prayers for this and the future meetings we have with these girls and hopefully other girls we will be meeting. Please pray for each one of us to be bold and to trust the Lord with this, there is so much potential here we just need His direction as to where we need to be!! We cannot thank you all enough for all the support! Love Robin and Lisa

Almost 2 Weeks In

2007-05-21T10:47:00.002-07:00

Hey All,

I can't believe that we have been here for almost 2 weeks now - time has been flying by. Sara and Lisa arrived here safely this past Tuesday, and it has been great to have the whole team here. We went to a UJ rugby match this past Friday and had a great time trying to figure out how rugby works and seeing some students from UJ. We went to the apartheid museum on Saturday and I was struck by how raw and honest it was about what things were like under apartheid; some of it makes you want to cry, some makes you angry, but more than anything, it makes me long for Christ to change people's hearts and redeem broken lives and a broken history. Later that night, we went to one of the CO staff guys' houses to watch the Super 14 rugby final and Braai (cook out on a grill). We got to spend some great time in conversation with a lot of the staff and student leaders in the ministry here. It is so encouraging to see Christ at work in their lives, thousands of miles from home - really seeing true transformation and people responding to grace by pouring out their lives for Christ sake on the campus here. It gives me a great deal of hope and encouragement to follow after Christ more fully.

If I had to sum up the mission that we are here for - I would have to say that God has been doing much to help us build true friendships with students here and we are trusting him to move from relationships into gospel conversations with these students.

Matt and I have been ministering in a res (dorm) called Afslaan, which has been one of the most difficult to reach since Campus Outreach Johannesburg arrived here a few years ago. We have had to trust God and step out in faith to meet guys here - but God has really provided a lot of new connections. We have met around 30 guys in the res and have made some great connections there. 9 first year guys came to Fun day (a sports and game event) that Campus Outreach hosted yesterday, which is a huge answer to prayer. Pray for us this week as we trust God to help us turn these relationships into gospel conversations this week. Pray especially for Warbus, Hustler, Zama, Greg, Lube, Citizen, Jesse, and Stool (most of these names are the res nicknames that they go by) and for us to have the opportunity and boldness to share Christ with them.

Lisa, Robin, and Sara have had a great time working with several student leaders in the Labone women's res. They were introduced to all of the 1st years at a res meeting last Monday, and they have had a lot of time to connect with the girls in the res over the past several days. They even got to go to an ice skating party with all of the 1st years this past Saturday, which was a great opportunity to actually get to know many of them and build a real friendships. Many of these girls are exposed to a lot of Christian things, but many do not know Christ. Please pray that God would use Lisa and Robin to share with these girls what it truly means to know Christ by grace through faith, and to not just live a moral or religious life.

Nicole, Hillary and Sara have been ministering to girls in the Benjemijn women's res, which has also been one of the more challenging places for COJ to have an impact, but it is exciting to see what God has begun even over the past few days. Nicole and Hillary spent their first few days going through the res knocking on doors to meet students, which was stretching, but really great for meeting girls. They were able to attend a res bible study this past Thursday where they were split into smaller groups - each of them with three 1st years. Nicole and Hillary both came home saying that it was an incredible time getting to know and sharing with these girls - I think their words were more like, "I just love these girls." Also, 3 girls that they met from Benjemijn came to evening church with us last night, which is the most ever at church from Benjemijn - so God really is at work. They are being formally introduced to all of the 1st years tonight at the Benjemijn res meeting, which will be an incredible way to meet more girls. Please pray that they would continue to connect with girls in Benjemijn and that God would use them to share Christ there.

This is a long post, but I feel like it hardly touches the surface. Either way, know taht it has been stretching to be here, but that Christ is meeting us in new ways with his love of power. Thanks so much for your prayer and encouragement,
Steve

Our team at the apartheid museum

Afslaan students Jesse, Rubber, and Tie at the Fun day

We've made it to Joburg

2007-05-11T00:39:00.000-07:00

We left Tuesday morning US time and made it to Johannesburg on Wednesday around 4pm South African time (6 hours ahead of EST). It was a lot of flying but it went very well and gave us great time together as a team. We are currently in the middle of a 3 day orientation program hosted by the Campus Outreach Johannesburg staff and it has been amazing. Pete, the Univ. of Joburg campus director lead us in a great time through 1 Cor. 2 - focusing us, like Paul, to be here based on nothing else and for nothing else than Christ and him crucified. Then, Pete got to share some incredible stories of the impact that CCP's have had on both South African and US students over the past several years - transformed lives, and that is what we are praying for this summer. We then got to eat and tour on campus, go to 67 (the campus outreach weekly meeting here) and then go eat McDonald's with many of the students and staff here. The girls also got to Serri, a singing competition between the res's (dorms) and had a blast seeing the girls that they would be ministering to this summer. It has been a whirlwind, but also amazing to be in a new country and to see the work of God reconciling broken people just like us to himself. Please pray for the jet lag to wear off, for Lisa and Sara as they prepare to fly over next Monday, and for open doors for relationships and the gospel in the res's as we prepare for ministry here. Grace and peace to you all in Christ. Steve

We're heading out!

2007-05-07T15:48:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our blog! Here's our team: Steve McGuire(GT staff), Matt Claytor(GT), Robin Howell(NCGSU), Lisa Theobald(UGA), Nicole Darnell(NGCSU), Hillary Stanford(GT), and Sara Link(UGA).

Tomorrow, five of our seven team members are flying out to Johannesburg, South Africa in the morning. It will take about 30 hours from Atlanta to Johannesburg with two connections in between.

We are so excited about this adventure we are about to embark on. We have all experienced the amazing faithfulness of the Lord over the past months raising support and praying about this trip. We've been blown away by God's provision for us from the $35,000 of financial support to finding a safe house for our stay in South Africa to the amazing prayer support! We're overflowing with thankfulness!

I think we're also filled with mixed emotions of excitement that this day has come but also that we are going into an unknown. We will be totally out of our comfort zones, but it is also a sweet time to be fully dependent on God for strength, health, safety and relationships. We've learned to hold on to God's promises because they will be fulfilled, and one we'll cherish is in Isaiah 46:4, "I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."

Please pray for our team as we leave tomorrow morning, and also next Monday (May 14) as our other teammates fly out to join us. We would also love for you to pray for our trip throughout the summer. Our team has been praying for these things and we would love you to join us!:

1. Our team would be united in spirit, strength, and vision (Philippians 2:2-5)
2. We would be gently and lovingly bold with the University of Johannesburg students and their hearts would be open and prepared (Acts 1:8)
3. Our safety (John 17:11-12)
4. We would serve the permanent staff and student leaders there (Ephesians 7:6-8)
5. We would be centered on the gospel and have "glorious joy" because of the cross(1 Peter 2:24)
6. Personal growth in our relationship with Christ so we may be filled and then able to pour out our lives (Colossians 1:9-12)

New Year, New Team

2007-04-23T08:57:00.000-07:00

Just an update that from now on, all posts will be from the 2007 CCP team... Pray hard for these guys....

Some Pics from our travels

2006-07-09T05:50:00.000-07:00

Exhaustion sets in after JWC!!!!

Liane' entertains the camera.

First years with student leaders!

Mercy Ministry in Limpopo

Roomies outside Moyo's for dinner!!!

Jessica and I's (Campus Partners) last day on campus:(

Family out for dinner:)

Mercy ministry

Our girls getting connected to the ministry and meetin with Jesus:)

Home Sweet Home

2006-07-07T09:51:00.000-07:00

So we are finally home! It is strang being home now, mostly because I am not eating breakfast with my 18 person family every morning. :)

Everything wrapped up really well. The JWC and Mercy Ministry was amazing- a very good experience! The end of the trip was very emotional- saying goodbye to all of our girls and the leaders was hard. We plan to keep in touch with them all, so that makes things easier knowing that our friendships will continue from halfway around the world! Overall, the trip was awesome. We saw God work in amazing ways, made a lot of new friends, learned so much, and grew in our relationship with Christ!

I want to thank you all for your continuous support and prayers. It has all been much appreciated! Our team could not have done what we did without support and prayer from our friends and family, so thank you so much for that! I hope that you all are continuing to enjoy your summers and that the Lord is blessing you in every way, shape, and form! Continue to trust in Him!

In Christ,
Jessica

Conclusion of my summer expereinces

2006-07-07T07:31:00.000-07:00

Well, I have made it back to the states. I have been home for less than a week and much of the things that I have been reintroduced to have not been too overwhelming--except maybe driving on the RIGHT side of the road. I wanted to thank each of you for partnering with me this summer and having hand in the salvation of seven girls from within the rez that I was assigned. Moreover, for your involvement in the 26 people on the University Campus that came to faith. Thank you for your prayers, dedication, support, and love. Each of you made my time there enjoyable, purposeful, and exciting. I loved receiving response emails, letters, and reminders.
I have not had an opportunity to debrief completely after the experience, but I know that will come in time. Fortunately, I do know that the Lord worked in tremendous ways in South Africa in the lives of the students, my team, and myself. God sought to use this summer to draw me closer to Him. I have learned so much about the true nature, breath, and power of the Gospel; My eyes have been opened to how truly sinful and unworthy I am in the presence of the Father; Dependence, surrender, faith, prayer, perseverance, hope, and Child-like faith were constant learning points throughout the summer and now. I had the priveledge of seeing many of my spiritual gifts played out on the campus, in our house, within our team, and amongst the students and staff there. Gosh, this summer was pivotal in my spiritual growth, but I am not even scratching the surface as I try to communicate it all to you.
Some applications from the summer that I am prayerfully trying to incorporate in my life: living in Christian Community, Being a disciple maker, investing my life in the spreading of the Gospel, Transparency, and deepening my walk with Christ. Prior to my arrival in Jo-burg, I had prayed time and time again for a desire to be investing in the lives of the students, to be used for the advancement of the Gospel, and to know God more. Those were answered ten-fold and I only desire that they remain a constant prayer for my life.
He taught me about prayer, its power, and its necessity in my life. I used to see people who would be considered prayer warriors and felt that that was their calling and their link to God, but this summer God revealed the true nature of prayer to my eyes. I recognized how it is more than a one-way link to God...it is a two-way street whereby I was able to connect intimately with Him, gain insight into my day/life, and release the burdens and stessors that I encountered. It is a small understanding that has had profound impact on my life.
I want to be used for the Kingdom. I want to make it my life's passion to bring GLORY to God. In doing that, I am going to have to make some adjustments to my life. However, it will be worth it. Something that was communicated over the Joint Winter Conference was "live a lifestyle of distinction because you carry around Christ's reputation". I want to put that statement into practice by how and where I choose to live, my interactions, and the manner in which I relate with people. Please be praying that I might see this come to fruition in my lifestyle choices and decisions from here on out.
Lastly, now that I have written pages on information, I want to be intentional in investing my life into the lives of younger women of faith and making disciples for the Kingdom. The Lord has given me a heart for a few ladies and I want to be intentional with my time and energy to build laborers. These are things that are rudimentary to the Christian faith, but that I think get pushed aside because of business and schedules. I want to make it my ambition and prerogative to labor for Christ, serve other women of faith, and share the Gospel that His renown and splendor might be known among the nations. Thanks for enduring this long message. I appreciate all your prayers and considerations from this summer. You were responsible for the lives that surrendered themselves to Christ. Thanks again for laboring alongside me and the rest of the team. God Bless!!!
Romans 1:16-17,
Megan G.
Prayer Requests:
1. Christian Community housing situation
2. Employment
3. Steadfastness to the Word and prayer
4. Dependence on Christ

And We're Back!

2006-07-05T18:32:00.000-07:00

Thanks for your continued support and prayers during our time in Johannesburg. The summer was a huge success-- both on the campus, as we saw many students come to faith in Christ, and also in our own lives as each of us grew tremendously in Christ and are much more equipped now to take the gospel to our campuses here. Please continue to pray for the students at the University of Johannesburg, that the new believers would get plugged into the body of Christ and grow to maturity and that the staff and student leaders would continue to labor on the campus. And pray also for us as we now go into the harvest fields that the Lord has called us to here at our own campuses and jobs. Thanks again for your support! You were and are a huge part of the success of our team and the fruit we saw in our time! Thanks for joining in our mission!

Jessica's Post #3

2006-06-22T06:41:00.000-07:00

Well, the trip is almost over! Although I will be sad to go, I am very excited about coming home finally. I miss everyone so much!

The safari was great! It was lots of fun and it was amazing to see God's wonderful creations in their natural habitats. We got to see a lot of the animals and were even able to witness some shooting stars! Pilanesburg is just beautiful. The campgrounds where we stayed were fun too- it was cool because there were monkeys just hangin around (and stealing our food!). Overall, it was a really fun time to see part of the world that we will probably never see again and to hang out with the team!!

We leave tomorrow to go to the JWC! I cant wait and I know that it will be a very exciting experience. A lot of the people that we have been ministering to are going to be there, so it will be a great tool to use to continue our ministry with them! Please pray for growth in their relationships with God!

Right after the JWC we will be visiting a province in South Africa called Limpopo where we will be working with a Mercy Ministry doing some things with the people there. I cant wait to see what is in store with that and how God will impact the lives of those around us while we are there!

This will be my last post until we get home, so look for one more in a few weeks! I will post some pictures and final thoughts then! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers! We are almost home!!

Jessica

JWC and Mercy Ministry

2006-06-22T06:08:00.000-07:00

Today was our last day on campus. I've still got a couple of hours left while I'm typing this, so I'll be heading back to the res soon to say some goodbyes. We're leaving tommorrow for the Joint Winter Conference around lunch time. Be praying for our time there with students, that we would put their interests before our own, serve them however we can, and that God would change hearts. There will be worship times at the conference, a main speaker, several afternoon seminars with different topics, and some free time just to take it easy and talk about what we've learned. Pray especially for those free times that we would be intentional with students and bring up topics from the different talks and seminars we've been to.

After JWC ends on Monday, our team is leaving straight from there to a remote part of the Limpopo province in South Africa to do some mercy ministry. We'll be there for almost three days, and we'll serve the people by helping them build some things and feeding some kids there. I honestly don't know what to expect when we get there. I don't know if it will be like a very poor township or if we'll be running through a village with grass huts and grass skirts. Pray for God to use our service there to communicate the gospel to the people and that we might be able to share the gospel verbally. Also pray that God would give us compassion and give us bigger hearts for the poor, the sick, and the hungry people in the world. Pray for our safety as well.

The safari last week was great, but I didn't get to kill an animal with my bare hands. I tried to run over a bird once, but it was too fast for me. The scenery in Pilanesburg was amazing and seeing the animals God has created up close was something I'll never forget. The stars in Pilanesburg were awesome. There were so many of them up there, we started making up our own constellations because no one knew any real ones. If you're ever in the southern hemisphere, look for the Southern Hotdog. It's right next to the Southern Cross (which is a real one) and it's also next to Roadkill (which looks kind of like a dead opossum).

This is probably the last chance I'll have to post anything while I'm in South Africa. I'll be sure to send out a few more things once we get back in the United States on July 3. Again, thank you all for being so faithful in supporting us. The money you have generously given and the prayers you have brought before the Lord have several lives and several countries for eternity.

Have a good one everybody.
-Craig

Brooke's Last Post

2006-06-20T12:22:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!
Well, we have less than two weeks here in South Africa. God has been so good and faithful to His promises! Between the two teams we have seen 20 plus people come to Christ and out trip is not over yet!! JWC is this weekend! We are praying that Salvation will come to students there and also that it will be a time of growth for students who are already Christians. After that we head straight to our Mercy Ministry in Limpopo. We will be providing food, and playing with children, and any other service we can. We are staying with a missionary there. We only have two more days on campus before all this other fun stuff begins! We just recently got back from a three day Safari! It was so cool! We saw zebras, hippos, rhinos, giraffe, and our favorite, Elephants!! This whole trip has been a Wonderful experience and I have learned SO much! Thanks to everyone for their prayers! See you soon!!
Love, Brooke

Winding down (Robert Post 2)

2006-06-19T05:09:00.000-07:00

Things are winding down here. We have only 3 more days on campus. Time as really flown here but in the time we have been here we have seen God do some amazing things. We have 10 guys going to the Joint Winter Conference from Bastion. Three of those ten guys have actually come to know Christ since we have been here. I had the privledge of getting to pray with a guy, Lassie, as he surrendered his life to Christ. It was one of the most joyful experiences of my life. God has not only worked much on campus but He has worked many miracles in our hearts. I have really developped a passion for short-term missions being here. I have also learned the value of a like-minded community. That is just to name a few of the place God has grown me in these last several weeks. Not to mention just learning more about what it means to walk by faith. I am really excited for the JWC and just to see God work there. Please be praying for that and that God would do mighty things there in both our hearts and the hearts of those we are ministering to. Also pray that the things we learn here will not be left here but that we would bring them back with us and that they will impact us for a long time to come. Also pray for our mercy ministry coming up that we would lay down our lives to serve people that are so much less privledged than anyone in the States. Even the poorest of poor in the States are richer than a lot of people over here. I can't wait to see everyone and tell them all the awesome stories from SA. Thanks for your prayers.
Robert

Will's first and probably last post...yea this will be the last

2006-06-19T04:45:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone( Mom, Dad, and SJ),

First off I will give a shout out to the most amazing Mom and Dad and by far the coolest sister.

Everything here is winding down and we will be boarding the plane in less than two weeks now. It is going to be awesome to step onto American soil and get torched by the heat. Even though I am ready to come back I am so thankful that I am here and that God has shown me Himself in such an amazing way. To all my supporters...Thank you so much for this opportunity to grow in my faith and for the opportunity to share God's amazing glory with the students who will one day lead this great nation of S.Africa.

I have truely been challenged while I have been here about my time on the campus at UGA. You know it seems as though I can bring non-christians to CO meetings but outside of the meetings they must stay armslength away from me. I am so tied up with hanging out with my christian friends that I forget alot of times about the ministry that I am called to do on the campus. I have made the decision that I will not leave UGA with regrets and if that means not spending every waking moment with my christian friends then so be it. I have realized the Bulldog Nation is in need of Christ desperatly, so I have to continue to ask myself what will I do about it.

Another thing that God as shown me on this trip is the Amazing Love he has for us all. I have always understood that God's love was amazing but I didnt really ever think about how amazing it really was. Abraham was told that he was going to be the father of a great nation and when told that Sarah would give birth to the child, he laughed at God. He disobeyed God yet God still loved him with all He had. Same thing with Issac, he disobeyed God yet God still poured his love out to him. So God then sent his prophets and we killed them all exept two who were taken up before their death. So in his right time he sent Christ to come and die for us all. Yet we spit on him, cursed him, nailed him to a cross, and mocked him. And today I defame his name, and put my faith in other things. Still in all this God loves us in such an amazing way and does not regret sending his Son to take our sins. How amazing love is it that...that God does not need us to feel satisfied or fulfilled, He is God and is already perfectly satisfied and fulfilled and even though he does not need us...he loved us so much in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us.

Anyway, this is just some of the stuff that God has shown me here I cant wait to tell all those at Grace about my trip and what the Lord has shown me. Once again, thanks Mom and Dad and all the supporters, financial and prayer. Your Money and prayers have given us Boys at Bastion the amazing opportunity to see 2 guys come to Christ and hopefully more at the JWC. Continue to pray for the JWC, that God would speak through the speakers and would supernaturally open up the hearts of the lost.

Ill see you all in a couple of weeks, and know that I love you all.

-WIll

Last Days on Campus

2006-06-13T10:15:00.000-07:00

We're nearing the end of our time on campus. We have two days this week and I think maybe three next, and then we'll be finished. Andy and I have been learning a lot in our time in Dromedaris. As a team, we've seen a lot of awesome things happen in peoples lives and seen people come to Christ, but it's been kind of tough in Drom. We've had opportunities to talk with a good number of students, but the majority of them haven't shown a lot of interest in spiritual things. There are also a few guys that decided to back out on the Joint Winter Conference at the last minute, which was pretty disappointing.

Andy and I are learning to trust that God will use the time we've spent talking with guys and going through scripture with them. I feel like I'm really learning that it's a lot easier to just share your faith with someone and feel like you've done your job than it is to stick with them, find out who they are, share your life with them, have ongoing spritual conversations with them, and really be their friend. This is some of what Jesus did with his disciples, and I think I'm starting to get a better idea of what Jesus was all about.

Last weekend we went to a township called Soweto. Townships are areas that the black South Africans were forced to live in during apartheid. We drove through the township, visited a memorial, and spent some time in a Campus Outreach student's home and met her family. I can't believe how well off we are in America. The nicer homes in Soweto were very small compared to homes in the States. A double-wide trailer probably has more space than a lot of the homes. The poor places in the township were depressing. People had no electricity, built their homes from scrap wood and pieces of plastic, had dirt floors, and were right on top of each other. It was a serious wake up call seeing a 5 year old walk out of a shack that most people in America would store a lawn mower in, all the while thinking about how cold it must get in that place during the winter. Poverty becomes very real when you see it for yourself. Even though things were bad, it was amazing to see people living their lives and greeting us with smiles on their faces. You could tell life was hard, but people still had a lot of happiness through it all. It was pretty crazy.

We're going on a safari this week to Pilanesburg game park ( I think that's how you spell it). My goal is to kill an animal with my bare hands, skin it, and cook it over an open fire that I started with sticks and dry grass. If I can do this, I'm pretty sure I'll be complete as a man. I'll let you know how it works out. I'm also looking forward to just experiencing God through some of the cool stuff He has created. I'm sure we'll have a bunch of pictures. I'll try to snag one of a zebra.

Thanks for your love and your prayers everybody.
-Craig

Hannah's Post #1

2006-06-13T03:38:00.000-07:00

So, it has taken me a while to post and so many things have happened! First of all, I love South Africa and the people! I can't believe we only have a few more weeks here - the time has gone so fast!
So much has happened with the daily ministry since we got here. There has never been a CCP team with the daily students before this year and even the student leaders were telling Whitney and I that we were going to have the hardest job, mainly because the students leave campus and it's hard to meet with them. However, it has been really amazing to see God provide so much direction for Whitney and I! We started going into the Day House (Alomdraai), which is similar to a sorority house. It is just a place where the daily students can hang out between classes while they are on campus. We met 3 girls who we have been hanging out with and ministering to a lot, and they are all coming to the JWC!!! We also have been meeting with the CO student leaders and the girls they are ministering to, and it is really encouraging to see their passion for their campus and for the lost. Please be praying for the 3 girls in Alomdraai (KG, Vanity, and Chris), and also some of the girls we have met in the SS (the Student Center): Natasha and Sindy.
We are really praying hard for the JWC that God would prepare the hearts of the students coming that they might see their need for Christ. We have about 10 daily girls coming, so we will get to spend a lot of time with them!
Apart from the ministry work, we went to Soweto last Saturday and it was so humbling and so hard to see the real sense of poverty there yet how happy the people were. We went to some of the students homes and were really emersed in their culture for a day. It really makes you re-evaluate what is really important in life.
Well we only have about 5 more days on campus left, so we are really praying hard that God would use us to the fullest with the time that we have remaining!

Hannah

Brooke's Post # 3

2006-06-09T04:35:00.000-07:00

Hello friends and family! We have been very busy here in South Africa but having a wonderful time! This week we have had ups and downs. The good news is that as a team we have seen multiple people come to know Christ! WOO-HOO! However, a lot of the UJ students are starting to go home now and it is getting harder and harder to meet with people to talk. We only have a few more days on campus and then we are going on a Safari! After that is our Joint Winter Conference! Please pray for perseverance for our last few days and also that God will work in powerful ways at the JWC. Other than campus time, I have been learning so much about South African culture! We have been going to museums, and playing Rugby, and I have even eaten Ostrich and Antelope!! This has been a wonderful experience thus far and I can't wait to see what all God still has left for us!! Thanks for all the prayers!
Much Love,
Brooke

AMEN!

2006-06-08T05:08:00.000-07:00

This week, on Tuesday (6/6/06), we had an optional Bible study in the res for anyone who was interested. Surprisingly, 11 girls showed up, which is amazing!! We talked all about The Cross and what that meant for us today. We broke down any pre-conceived notions that the girls might have had about The Cross and the we got them to forget it all. Preacher Megan then brought it home by explaining the gospel and through that, illustrating how The Cross is relevant to us! She called for a decision at the end and prayed the sinners prayer out loud for the girls to pray in their hearts if they felt led to. She then asked the girls that prayed it to look up at her, and 4 girls looked at her, signifying that they had come to Christ in that very moment! Another girl that was at the Bible Study sought more answers and truth and Megan had the opportunity to pray with her to receive Christ in the midst of the chaos, talking, and laughing around them. It was so amazing and since we knew who they were, we have now had the chance to follow up with them. This week, since then, we have mostly been showing these girls how to have quality time in the Word and teaching them how to study the Bible. We are also working on plugging them in with the ministry and introducing them to the leaders that are living in the res. PRAISE BE TO GOD FOR HIS GLORIOUS GIFT! Whoever thought that 6/6/06 was Satan's day was obviously wrong....

Jess, Helen, Rachel, and Megan G.

Bear Fruit

2006-06-06T07:10:00.000-07:00

So, PRAISE the LORD!!! Thank you to all those who have been praying for all of our ministry opportunities these past few weeks. Today, we had a beautiful girl by the name of Nelmari come to faith in Jesus Christ. It has been a rollercoaster experience with her, but well worth the ride. Thanks to all of you who have been praying and lifting our team. We still need your prayers and your encouragement. We are in crunch mode. Thanks again. Glory be to GOD ALONE!!!
Megan G.

Brian's First Post

2006-06-05T04:48:00.000-07:00

First of all I would like to apologize for it taking me so long to post on the blog but I'm sure that the other posts have provided good reading and the ability to have an excellent idea of what has been going on here in S. Africa.

MINISTRY TIME:
Our days start with breakfast at 8 in the morning and then we have a little over an hour to do our bible studies. Around 10 we leave to go to meetings that vary from ministry training, to theme training ( our theme is Not Ashamed), to extended studies of the bible and biblical ideology. After these meetings we head to campus and usually arrive around 12:30. The campus has what they call "Res's" which most students live in and the are a very close nit community. My ministry team (Me, Rob Murry, Will ELlaise, and Tom Keel) have been assigned to the Res, BASTION. The time on campus varies...in the beginning we just went around and met people and hung out in order to make good connections for future ministering opportunities. The leaders of the Res, pronounced Haka, have been really awesome and helped us out tremendously in getting plugged in with the Res. Our targets are first year students and the Haka gave us free rign to attend any first year meeting or event which has been awesome, so we went to the first meeting they had after we arrived and introduced ourselves and told them why we were here. All the guys have been extremely receptive and interested in us and obviously America. Through the weeks we have narrowed down the guys to ones that seem to be interested and have spent more time with them by building true friendships with the guys. We lead a bible study on tuesday nights which have been going really well and we have met some first years that were already true Christians that want to get plugged into a ministry which is awesome. The culture here is similar in the fact that everyone grew up going to church and believe that they are Christian but dont truly live the life. A lot of the guys believe that if you are a good person and do good things that you will make it to heaven so this has been a main topic that we discuss when we get into the spiritual conversations. One guy in our Res named Poacher, the guys get Res nicknames, came to Christ about two weeks after our arrival which was really encouraging. We have been able to share the gospel with at least 7 more guys but none of them have come to Christ. That can be discouraging but we realize that we are just called to be faithfull, plant seeds and water. Only God can make things grow and we know that seeds are planted so we are pleased to know that we are being faithful to God and taking His light into a darkened world and that He is faithfull to us. We are recruiting for and event called the JWC which is a conference where the gospel will be presented and there will be seminars, games ect... It is from the 23 to the 26 of June so please pray that there would be a good turnout, God would speak through us and the speakers, for Bastion guys in particular, and the entire University of Johannesburg campus.
ETC....
The weather here is really nice. It is presently their winter down here and it has been one of their coldest in many years but during the day i still walk around sometimes in shorts and a t-shirt. The thing about the weather is that when the sun goes down it gets cold really quick so around 5 p.m. we go home in the evening for an hour break for dinner and we can change clothes then too, but we head back to campus after that for a couple more hours. We have had the opportunity so far to go to a Lion and Rhino reserve where we drove around the park and saw a lot of African animals up close and personal. From lions and rhinos to cheetahs, ostriches, wild dogs etc... it was amazing. Also this past saturday we went to the Apartheid Museum which was insane. I knew that Apartheid was awful but now I know the true effects and inhumane tactics that took place during this dark time in S. African history. One thing that really blows my mind about it is that it lasted until 1994 so all of the ppl we talk to and come in contact with were alive during this time. The people here have made great strives to eliminate racism. It is still prevalent here but i feel it less walking around the streets and campus in Joburg than i do in America. Finally, we ate dinner at a place called Carnivores Saturday night. The place was awesome! We ate everything from antellope to crocodile to impala and waterbuffaloe. Sorry for the length and an abrupt ending but my time is up and i must go. Please keep us in your prays and I love you all!
-Brian

Blind Faith

2006-06-05T04:45:00.000-07:00

Hello to all!!! We are enjoying our Sabbath day today!! I never knew the satisfaction in RESTING in the Lord, but I must say it rocks. Any who, Jessica and I had a very exciting and uplifting week this past week. For the most part, we both learned the importance of utter faith in the face of adversity and FINAL EXAMS. Let me explain:

Jessica and I had invited many girls to join us for a bible study that we had organized for Tuesday night, but with the girls having finals that week their commitments were lacking. Still, we chose to go on with the Bible Study and waited patiently as 8:30 approached. Approximately, 8:35 two girls arrived and were interested and excited in hearing what we had to say. So, we thought we better get off to a start and begin because one condition of the bible study was that we would only go an hour so that they could return to studying. THEN, forgetting that we are under African time, EIGHTEEN girls walked in the door at 8:45. It was such a fruitful time or conversation and interest by the girls. Rachel, Helen, and J.P. say that I clearly laid out the Gospel for the girls, but I do not remember that. If anything, I remember thinking that I was scatter and disoriented in my time of discussion. PRAISE JESUS for HIS PROVISIONS!!! Our bible study lasted 2 hours and they asked us to return the next evening to answer some of their questions. WOW!!
Last Thursday, J.P. and I were meeting a girl for lunch at the SS. It was an unlikely lunch date because I had only run into Liane' the evening before at the front desk and asked here to join us. Any way, J.P. gave her usual transition into spiritual conversation which makes me laugh and smile because I know when it is coming ( the joys of being partners). Liane' was so open and responsive to our conversation. I asked her about her experience as a Christian since she claimed to be one since birth. I asked her if she had ever had a moment in her life when she had surrendered her life to Christ in recognition of His sacrifice for her life and His invitation of new life for her. She answered in the negative. I continued to ask her what barriers kept her from experiencing the life described in John 10:10. She was so open and eager to listen. Finally, I asked her if she wanted to live and experience the life that Christ offers apart from the lies that Satan had consumed her thoughts with everyday. Liane' desired that change in her life. So, J.P. helped to explain how she could actively profess that in her life. We prayed together in the middle of Panty Valley (field outside the Student Center (SS)). Her prayer was genuine and sincere. Honestly, J.P. and I were almost brought to tears because her opening line was, "Lord Jesus, I pray you hear my prayer today..." For a girl who never had truly connected with Christ because of the lies that Satan bombarded her with...It was a sweet moment to be a part of.
That was a recap of our week. I pray that you are all well wherever you are. Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts. We are entering a crunch week. Please pray for divine appointments, opportunities, boldness, and faith. God Bless!
Laboring for Christ,
Megan

Pictures

2006-06-02T05:39:00.000-07:00

Team Dinner

This one is for you Sarah and Beth...

Fun Day

2006-06-02T03:31:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from the Fun Day we had last weekend. We went out to field with student leaders in Campus Outreach and other students we invited to play games together. We had a braai afterward and hung out in the fields for a while. It was a lot of fun and it really helped us and the students get to know each other a little better.

My team after dominating in a relay race. Whoever was running had to wear all of the sweet looking hokkie gear.

So Mike and I got dared to jump in a kiddie pool full of mud. Mom, I promise everything came clean but the shirt.

Christine instigated the whole thing, so we thought she deserved a photo.

Have a good one.

-Craig

YAY!!!

2006-06-01T07:33:00.000-07:00

We had a girl come to Christ today in Skoonveld! Her name is Liane, so keep her in your thoughts and prayers! God is amazing!!

-Jess

Final Exam Time

2006-06-01T04:03:00.000-07:00

We're getting near the halfway point of our time here, and God has continued to be faithful to us. The Lord worked in a many different ways last week. For me personally, it was good to see Him work through my time with people and provide the boldness to have some good conversations about faith and Christ's gospel.

Andy and I were able to lead our first Bible study in the res last Wednesday, and we saw God move incredibly through that. Lots of guys showed up (about 30 or 35) and many of them were very responsive to our message. Andy talked about sin and our need for Christ. Many of the guys there were interested and asked some very good (but hard) questions. A few guys stayed afterward to talk a little more. It was clear that the Holy Spirit was working in them.

It's final exam time now, so students are more scarce. They are busy studying and many of them go home to study. Their exams last until June 23 I think, so it is going to be hard to meet with them from here on out. Pray for our patience and trust in God to work in their lives and ours as well. Also, be praying for our Joint Winter Conference (JWC) that will be June 23-26. Lots of students will be coming together from different campuses to learn about Jesus and have a good time with the body of Christ there. Ask God to bring people to that conference and to use the JWC for His glory.

Everything is still rolling along. One of our water pipes busted in the house the other day, and some folks had to shower on campus. I did what I could with deoderant, but decided that didn't really cut it after a while. Everything is going pretty well though. I'll get back with yall later.

Peace,
Craig

Rachel's Post #1

2006-05-30T08:39:00.000-07:00

It's been so amazing to be in South Africa for about 3 weeks now! I've really enjoyed being in a new culture and hearing so many different languages and being able to connect with people who have such different stories and backgrounds. I'm in a res (dorm) called Skoonveld with Helen, Meg, and Jessica, and we are getting to build relationships with lots of the first year girls and it's been fun hanging out with them and learning about them. We've had the opportunity to share with some of them and we are all praying that they would be able to come to the winter retreat that campus outreach is having at the end of June. This is such a huge opportunity for them to really connect with the student leaders from here and also to just be around a body of believers and learn more about the Lord. So, it would be great if you could pray for some girls from Skoonveld, and that they would be able to go on the winter retreat and that any barriers that they have would be broken down. God's really been teaching me about his faithfulness and trusting in him for so many things this summer. It's amazing to see him working on the UJ campus and in the hearts of the girls that we have gotten to know! Thanks so much for all of your support and prayers and encouragement the past months and thanks for being a part of our team!!
In Him,
Rachel

Jessica's Post #2

2006-05-30T06:37:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Well, for a quick update, things are going pretty steadily here....it is Block Week (the week before finals, no classes, and lots of studying). It has been a little frustrating to get some time with the girls, but we know that the Lord will use the time that we have to impact the girls' lives no matter how much time or how little time we are able to spend with them. Our time is running short (only 3 more weeks on the campus!) so we are trying to make sure that we make the most of the time!

Sharing the gospel with the girls has been such a blessing. Not only are the girls learning about Christ and how they can have a relationship with him, we are able to remind ourselves of the gospel daily. It is such an encouragement just to know that we have salvation that we are able to share with others!

Our team unity is growing so much...it helps so much that we all live together. I love how close our friendships are getting. I think that the boys are getting tired of all our giggles and just all of us being girls, but we know that they love us :) They really are troopers to put up with us all of the time.

For some fun information, our water is out at our house right now, so we are without showers or anything until they get it fixed. That has been a trip so far...an interesting experience thats for sure. It makes things fun and exciting (as if we don't have enough things to do that for us. Haha)!

At the airport

The CCP Skoonveld girls with the Campus Outreach leaders in Skoonveld

Going to campus!

Team 3- The best hokkie (field hockey) team!! :)

Some of the family :)

I love it Will....

That's all for now! Thanks for your prayers and support! Love you all!

Jessica

Pictures

2006-05-26T04:16:00.000-07:00

Robert's First Post

2006-05-24T12:58:00.000-07:00

So it took me a while to post. But here goes. Things are great here. I love the people, I love my team, and I love Africa. My Res (dorm) is Bastion. I am in there with Brian, Will, and Tom. Our student leaders that are involved with Campus Outreach here are A-Team and Budgie. Please pray for our leaders and our team. Pray for our continual unity. We have built some really solid relationships really fast by the grace of God. Please pray for Lassie and Nutcracker as those are two guys that I am focusing hard on. I haven't gotten to share the gospel with them but pray that I would be able to do that this week. I did get to play squash with them today. It was my first time playing squash. Also pray for Fun Day this Saturday. It will be a time to strengthen our existing relationships through having a BBQ and sports. Please pray that we would have a good number come the Joint Winter Conference to hear of the claims of Christ and to be challenged to surrender their lives to Christ or grow in their relationship with Christ. This is the same thing as our Christmas Conference in the States for those of you who know of it. Well I am out of time, but thank you for your prayers and I can't wait to share many stories when I see you next.
In Him,
Robert

First Thoughts

2006-05-24T12:42:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody. Things are going well here as I make my first post on the blog. Like Megan said, her, Meghan, and I have been here for over a week now. It has been a blessing to see how God has paved the way for me to meet people in Bastion. The guys there really like hanging out with us. I even went to a statistics class with a guy named Camelot yesterday. Will, Rob, BO, and I played rugby for the first time today. It took a while to catch on, and I can't honestly say I have the hang of it yet. I really like being here. Some things are frustrating, but it teaches us to rely on God more every day, so it is something to be thankful for. Thank you all who have supported me and prayed for me. I'll try and post again soon. See ya.

Tom

The Fellas

2006-05-23T07:49:00.000-07:00

The fellas at the Rhino and Lion Nature preserve... I'm sure there's some stuff said about our trip there somewhere on here, so you can read about it in someone else's post. I just thought I'd put up the pic because we're some pretty good lookin fellas...

One week and still going strong...

2006-05-23T03:37:00.000-07:00

Alrughty Folks!!
Meghan, Tom, and I have been here for a week now and we have gotten acclimated, adjusted, and briefed on basically everything. Our team, the family, has been so eager to aid and assist us in getting situated here in South Africa that we feel as though we have been here the entire time. It has been such a blessing to have them support and encourage us these past few days.
I have been in Skoonveld (Squinfeld) these past few days ministering to a few ladies and spending much of my time with the first year students. Daily I reminded that I can do nothing apart from Christ and that my strength comes from weakness. Praise the Lord for his generous provisions these past few days!! The first years are high energy and enthusiastic about us being here. we have been fortunate to have girls approach us and desire to spend time with us.
The Lord has been so faithful in my prayers before arriving here to provide a ministry partner I can share the joys and struggles of my life with. Jessica Prater, affectionately known as J.P. has been so influential in helping me further minister to the ladies in Skoonveld. Thanks the Lord for His faithfulness in my prayers. I mean she has already discovered how completely RANDOM I am:) That is a bond right there.
Well, off to another day of ministering. Thanks for all your prayers and emails. We love each of you for your devotion to our Spiritual Walks. Keep in touch and see you soon. Love YA!!
-MEG-

Jessica's Post #1

2006-05-23T03:35:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Wow! It is hard to believe that we have been gone for about 2 weeks now- it is starting to feel like home already. Everyone is adjusting really well so that is an answered prayer!

Things here within the ministry work are going really well for us all. It is becoming more challenging, but it is helping us to learn more about trusting in the Lord for strength and guidance. Rachel, Megan, Helen, and I are doing our ministry work in a res (a dorm) called Skoonveld, which has been such a blessing so far. The way I have seen the Lord work in my heart to give me a desire for these girls to know Christ has been overwhelming. They are precious and the relationships that we have been able to form so far have been so awesome. It is fun to think that when we go home, we will have close friends from halfway around the world! This week is crunch time and we will be sharing the gospel with the girls that we have formed relationships with, so please keep that in your prayers this week! Pray that the Lord will speak through us, that we would present the gospel clearly, and that it would be received well by the girls.

It is getting colder here now...a lot colder than we expected so we are a little underprepared, but we will work that out. It is funny to think that it is 90 degrees at home and we are freezing over here! Team unity is becoming stronger and it has been so fun getting to know everyone so well. It has also been interesting living with the team- but we love it and have so much fun together! The Lord is definately present in the friendships that we have with each other and he has his hand on our relationships!

Thanks so much for all of your support and prayers. I know that everyone on the team appreciates you all! We will continue to keep you posted....

Love,
Jessica

Brooke's Post #2

2006-05-22T11:25:00.000-07:00

Hello to all! Africa has been wonderful but cold these past few days! It is one of the coldest winters ever in South Africa! We have done a lot of exciting things lately, like Saturday we went to a lion park and were 20 feet away from lions and cheetahs and all sort of animals it was cool! This coming up week is going to be crucial for meeting and talking with people because it is their last week before their exams (they have three weeks of exams!) Also, I am giving my testimony on Tuesday, so please keep praying! Well, I miss everyone back home in the states and I love you more!!

Some Photos

2006-05-22T08:28:00.002-07:00

We're just begining our second full week of ministry here. I'm going to a rugby match tonight to meet some guys and follow up with some others. Our team is trying to schedule some time with individual students this week and share about what God has done in our lives. Pray that those times will go well and students will be receptive.

I've finally got some pictures up for you. I've included a picture of the airplane we came in on and a picture of me, Andy, and the student leaders we have been working with in our res. Sorry the picture with all of the leaders is so dark.

From left to right, the guys are: Steve, me, Andy, Plotrot, Ryan, Macbeth, and Shoprite. Pray for these guys. It's been good getting to know these guys and learning from them.

Thanks again for being so supportive of what we're doing over here.

Peace,

Craig

Living By Grace

2006-05-22T08:28:00.000-07:00

So we have been here for almost two weeks and the team has come a long way. After arriving from our flight, the team went to the guest house and then straight to campus for an orientation. That first day we got to meet CO leaders and now we are haning out with the girls we are ministering to. There are four of us in a resident (dorm) called Skoonveld. Its got eight blocks, with each block having three levels. It is taking us a while to get used to it but we are finally getting a handle on the building. This past Friday night, Rachel Shadeed, Megan Gallagher, jessica Prater and I got to hang out with our girls at their dance social, of which they call a Sokki, not sure of the spelling, which is a type of dance. It was pretty crazy. It was with a boys res (can not quite remember the name).
The Lord is working in our hearts and minds and preparing us for ministry with these ladies. We are specifically ministering to first year white Africaans, who are pretty much open to going to church but do not quite understand the gospel. This upcoming week is crucial for our ministry because it is the student's last week before finals. So this may be the last week we can spend quality time with the girls. We are recruiting for what is called the Joint Winter Conference which is a fantastic retreat that brings many people to Christ each year. We feel that if we can get them there then they are able to be plugged into the ministry and followed up on after we leave in July. I am really excited and by quiet times everyday in Romans, i am understanding more about what it means to live by grace.

--Helen (aka Pompwenki)

Over a Week...

2006-05-19T03:58:00.001-07:00

We've been here over a week now and it's been pretty amazing. We arrived safely last week on Wednesday morning after an 18 hour flight. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. We immediately left the airport and got settled in to our guest house. It's nice and cozy. We then left the house and went to campus for a tour and some orientation stuff.

I went with my ministry partner Andy Dressel and a guy named Pete Ketterman (he's on staff with Campus Outreach Johannesburg). We toured the campus and checked out Dromedaris, the residence hall that we're spending time in. We also got to meet some of the student leaders that are involved in COJ and live in Drom. The best way I can describe the residence halls is that they are sort of like fraternities. You join a certain res and live there the entire time you are in college. They play sports together, have parties together, and their is a good bit of rivalry between each res.

It's been a good experience meeting so many different people. South Africa is extremely diverse. There are black and white South Africans. Of the white South African students, there are some of English descent and there some of Dutch descent, called Afrikaaners. The Afrikaaners speak their own language, and can also speak English. Of the black students, there are 7 different tribes represented and they all speak their own language. There are also some Indian students here.

I've been able to spend a lot of time with guys in Drom. Our goal is to form good relationships with these men and share the gospel of Christ with them through our lives and our words. To meet new people, I've gone to a couple of rugby matches, played touch rugby, attended a few res events, and sometimes I've just had to go up to people's doors and knock. The people here are very friendly though, and are pretty interested in Americans, so it's not extremely awkward just walking into their room like might me in the States. Last Sunday night, I was also able to go to one of Drom's house meetings and introduce myself to the entire hall (a group of about 250 guys) and talk briefly about myself and my testimony.

Keep praying for our ministry over here. Please pray for the men in Drom (especially for the 1st year guys and Afrikaaners), that they would be receptive to the gospel and that God would change their hearts for the better. Pray for the rest of the campus as well. Everyone else with our group is doing the same thing Andy and I are doing. Also pray for us as a team, that we would continue to love and serve each other with God's help. That's all I've got for now. I'll try to get some picture up for you all soon.

-Craig

Brooke's Posting #1

2006-05-15T06:59:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!
I am having a really great time in South Africa!! We have been doing a lot of orientation type stuff and getting to know the culture here. We have got to know many of the student leaders that are involved in Campus Outreach here in Jo-burg and they have all been wonderful!This week starts the week where we will be meeting and establishing relationships with girls in a certain dorm (they call them "Rez") My dorm is called Amper Dar. We had a meeting with all of the freshman (they call them "first years") and introduced ourselves, and several of them invited us to have tea and coffee and to "chat." I am really excited about this upcomming weeks. Please pray that I will make the most of my time here in Africa and that God will use me for His glory!!

On Our Way!!!

2006-05-14T20:55:00.000-07:00

Tom, Meghan, and I are preparing to join the team in South Africa. We have gathered many of the necessities that the team has mentioned they are lacking, received our plane tickets, found room to cram that last item in our suitcases, and Meghan and I decided to experience GRADUATION!!! (Enjoy the picture...we have not been slacking we promise) Any way, here we come. Please pray for us as we travel and entertain one another. Please send a praise to the Lord for letting Tom Be our escort. We are thrilled to join the team and experience all that is going on in Jo-burg. Soon enough we will have the entire team together once again!!! AMEN!!!

First Thoughts...

2006-05-13T03:03:00.000-07:00

We've landed safely (several days ago) in Joburg...and things here are going great! Ministry opportunities look incredible for the students, and with our students and the Augusta students we're really able to spread ourselves across the campus. We haven't been able to do too much grassroots ministry so far, but we've began to meet students on the campus. And we've met all the UJ student leaders, I'm very impressed with how mission-minded they are. They've got about 60 committed and active student leaders who are trying to have a ministry on this campus alone, guys and girls who are ordering their lives around sharing the gospel and reaching out to others.
As for our home, its working out great for us. We're actually getting quite spoiled over here with a great little African lady named Francina who comes every morning and sets out our breakfast of cereal and toast and fruit. The home is nice, but cold. No homes here have central heating, but its not too bad. We're having fun living together and its really enabling us to gain some unity as a team as we share our lives together.
Please continue to pray for us and our impact here on campus. Of the 60 UJ student leaders, over 30 of them came to Christ and got involved by past CCP teams and now have their own ministries on the campus, so our impact here really makes a TREMENDOUS difference on this campus. We're praying that our work would mulitply out into future generations and that we'd have our eyes open to all that God is doing in the nations. Thanks for all you do and have done to support us... --Bert

2006-05-04T17:10:00.000-07:00

We leave on May 9th -- Please pray for our trip! Our team will be split up into two's on campus to minister alongside Campus Outreach students from Johannesburg and reach out to non-Christian students with the Gospel. We'll spend much of our days on campus, from lunchtime through the evening, and are praying to see many South African students come to faith in Christ this summer.

For your prayers, here's a list of team members:
Hannah Betts, Helen Chalmers, Andy Dressel, Will ElLaissi, Megan Gallagher, Craig Hensley, Christine Kaufman, Tom Keel, Elise Mendenhall, Rob Murry, Whitney Mycoff, Brian O'Rourke, Brooke Owen, Jessica Prater, Rachel Shadeed, Meghan Wilson, Amanda Young & Bert Watts.

We'll try to keep this posted and up-to-date over the summer. Thanks for checking up on us, and know that we are praying for all our family and friends back home...

Starting Out...

2006-03-09T10:36:00.000-08:00

We're just getting set up to go... Pray for our team, our support and CO Johannesburg.