I will never forget the first time I got to snorkel. It came by chance really. We were just hanging out at the beach as a family. Not far from us was a couple who were snorkeling. Upon seeing that I was curious they invited me to try. I made all the black man excuses about "us" and "swimming". They convinced me that on the rock pools one doesn't need to be a good swimmer to snorkel. I took the goggles and put my head under. I discovered a whole new side to the creation, I was in awe of the Creator. I just wanted to stay there but I had to come up for air.
That's what this week feels like, coming up for air. We realised the last time we updated the blog was March and a lot has happened in our lives and ministry since then.
On the family front we are doing well. We are grateful to God for good health and provision. We are so blessed to belong to the J-Life community and the Heidelberg Methodist Church. In our grieving we have had tremendous support from these communities, friends and family. We have particularly been blessed to be part of a grief share group where we have been able to process our grief. We have received comfort, healing (a continual process), learnt new things about our faith as well as reminders of God's love and sovereignty.
We are also blessed with opportunities to train and disciple the next generation (Psalm78: 3-4, 6). We continue to journey with our Youth Worker Trainees for 2016. They were back on the training site for additional training between 2nd and 24th June. We also hosted our 7th annual 6 Weeks Internship from 13th June to 24th July.
Here is what some our trainees are learning...
J-Life partners with Scripture Union South Africa to give our students training in schools, kids and camping ministry. For more information read here.
Upcoming Events:
- UK mission group in August
- Gap Year students third intensive
- STeM 29 Sept -08 Oct
That's what this week feels like, coming up for air. We realised the last time we updated the blog was March and a lot has happened in our lives and ministry since then.
On the family front we are doing well. We are grateful to God for good health and provision. We are so blessed to belong to the J-Life community and the Heidelberg Methodist Church. In our grieving we have had tremendous support from these communities, friends and family. We have particularly been blessed to be part of a grief share group where we have been able to process our grief. We have received comfort, healing (a continual process), learnt new things about our faith as well as reminders of God's love and sovereignty.
We are also blessed with opportunities to train and disciple the next generation (Psalm78: 3-4, 6). We continue to journey with our Youth Worker Trainees for 2016. They were back on the training site for additional training between 2nd and 24th June. We also hosted our 7th annual 6 Weeks Internship from 13th June to 24th July.
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| Our Gap Year and 6 Weeks students |
Here is what some our trainees are learning...
During our time at J-Life we were trained
on SU (Scripture Union) content and I found a great interest in what SU does.
After returning from our six week intensive at J-Life, I connected with SU here
and went on their camp and staff retreat. This opened opportunities for me to
do schools ministry with SU staff at Riverton Primary in Bishop Lavis. I grew
from this experience which resulted in me doing ministry in Parkhurst Primary
in my own neighbourhood, Mitchells Plain. I am excited to see what the Lord will
be doing in the rest of this year and the rest of my life. - Zrano,
J-Life partners with Scripture Union South Africa to give our students training in schools, kids and camping ministry. For more information read here.
From Gavin, on having and being a mentor:
I like having a mentor as it's nice just having someone mature to walk with who can give sound advice and teachings in all aspect of life.
I like having a mentor as it's nice just having someone mature to walk with who can give sound advice and teachings in all aspect of life.
I like bring able to mentor someone as it builds a great bond
between you and the person as well as you get to help them grow and give them
tips and advice. It also adds a good sense of responsibility. Gavin is a youth intern at Benoni Baptist Church (back row, second from right in pic)
As
part of their year with J-Life the trainees are require to find someone to disciple
(Mentor) them and to disciple (mentor) at least two teenagers.
With J-Life I was awakened to the
basis of Disciplemaking. I had no idea of the different types of lost people
to disciple (religious and secular lost).
The stages one has to go through in discipling people from unbelief to
maturity. And that although you can force it- by those who are daring, it is
not recommended to be discipling someone when you don’t have someone discipling
you.
Andile from Gamalake, Margate was part of the 6 Weeks Internship (back row, far left in pic)
“And the things you have heard me say in
the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be
qualified to teach others.” 2 Timothy 2:2
Insights into ministry from Tyler, a youth intern at Rosebank Union:
Ministry is never as you picture it. Mostly because we are trying to define it and put parameters to it. Having had the privilege of working in ministry I can tell you that it can be as mundane as being at church every Sunday and sometimes you don't even want to be there, and yet sometimes you are bouncing off the walls busy with your church's holiday club and loving every second of it. It can even be relaxing with friends and trying to help them out in a Godly way.Ministry is a living breathing thing that is constantly changing and constantly forces you to re-evaluate your mental stand point. So all in all, my opinion is that ministry is one of the greatest gifts that the Lord has given us in order to help one another. It is also one of the best avenues that we can traverse in order to try and bring the glory of God's kingdom here on earth. (Tyler is right in the middle of the back row)
Ministry is never as you picture it. Mostly because we are trying to define it and put parameters to it. Having had the privilege of working in ministry I can tell you that it can be as mundane as being at church every Sunday and sometimes you don't even want to be there, and yet sometimes you are bouncing off the walls busy with your church's holiday club and loving every second of it. It can even be relaxing with friends and trying to help them out in a Godly way.Ministry is a living breathing thing that is constantly changing and constantly forces you to re-evaluate your mental stand point. So all in all, my opinion is that ministry is one of the greatest gifts that the Lord has given us in order to help one another. It is also one of the best avenues that we can traverse in order to try and bring the glory of God's kingdom here on earth. (Tyler is right in the middle of the back row)
My
lessons in spiritual growth have really been lessons in trust; letting go of my
will for my life and submitting to God's. Seeking after Him in prayer, in His
word and intentionally spending private moments with Him. I have learnt to put
myself in His hands so that He can mould me though I understand that this
process is more than just about resting in Him. My part is to pursue love and
righteousness. My part is to pursue Him above all in all that I do in my everyday
life - Hlengiwe, an intern at Randpark Ridge United (2nd from left in pic)
Prayer Points:
- Open Doors for Promotion
- Recruiting interns for 2017
- Access to Pastors fraternal
- Recruiting for GC2 groups
- Wisdom for coaching and discipling the interns
- Traveling mercies for Bhuti as he visits the interns at their churches and marketing trips.
Upcoming Events:
- UK mission group in August
- Gap Year students third intensive
- STeM 29 Sept -08 Oct
