September Newsletter

From fasting and solitude, to hospitals and house visits...

Herewith the latest experiences from a training base in Pretoria, where community is grown, and disciples are made...

Solitude with a Stumble

24 hours. 2 rules: no eating, no talking. Half of us spent the first 4 hours in Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve. I hiked the Duiker Route and found a comfy spot in the Bird Hide. There I began reflecting on our latest course material, specifically the creation story and how light and dark co-exists. With the occasional glimpse of a duikertjie, I studied the name of Elohim. The God of creation.

After a few hours, I decided to return to the busses, taking the scenic route, of course. As some of you know me, I tend to fall over my own feet, which is exactly what I did. Nothing bleeding. Nothing broken. Just a bruise that has still not disappeared. Why do we call it The Fall of Mankind? From personal experience, I can tell you that most falls are accidental... so how is choosing to disobey God defined as accidental?

Arriving back on base at around 5pm, I jumped into bed. I felt inexplicably drowsy and exhausted. What followed, was a sleep I can only describe as the kind that Jesus had when He slept through the storm. I woke the next morning at 4am for the first time. Somewhere in the night, I experienced a shift, where I found myself moving out of Pretoria, and sitting down back in my parents’ home. While I have yet to discover what that meant, I trust that God will reveal it to me in His perfect timing.

Ministry Mouthful

What to do when the university closes for a few weeks? We went from expecting profound conversations with students, to experiencing a prayer session in one of the local hospitals. I had the privilege of serving with fellow-Reach-participant in the ICU and we prayed with the patients who were wanting some company and prayer. I met the most extraordinary people who might have felt hopeless and powerless in their circumstances, but held tight to the joy of knowing that the Lord was there with them.

The next week, we went to Laudium and met Auntie Sally. She is currently a big supporter of local ministry, and it was inspiring to see her heart for people in the midst of a community not only divided by religions, but by churches. She regularly cooks food for the kids when OM comes to do Saturday ministry with them, and this on top of caring for her four grandchildren.

Accountability Partner

As some of my supporters know, my accountability partner had to leave the base unexpectedly due to a family emergency. She has rejoined us on the very last day of this month. We had grown close in such a short time, and when she had to leave, I was surprised at the amount of emotion I felt, not just towards her departure, but about past relationships that had ended suddenly. It also reminded me that I would have to say goodbye to my fellow REACHERS, just as I had to greet my PE family when moving here. It was a sour reminder.

Coming Soon

What to expect in the next month:

• Missions Mobilizing Training

• Outreach to NW

• Electives