Warm Hearted Africa - Kei District (Sep. 12, 2018)

Sawubona, Goeie dag! Greetings from South Africa :)  If you have been to Africa, you know that this is an area of the world that is warm hearted. There are plenty of obstacles and opportunities for compassion and grace anywhere we find ourselves.

However, I have found that even touching the fringes of the warm heartbeat of Africa is life giving. I am excited to experience and learn more along this beautiful and real journey. I didn’t know how the Lord would use travel-time for moments of impact before arriving in SA (South Africa). Being healthy and rested are important. Sisters and brothers, NEVER underestimate how the Lord will use you even when you are tired and seem to not have the strength. From diverse, difficult, and joyous conversations; to playing games and laughing like little children again my travel companions (adventurers in their 70’s) of row 26 were a blessing. We arrived late in the evening to Johannesburg. A missionary couple greeted me graciously. I am thankful for their hospitality and open arms.

As quickly as landing the plane changed the pace of things, we hit the ground running. The Lord is doing wondrous things, we enjoyed a rally to kick off a new SA District the next few days. We are excited to celebrate the new Kei district! Surrounded by many children, youth, women, a few male and female pastors, and Nazarene leaders we heard the Word proclaimed and danced and sang in celebration to the Lord. I heard personal testimonies over tea, of lives that have been transformed and turned upside right in the Lord. Praise God! As a sister’s voice proclaimed in song she also proclaimed: forgiveness, reconciliation, true identity, hope, struggle, and the Living Gospel of the Lord. We were encouraged to act in faith without fear, and that God is creating something new in these days! What a blessed time in Bhisho. The temperature was cold, yet the love and hospitality among the SA people was all the warmth anyone needed! They were gracious to teach me a few phrases in the Xhosa language. We celebrate what the Lord is doing among the Kei district. Please pray as many shared needs for children in their communities, and adults alike. The church is dreaming of how to not be inward focused but to spread its roots of eternal truth and hope to the communities in sustainable ways. How can your church or life breathe fresh breath and hope in your communities? How can we each be an active part in the Body of Christ? Let us not be a limb that is dead, rather one that brings Hope and Life to the rest of the Body as we grow in holiness together. May we be holistic stewards of the time and resources we are given. A passage and quote to leave with you:

He who called you is faithful.

**2 Thessalonians 2:14 -17. "14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.”

Don’t get too caught up on translation – traditions can also mean Message, brothers – as in believers…

May we be established and rooted in Christ in all things.

“Identity is the echo of belief” – Graham Cooke

Graham Cooke

As we believe so shall we become. As we identify, so too our belief in God is echoed and magnified. May we find identity in Christ that we may reflect the very warm and living heartbeat of God wherever in the precious world we are.

Please feel free to comment or send prayer requests of praises!

Blessings to all