We had a team of 6 American girls join us for a couple weeks. Here's an update....
As I refelct on the last two weeks here is what I saw happen while the girls from California joined JAM and served with us in South Africa. In summary, the kingdom of God was advanced and the gates of hell pushed backed. New disciples were made and the body of Christ was strengthened. Our team was encouraged and built up especially Lifter and I who have been serving out here since Febuary and in need of some help.
Many lives were touched by the love of Christ flowing through this large team of South African and Americans. Personally I sensed the Holy Spirit in power leading and directing, opening doors and speaking in a fresh way while the team was with us. I saw Children loved and ministered to. It's always neat to see the children connect and recieve love from new faces. I've noticed that when teams come out the kids flock. I think the reason being is there's more love and attention to go around. The children really recieved love and affection which is something they're not used to at home.
I also saw the guys from the village that we've been pouring into encouraged as well as grow. To watch those new relationships form between the girls and the "jammers" was special and joy to watch. I loved Jordi's (one of the girls from Northridge, CA) boldness in telling the young followers of Christ from Mavhuza that they needed to take responsibility and step up regaurding reaching out to the village to see the change take place that they so badly desire. Her words were powerful and for the first time in a long time I saw positive response to this idea of reaching out. I know the team (as a whole) made an impact on the lives of Vincent, Nevil, Prudence, Conselia, and Quentin for the good that they will never forget.
A couple new things happened over the 2 weeks that really excited me to see. We've been joining a few high school's LCO meetings (Learners Christian Organization) for the past 7 months. These high school ran church services have so much potential for impacting the youth for Christ. We so desparately want the message of Jesus to be presented at these gatherings. When our team is not in attendance there isn't a very big turn out to this optional meeting. However when they announce that a team from America will be joining the meeting many students show up. On the Tuesday that the team went to LCO there was a room of at least 75 students waiting for us. We were given the floor to share which is another things that doesn't happen very often so Megan shared a "Jesus story," out of the gospel of Mark. She shared a bit of her testimony and the message was about the great love of Jesus. After she spoke we broke up into groups and talked about the story amongst eachother. Lifter and I have had vision for something like this for the past 7 months and it finally happened. Because this style was so different I was affraid of what Freedom (the leader) was going to think but to my surprise he loved it. Lifter and I had been in Cape Town and Joburg for the past month so we hadn't been to LCO in a while and Freedom told me that the previous week there was only 3 students who showed up to the meeting. He told me "Dave, you're always bringing secret weapons," meaning new teams. All glory to God! Another new thing that happened that we've been talking about is a service day in the village. So one Saturday all 15 of us invaded the village looking for someone to serve. The result was again amazing as the team helped with laundry (hand washing), helped some old mama's build a hut as well as help bathe their little ones.
New ground was also covered in our house visitations and the good news was shared with people of Ndengeza. They knew nothing about Jesus. They had only heard of Him. Good news was also given to a Sangoma (witch doctor) in Mavhuza. Early in the two weeks our whole team went to her hut to say hello and minister. We ended up praying for her beacuse she couldn't heal herself and had been sick for a very long time. This alone is amazing! When the old ladies/witch doctors' daughter found out that she let us pray for her she was shocked explaining that her mom never lets anyone pray for her. N'wa hoza (her name) thanked us for visiting her and for looking her in the eye. She said that she felt like a human being for the first time in a while and she welcomed us back. The next week we decided to make a plate of food for her and drop it off at her house. Again she was touched. The following morning 5 or 6 of the team went to her house and read the bible to her. They read the story of the lame man sitting by the pool who Jesus healed in John 5. N'wa hoza said that she was healed by the prayers of our team and actually referred one of her clients who was dealing with some throat issues to Lucia (a missionary from SA who is now stationed in Mavhua) for her to pray for him lol. So one of the witch doctors in the communcity is actually sending paying customers to us now for prayer??? So powerful! Jesus is alive and demonstrating His authority to the glory of God. God really honored the teams prayer and fasting done in preparation for the 2 weeks and the Holy Spirit moved.
For me God revealed His faithfulness through the team. Probably the most difficult challenge about being stationed in Mavhuza is the lack of community out here. We do not belong to a body of believers and it can get extremely loney. It's hard to describe the emotions that well up connected to even thinking about this. I've been so desparate for the kind of community that I experienced over those 2 weeks. With Lauren, Jordi, Megan, Amanda, Sarah, Alicia, Keith, Howard, Git, Mignon, Carina, Lucia, Lifter, Life, Josie, Vincent and myself being together and on the same page I saw the book of Act come alive. I saw the new community described in Col 3 come alive. The Holy Spirit dwelt among us providing power and everything that was needed. Love was the focus and Jesus was the center. We had everything in common. We ate, prayed, and worshipped together. We played games and fellowshiped and I can't remember being around so much laughter and joy. The word of God dwelled richly among us as we admonished one another in wisdom and there was peace. When there was a grievance or disagreement it was quickly resolved with forgiveness and grace. We served and loved eachother selflessly as we went out into the community to tell of and show this great God and Lord Jesus Christ. The effect was obvious to all and it was so much fun to be apart of. Mavhuza and Ndengeza encountered the love of Christ.
I can't thank God enough for what He did over those 2 weeks. There is momentum building. The enemy is threatened and his grip on this place is loosening. Please continue to pray for the people of Mavhuza and for the work that still needs to be done here. Blessings to you and all my love.
Your Brother in Christ,
Dave Lieberman
