Hello Friends and Family!

It has been about a month for me now being back in S. Africa and what a month it has been.   So much has happened in a small amount of time.  If you remember I had some clear goals on my heart for what I would like to accomplish in village of Mahvusa for 2012.  They are….1) Continue to walk with Lifter, Cedric and the guys and grow in Christlikeness with them.  2) Find a house in Giyani.  3) Help Lifter start a “tentmaking “ business.  4) Start a youth soccer league.  5) Help the young men in the village find work.  By God’s grace and faithfulness some major strides forward have been taken towards achieving all of these goals.  Let me explain….

Discipleship  - Lifter, Cedric and I are walking through the book of John.  Our intent is to get to know who Jesus is better.  We are concentrating on the things Jesus taught, the things He commanded and the miracles He performed.  Our time in the word is always sweet and Cedric has nothing but questions.  Most of the time I can answer but what’s awesome is that many of the times Lifter can too!  After we finish the book of John we plan on systematically studying The Holy Spirit, Angels and Demons.  These are big topics in the Shanganni culture so it will be nice to let the word of God speak.

Housing  - This year I will not be living in the village.  I will work there and spend the majority of my time in Mavhusa but will sleep and eat/cook in Giyani.  There is a nice little flat/hut that I will be renting for a reasonable price.  It is equipped with hot and cold running water, a toilet, shower, air conditioning, security bars, internet, and obviously electricity.  I’m excited to have a place of my own to be able to retreat to and hope by staying in a more sanitized environment I will be able to stay healthy.  I’ve been blessed by the community of  Giyani.  So many people have donated things to help me get on my feet.  Pastor Johan and his wife Lizette put up curtains and dropped off linens making the place feel a lot more like home.  A refrigerator and couch are coming! 

Tent making -  The Lord has provided a business for Lifter and it’s going great!  Last year we tried almost everything to get some kind of little business going and it never worked out.  A few weeks ago I was at a Braii (BBQ) and Jonathon (Giyani Spar GM) threw out an idea about selling bread from his bakery.  So Jonathon donated the first 150 loafs to get us started and a bunch of bread crates.  For the last 3 weeks Lifter, Cedric, Petres, Lazerous, Climent, Aubry, Joseph and I have been selling fresh Spar bread and the people in the village love it.  We’re now pushing 400-500 loafs a day!  I  am exhausted because in order for this to happen I have to wake up at 4:30 am and go pick up the bread at the bakery but it’s working.  So far 5 jobs have been created.  We’re selling in 3 villages now blessing the people with fresh hot bread for a low price.  This business has been great for developing relationships as well.

Soccer -  The soccer league is slowly developing.  We’re working on making the teams in Mavhusa first.  Lifter literally has 75 guys from ages 11-19 that would follow him anywhere.  He’s a Sheppard.  I can see many of them giving their lives to Christ in the future.  God is so good!

Please pray specifically for the word of God to sink deep into our hearts as we read through the gospel of John.  Also for our business and the relationships that continue to be built through soccer and bread sales.  I’m tired and need prayer for energy as well as discipline to rest.  Obvious prayer requests are for health and protection.  Lifter is having surgery to repair his collar bone so please pray for a full recovery.  We have experienced the favour of the Lord this past month.  Thank you so much for all your prayer and support.   I miss you all!

Dave