FOR Saturday 8 Jan 2011

We are saying goodbye to Philip who is going back to Thailand!  And a couple of other goodbye's and Thai food on SAT 8 JAN 2011

 A marshmallow with mugg& beans no 10 habanero sauce on the left

and a Witrivier chicken pie on the right

 and yes, Philip ate it together ......

Saturday 8 January at Kobus and Hannecke's home (please call hannecke or paulien for directions) for all 3 events:

• Last Asian outreach meeting 9 - 12pm (Kobus, Hannecke & Kristof, Estelle, Miemie, Mark & Paulien depart from Tue 11 Jan onwards.  The van Tonders are back 2 weeks later, the rest 11 Feb)
• KE fellowship meeting 12 - 4pm (have asked Philip to share with us prayer journalling  and the plan & purpose of missions)
• Philip's farewell 4 - 10 pm (thai food supplied, pls bring own swimming truncks and drinks)

SUNDAY 9 JANUARY - DANIE & ESTHER'S FIRST SENDING CELL MEETING -
For all the journey-people who are interested to volunteer their service, this is your chance now.  Venue to be announced.

Saturday 18 Dec 2010

A bit of social in Orange Grove

This week we just took it easy with a nice, relaxing afternoon and braai at Mark and Pauline's place.  Nothing was really planned for this week, since many of us are away on holiday, but we still wanted to fellowship anyway.

Of course most of the discussion revolved around the Kingdom, preparations for Thailand, and how each of us got onto this journey and where we are right now.  (Yip, we all have a story to tell, but what's important is that we are here and that we keep on going.)  Just some nice, social time with fellow caravanners and an opportunity to get to know each other a bit better.

Saturday 11 Dec 2010

Danie and Esther - missionaries to Bolivia

What does an IT guy, a mother of three, a caravan and the country of Bolivia have in common...missions!!  (What else of course?)  But this is not a quick fix, a do-it-yourself home recipe - this is something for the long term and takes a long journey to prepare.



But let's take a step back.  Danie and Esther felt the need to get involved in the Kingdom a long time ago already, but were not quite sure what or where.  At first it looked like MES (Metro Evangelical Services), where Esther got involved and started serving.  But then life happened...kids, family, career...and it all got a bit blurry.  Along came Passage to Purpose, and suddenly it clicked...Danie and Esther were called to missions.  This was four years ago, and things haven't stopped since.

One thing led to another, leading them to the African School of Missions (ASM), where they started this year.  And this is what they came to share with us...what has happened since then, where they are now, and where they are heading to (at least as far as the Lord has revealed to them thus far).

Where are they now?  The Lord is digging deep, laying the foundation.  From theological training (you got to know the Word, and then know it some more), to practical living (getting exposed to a communal way of living - your home is open to everybody), to dealing with thoughts and attitudes (honouring God with your whole life), to serving in the community and Kingdom (Mamma Esther's shelter for example).

So what happens after one year of ASM?  Well, two more years of ASM.  Great, do we then go to the mission field??  No, not yet.  Then it's off to the Center for Intercultural Missions (CIM) in North Carolina, USA, for six months, to prepare them for cross-cultural missions.  Awesome, but then we go to the mission field, right?  No, not yet...then we first go to Santa Cruz for a year, and then to La Paz, which is closer to where they will be eventually, amongst the tribes around Lake Titicaca.  But by then it's 3 - 4 years already...what about the converts, when do we start to see results??  This is not evangelisation, remember...this is missions.  Becoming one with them, to live Christ among them in their culture and expressed in their own unique way - a small part of the divine tapestry of tribes, cultures and nations that will one day worship before the throne of God.

So this really is something for the long haul and does not come overnight, and requires a lot support...financially, in prayer, moral support, logistically, etc. etc.  Which is where we who are senders and co-ordinators can chip in, and become partners with them in the work for the Kingdom of God and for His glory.

Saturday 27 Nov 2010

Philip van Wyk - Inkarnasie Sendeling, Thailand

Vasgenaal op elke foto en hang aan elke woord - dit was ons.  Die verskil tussen sending en evangelisasie.  Diepe oortuiging om ons lewens neer te le vir wat God mee besig is (bottom line).  Lang pad - dink buite die boks - GOD IS AMAZING....  Waar pas jy in?  Philip verstaan die plan van sending en leef dit.  Maar dit is die doel (purpose) van sending waarvoor die Here hom 3 maande SA laat kom besoek het.  Hy bring sending terug na die Liggaam (kerk) toe, ons is die Liggaam....

Marion wrote: We met at Neville’s home for a slide show and presentation by Phillip about his life in Thailand. The thing that stood out was his testimony (he mentioned it over and over during the presentation!!).....the journey with God is a challenge, it is the hardest, but also the most wonderful, blessed, fulfilling way of life...! His enthusiasm was contagious:  HOW do you do it? .....One way is through getting involved, moving out of your comfort zone, taking God’s hand and STARTING on the journey. Phillip said that no one can show you the way, you must walk your own unique path, holding onto God’s hand all the way......asking Him to guide you, He will open the doors and show you the way.....

The photo’s he showed to demonstrate the impact of the social devastation that well meaning organizations are causing in Thailand were shocking!  People living in filth, children with diseases, unhygienic living conditions....people who used to have simple but peaceful lives before, now completely disrupted and socially confused.

His explanation of the world view of Thai people put things in perspective. We must ask what God is doing and not rely on our “logic” or “emotions” when we get involved in the lives of other people.   In our western way of thinking, we just want to solve the problem, make life more bearable for the suffering people, help them to live better lives....from our point of reference. BUT, what is God doing? What do they really need, how do they see the problem?

It is amazing to realize how God can work in a person’s life, how he can use a person to be His hands and feet! One thing I can see is that one has to change your way of thinking , living and acting. You have to sit at God’s feet, to hear His heart for the nations, to hear His voice in your heart, asking Him to guide you by the hand onto this unknown, exciting path!