We arrived home early Saturday morning. Our last flight was delayed leaving Washington, DC but we finally arrived at LAX and so did our luggage. Now it is trying to get our bodies adjusted to OC time and reflect back on the amazing people we met and experiences we had during our trip.
Please pray that we are able to adjust physically to time zone and pace of life in California. Pray that we are able to see this trip from God's perspective and what He wanted us to learn from our time there. Pray for the next team going as part of the Saddleback Johannesburg church plant in August. Pray for the next Celebrate Recovery seminar scheduled for January in Johannesburg.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
On our way home
We are currently in Zurich, headed home. We had a great two days with Celebrate Recovery seminars in Johannesburg. We met some existing CR ministries and introduced it to several new churches. We guided existing CRs to be more effective with their ministries and heard a lot of stories of changed lives.
We shared an overview of CR and our own testimonies of healing, touching a lot of people. There is a lot of excitement to attend a 4-day training seminar in January for the new churches that want to start their own CR minsties. When asked who was interested in attending the January seminar, one senior pastor raised both hands and one leg. I think he is looking forward to it. :-)
Our time in South Africa has been very productive, with both the Saddleback church plant in Johannesburg and for the future of Celebrate Recovery across South Africa.
We shared an overview of CR and our own testimonies of healing, touching a lot of people. There is a lot of excitement to attend a 4-day training seminar in January for the new churches that want to start their own CR minsties. When asked who was interested in attending the January seminar, one senior pastor raised both hands and one leg. I think he is looking forward to it. :-)
Our time in South Africa has been very productive, with both the Saddleback church plant in Johannesburg and for the future of Celebrate Recovery across South Africa.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Tuesday Evening
Monday we had meetings with different churches in the Western Cape region about Celebrate Recovery. We learned a lot about the issues they face and it really helped us understand their cultural challenges as we go forward with teaching CR to other churches in South Africa. We heard many stories of changed lives through CR.
We stayed in Cape Town Monday evening and did some sightseeing Tuesday morning, we were fortunate to get to take the cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain. The view was amazing!! And we met some Americans from Orange County, it is a small world.
Tuesday afternoon we flew back to Johannesburg and we are settled into our guest house preparing for a CR seminar tomorrow for existing CRs in the Johannesburg area.
Please pray for the meetings tomorrow and Thursday that we speak the words that God gives us and we are able to support and encourage their CR ministries. Pray for open hearts for the CR introduction seminar on Thursday for new churches interested in starting CR.
We stayed in Cape Town Monday evening and did some sightseeing Tuesday morning, we were fortunate to get to take the cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain. The view was amazing!! And we met some Americans from Orange County, it is a small world.
Tuesday afternoon we flew back to Johannesburg and we are settled into our guest house preparing for a CR seminar tomorrow for existing CRs in the Johannesburg area.
Please pray for the meetings tomorrow and Thursday that we speak the words that God gives us and we are able to support and encourage their CR ministries. Pray for open hearts for the CR introduction seminar on Thursday for new churches interested in starting CR.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Sunday
This morning we went to Somerset West United Church just outside of Cape Town. They have a CR ministry. The church just completed the 40 Days of Community campaign which they really enjoyed. They did a special Father’s Day message and showed a video of the Skit Guys. The sermon on parenting and the message notes with fill-ins were very familiar to us.
A lady from their CR took us into Cape Town for lunch and showed us the sights - the water front, Table Mountain and Robbens Island in the distance. Cape Town is a beautiful place and is one of the most multicultural cities in the world.
Please pray for the team that is flying home to the US, arriving on Sunday afternoon. Pray for our meetings tomorrow with existing CRs here in Cape Town. Pray for the CR seminars scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in Johannesburg.
A lady from their CR took us into Cape Town for lunch and showed us the sights - the water front, Table Mountain and Robbens Island in the distance. Cape Town is a beautiful place and is one of the most multicultural cities in the world.
Please pray for the team that is flying home to the US, arriving on Sunday afternoon. Pray for our meetings tomorrow with existing CRs here in Cape Town. Pray for the CR seminars scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in Johannesburg.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Saturday Afternoon in Cape Town
Here is an update for the last few days.
Wednesday
We went shopping for Jesus. We never really thought that would be something that we would ever do as part of a mission trip.
Some of us met with a pastor who is interested in supporting Saddleback Johannesburg. We met at a restaurant in a very large, modern mall in Pretoria. He has a great deal of experience in planting churches across Africa and has offered to support Saddleback as we move forward, especially to the unreached people groups.
The remaining team went shopping. The mall itself could have been in the US except some of the stores were new to us. The purpose of this shopping adventure was to learn about the local culture. We interacted with store clerks and patrons alike. Many insights and observations were made throughout the day that gave us a better understanding of the culture.
In the evening we held a SHAPE seminar at Charity and Faith Mission Church with an emphasis on volunteering our time to serve our church based on the way God has made each of us. It was well received and inspiring in a culture where volunteering is not typical.
Thursday
Many different things guided us to one particular part of Johannesburg metro area as a potential location for Saddleback Johannesburg. A woman from Charity and Faith Mission Church lives in this community and offered to tour us around. We drove around the residential areas seeing the different types of housing, churches, schools and shopping centers. We saw the contrasting neighborhoods from meager township housing to very high end homes. We visited a local realtor and got housing costs information.
It was a very educational experience and it gave us a lot of insights to share with the next teams coming to Johannesburg to support the church plant.
We held a Small Group seminar where we talked about how Saddleback organizes our small groups and the curriculum that we use. We learned about their small groups and cell groups. They are similar in structure to ours but with different content. We learned a lot from each other. One thing we all shared was that our favorite part of small group time is when we have a “bring and share”.
We said goodbye to our new friends at Charity and Faith Mission Church as our time together came to a close.
Friday
We had a day of R&R where we got outside the city and enjoyed the beauty of God’s creations in South Africa while we prepared for the team to split up and most of the team to return home while 3 of us travel to Cape Town.
Saturday
Lisa, Ashley and Jana arrived in Cape Town on an afternoon flight where we will be meeting with churches with Celebrate Recovery ministries to support and encourage their ministries. The remaining team has an evening departure from Johannesburg that will take them to London then arriving at LAX on Sunday afternoon.
Pray for Charity and Faith Mission Church who was such a wonderful host to us and helped us learn so much valuable information about the local culture. Please pray for travel mercies for the team returning home. Pray for a smooth transition home, both physically, emotionally and spiritually. Pray for divine appointments in Cape Town for the 3 of us and to be open to what God has in store for us. Pray for the CR seminars scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in Johannesburg.
Wednesday
We went shopping for Jesus. We never really thought that would be something that we would ever do as part of a mission trip.
Some of us met with a pastor who is interested in supporting Saddleback Johannesburg. We met at a restaurant in a very large, modern mall in Pretoria. He has a great deal of experience in planting churches across Africa and has offered to support Saddleback as we move forward, especially to the unreached people groups.
The remaining team went shopping. The mall itself could have been in the US except some of the stores were new to us. The purpose of this shopping adventure was to learn about the local culture. We interacted with store clerks and patrons alike. Many insights and observations were made throughout the day that gave us a better understanding of the culture.
In the evening we held a SHAPE seminar at Charity and Faith Mission Church with an emphasis on volunteering our time to serve our church based on the way God has made each of us. It was well received and inspiring in a culture where volunteering is not typical.
Thursday
Many different things guided us to one particular part of Johannesburg metro area as a potential location for Saddleback Johannesburg. A woman from Charity and Faith Mission Church lives in this community and offered to tour us around. We drove around the residential areas seeing the different types of housing, churches, schools and shopping centers. We saw the contrasting neighborhoods from meager township housing to very high end homes. We visited a local realtor and got housing costs information.
It was a very educational experience and it gave us a lot of insights to share with the next teams coming to Johannesburg to support the church plant.
We held a Small Group seminar where we talked about how Saddleback organizes our small groups and the curriculum that we use. We learned about their small groups and cell groups. They are similar in structure to ours but with different content. We learned a lot from each other. One thing we all shared was that our favorite part of small group time is when we have a “bring and share”.
We said goodbye to our new friends at Charity and Faith Mission Church as our time together came to a close.
Friday
We had a day of R&R where we got outside the city and enjoyed the beauty of God’s creations in South Africa while we prepared for the team to split up and most of the team to return home while 3 of us travel to Cape Town.
Saturday
Lisa, Ashley and Jana arrived in Cape Town on an afternoon flight where we will be meeting with churches with Celebrate Recovery ministries to support and encourage their ministries. The remaining team has an evening departure from Johannesburg that will take them to London then arriving at LAX on Sunday afternoon.
Pray for Charity and Faith Mission Church who was such a wonderful host to us and helped us learn so much valuable information about the local culture. Please pray for travel mercies for the team returning home. Pray for a smooth transition home, both physically, emotionally and spiritually. Pray for divine appointments in Cape Town for the 3 of us and to be open to what God has in store for us. Pray for the CR seminars scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in Johannesburg.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Wednesday
Monday
The team toured Charity and Faith Mission’s ministries. The counseling center does HIV testing and counseling, pre-marital and relationship counseling as well as trauma. It was very insightful about how they deal with the issues of HIV/AIDS.
The orphanage is for children whose parents have died from HIV/AIDS. It was a very organized and provides a loving environment for the children.
Disabled children’s home is a day care for children with special needs so the families can maintain a somewhat normal life. Local university students volunteer to do specialized therapies. Joe really connected with one little girl with severe autism.
During the visit at the pre-school the children sang for us and we got lots of hugs and high fives.
The tour guides really highlighted many of the challenges that people of Johannesburg face and gave us much greater insight into the culture and ideas of things we might consider for Saddleback Johannesburg.
Tuesday
We held a Celebrate Recovery introduction seminar at Charity and Faith Mission church. Leaders of neighboring churches and the community were also there. Those attending were really impacted by how CR could help them and the members of their churches. They are looking forward to the 4-day training scheduled for January so they can learn how to start their own ministries. As God divinely planned, each of the testimonies shared impacted different people and ministered to their personal needs. It gave many people hope to know there is a Christ centered program to help them work through some of the issues in their lives.
Please pray for the families that so generously hosted us even though they have many needs of their own, they graciously opened their homes and their lives to us. Pray for divine appointments as we go out in the communities. Pray for wisdom and discernment as we meet local pastors. Pray for our SHAPE seminar tomorrow evening. Please pray for the details to be worked out for our meetings in Cape Town with existing CRs this weekend.
The team toured Charity and Faith Mission’s ministries. The counseling center does HIV testing and counseling, pre-marital and relationship counseling as well as trauma. It was very insightful about how they deal with the issues of HIV/AIDS.
The orphanage is for children whose parents have died from HIV/AIDS. It was a very organized and provides a loving environment for the children.
Disabled children’s home is a day care for children with special needs so the families can maintain a somewhat normal life. Local university students volunteer to do specialized therapies. Joe really connected with one little girl with severe autism.
During the visit at the pre-school the children sang for us and we got lots of hugs and high fives.
The tour guides really highlighted many of the challenges that people of Johannesburg face and gave us much greater insight into the culture and ideas of things we might consider for Saddleback Johannesburg.
Tuesday
We held a Celebrate Recovery introduction seminar at Charity and Faith Mission church. Leaders of neighboring churches and the community were also there. Those attending were really impacted by how CR could help them and the members of their churches. They are looking forward to the 4-day training scheduled for January so they can learn how to start their own ministries. As God divinely planned, each of the testimonies shared impacted different people and ministered to their personal needs. It gave many people hope to know there is a Christ centered program to help them work through some of the issues in their lives.
Please pray for the families that so generously hosted us even though they have many needs of their own, they graciously opened their homes and their lives to us. Pray for divine appointments as we go out in the communities. Pray for wisdom and discernment as we meet local pastors. Pray for our SHAPE seminar tomorrow evening. Please pray for the details to be worked out for our meetings in Cape Town with existing CRs this weekend.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Monday in Jo'burg
Saturday after our last post from a local mall, we went to the Apartheid Museum. It gave us a good overview of the history of South Africa and a good introduction for our trip.
We went to our second mall of the day for lunch at their food court. It was very similar to the malls in the US but while some stores were very familiar to us, others were not.
We arrived at our guest house in the late afternoon, had a nice dinner prepared for us there and spent time with our host. Then we got a much needed good night’s sleep.
We attended church at Charity and Faith Mission Church in Mamelodi. We were made to feel very welcome by a lively and energetic service that celebrated Father’s Day. We sat interspersed with the congregation for the special 4 hour service.
We went with different members of the church to spend the day and overnight in their homes to get more acquainted with the local culture. We had local foods, some people went sightseeing with their families and others stayed in to spend family time together watching South Africa Idol.
This morning (Monday) the team reassembled. Most of the team is spending the day at Charity & Faith to serve along side of the ministries.
Jana and Emily went to a meeting with Walk Thru The Bible to get some Celebrate Recovery materials for a CR seminar that will be held on Tuesday in Mamelodi and work out some details of other CR trainings that will take place on this trip.
Please pray for open hearts and understanding of the culture. That we stay focused on what God wants us to experience while we’re here. Pray for the CR introduction seminar tomorrow (Tuesday) in Mamelodi, for open hearts of those coming and that we speak God’s words.
We went to our second mall of the day for lunch at their food court. It was very similar to the malls in the US but while some stores were very familiar to us, others were not.
We arrived at our guest house in the late afternoon, had a nice dinner prepared for us there and spent time with our host. Then we got a much needed good night’s sleep.
We attended church at Charity and Faith Mission Church in Mamelodi. We were made to feel very welcome by a lively and energetic service that celebrated Father’s Day. We sat interspersed with the congregation for the special 4 hour service.
We went with different members of the church to spend the day and overnight in their homes to get more acquainted with the local culture. We had local foods, some people went sightseeing with their families and others stayed in to spend family time together watching South Africa Idol.
This morning (Monday) the team reassembled. Most of the team is spending the day at Charity & Faith to serve along side of the ministries.
Jana and Emily went to a meeting with Walk Thru The Bible to get some Celebrate Recovery materials for a CR seminar that will be held on Tuesday in Mamelodi and work out some details of other CR trainings that will take place on this trip.
Please pray for open hearts and understanding of the culture. That we stay focused on what God wants us to experience while we’re here. Pray for the CR introduction seminar tomorrow (Tuesday) in Mamelodi, for open hearts of those coming and that we speak God’s words.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
We're Here!
After flying from LAX to London, a 6 hour layover, then flight from London to Johannesburg - we made it, arriving at 7 am on Saturday. The flights and connections went smoothly.
We were greeted by our host church with loud vuvuzela horns and friendly faces and lots of hugs.
First stop - coffee.
Next stop - Apartheid Museum
After that we will go to our guest house, get cleaned up and enjoy some rest.
Please pray for open hearts, open minds as we go to the museum. Pray for good night's rest tonight.
We were greeted by our host church with loud vuvuzela horns and friendly faces and lots of hugs.
First stop - coffee.
Next stop - Apartheid Museum
After that we will go to our guest house, get cleaned up and enjoy some rest.
Please pray for open hearts, open minds as we go to the museum. Pray for good night's rest tonight.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
The First Team Leaves for Johannesburg
Saddleback PEACE/CR
Trip to Johannesburg, South Africa
June 7th-June
22nd, 2012
Ephesians 2:10 “We are created to do good
works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”
We all are so blessed by your support
and your willingness to pray for us as we serve God on this trip.
Here is our itinerary, but our motto
for our trip is to stay “fluid”, knowing that God will have different plans and
that we will yield to the Holy Spirit as He directs…so not our agenda, but His!
June 7--
Thursday evening departure from LAX via London
June
9--Saturday arrive on an early morning flight. Visit the apartheid museum
later in the day
June
10--Sunday attend Charity and Faith Mission Church in Mamelodi, then go to church member’s homes for
an overnight stay on Sunday night
During our
time we will likely do the following:
·
Serve
alongside Charity and Faith Mission Church ministries
·
Hold a Celebrate Recovery introduction seminar
·
Hold a SHAPE seminar
·
Hold
a Small group seminar
·
Visit
different suburbs in Gauteng where unchurched people hang out, coffee shops,
malls, etc. to do some informal surveys
On Friday, June
15th --- we will have some R & R, sightseeing in Jo’Burg
The main team
departs Saturday evening, June 16th, but 3 of us will be departing
earlier in the afternoon to fly to Cape Town for Celebrate Recovery meetings
there. Pray for safe travel home for Charlie, Mary, Joe, Jennifer, Kay and
Emily…and for safe travel to Cape Town for Jana, Ashley and Lisa
June 17th---Sunday
morning attend church, afternoon meet with existing CR groups. Team arrives
home Sunday afternoonJune 18th---Monday meet with existing CR groups
June 19th---Tuesday fly back to Johannesburg
June 20th---Wednesday
hold an all-day seminar for existing CRs
June 21st---Thursday
hold a senior pastor CR introduction meeting; depart for home that evening via
Zurich & Washington DC
June 22nd---Friday
night arrive home
SADDLEBACK CHURCH 12 CITY INITIATIVE
You matter to God and your life has a purpose to serve others!
Jesus says, “Only those who give away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live.” Mark 8:35 (LB)
God is calling YOU to be a part of this mighty movement of His Kingdom in the fulfillment of the Great Commission to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”
That’s why Saddleback is concentrating on 12 strategic “Gateway Cities” around the world for their proximity to the final 3,800 smaller people groups that still do not have a church. We will plant a base church in each of these 12 cities which will resource PEACE teams from many churches over the next few years.
Amman, Bangalore, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Freetown, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, London, Manila, Mexico City, Moscow, Tokyo
God wants those from EVERY nation, tribe, people and language in His family in heaven. Investing your life to reach these people will be the most significant thing you do with your life.
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from EVERY nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” Revelation 7:9 (NIV)
We are excited about your interest in the 12 Cities Initiative! No matter where you find yourself on God's road, there is a place for you in this season of PEACE.
Jesus says, “Only those who give away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live.” Mark 8:35 (LB)
God is calling YOU to be a part of this mighty movement of His Kingdom in the fulfillment of the Great Commission to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”
That’s why Saddleback is concentrating on 12 strategic “Gateway Cities” around the world for their proximity to the final 3,800 smaller people groups that still do not have a church. We will plant a base church in each of these 12 cities which will resource PEACE teams from many churches over the next few years.
Amman, Bangalore, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Freetown, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, London, Manila, Mexico City, Moscow, Tokyo
God wants those from EVERY nation, tribe, people and language in His family in heaven. Investing your life to reach these people will be the most significant thing you do with your life.
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from EVERY nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” Revelation 7:9 (NIV)
We are excited about your interest in the 12 Cities Initiative! No matter where you find yourself on God's road, there is a place for you in this season of PEACE.
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