Girls just wanna have fun
Our Home Schooling Moms took a day out to Franschoek. Starting the day with fellowship, a delicious breakfast at Bon Bon, we shared our stories, joy and challanges. Then heading into the streets of Franschoek brousing every little gift shop, enjoying time out with the girls and having fun…
Photo’s to follow soon!
Joh 15:13 No one has greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Smitswinkel – Route 62
A challenging week (21 – 28 March, 2010). Satisfactory, when I look back on the hard work…
Marianne, my art friend from Noordhoek moved recently. They bought land on the way to Oudtshoorn on Route 62. She phoned me, desperate in need of help. I was willing, available and practical. I have experience owning a business and I studied Food & Clothing Technology. The kids and I went through to Outdtshoorn on a four-hour trip to reach our destination on Sunday evening.
Marianne and I were a good team putting together the Smitswinkel Farm Stall. We worked long hours (till 2am in the morning) to get all the administration and programming done as well as marking and packing stock. We also had to train the kitchen staff, local residents on the farm looking for work opportunities to make a living.
Jeanelle enjoyed the exposure to entrepreneurship. She did stock counts, compiled inventory list and did a great job in serving customers with a poise.
Emile and Maruche had a ball on the farm, feeding pigs, ostrich and rabbits, daily. They also made new friends. Emile did target shooting with Gilmore and took rides on his motorbike. Thrilling experiences as old friends.
When you ever visit South Africa and would like to do a trip through the Klein Karoo, I hope you will visit the Smitswinkel Farm Stall on Route 62 with Robbie and Marianne Smit with their personal hospitality. A traditional Farm Stall with Home baked breads & Preserves and delicacies, Deli, Gallery, Restaurant and Arts & Crafts.
If you would like to book for functions conact Marianne Smit at smitswinkel@gmail.com or 044-213 3801 or mobile 082 379 2683.
Crucifixion and Resurrection
“I’ll never know how much it cost, to see my sin upon the cross.” In this moment the reality is so real. Jesus paid the price. I’m free! I’m so grateful. God is good. Jesus is alive and well – His spirit is within me, because He died and rose again. The well-known song and lyrics. So powerful. Blowing your thoughts away as I try to rethink the love God has for me… and for you…
Crucifixion and resurrection
2 April 2010
Book-worm, Marlese
I never thought that I will read a 166 page book in one day. I’m not a book-worm at all. Apart from reading my Bible daily, I enjoy reading books from time to time. I suppose the reading-bug has bitten me.
You see, I started the book entitled “So you don’t want to go to church anymore – an unexpected journey by Wayne Jacobsen and Dave Coleman” and couldn’t put it down. What a journey it was for me…
For the last year we’ve experienced what the authors are writing about. We’ve even experienced some of the same incidents mentioned in this book to reconsider what church is all about!
For the last couple of years we became tired of just going through the motions of Christianity and we wanted to go deeper in the depths of what it really means to live in Christ. With the Church Planting Course (CPx) we did, we are really exploring new grounds of what the creat commission really means. Being practical, passionate for Jesus and His people we’ve tasted live fellowship between passionate believers. We feel that we cannot just meet with people who look like we do and like things the way we do. We’ve now found that we have far more opportunity to meet with people from a broader cross-section of His body. The same counts for our children. Instead of filling our children with ethics and rules, we need to demonstrate how to live in God.
I am even more exited about our journey ahead!
Wedding Bells – Markus & Celest
Conrad and I
have been privileged to attend my best friend’s daughters wedding on March 12th, 2010 in Wellington. A long-awaited wedding with a beautiful entrance of groom, best men, bridesmaids and bride. God’s Glory shining and overflowing radiance were evident during the reception and proceedings. We felt honored to be guest and witnesses at Markus and Celest’s wedding day. We are grateful for our friendship with Lulu and Martyn.
The pastor invited guests to have a relationship with Christ with the message from Isaiah 62. Guests pictures were hanging on a “washing line” to point out their table placings – amazing initiative and creativity. The afternoon and evening was filled with joy, fun and excitement.
This wedding reminded us of how you and I can look forward being the bride when Christ returns….
Word of encouragement
As I read during my quiet time, God confirms His faithfulness to me in Romans 16:19-20. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
I just need to proclaim my dependance on God – I surrender my all! Without Him, I’m nothing and can do nothing!
Becoming missional
“We need to raise up an army of missionaries… We are church, we should live church, spread the church…”
If we want to become missional we need to:
- join God on His mission. Mission is not something we initiate, but something we join. God is already on the mission.
- Mission is participating in God’s love for people.
- Mission precedes church. There is a church because there is a mission, not the other way round.
Jesus called the twelve disciples together approaching the community to teach and train them to be fishers of men. What will it take to get the job done? How much time do you spend with non-Christian? 2 Timothy 2:1-3 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
Baby sitting
Jeanelle came up to me: “mommy how can I serve with All Nations and the new CPx students?” Wow, a somewhat unexpected question. But I realised Jeanelle has matured so much throughout the last year being exposed to serving others. I volunteered to serve the CPx parents and help them with their needs to settle in as families.
Whilst having one of the parent meetings, the parents decided one of them would sit out, daily (taking turns) to look after the little ones. They asked me to arrange for an assistant. I was blown away, realized that Jeanelle wants to be involved. I suggested that she could help as an assistant on a trial base for a week.
They absolutely adore her. She’s spontaneous, relaxed and gifted to work with the kids. She enjoys her time with them, keeping them busy with arts & crafts, dress-up, reading aloud and having fun.
Parked or idling?
The last month I’ve read a book Daring to live on the edge by Loren Cunningham.
Something that struck me was…about dogs chasing a car?
A dog can’t do anything with a parked car… Get out of your parking space, so God can use you. He’ll find someone else who’s engine is fired up, idling and filled with diesel to do the great commission. Please read Luke 10 and trust God to renew your mind to get you moving.
The book as great, I would recommend it.
Straight from the heart
When God stirs the nest – you need to move. The same principle when the cloud moves, you need to move… Sometimes it is a huge challenge, but the reward of obeying God is overflowing and comforting.
Road signs
God is showing us a lot of road signs on our journey but we miss the turn offs as we rush to the next destination. We don’t follow the instructions and map (Bible) given to us. Are you willing to follow every instruction God is giving you?
A Gift…
I’m always exited about receiving and giving gifts… And we all have a gift to give… This is a practical and “thinking out of the box” post.
When we open these beautifully wrapped gifts we are filled with excitement and anticipation. I want to encourage you to open a different kid of gift daily…
We have Jesus in our lives as a gift. Every day is a new day, a new gift and no day will ever be the same. A new day is always filled with excitement, joys and challenges we need to face. But today I realized something else…
I am also my families’ gift. I am also a gift beyond my family borders, yes; I’m a gift to family and friends. We need to keep on opening this gift we are, especially when Satan comes with lies to stop us from being this beautiful gift to others. Let me explain…
God treasures us. We should not forget that when we are pressured and discourage that God has a purpose for us where we are now. I had to choose not to look for man for identity, but trust and look toward God. I had to learn to reconcile, daily, love and live in peace with my family and others, daily. Sometimes it’s a very hard lesson to learn. We need to walk with God, daily. Renewing our minds and finding God’s truth, replacing the worldly lies with Godly truths. Would you dare to be a salmon swimming upstream? Stepping out of that comfort zone to serve others, make a phone call, write an encouraging letter to someone, and cook dinner for a family.
We have to orchestrate our rhythm to God’s heartbeat and rhythm. You are called by name, you are His and He loves you. He came for you… You are a special gift to your family, friends and others. Use your talents, gifts and be the man or woman God desires you to be.
Heart 2 Heart ministry
Thursday afternoon 11th February we had a mommy’s mentoring meeting. I would like to tell you more about Heart 2 Heart. The Heart 2 Heart discipleship program is designed to provide one-on-one, hand-in-hand discipleship through basic pregnancy awareness, pre & post-natal care, teaching newborn & infant care as well as helping the mother establish a foundation in Christ. We aim to empower these young women to be reach their full potential and in turn, empower other young moms in their communities as well.
I am so excited to be part of and becoming a Mommy Mentor! There are many struggling young women in the communities that long for help and friendship. How awesome that I get to be the one that shares Hope and help with them. We know that in each one of us are special treasures that time, experience, hardships, and joy have created within us. These treasures can now be shared with other young women!
Baby Safe provides intervention with abandoned children
Pregnancy counseling
Pre-Abortion Counseling
Post Abortion Counseling
Adoption facilitation for birth families
Infant care education and new mother support
Bethany, a qualified Social Worker from America is the brain behind this programme. I am honored to be part of her team, helping mommies love and care for their babies, but more, disciple them to have a relationship with Jesus Christ our Saviour and provider.
For more info on Baby Safe visit www.thebabysafe.org
Needle pulling thread
Jeanelle has asked me to teach her how to sow. Today the 26th January, we had the opportunity to do that! We went to Somerset West to borrow grandma’s sewing machine. We were preparing for Maruche’s Birthday. Edge-sewing triangles to decorate the gazebos for the occasion.
Jeanelle’s comments: “It was a wonderful hands on experience and I enjoyed it a lot. I was a little scared to do it but later on when I stitched a little faster my dad would totally freak out because he’s scared I’m going to stitch my fingers off, Haha!”
Fifteen Years
Conrad and I celebrated our fifteenth anniversary on December, 3rd, 2009.
We can testify of grace throughout our journey as a married couple. Getting married at a very young age, we were very inexperienced and had to learn sometimes the hard way. But with so many prayer and encouragement we realised that God has a purpose for us. We will continue to walk in faith. All the wisdom and counseling we received in many ways boils down to love & respect… Woman needs to be loved and men has to be respected. The core of both is our personal relationship with God.
We are grateful for our journey. We love one another and we and our family will praise the Lord.
(We were spoiled with a delicious breakfast at the tennis club).
We are a good team and what God entrusted to us is good and we will honor Him for His grace and favour. We will hold on to His promises. Thank you for your prayers and support.
Let’s be do-ers
Good intentions will not get the job done; we must act.
Good intentions do not equal obedience to God.
Let the book of Haggai reminds you to obey without delay when God asks you to do something for Him.
Treasures
The last few weeks of November 2009 we’ve started with Stewardship as the theme for our Home Education. Within this character trade we will cover Ecology & Conservation, Time management, managing your money, possessions & careers, Abuse, Prevention, Nutrition, Exercise, Rest and Fun.
With every subject we cover Bible passages, fun activities, reading, research and reasoning on the subject.
I’m blown with the kids understanding and growth. We treasure the family time we have together and the wisdom coming from the basic things we are covering. We grow so much closer to our children’s hearts and we want to ask you to pray for us. We are very excited about our growing relationships with our children. Although we don’t always have it easy, getting to know how to get along with one another, we grow so much together. God is definitely busy with each one of us.
I’m sharing one of the mornings, I’m grateful for the time I can spend with the children in coaching them in God’s Word and how they engage in the growing process.
On Friday morning while doing Bible Reading together we discovered the importance of “where your treasure is….” (What is important or a valuable possession?). Could that be an idol, more important than God? We had time to think about it….
Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where moth and rust corrupt, and where thieves dig through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupts, and where thieves do not dig through and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I’ve asked the children where their treasures are. Each one of us shared what was on our heart. We could discuss, minister to one another, make confessions and make sure we get in line with what God wants to teach us through this particular scripture. Because the Word reads in Hebrews 4:12 For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Your peace and quiet!
During this week I was carrying a word of encouragement in my heart. Encouraging everyone I came past, sharing that we should stand together and fight the darkness and give God glory in the Victory we have and gain through our struggles, in Him. And this morning I read these confirming words.
Mother Basilea writes to us about the Battle of Faith:
We are all prone to grow weary of fighting. The word “battle” does not suit us. We want to have our peace and quiet. That is why Scripture has to exhort us: “in your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood (Hebrew 12:4). We don’t like fighting against the demons. We don’t like fighting for Jesus’ Kingdom. Why? Because the battle inflicts wounds. Because battling entails hard work. But then let us look at our Lord Jesus. His whole life was a battle. A battle with the Pharisees, who hated Him; a battle with the demons, whom He cast out; a battle with His disciples, who did not understand Him; a battle with His chosen people, who did not accept Him.
That is why our Lord Jesus is called the Lion of Judah. He has fought the battle as no one else has. That is why we can declare: Jesus is Victor! But that is why His true Church, His bridal host is also the Church Militant.
And so I would like to exhort you, my dear daughters: renounce your peace and quiet. Yes, in this sense renounce your peace. Jesus said that He has not come to bring peace on earth, but a sword in Matthew 10:34.
This is what I have experienced. Although Jesus is my Peace and always dwells in my heart as the Lord of peace, He still does not bring peace. He gives us a sword. We are to fight for Him, because we live in a world that is in danger, because Satan is trying to gain power over us. How could we possibly sit back and rest? We would grieve our Lord Jesus most deeply, if we sought peace and quiet, if we grew tired of fighting.
To grow tired of fighting is to leave Jesus in the lurch! To be ready to fight is to stand at His side and go His way with Him! He who loves Jesus fights, because he cannot bear to stand by and watch Satan, Jesus’ enemy, gain power and invade Jesus’ Kingdom.
He who loves Jesus will never grow tired of fighting. Love gives us new energy. Love always makes us ready to give our time and energy, because love which is constantly fed by repentance contains fire, and fire breaks out in battle.
Whoever loves Jesus can fight, because he has Someone at his side that fights for him, and because he knows that eternal rest in the heart of the Father awaits him.
So dedicate yourselves anew to the battle. He who is tired of fighting will fall victim to the enemy – he who is ready to fight will bring trophies to Jesus.
Having a family
We take our blessings for granted! While Sarah (one of eleven children) from Alaska is here in South Africa, she can share her heart on how she dearly miss her family back home. We are so glad that we belong to a bigger family – a family in Christ…
We invited Sarah over to spend time with us. The kids love her very much. She’s like an older sister to the kids. We share our hearts and vision, laugh & have fun, play and walk the talk together in sharing the gospel.
I’ve baked a delicious banana bread like just a mom could do to let her feel at home. Spoiling one another with our friendship and gifts… Sarah playing the guitar, myself the piano and kids singing out loud praise & worship songs. We prepared a delicious pizza-sub for dinner as well as scones for pudding. Revitalizing with facials, massaging hands & feet after a hard week.
Words: Powerful
A difficult (emotionally) week went by… But when I opened Joyce Meyer’s news-letter I felt so inspired, really knowing that God is speaking to ME, through this letter I want to share with you. Turmoil, thoughts rushing, allowing the darkness to creep in and then realising that I’ve got the power of Christ in me, to resist the darkness and have faith in our journey!
The letter starts of with….
You have the power. The question is, how are you using it? With it, you can change the course of your life! You have more influence than you realize. You dont have to be the boss, you don’t have to have and impressive title, be famous or smart! All you need is the ability to speak.
With our mouths we can encourage or discourage, we can inspire or insult, we can dream or doubt. There is incredible power in our words. The Bible is filled with promises about how our words set the course of our life. Proverbs 18:21 reads, The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (NIV).
The potential for both life and death – for blessing and cursing – is what makes the mouth so important. And the hard truth is, we are responsible for what comes out of our mouths. We’re the ones who choose what we do with our words. With everything that’s happening in the world today, it’s easy to find death, cursing and negativity everywhere – on the news, in line at the grocery store, at your local coffee shop, in the break room at word…. Grumbling, blaming and name-calling are commonplace, and far too often, among Christians….
It’s time to make a change….
Imagine if all your words for the past twenty-four hours had been recorded and turned into a transcript. How would it read? Would there be more life than death? Would it include words filled with life that build others up? How much of it would contain grumbling, complaining or even name-calling?
REMEMBER – what comes out of your mouth reveals who you really are. This is a real test of your maturity as a follower of Christ. As you examine your words, it may be a reality check for you…
Let’s focus on speaking words of life and blessing. To build up, not tear others down. And I want to encourage you with the great news that when you change your words, you change your life! If we would use our words to bless every person we come into contact with…every person we speak to…then we could change our lives and the lives we touch. It’s not about whether it’s too hard; it’s really about whether or not it’s a priority for us.
Blessing is just the beginning… We also need to thank God every day for all the things we have to be grateful for. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us that it’s God’s will for us in Christ Jesus to thank God in all circumstances. The Bible is filled with simple, life-changing truths that show us His will. As we faithfully follow these truths, God takes us deeper into His specific will for our lives.
I really felt the above paragraph speaking to me! God allowed us to pack up and really removing us from our ordinary ways of life in Brackenfell to come to Fish Hoek for the CPx Course. It changed our lives! And God is busy with us as individuals (Conrad, myself and all three kids) and we are very exited about the journey. Although it’s not always easy, but we chose not be sitting in the comfortable place any more. We know that God is taking us to a nother level of spiritual growth. And we don’t want to follow the ordinary formula of the world anymore! We want more, we are following God’s vision and calling for us as a family. The moment we try to keep up with the Jones’ next door, comparing ourselves to others, we miss God’s calling for us. We are in error of what God is doing in our lives, if we don’t follow Him with the visions, words and truth He speaks into our hearts.
No one needs help to be discouraged – life is filled with enough disappointments, accusations and problems to keep all of us discouraged. This isn’t just about getting rid of our negative words - it’s about intentionally using the power and influence God’s given us through our words to advance His Kingdom.
The hope of God being seen in our world is found in you and me…. and this is the way God created it (Colossians 1:27). And the hope of God’s love being heard is found in the words we speak. Our words and our finances have the power to bring life to others and to glorify God in ever-increasing ways.
Your prayers and generous support are making a lasting difference in our lives. Thank you for your encouragement!
Foundations of Farming (Farming God’s way)
Were were looking forward to be part of Farming God’s Way. Phyllis and Euginia was the two ladies from Red Hill that showed interest in Foundations of Farming. We have spent Saturday morning, 29th August in lecture with Sam Adams helping us with hands-on training on how to farm God’s way.
I would like to share a few points with you, if you would also like to apply these basic principles in your garden. The main focus is to mentor and discipling individuals. If I could say, using farming as a foundation to share the gospel and also having the opportunity to uplift and help building communities in need to sustain and make a living for themselves.
We would like you to encourage even your own gardener (building relationships) so that they could take these basic principles home and make a difference.
A few principles:
- On time
- High standard
- Minimum wastage
- With joy
With FOF we do not burn! Our bug-buddies are killed and we need them! We do not plough. Weplant into the surface where the crop residues from the previous year are left (apply God’s blanket)
The reason for the God’s blanket is:
It feeds the soil
Organisms are balanced
High fertility in the soil
Soil structure is improved
Higher soil water holding capacity
Higer CEC
Stable soil
No slumping
Reduced land preparation cost
If you would like more information on Foundations of Farming visit www.farming-gods-way.org
EVANGELINE MINISTRIES
16th July 2009
Wendy Ryan, a missionary from the States living in the Carribian. She is currently serving in Masipumelele. She inspired us so much during our debriefing time. She shared a few points in more detail:
- Expect surprises
- When God call’s God provides
- Without faith, it’s impossible to obey
- God will put His compassion in your heart for you to do what He wants you to do
- You have a plan – God has an assignment
- Your greatest work for God will be done in His strength and your weakness
- Get ready for God to amaze you!
She is a journalist in profession, but God called her to South Africa and she is helping women who live with HIV & AIDS find new hope through Jesus Christ. Her ministry is called EVANGELINE MINISTRIES. She is reaching out in the communities to help woman to do sewing over a six month period (educating and uplifting) and then after graduating, receiving a sewing machine.
She has gone back home to do fund raising for the projects. Please pray with me if I should get involved with these projects, seeing that I come from the clothing industry. I’ve studied Food & Clothing Technology. As an entrepreneur I had the opportunity to work from home with my seamstresses, manufacturing “ made to measure garments”, wardrobe planning & figure analysis and corporate wear.
Ladies group in Red Hill
I am thankful for our ladies group in Red Hill. We adjusted our time schedule to Tuesdays and Thursdays. Some of the ladies got jobs now – Praise God for answering our prayers!
The ladies take turns to lead the group and God is revealing so many things to us. We enjoy our time together with Xhosa, English and Afrikaans songs, prayer, Bible reading and sharing our hearts.
Art mornings
I’m on track with my first oil painting – but I did not think it will be so difficult! Patience!!! The black spots on the painting are not a mess – it is part of the shadings in the painting. I enjoy the ladies morning a lot. My friends from the left, Saugnet (the Birthday girl), Rinda, Melony and Mariaan (the hostess).
