South Africa Update #5

The team is again making the rounds at schools and prisons today, encouraging the believer and inviting the seeker.

Among the two biggest events left for the team (and the two that will require the most preparation) are services run through Mayfair Baptist Church in Johannesburg.

First, on Friday night (noon in Texas) the Youth of the church will gather and the Grace Point team will be completely in charge of programming a night for them. The team was only made aware of this yesterday and so is planning at the last minute and praying for a good response.

Earlier on Friday, the team is planning an outdoor church service at the Joe Slovo squatter camp near the church, the same one where they have been feeding the children all week.

Prayer Requests:
- That the team would be confident in the plans the Lord has before them and work without anxiety or worry.
- That the nightly devotional time would continue to produce discussion and deep questions as the Lord grows the faith of those on the trip.
- Pray for health on the team, as Stefani is the latest person to come down with an upset stomach.
- Begin praying for Ryan Callahan. As the team gets closer to leaving, he gets closer to being left behind. Pray that God would be his strength, his companionship, and his inspiration.

South Africa Update #4

The team broke up today, with some members running programs at schools and other members ministering to the prisoners at Johannesburg Medium B Correctional Centre.

Word is that the team members are starting to come together and that not only is great ministry happening during the day, but that the nightly devotionals are taking on a new depth and meaning.

In addition to all of the work of their Tuesday, the team was able to do some shopping at Bruma, a traditional African outdoor market. With hand-carved curios, soccer jerseys, paintings, and traditional clothing, there is something for everyone at Bruma. Between that and a lunch at CIRO's pizza, the team is said to be in high spirits and ready for more hard work coming up.

Prayer Request:
That the team would continue to get along so well and that the honesty and openness would continue to develop as the impact of all they are seeing and doing begins to settle into their souls. These are the days in the trip when one's heart starts to really internalize all that the eyes have taken in. Pray for the Lord to press in deeply.

South Africa Update #3

The team enjoyed a Monday of ministry. Although a school visit was ruled out due to weather, the team was able to minister to the men of the Johannesburg Correctional Centre (a maximum security facility).

In addition, the team got to get up close and personal with the residents of the squatter camp nearest the church where they are serving. The team was able to feed the children there and to build a rapport that will allow them to continue to serve the residents for the rest of their stay...

Prayer answered:
Kelly is feeling better!!!

South Africa Mission Update #2

Just heard from Stefani...

The team is preparing for their Sunday night service. All are generally well and excited.

Prayer Requests:

- Kelly is sick to her stomach. Pray for a quick recovery and for God to teach her even in the ugliness.
- Crystal's bag has still not arrived. Pray for that situation to be worked out and for God to stretch Crystal in the uncomfortable place she finds herself.
- The team is exhausted. Jet lag + Time difference makes for a sleepless first night for most of them. Pray that they get rest tonight so they can be truly alive as they tackle a difficult week of ministry.

South Africa Mission Update #1

(Intermittent Updates on the Grace Point South Africa Mission Team will be posted here...)

Post #1

The Grace Point team has arrived in Johannesburg. An uneventful (if long) flight found them safely on African soil. After a late-night dinner at McDonalds (only place open after dark), the team was to sleep in preparation for Sunday ministry at Mayfair Baptist Church. The team will meet the church in the morning and have a special Sunday night service where they will do all of the music and teaching.

(FYI - Johannesburg is 8 hours ahead of San Antonio...)

Kyle

live intentionally?

I don't blog much anymore. Don't really know why...

I still notice the parabolic realities in life. I guess I just don't share them as widely. I wonder if blogging weren't my pulpit when I had no physical pulpit to occupy. And now that I have a weekly place to preach...

If that weren't enough, I am more and more consumed with my little family, my precious wife and our ridiculous daughter every day. I am more and more consumed by the ministry God has provided for us, the place where folks exist to Amplify the King.

So I blog less - much less. I tweet now, since blogging takes a ton of time and thought and tweeting takes very little of either. And maybe that's OK. Maybe not.

Anyway, I ran into the above photo and wondered if I was practicing what I preach. Do I live intentionally? Do you?

I don't blog much anymore. Don't really know why...

of saltines and stomach bugs: another reason why i love my bella

Anecdotal reason #312 that I love my child ridiculously:

Bella and I are both sick. Stomach bugs and flu and just total nastiness.

And so I am breaking up Saltine crackers for her so she can get something in her little tummy without giving it all back. And she looks at me for a long moment and looks down at her crackers, picks one up, and reaches out her hand and gives it to me. As if to say...

"Here, Daddy - you eat some too"...

I hold it and look at her in disbelief as she then puts her little hand under mine and determinedly starts to push my hand up towards my mouth.

"Eat it, Daddy - it'll make you feel better too"...

I pray that she feeds many weary souls on her journey. A pleasure to be among the first.