CBC, Boksburg and West Frankfort Outreach in Mashushu

 Village:  Mashushu, South Africa 

Dates:  June 29 to July 6

Team:  Christ Baptist Church, Boksburg and West Frankfort

Church: Back to Jesus Baptist Church

Pastor:  Lazarus (graduate of Christ Seminary)

A report from Mark on the outreach to Mashushu ...

Samaria Mission organized an outreach to the secluded village of Mashushu near Mafefe on the outskirts of the Wolkberg (Serala) Wilderness Area.

Samaria Mission organized a partnership with Back to Jesus Baptist Church.

This outreach comprised of a large team of 35 individuals;

3 members from West Frankfort Baptist from Illinois,USA, 

10 members from Boksburg Baptist Church,

9 members of Christ Baptist Church, and

12 Samaria Mission associates along with one translator

This outreach was a made up from a various cultures from United States of American, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. 

I was privileged to have been involved with the youth ministry. 

One of the youth had a disorder, which I would consider cerebral palsy.  When someone first looks at this young man, many would think that he is unable to truly understand what is being taught.  He was not able to speak and had disabling motor functions.  But I found myself watching him and seeing that he was able to find Scripture references quicker than some.  It is such a blessing to see God working in those that man have disregarded as unable.  This young man is such a powerful testimony to God’s sovereignty on He chooses to call.

Mark and France

Trevor Gobo introduced me to another young man, Desmond.  One of our ministry meetings, Desmond began asking questions about particulars like the trinity and Jesus being God.  I gave him some answers but he kept asking for more scripture reference.  Trevor explained to us later that night that Desmond family members were Jehovah Witnesses and he was raised in that religion.  Once finding out Desmond’s dilemma, scriptures were gathered to handle the errant beliefs of Jehovah Witnesses.  Later, we talked to Desmond about what he believes.  Desmond said that he does not believe in the Jehovah Witness teachings and wanted the scriptures to talk to his family about the Truth.

I contacted the Pastor, Lazarus Mashwene, and asked him how this outreach has impacted the community of Mashushu.  Pastor Lazarus reported that eight people (5 youth and 3 women) have come to know Jesus Christ as their savior.

Also on this report, Pastor Lazarus is looking forward to more outreaches in partnership with Back to Jesus Baptist Church.

Here are a few pictures from our week in Mashushu.  

  This was the first time all three church groups were together so they took some time Sunday afternoon to meet in groups and discuss how the different ministries would work during the week. 

the guys discussing men's ministry

the ladies discussing and planning women's ministry

this groups was making a plan for the children and youth ministries

Jesus Film

Pastor Lazarus

children's ministry

children's ministry

Brit and Lucia making dessert - well taste testers are important!

evening wrap-up

 

 

fetching water from the river

camp - it was a long walk from one side of camp to the other

 Riana, from Christ Baptist Church, shared about a visitation ... "On Tuesday morning, on house to house visitation, we visited with Mama Esther.  As we walked into her yard, I said a prayer, "Please give me words to speak."  She said that she was a Christian.  Years ago she had burnt her leg and still had a lot of pain in her legs due to that.  She did not go to church because of the distance to walk to church (+/- 1 km in a mountainous area) and she could not stand the pain.  I felt peace in my heart to share with her encouraging words, (and not like most other homes where we shared the Gospel).  We prayed with her and told her about our ministries but that we would understand if she could not come due to the pain in her legs.  She showed up everyday at the ladies ministry and for the evening services.  She listened very attentively with a smile on her face.  I nearly teared up as I sat and watched her face light up while she listens to the teachings."

Mama Esther

women's minstry

house to house visitation

house to house visitation

house to house visitation

Brit playing a game during youth ministry

Mark teaching the youth (Lucia was translating)

Pastor Lazarus wife, Rose

Luke was able to help Nicholas and Mervyn make a cross for the church. 

 

  The church was busy preparing for a youth conference that was to take place the weekend we left.   We spent some time on Friday helping transport things to the conference center. 

 

 

 

 Mashushu is a beautiful place.  Some of the youth on the team went for a hike on afternoon.  

our girl

Here are a few more testimonies from various team members ... 

"During one of our home visitations a lady asked if she would be welcomed at church since she had visited a witch doctor and another man asked the same because he belongs to a church that wears a specific clothing.  I am so glad to serve a God that doesn't care where you have been, or what you wear.  His Grace is SUFFICIENT for ALL!" - Tracey from West Frankfort

"Hearing the people's questions during home visitations helped me realize how important that ministry is because you get to know the people and their spiritual needs." - Katelyn from West Frankfort

"2013: Different

New village, new faces, new scenery, new experiences, new partners in ministry

The Same:

Children’s smiling faces, women eager to learn, joyful worship, door-to-door visitation, sharing the glorious news of salvation

My heart’s desire:

To continue to share the hope of Christ, to build up the body of Christ-his church and to celebrate together the glory of Christ

Thank you Samaria Mission for 10 years of outreach together!"  –Rathel from West Frankfort

"I think the missions trip was excellent. I felt closer this time to people that I never knew before like the Raleys and Doug and Debbie. Also to share in South Africa was amazing. The countryside was exquisite and it just proved to me how Almighty God actually is. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip. The morning devotions were meaningful and the people were hospitable and despite the illnesses experienced it was an amazing eye- opening trip." -Jenny from Boksburg

"This was my first mission trip ever!  I felt so excited to finally put my Christianity to practice (not to say I didn't back home.)  I have never shared the Gospel as much as I did during this week, day after day, individual after individual.  We are all encouraged to share our faith and love with one another and draw people nearer to God, whether we are on mission, at work or at home.  I have learned and experienced so much on this trip and I'm so grateful for this opportunity that the Lord has granted.  I am glad to say that this was my first but definitely not my last mission trip!" - Lucia from Christ Baptist Church

Fannin Terrace Outreach to Tshikota

Village:  Tshikota, South Africa (right outside of Louis Trichardt) 

Dates: June 13th - June 26th 

Team:  Fannin Terrace Baptist Church 

Church:  Shalom Baptist Church

Pastor:  Philemon (student of Christ Seminary)

Our second outreach took us to Tshikota, a township outside of Louis Trichardt.   I do want to share that Tshikota was not part of our our original plan for this outreach season.  With the Pafuri border still closed, we were planning to take the Fannin Terrace team to Dinga.  We were told in late April or early May that we would not be able to take this team to Dinga at that time.  We were in a staff meeting discussing the different options and one of them was Tshikota and work alongside Pastor Philemon, who is one of the Seminary students.  He was in session during that time so we asked if he could come by the meeting so we could explain our situation and desire to maybe bring this team there.  After explaining things to him he said, "Your problem is my solution!"  Then he explained what was going on in his church along with the vision the Lord has given him for his ministry there.  We were beyond excited what the Lord was doing and couldn't wait to be apart of it.

There is a family in our church here in Polokwane that lives in Louis Trichardt and the husband is a builder.  For many years, they have been an encouragement and help to Pastor Philemon.   They were also a big help to Philemon in providing a front end loader to dig holes for toilets and clear some of the land for our camp.

We were apart of the set-up team and we arrived on Thursday, June 13th.  Once we had lunch we all began to work at leveling the ground and preparing it for the tents.   One thing that none of us were prepared for was the COLD nights.  This was by far the coldest outreach we have had.  There were a few mornings we woke up to frost on the tents!  

Brit helping offload the 7 ton truck

Mark working on the toilets

 

yes - it was new hole!

it takes a lot of men to move the donkey (hot water heater)

Pastor Philemon's vehicle

Sean working on the pump

Darren about to put the pump in.

Doug working on the generator.

sinking the pump and testing it

Brit and Gena setting up tents

time for the storage tent

camp was ready and waiting for the team

 The team, along with Brad and William, arrived on Saturday afternoon.  This was their first time to join Samaria Mission on outreach.  We were excited to meet them and get to know them.  We were also excited to spend time with Jan, Brad's sister in law, and her son, Connor.  (I had not seen Connor since Kid Camp when he was in 6th grade.)  

This team was great to serve with.  They had a heart for the people and for the ministry opportunities the Lord had for them during the outreach.  The team was involved in Men's, Women and Children's ministry, house to house evangelism and evening services.  They also assisted the church with the a pump for the borehole and a water tank plus working with the church to build a building.  One thing we noticed that the attendance during the men's and women's ministry were very low, but here in South Africa many people have jobs and were not able to attend.  The children's ministry in Tshikota was attended by MANY!  I believe one day were over 150 kids.  With that many kids it was a challenge but the team through a lot of prayer and perseverance pressed on.  

Several of the team members shared that they had never shared the Gospel as much as they had during their 10 days on outreach.  It was a challenge and an encouragement to them as they returned home.  Out of all the villages we were in this outreach season, Tshikota was more challenging.  There are many things that have influenced the people in this village - many different religions and beliefs, works based theologies, and many are very influenced by things of this world.  There were many people with hardened hearts towards the Gospel.    This was a team who realized the importance of prayer, the importance to GO and tell the Good News and to trust the Lord to do the rest.  They realized that it is not about the numbers it is about the lives changed!  We ask that you would pray for those who did accept the Lord.  Pray that they will stand strong in a difficult community and grow in their walk with the Lord.  

Most of all we rejoice in the fact that the Lord is at work in Tshikota.  He has called Philemon to pastor and lead this church and given him a desire to reach his community with the Gospel.  We ask that you would join us in praying for Pastor Philemon and his family as they take a stand for the TRUTH in a difficult community.  We are asking the Lord to show us ways that we can continue to be involved in what the Lord is doing in Tshikota.  

This is from one of the team members ... 

There are so many things I could write about our mission to Tshikota....the experiences and people there will forever be a part of who I am today. The one thing however that I keep coming back to is that my salvation is such a precious gift! After sharing the gospel with people that didn't even understand what we were saying (there were days we had no translators), I realized how very insignificant I am and how great and powerful our God is. HE is the one who brings people to salvation. It has nothing to do with how eloquently I pray or how "good" I am at presenting the gospel. We are told to go and share the good news. That's what we have done. I praise Him that His shoulders are big enough to carry the responsibility of bringing His people to salvation. It's not about me....it's ALL about Him!"  - Jan:  Fannin Terrace BC

Things other people shared ...

"I have learned to trust in God and no on myself or any person."

"My spiritual life is forever changed in a positive way."

Fannin Terrace Team

Sunday Morning Church

Team Devotions

Team prayer time

Praying before they go on house to house visitations. 

house to house visitations

women's ministry

women's ministry

Children's ministry game time at the soccer field.

 After game time they would walk to the community center for the teaching time.

Community Center

 

dinner time

Luke at children's ministry

Jan giving her testimony during the evening service.

working on the church footings

Pastor Philemon and his wife along with some of the church members

enjoying a fire on night

getting ready for the Jesus film

showing the Jesus film

Updates coming soon!

We left the village of Dinga last Wednesday and said good-bye to our last team on Friday.  We have been non-stop since we got back and that included a last minute trip with the Vaughan's and the team on Friday to Joburg and we returned on Saturday.  Then on Sunday morning Mark headed back to Joburg with William and Brad.  We have lots to update and MANY pictures and video to share.  SO, hang tight and we will get to it as soon as we can.  Thank you for praying for the outreach season.  We praise the Lord for the opportunity to take teams to several surrounding villages here in South Africa.