Fruit That Lasts?

John 15:15-17:
"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other."

Apple Of His Eye
www.jvcartworks.com

We met Laura ten years ago through Blood N Fire, Costa Rica. Laura knew she was destined for Africa, but no clue how or when. We also knew God would send us to South Africa one day so invited Laura to be a part of our family in Atlanta, preparing for when God would send us.

In 1999 we all moved into Blood N Fire's corporate headquarters called "the warehouse". It literally was a 100 year old warehouse on the outskirts of Capitol Homes, one of the 42 housing projects we'd begun ministry to the poor. In addition to offices where we worked daily, Blood N Fire also met there weekly on Sundays for church. We had a 90,000 sq. ft. building that we used only on Sundays! We knew a lot of folks who could find sanctuary daily there. So we moved our Sunday service to another day of the week and offered the building as a shelter; at the time there were hundreds of families in need. We didn't have the funds or the staff but trusting God to provide, we invited those in need of shelter, food and a place to call home.

In Acts 2 'they met together daily, going from house to house, breaking bread together and devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching.' And they did it with glad and sincere hearts. As we began to meet in the same way in Cape Town God revealed a vision to us- to rebuild family in community. We had nothing to give until we allowed God to rebuild our lives together as a family. We were encouraged by Paul's letter to the Romans.

Romans 12:1: "Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good and pleasing and perfect will ."

It wasn't an easy transition for any of us. God began to chisel on the outer shells of our hard hearts, cutting out the old and forming the new. It wasn't long before God would lead us in unique ways around the city. A friend of Laura's spoke of a shelter for women in need of prayer and encouragement. Laura took her guitar and began weekly times of worship and prayer. Natasha was a very pregnant refugee from Zimbabwe who'd been working as a cook in a nearby restaurant. She and her husband had planned to rebuild their lives in South Africa but he found another wife in Zimbabwe and sent divorce papers just after Taku was born. Hopes and dreams dashed, Natasha came to Laura for prayer, knowing God had a better way. Soon after Laura helped them find a flat to rent that Natasha's meager salary could afford. Over the years Natasha and Laura continued to meet, to worship, pray and fellowship together. Taku played while they prayed and shared faith with one another. Natasha eventually found a better place to live, renting a room from a church nearby. She launched her own daily catering business, selling sandwiches to the businesses in the area where they lived and eventually her faith enabled her to rent a building for her own restaurant! Things were shaky, but she remained full of hope and faith until… news that her mother, brother and nephew were killed in an automobile accident in Canada. On the heels of this news came the landlord's notice ending Natasha's dream of having a restaurant. Short on the rent and broken-hearted over the loss of her entire family Natasha contemplated suicide. Yet she still knew God had a plan for her life and Taku's. It was a rocky road of faith we walked with her over the next few months. She lost the restaurant and all the wonderfully donated stuff that witnessed daily of God's faithfulness. Then the church decided to remodel. Natasha and Taku would have to find a new place to live. Every place she applied required a South African identity and a previous weekly payslip as proof of employment. Rent had skyrocketed and they simply couldn't find a place Natasha could afford near Taku's school. All of us prayed and watched the papers but to no avail. Natasha wasn't looking for handouts, she wanted to find the place God had for her and trusted him to find the way.

Meanwhile Laura visited with her family in the states for three weeks. It had been the first time Laura could remember they'd been on vacation together and had fun. In fact, Laura was so moved by the rebuilding of their relationship that for the first time in Laura's life she wanted to be near her parents, spend time with them, and enjoy what moments they might have left together. However, she also didn't want to give up rebuilding with the family in Cape Town. Please pray for Laura to know God's will for this time in her life. In the seven years we've been here Laura has attended culinary school, graduating as a chef with distinction and presently works at a prestigious bakery. Part of Laura's dream is to help other women learn culinary skills that will help them with employment. Realizing the gift of rebuilding in her own family she longs to help other women rebuild their lives.

Through Natasha's need Laura approached Ned, could Natasha and Taku come and live in family with us? Could we make room for two more? Last Friday we moved Natasha and Taku out of the room they rented. Taku went to his best friend's house for the week and his mother went on a ministry trip to Namaqualand with another prayer group from Cape Town. This Friday they will move into family in community at 16 Cypress Road, with us.

The world generally believes that it takes a strong prayer life to be fruitful; but in John we learn that it's Jesus who enables us to bear fruit. Over the years our home has been open to many. This is the joy of relationship, isn't it, with God and each other? Thank you so much for continuing to support us through your prayers and financial giving. We mean it when we say we couldn't be here without you. We are very grateful for your obedience, responding as God leads you to give to this ministry. Please don't forget to let us know how we can pray for you, too.

Master's Academy continues to thrive. The kids are busy preparing for a performance the end of November which we hope to videotape for those who won't be able to see it in person. Alex Moore, from Master's Academy in Marietta hopes to visit in June/July to film a documentary about our school. Please pray for him and his mom, Lorraine, that God will provide every need. Susan had the blessing of taking ICDL classes thanks to Newlands Training Center. Her heart is full of hope to help Africans become computer literate as well as looking for opportunities for employment. Evan and Caitlin are coming to the end of their first year at university and would greatly appreciate your prayers for wisdom for their exams as well as provision for tuition. Charmaine is launching Fine Dining in the Bakery November 1 and we covet your prayers for her. Her sister, Tash, gets married on November 9 to Dal, from London. Donovan has made an offer on an attached home in Lakeside. Patricia is burning the candle at both ends in her new job. Debbie, Cait and Evan are attending university and working every moment they can. Green Market is doing well, more are being added to their number and all are praying for a successful summer with an abundance of tourist shopping. Augustin in Rwanda has launched his own business and we are so proud of him! Herbert Buyondo in Kampala, Uganda writes they are celebrating the church's one year anniversary at the end of October. Monika and Stani are meeting with lots of folk pursuing funding for the Family Center in Kigali. Israel and Bibiche are preparing for the birth of their fourth child. And Gabriel and Edith are praying for a larger home as they've invited Abraham and Sarah into family in community at Westlake. Thanks again for your love and prayers, family.

Deep Calls To Deep

Hannah couldn’t have children, but Elkanah’s other wife, Peninah was quite fertile. What did Hannah do about it? What sin was in Hannah’s life? Why could she not have children? Was God punishing her?

Jesus told Peter, ‘Satan has asked to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you.” Hannah would birth the prophet Samuel, who would anoint David King. I don’t know if Satan had the power to shut up Hannah’s womb, but I know that Hannah had the power of God within her to pray to be able to birth a child! And she did birth a child, the prophet Samuel! Faith arose in Hannah. Determinedly she went to the temple to pray for God’s favor for a child. The Bible says her countenance had changed when she left. When she lay with her husband she knew the favor of God had come upon her and that he would open her womb. How did she know? What was it Jesus said? As you believe so shall it be done? What do you believe?

Hannah wasn’t Mary. An angel hadn’t prophesied of Samuel’s birth. In fact, she was taunted by the other wife and it hurt so much Hannah determined to beseech God until he answered her. That’s what trials are meant to do. Bringing forth character, they mold and shape us, and bring about transformation in our lives! She didn’t let the ‘things of this world weigh her heart down.’

Jesus said we would have trouble in this world, but… “Take heart, I have overcome the world.” We can either jump in the mud puddle for a pity party or we can get on the right side of bad news by believing God’s got a plan!

Personal relationship with God is available to us 24/7 and we can be sure our voices are heard in heaven because Jesus told us He has gone before us, He is the way, the truth and the life! His death, resurrection and ascension are the testimony of our faith, the atonement that has brought about our spiritual adoption as sons and daughters of the King of Kings! Our relationship with God includes conversational prayer that brings answers! As Lord of our lives He is able to lead and guide us in truth! But… it’s by faith...a faith in God Almighty, the one who was and is and is to come.

Anna was a woman of faith! Could Satan have known she would devote her life to praying for the birth of the Messiah? Was a plan devised to push her off the path of destiny? She became a widow after only seven years. She wasn’t devastated though, why? She had a relationship with God. The temple became her home for the rest of her life. She devoted the rest of her life to praying for the birth of the Messiah. And she saw the face of the child Jesus. What could have been intended for evil God used for good. God alone knows whether Satan was at work in either one of these women’s lives. Satan usually gets the blame when bad things happen. Who is ultimately responsible? While our enemy may have been at work, it is our own thoughts, words and deeds that bring about the results. Jesus said He had come to show us the way and He became that Way by revealing His relationship with the Father to the disciples and to all of us. It is through our relationship with God that we can know the way each and every day as Jesus did. He leads and guides us when we invite Him to be the Lord of our life.

We will have trouble in this world but Jesus said, ‘Take heart for I have overcome everything you are about to go through.’ Greater is he who is within you than he who is in the world! It’s deep calling unto deep- calling you to go deep into your relationship with God, don’t stop until God answers. He will!

Jesus said, “As you believe so shall it be done.” We believe, yet the oppression overwhelms us to a point that pushes our faith down. Hannah and Anna had a ‘deep calls unto deep’ experience with faith and by faith. We might say they were midwives that help us to pray through until God answers.

When hard things happen we look for why, what did we do, where did we go wrong? “Oh woe is me!” Remember what the disciples asked Jesus about the blind man? ‘What sin in his family brought this about, Lord?’ “No sin, but that the Son of man could be glorified.” Hello?

When you next wonder what you’ve done that brought about difficulty, remember- it’s about the Son of man being glorified! This is His promise and our opportunity to look to heaven and call out to God! Deep calls unto Deep! God is calling you to go deep. Dive deep into prayer and open the windows of heaven, His rain will come!

Father, we KNOW you are faithful! We KNOW you will answer us! We are born with a purpose to fulfill, we know you know the plans you have for us, plans to prosper us, plans to give us a future and a hope! We have purpose, we have destiny; for greatness in our lives, it is the hope of your glory. We want to be in agreement with you for our lives and the lives of our children, for our city and our nation and this continent.

1 Samuel 1, Luke 2:36,37.
Isaiah 54, Isaiah 61, Joel 2

Now is the time!

Susan Hill
bnfrsa@sentechsa.com