A South African Experience!

Schools, prisons, hospitals, youth centers, churches, Sunday schools, detention centers, preschools, and private homes: It's been a whirlwind so far and it's only just began! Dennis Hilman and I (Leona Matson) have been here for almost a month, but last week we were joined by Bob Maki, Dan and Joyce Karnes, Calvin and Debra Matson, Jacob Seppanen and Thomas Questad. Here are just a few photos of some of the things we've been up to since everyone arrived.

The team got their feet wet the morning after they arrived when we visited a pre-school. We shared the story of Jacob's ladder and reminded the kids that God promised to be with Jacob and He promises to be with us as well!

Here are Debra and Dorah: sisters in Christ praying for patients in the psychiatric wing of one of the local hospitals. The staff wanted to know whether we would return every week to share with the patients. Please pray that God would touch the hearts of the people in the local congregations to take on this ministry!

The kids love to see pictures in storybooks...Thomas is showing them pictures from the story about Jesus walking on water. Jacob had told the story to the children earlier that day. These kids are from a shack village called Tausanang. We had a prayer walk through the village before seeing the kids. Many people asked that we would pray for them to find work. Please pray for the people of Tausanang!

Satanism is creeping into the schools here: both primary schools and high schools. We have been asked by more than one person to specifically pray for this when we visit the schools to share with the students. Satanism has always had a stronghold here as many people still worship the ancestors and mix Christianity with pagan beliefs. Please pray for the kids of South Africa and pray for the team members as we go to share at six different schools tomorrow morning.

This morning our team of nine split up and went to four different congregations. We met back in the late afternoon and had a chance to talk and share about the day and the week that passed. It's been an intense time here and we all ask for your prayers as we continue for two more weeks!