Here we will discuss all things related to our South Africa mission plans (probably more too).
A few years
ago God started working in our hearts building a passion to grow His kingdom
specifically amongst the poor in our world. Since then we have waited to see
what doors God would open and where He would lead. He has led us to go on long
term missions in South Africa, and we are so excited to tell you all about it here!
Three years ago on our trip to Mozambique Africa, (http://mikemarieevemozambique.blogspot.ca/) we saw many gripping
causes that need attention. For us, we felt a specific God-given compassion for
the poor, and for the local pastors who are working among the poor but have
extremely little Biblical training or mentorship. We believe that the only true
hope for lasting freedom from poverty in our world is Christ. Through Christ
the chains that hold people in poverty, oppression, violence, fear, depression,
hopelessness and sin can be broken! It is Jesus who can change our world.
Sensing these burdens in our lives we sought the Lord in prayer and after
careful consideration we believe that God is calling us to serve in South
Africa in an area just outside of Cape Town call the “Cape Flats”.
We will be working with a fairly new organization called Bridge For Hope.
In the
1950’s the Cape Flats area became home to people the apartheid government
designated as non-White,
forcing them out of more central urban areas (designated for white people) into
government-built reserves
called “townships” that quickly became slums. “The Flats” have
since then been home to much of the population of Greater Cape Town (roughly 4
million people). In the flats:
• 30% of the community is infected
with HIV/AIDS,
• 40% live in informal tin shacks,
made of corrugated iron, particleboard, and scrap metal.
• 50% are un-employed,
• 30% do not have in home water
access,
Despite its challenges, the “Cape Flats” is home to a vibrant
culture and is one of the most diverse areas in South Africa. In the midst of
this brokenness, Bridge For Hope’s focus is on equipping African
individuals to be the change in their society and to build sustainable
communities in the Cape Flats.
Bridge for Hope’s vision is to bring transformative
solutions to poverty, suffering and injustice through holistic community
development by means of education, healthcare, small business development, and
Biblical training/church planting. There are many different communities in the
Cape Flats, and Bridge For Hope seeks to transform these communities so
that they are free from poverty. The goal is to have communities sustaining themselves
from within, being managed by their own people, thriving not only economically
but in every aspect. On a macro level Bridge For Hope’s model of
community development will be multiplied in neighboring communities to form
regions that are successfully growing out of extreme poverty.
Our desire is to work primarily in Biblical training and church
planting. In particular, we want to work alongside pastors, discipling and
training them to be able to lead their churches effectively based on Biblical
teachings. We also want to help people with job training, hopefully teaching
people computer related skills. Bridge
for Hope believes in caring for the whole person, bringing Jesus into their
homes, work, education, health care and spiritual formation.
This
is not a small task and we cannot do it alone.
We covet your prayers more than anything, as we recognize that without
them we are fighting a battle alone. Join us in praying for a world free from
the bondage of sin and extreme poverty.
Pray for us now as we prepare to leave, and once in Africa. Also please
prayerfully discern if giving us financial support is something you would like
to be a part of.
You
can also find out more information about Hope Africa Collective from their
website www.http://hopeafrica.com/ or e-mail us: mikefast@b4hope.com
*Prayer
Requests*
The most important
thing we need is your prayer support. Please pray for:
- Discernment as we
move our family to an unknown country.
- A growing love,
understanding and respect for those we will minister with in South Africa.
- A continuing sense
of peace as we pursue what the Lord has in store for us.
- Health
“How,
then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they
believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without
someone preaching to them? And how can
they
preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet
of those who bring good news!" Romans10:14-15
“Defend
the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and
oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the
wicked.” Psalm 82:3-4
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