It was really wonderful with my team at Ark of God church. We had about 150 children who came for the club. The youth were excited, including their leaders. The exciting testimony was when I cam across this young man who said that he and his grandmother have never been to church and they know little about Jesus. At first, he was stubborn and not ready to listen, but after sharing the love of God with him through the evangecube, he prayed to receive Christ. Another exciting moment is when we had youth entertain us through the drama, poems and fun games. We had also some people who were invited to come after sharing with them through the evangecube. Three prayed to receive Christ. I also had a wonderful sideline ministry at the ground – people were excited when they see Christ on the cube. It was a wonderful toll to use. From the ground almost 15 people prayed to receive Christ. Anne Musonda
This week has gone very well for me. On the second day of the outreach we shared the gospel with close to 70 young soccer players using a flat ball. We explained that just as a ball was meant to be pumped for it to serve its purpose, the sole purpose of man is to have fellowship with God and to worship Him. Sixty kids prayed to receive Christ at this occasion and what a joy it was to see the kids loudly repeat the prayer of salvation. The fact that we used what they like, a ball, to illustrate a biblical principle. No wonder all the kids, without exception, understood clearly what we were talking about. Chris Musonda
Our Host Family: As a way of thanking our host family we offered to pray for them on the last day of our stay with them. Our host was a single mom that was staying with her two daughters. After the prayer we encouraged our host to make peace and forgive her dad who had abandoned them when they were very little. Our host agreed to call her dad and to let him know that she had forgiven him for the way he treated them and that she was willing to accept him as her dad again. You could see the joy and the excitement as this single mom decided to forgive her dad and restore her relationship with him and her two daughters. We thank God for using us in this way to bring reconciliation in families. Chris Musonda
I went to Moubin with my team and God worked with us as everything went on well. My life is not the same. We had to go door by door to lead them to Jesus Christ. We gave Bible to those who received Jesus Christ. The community responded very well to the evangecube. We also handed out the blankets, meals, etc. I would also like to thank the people that organized this outreach. Please keep it up. We had such a good time. May God bless you. Chris Musharati, Zambia
My first experience in Mabupane was I met two men whom I shared the gospel with. Before I shared with them they did not know that God is there. After sharing with them, they received Christ. We met another woman who was cleaning the yard and clearing the glass. As a team we helped her do the clearing, and after that we shared about Christ with her. She received Christ just then. On Thursday I went door to door evangelizing. We met different people but this woman was surprised that there is God on this earth. She never heard about him, but after sharing with her she prayed to receive Christ. I gave the Bible to her and she was surprised to be given such an expensive book for free. She then said it’s true there is a God! On the same Thursday another woman heard that there was a group of Christians in the community. She came and her problem was that each time she thinks of committing to Christ, so she came so that she can be prayed for. We shared the gospel and she received Christ. We had Bible study with her for two days and all of the team signed her Bible and the team leader handed it to her. It was such a touching time for me because I did not expect to be used in such a way by God. The community has increased my faith that I need to depend on him for such a time like this. This was my second successful mission trip and this one was unique in my life time. My one week of trailer ministry has changed me spiritually. May God bless the organizers and all who were involved in this mission. The community was very thankful for the evangecube, Bibles and meals. It was a very big blessing to them. Sam Bartholomew, Zambia
This week I learned what true hospitality means. I also learned what God can do through a small group of people with big hearts for God. The volunteers went above and beyond what I expected of them. I have learned how to better serve God through them. These people have touched my heart and changed my life for the better. The community seemed to enjoy us and we have planted many seeds in people’s lives this week. Our job was to raise up the church members so they can teach the community about God. We have accomplished our goal. God has used our team and the church to ignite flame in Brits. We have ignited the flame and through the church it will grow to be a fire that spreads throughout the community. The community accepted us and were very nice. The children loved the puppets and the songs. When we left to come back to Eastside they were signing the songs we taught them. Some of the kids asked for Bibles. They went home at night and were telling their parents about the program. I believe we have empowered the church and God will use them to teach the community. Megan Hall, Week 1, Trailer 8, Brits
The way God worked in my life throughout this week was absolutely amazing. This trip and the people I have worked with will never be forgotten. The experience of being here and working alongside this community to teach these kids more about Christ has made such a positive impact on my life. I came here expecting to teach but instead was taught more than I could have imagined. They taught me what true hospitality is. The showed me what true community should look like. The love they showed towards me was mind-blowing. The way they cared for complete strangers was something that I haven’t experienced before. These people and their kids will always have a place in my heart. I will never forget the moments I shared among these people and I thank God for allowing me to be here. Evan, Week 1, Trailer 8, Brits
This week went well. The volunteers were all on fire for God and loved helping and leading. The whole community welcomed us and was extremely hospitable. By the end of the week they were the ones leading and we became the helpers, which is exactly what our goal was. It was obvious that God was present throughout our trip. All the roles that we did not have a person to fill were filled by volunteers that fit perfectly. It was amazing to see how passionate the volunteers were. The children loved all of the games and songs; the only problem was the language. The holiday club is in English and all the jokes only make sense in English. Once translated, the dramas lose a lot of comedy. Our volunteers were very good and translated all of the dramas, adding jokes as they went. The kids loved the evangecube, but the best was the Good News paper. The kids loved reading about and this lead many kids to God. It was amazing to see God’s presence in a remote village. Seeing how God worked in this village was amazing and I know he has a lot more in store for Okasi. Vas Gnanadoss, Week 1, Trailer 8, Brits
The week behind us was a blessing in many ways. God was good and did a tremendous work in brining our group together to have one purpose – to serve and minister to the people of Okasi. The church at Okasi was overwhelmingly warm, hospitable and overly generous in welcoming us and embracing us as a family. We were very sorry to have to say our good-byes to them. The kids who came to the soccer ministry and the big screen were all eager to hear and learn about God. When we witnessed to them and gave them the “altar call”, all of them raised their hands and came forward. It was hard to know who understood. We know the seed has been planted and that God will take care of the rest. The sideline ministry was a bit of a challenge due to the language barrier. We tried our best. Some did listen and some just walked away. The big screen ministry was more challenging as the people were keen to follow what was going on in the screen. When it was over, they just drifted away. We had worship at the church every morning and evening. The group took turns to give the sermon. We were able to minister to the folks who attended the two services each day. The Okasi community is a needy one. I would like to see Eastside have a long-term ministry at Okasi to support the church and minister to the people there. The children need blankets, clothes, shoes, etc. I have learned much and have been blessed by the work of the week. God has shown me that when we trust Him, he is faithful and will take care of us. The way He brought the team together, each with our own talents and gifts and knitted us together is a miracle. I learned much from the people I ministered to – learned more about Jesus from each of them. I know they do not have much, but they gave out of the goodness of their hearts – they showed me a slice of heaven – it was a glorious light and I can’t wait to see all of it! Jay Gnanadoss, Week 1 Trailer 8, Brits
As I depart from South Africa to return to the USA to reunite with my family, I realize I have left a part of myself – a part of my heart here with the people in Oukasie (Brits). I am forever changed and people there said the same when our team departed. The bishop, the pastor, the church members and children of Miracle Center Ministries were so warm, welcoming and hospitable. Our host families shared openly whatever they had with us. Many children received Jesus as their Savior and forever friend this week. Many of the black community were honest at the end of the week and confessed that they were scared when they heard that the bishop had invited white people for the USA to come to their church. As we left, they were thankful that we had come and shown the love of Jesus and they realized we were all united as one body of believers – the church – no matter the color of our skin. We truly were united in love this week working together as one team – trailer ministry volunteers and local church volunteers. Racial issues were broken by the love of Jesus. Gifts, talents and abilities were realized by the local church and encouraged by our volunteers. We were called and send to ignite the flame at Miracle Center and I believe our mission was accomplished by the midweek, the young adults and teens were performing and teaching through puppet shows, dramas and songs and memory verses. The local church had leadership in place when we let to run a Holiday Club again. This week. I pray that plan is followed through with. I feel the children were provided a safe place to be ministered to all day every day all week long. We took every opportunity to scatter seed for Jesus while with them. I think the children were fed, loved and shown love at Holiday Club and on the field. They were with us from 9am till late at night. Track and newspapers provided were distributed at games and on the street while walking to the fields. Locals were hearing what was happening and coming by to ask questions. During sideline ministry, lives were saved. Evangecube was used at least two times daily – once in small groups with children and daily on the soccer field. One day I was overwhelmed at the response and took a moment to gain my composure. Some Bibles were handed out – one girl was very interested in my daughter’s Bible during service and so we gave her one of her own. She was so happy and ran with it back home. Several women asked for blankets. Some folks sleep in the cold outside. If God provided an opportunity, I would love to come back to South Africa with my family to continue in children’s ministry here. Part of my heart has stayed with the people in Oukasie – especially my host mama, Doriah. It was hard to say farewell. No name given
As I sit down and reflect back on the week, it reminds me how our God is a wonderful and amazing God. During this past week he has taken our team into a small village where the hearts of the people are big. Even though the folks in the village did not have a lot, they were very happy and proud of their belongings and what they had. Everyone on the team was there for a purpose and the roles we thought we were going to be in were not in God’s plan. I say this because all the roles were switched around as we started the week with the full team, but it all worked out for God’s glory. I realized on this trip that I need to stop running from God’s call to children’s ministry. I have had a bad experience in the past, and I said I never wanted to do it again. However, that is not what God had planned. This week I was the up-front person for the entire week and the kids loved it. I realize that it was where I need to be. Chris Morgan, Week 1, Trailer 8, Brits (Chris also copied portions of his journal for us to read.)
It was awesome to see how God worked in the lives of the kids and youth from the church and it was so great to se that they took courage and were eager to learn from the Lord and also how open they are. They asked a lot of questions and tried to know more about the Lord and really encouraged me personally to impart what whatever I have to them. It was quite a blessing for me to see the eagerness they have in there heart to seek the Lord. They really appreciated everything that we as a team presented to them. All in all, every evangelism tool was awesome and I personally really appreciate it and thank God for that. Jackson, Week 1, Trailer 2
We had a lot of fun with kids. Some of them were able to open up and share their burdens with me and I was able, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to counsel them and pray with them. I could relate to many of their stories as I have been in similar situations; them knowing that it doesn’t just happen to them made a difference for them. Mostly there were issues of emotional abuse in their homes and most of them stay with their grandparents. Tiotliso Komako, Week 1, Trailer 2
Honestly, in the beginning of this outreach I was not doing well and just wanted to go home, but as soon as we reached Hammenskraal my whole perception of things changed. Those people are so amazing. I have never in my whole life met such humble, amazing people that were so welcoming. These people have really impacted my life; they have touched my heart and soul. A little boy named Hope really touched me as he loved soccer and was in a wheel chair, but he never let that stop him and still played soccer with the rest of the kids. It was cold but the children still woke up early to come to Holiday Club and were grateful for so many things. They never complained about the fact that they didn’t know any of us yet; they were so happy to be there and take part in everything. The community was so grateful for the food and blankets. God really worked through me as he gave me an open heart to listen to those people. He gave me strength and knowledge to help them in times of need. He helped me have good listening skills hear their needs. I was so touched and filled spiritually during this trip. I had amazing team members that always encouraged and kept me going day by day. I’m just sad that the week went so fast. The community also responded well to the evangecube but it was namely the kids that took to it. During this trip I have drawn so much closer to God and got a better understanding of myself and learned so many life-changing lessons. And for that I am happy. Leora, Week 1, Trailer 2
At the beginning of the week I was already very exhausted. I really struggled with loving one another because I was de-motivated, irritated and discouraged. But during the start of the outreach God showed me why I am here and why I am doing this. He gave me power and strength for the ministry. For me an outreach is not just reaching out for people. It is a lot more for myself – to bring me back to God, to bring my heart back to God. I need to realize that I can’t do anything. I can’t bring people to God. God brings people to himself. God gives me power to come to him and this is the hardest task. My desire is to seek God all day, every day new. To seek him more than anything else. And while I’m seeking him 24 hours a day, people may see this fire and see this desire, this love and be touched by this. Also, they will be encouraged to seek this God with all their hearts and all their strength. I don’t know if I made an impact in this week. And it doesn’t matter if I know that, because it is for the glory of the King and not for me. I hope I could make a difference in their lives, but I don’t know. You will know if God revealed himself when you see the fruit of this church or of this youth group. I had some of the guys coming to me and telling me that they enjoyed my fire and learned from me or got encouraged. But, as I said, we’ll see the fruit in their lives. This outreach brought me closer to God. Thanks for all your effort and time. It was worth it for me! (I prayed for Switzerland and they won! Unbelievable!) Timon, Week 1, Trailer 2
God has really worked in my life in a manner that I realized that I need him more than I thought. He has shown me through kids like Mphikeleni, who came as an unapproachable and arrogant kid and became an ever-smiling, talkative kid who even requested to be walked home. He has shown his unconditional love to kids like Hope who is bound to his wheel chair and often rejected by others playing due to his immobility; but his face was glowing with joy as he got an opportunity to play with a bunch of people who showed love to him, confirming the love of God. The unfailing power of the Holy Spirit was shown as one kid, despite what her friends said, made a decision to give her life to Christ and publicly declared that. The evangecube was so effective that the message of Christ could now be explained in a way that is easy and visible for better remembrance and creativity. The kids were even able to explain it better than I did to them, ministering even more. Meals given to the children helped in motivating them and keeping up with what happens every day. The soccer ministry was good that it ignited a flame of self confidence and aroused a desire to excel for many kids. A genuine touch of the hand of God was visible when the whole community came to a kid’s concert and some burst into tears when giving hugs to the mission team. His impact will last a while. Motolo Moratehi, Week 1, Trailer 2
On our second day, I met two girls at the soccer field. We talked about the South African flag and what those colors could stand for – like red for the blood of Jesus. I told one of the girls, Hope, what a nice name she has; that day they just wanted to play some netball. The next day Hope came again and joined as a volunteer and asked us to help her with the memory verse from the Bible; she did it very well. I met her again on Friday as she helped the church youth with the day program and I never saw her smile. At the end of that day each one in our team prayed with one of the volunteers. I chose Hope and asked if she had a special prayer request. She told me that she was in the worship choir of Berecah Church, but she isn’t able to sing any more and she doesn’t know why. Every Sunday “something” tells her that she can’t go sing. We prayed and after than she shared about her family situation and that her parents are scientists and don’t agree with her decision to follow Christ. They don’t like her or her brother to go to the church. I thank God for the chance to meet Hope and the opportunity to encourage her with the Bible to let her know that Jesus loves her much more than I could. Lina, Week 1, Trailer 2
The mission you sent us out with challenged me. Thinking about not only missing children and sport ministry, but actually focusing on involving and encouraging volunteers to take the lead, develop their own ideas, was a really valuable experience. It is always exciting and pleasing to see children have fun and shifting from fear to open trust and affection. But, more exciting was to see youth, future leaders, take responsibility, showing up at 8am in their holidays and stepping out of their routing to impart something to the children. We didn’t really come to the church with an idea how to ignite the flame in the volunteers, but our prayers helped to focus on God and with upright hearts we made decisions. God then did the rest in helping us to gradually give over the leadership and allowing the volunteers to run the program their way. They still need experience and proper teaching would probably help a lot. One of them told me on the last evening that he is ambitious to take the children’s ministry to another level. They not only want to continue, but improve it, take it further, expand it. That’s what it is about! On Friday night we invited parents and church members to a final celebration. The kids performed songs, dances and the evangecube and the flag-gospel, as well as memory verses and a drama. In the end the church prayed for us and there was a long session of hugging everyone goodbye. The thankfulness of the people showed us the impact we could have made just by giving our time and energy to the children and allowing God to challenge youth into ministry. Praise the Lords! We used the blankets for one evening’s big screen event. The people appreciated that. The evangecube was a nice attraction on the last day. I think it is a good visual tool. My personal impression is that it is nice, but for seriously challenging someone on a decision for Christ, it is not sufficient or can’t be taken serious enough. It needs to be personal at that stage. (The same for all evangelism tools) I think it always helps a church to have Bible in store. I haven’t handed on out myself. I hope the church will distribute them wisely. The children received the meals hungrily, but complained often – porridge not sweet enough, rice too hot, juice not sweet enough, etc. I think the food was good and we had plenty. For future teams: Be generous, considering the number of children. I’m personally encouraged to take confidence in my experience and humbly teaching others in certain areas. Motivation is so important but it somehow takes courage to voice it. I discovered my potential for children’s ministry and “up-front clowning.” Thank you for your excellent preparation and this whole vision! And thank you that I could be part of that!
Philipp Ullrich(OM), Week 1, Trailer 2
