Outreach related thoughts, experiences and articles.

Tendons healed, nephew saved, pain gone!

/1 Comment/in /by

Was at a Petrol Station yesterday and saw a man (Siphewe – left of photo) limping with a crutch and a brace on his leg. After some hesitation the thought came to me, “if you really believe God will heal him when you pray, wouldn’t you just go without hesitation?” So at that I went over and asked him what was wrong with his leg.

No more crutch! Siphewe's (left) tendons were healed, and his nephew (middle) accepted Christ as a result.

He explained the ligaments in his ankles were practically torn and thus he walked with constant pain. I mentioned Jesus can heal him and then knelt down and laid my hands on his ankles, after which he said he said the pain was gone, except for an area where one vein was still bothering him. Laid hands again and he said the pain was gone.

I encouraged him to test out his leg and he realized he could walk now without pain, and without the need for his crutch. Upon experiencing healing in his leg he asked for prayer for some other situations in his life — which I was happy to do as well.

As his family was waiting for him he got in to the bakkie (pickup truck for you non-South African’s ;) — and they drove away … however just a minute later they turned around and his sister was motioning me to come to them, and she was quite excited about how Siphewe’s leg was now healed. (Actually at this time I prayed one more time for a lingering pain in part of his leg — at which time he said it felt like electricity going through his veins, and the pain disappeared.)

She was all excited about what happened and asked me to pray for her two children (in the middle of the photo) — for protection, and other general requests. I also prayed for her son who at that moment accepted Christ in his life.

As we parted I couldn’t stop thanking God for how wonderful it is to be his hands and feet, bringing the health and healing which Jesus provided for all — both physical and spiritual … and of course the most wonderful of all — helping people begin a relationship with God Himself.

Not long after this an attendant at the petrol station introduced me to his colleague who had pain in her womb and head. After rebuking the pain and commanding healing in her womb and head, all pain was gone.

Again I left with a deep sense of deep joy in thinking about all that Jesus made possible for us to walk in as a child of God.

Broken bodies and spirits – healed and restored

/in /by

Faith in the name of Jesus brings life and healing (Acts 3:16).  Here’s a few testimonies along these lines we’ve experienced over the past few weeks.  I’m sharing these with the hope they’ll be an encouragement for others to walk in and expect the same.  “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

1)  A man was lying on the floor clutching his heart, seemingly having a heart attack or something of that nature.  People were clamoring to organize a trip to the hospital.  I stooped down, laid my hands on his chest and proclaimed the healing Jesus already provided.  The man said a presence of peace replaced the fear that was gripping his mind.  Soon after his heart was no longer in pain, and no trip to the hospital was necessary.

2) A 70 year old man was hospitalized with blood blots in his lungs and legs.  Two days after prayer (and I’m sure others were praying as well), we received notice the clots had dissolved.

3) In a shopping Center my son and I were walking and noticed a woman on crutches just about to get in to the backseat of a car.  Knowing that love always leads to do to others what we’d like done to us, we went to pray for this woman’s healing.  After prayer she tried out her legs and said she previously hadn’t been able to step up stairs like she was just now doing.  Others observing from the car compelled her to come in as they were waiting for her, but we trust the healing was done.

4) Prayed for a man who had Tarsal tunnel syndrome (he said it felt like walking with the pain of constant pins and needles in his feet) – after prayer the pain was gone and he was healed.  He had another ailment in his arm, which I don’t remember the name of — but after prayer this was also healed.

5) A girl had problems with her jaw — it was separated and often “clicked” — after prayer, completely restored (and no more clicking).

6) While at a township in the Cape area a friend and I heard about a woman who was confined to bed due to pain all over her body.  We went to her home (a shack with a tin roof) and found her lying still and in fact, in extreme pain.  We proceeded to pray and the pain left and she was healed.

7) When leaving this woman a man called us over to his home (another shack) to pray for his mother — also in bed with pain.  Turns out she was having trouble breathing (due to Asthma complications) and had pain throughout her legs which were also swollen.  After prayer she could breath normally and she had no more pain in her legs.  After her son and the family present witnessed this, I shared that the same Jesus who healed their mother could also be present with them at all times.  They all proceeded to receive Jesus and asked Him to be present with them always.  I find that after people witness such an obvious demonstration of Jesus’ power, they no longer need to be convinced as to the reality and presence of God — they’re usually eager to experience Him in their own lives.

“And He (Jesus) cast out the spirits with a word, and healed ALL who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.” (Matthew 8:16–17)

 

Discipleship class for youth at Morletapark Church

/in /by

In the midst (or rather beginnings) of house hunting here in South Africa we were invited to share on the topic of discipleship at a youth group at the Dutch Reformed Church in Morletapark, Pretoria.

Since we enjoy taking every opportunity to share — we went and had a great time with a group of sixteen year olds.  They had many interesting questions and we were able to share quite a few testimonies…

So great to inspire and challenge young people to be all God has called us to be…

Challenging the students to think deep

Challenging High School students to change the World!

/in /by

[singlepic id=184 w=320 h=240 float=left]

I’ve been keeping very busy the last couple of weeks – speaking with students in various high school English classes. My goal is to get them thinking deeper about life, their goals and visions — as well as what they can do to make a positive impact on the world and society in general (and of course to get them to improve their English in the process. :)

In the class we try to get to the bottom of human behavior and what it means to truly live a “great” life. [singlepic id=185 w=320 h=240 float=right]Inevitably they, of themselves, begin to identify certain qualities such as love, unselfishness, belief, and having a vision to help others — as common denominators for greatness.

It’s very rewarding for me to see some lights turning on in minds and hearts where previously, in many cases, there wasn’t much happening between the synaptical connections :)

[singlepic id=183 w=320 h=240 float=left]

Those who are interested I also invite to a free English conversation course so we can continue the discussion. Topics of life, changing the world, and faith pop up and make for deeper discussion.

As a result of these presentations for the students I was asked to speak during a teacher trainer seminar for teachers all over Warsaw which will take place in June … another opportunity to change the world :)

[singlepic id=182 w=480 h=360 float=center]

Reaching out in Korea

/in /by

I just returned from a one week trip to Korea.  I was invited there by some Korean Christians we’re doing some projects with here in Warsaw.  (I’m helping teach Bible Courses for Korean and other students.)

It was quite a busy trip and I hit the ground running after getting off the plane :)  They gave me the grand tour of their student ministries and I had the opportunity to speak, encourage, and share in a few of these meetings.  I also spoke in the main church which was coordinating all these events.  It was quite an experience and I was able to participate in baptizing about ten new believers.

It’s amazing — no matter where we go in the world we have family members (God’s children; our brothers and sisters) there to meet us :)  It’s going to be a great reunion in Heaven!

Children’s Hospital and Convalescent Homes – Christmas 2010

/in /by

Many people celebrate Christmas with joy, family and friends.  For others Christmas is a time of sadness and loneliness due to their particular circumstances.  Because of this, Christmas is an important time for us as we seek to reach out in special ways to those who may need an extra touch of love, hope, and friendship — and especially, an introduction to God’s eternal and personal love through Jesus, which is the whole message and meaning of Christmas.

Below you’ll find a few photos from a children’s hospital and a convalescent home that we went to during Christmas.

Click on the first photo to enlarge, then use your arrow keys to scroll to the next one.

Children’s Hospital:

[nggallery id=19]


Convalescent Home:

[nggallery id=18]

Kaden and Ashley with some hail.

Our rain and hail outreach adventure with the kids!

/2 Comments/in /by

The kids love to accompany us when we go out discussing “the meaning of life” with people! On one such adventure it started to rain … actually, POUR! So we took cover under a little archway together with a bunch of other people! Here’s a video clip:




After about five minutes the water level started rising and we wondered whether we should start building an “ark” or not! :) A bit later the rain turned in to hail! BIG ones too!

Well, in any case, some life-giving seeds were sown that day!




Girl in the train … and the tram …

/2 Comments/in /by

Have you ever had the feeling the Lord really wanted you to speak with someone, yet the situation was such that people were all around and it would seem quite awkward to take the plunge? Such was the situation as we were on the train coming home.

There we were, the whole crew sitting in the train, (Anya, myself, Kaden, Ashley and Jessica) almost arriving at our final destination — but then I noticed a girl nearby, perhaps about 23 years old. She was trying to fight back tears yet not succeeding.

I felt the Lord wanted me to speak with her, yet the train was laid out in such a way that where she was sitting was like being on stage with crowds of people looking on.

After deliberating a couple minutes the Lord’s voice was so strong that I knew if I didn’t get off my bottom I’d regret it and wished I had for the rest of my life. I think that’s one of the worst regrets in life — thinking and wondering, “… if only I had… I wonder what would’ve happened…” — especially when it’s something you felt like the Lord was asking you to do, but then the opportunity is gone forever. Well, I think we all have some of those regrets — but I know that when a scenario like that has happened, it makes me not want to let it happen again, so in this case, I just knew I had to get up and speak with her.

So, off my bottom I went and I found myself picking up Kaden (who was sitting next to the girl) and setting him on my lap as I asked the girl if she spoke English. “Yes” she answered, and I asked her if she would listen to a song on my mp3 player. “Ok”, she said.

I had prepared Josh Groban’s song “You are loved” (click below to listen to a portion of this beautiful song) — and here are the lyrics as well:

[audio:http://www.genesisproject.org/files/audio/music/web/jgroban/urloved.mp3|autostart=no|loop=no]

“Don’t give up, it’s just the weight of the world. When your heart’s heavy I, I will lift it for you. Don’t give up, because you want to be heard. If silence keeps you I, I will break it for you. Everybody wants to be understood; well I can hear you. Everybody wants to be loved; don’t give up — Because you are loved. Don’t give up — it’s just the hurt that you hide; when you’re lost inside I, I will be there to find you. Don’t give up, because you want to burn bright — If darkness blinds you I, I will shine to guide you. Everybody wants to be understood, well I can hear you. Everybody wants to be loved — Don’t give up — Because you are loved — You are loved — Don’t give up — It’s just the weight of the world — Don’t give up — Every one needs to be heard — You are loved.”

As she started listening to the song the tears started flowing freely — yet these tears were mixed with a glimmer of hope — not exactly the same tears as before. When the song finished she said, “This is my song.” Very soon after the train stopped and she got off, one stop before ours — so unfortunately we didn’t have time to speak further — yet I can’t help but feel she felt a touch of the Lord’s love in that moment — a power greater than whatever problem she may have been facing.

After she got off I sat back and felt the Lord’s peace — as if somehow a battle was won in that moment … again serving as a reminder to me that it’s always best to heed the Lord’s voice, no matter what the situation may be or whether it fits nicely in to our “comfort zone” or not.

A similar situation took place in a tram. I noticed a girl crying and her friend trying to comfort her. Although I didn’t feel I should interrupt and speak with her, I did feel like I should give her a tract which contained a simple message of the Lord’s love as well as a prayer to receive Jesus. I proceeded to do it and sat back down.

I saw her read the tract and noticed her desperation seemed to subside — I then arrived at my stop…

May we always “be ready whether it is convenient or not” (2 Timothy 4:2) to share God’s love with those around us.

“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)

“So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. Just as the Father has sent me, I also send you.”” (John 20:21)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (1.6MB)