In This Place...

I cannot believe I have reached the one month mark already!  It has gone by so fast it's unbelievable.  Yet the time has been so full it seems like much longer.  The thought of writing a sufficient update is daunting but I will do my very best.

We have been learning about simple church and how to plant growing, reproduceable small churches.  There is also a HUGE focus on community and living in a "Kingdom Culture" that transcends all others, as well as pressing in to the Father-heart of God.  The leaders here really pour themselves into us; we are surrounded by love and grace, as well as Godly example and encouragement.

This past week we had a guest speaker from Scotland, Joe Ewen, who taught on the Holy Spirit.  The teaching was eye-opening and challenging, as well as exciting.  On his last day Joe spoke on the gift of prophesy, after which he gave us instruction and then had us do exercises in speaking over each other.  It was incredible; this has been an area I've really struggled with and lacked confidence in, and God spoke through me!  He is stretching me in every way.

All students at CPx are divided into small teams-or simple churches-for focus and accountability, and as outreach teams.  All the teams but mine are ministering in the three townships (massive tent cities) of Red Hill, Ocean View, and Masiphumelele.  My team is based in the city, and has chosen Green Market Square at our outreach focus.

Green Market Square is an open market in the middle of the city, surrounded by shops and restaurants, where vendors from every nation and religion of Africa and even Asia come to sell merchandise and scrape together a living.  Two or more times a week we come simply to form relationships with the people here, sitting and talking, sharing and listening to each other's stories, and encouraging and praying with them.  Already we have made friends with several beautiful women.  Sandra, Angel, and Titie from Congo, and Promise from here in South Africa.  We are praying for Promise in her marriage, and that God would give her a child.  We are believing that by the time we leave, she will be pregnant!

Relationships within my team at our house continue to grow.  Each member is such a blessing to each other, as well as a delight!  We have such fun together.  Fridays have now been dubbed "Braai-days" when we cook out, and have over any other students and friends.  The Americans have now introduced s'mores and root beer floats, and the South Africans have indoctrinated us into braai broodtjies-tomato, onion and cheese grilled between buttered slices of bread.  Ahhhhhhh...

Outside of outreach, my roommate Tersia and I are involved in the process of setting up the first prayer room for All Nations and CPx.  We've received incredible favor and much progress has been made.  We are excited to opening it this week.  I am also a part of the first CPx drama team, and loving every minute!  Our first drama is a pantomime put to music portraying the creation, fall, and redemption of man.  I am playing the role of Eve as a representation of mankind.  I never come alive so much as when I get to worship in this way.  Floyd is looking forward to launching us soon.

On a more personal level, the Lord is doing truly wonderful things in my life.  He is really wooing my heart and teaching me to more clearly hear His voice and press in to Him.  His future plans are yet to be revealed