December Prayer Letter

Click on the newsletter below to read! (2 pages)

Brandon on SMASH

This SMASH trip was the most influential mission trip I have ever been on. During the trip, I volunteered to teach some of the younger kids during multiple days of our ministry, which is something that has never been required of me. I now look forward to more opportunities to do so in the future. This trip noticeably changed me, along with my teammates, in ways only God could have made possible.

On Sunday morning, after church, we made our journey to Johannesburg. The trip was long but enjoyable as we got to know some of the people on the trip with us and mentally prepared for the coming week. Monday morning we set out early for our first day of ministry. We ran a program for a daycare in the area. On Tuesday, we did door to door evangelism in a low income township called Zandspruit, after which we played games and had a meeting for some kids in the same area. This is an area that WOL works in on a regular basis. My task was to run the games. Wednesday, we set out to a church where we helped to teach evangelism to a small group of members. This was especially interesting for me as, after the group was given a quick tutorial by my father, each person in our team paired off with someone from their group. I was able to show the pastor my method of evangelism so that he might learn to do it himself. After the training we did street evangelism in the area. Thursday, we ran a youth group which would have normally been run by members of WOL that were away on another SMASH trip to Cape Town. My task was to teach the youngest children, while Pastor Louis took care of the older kids. We finished off our official ministry the next morning when we had a fun day for kids from the neighborhood on the WOL property. Most of our group broke off and worked on the property, as this was a smaller group and we didn't need quite as many people present. As previously, I gave the lesson to the younger kids and Pastor Louis took the older kids. We worked almost entirely with children during the mornings throughout the trip, but during the afternoons we did work projects on the Word of Life property.

I have been on many SMASH trips, but this one has been by far the most memorable. I was pushed out of my comfort zone and into the unknown and I could not have asked for anything else.

Thank you!
Brandon Hawkins

It's that time again when we apply for our visas to stay in South Africa. Please pray with us, as the visa application process has changed a lot over the years (more documents needed each time we apply) and they have become more restrictive in approving visas.
We have an appointment on Monday to submit our application. Thanks for your prayers!

*Update*
23 Nov - Application submitted. Now we wait for home affairs. Could take up to 8 weeks. Thanks for praying!!!

Durban Bible College

Brad finished up his last term of 2015 at Durban Bible College teaching Youth Ministry. Here are a few of photos from the last term!

Brad & His Students

Nhlaka, our intern, teaching Brad's Class

Staff & Students at the end of year Senior Class Social

Coffee Helping Missions

Do you like Coffee? Does your church serve coffee? We have a way you can buy your coffee and support missions at the same time. Through a joint venture with BMW Coffee for Missions project, you can buy coffee and support two missionary projects, one with WOL and one with BMW. First click on this link, http://www.coffeehelpingmissions.com and follow the prompts. When you buy the coffee, ½ of the profit goes to a BMW missionary of your choice, we suggest the Janse van Rensburg family. They are missionaries in South Africa, and Brad discipled Deon. Or, if you know a BMW Missionary, pick them! And then ½ goes to our camp scholarship fund for Word of Life South Africa camps. Our summer camp is in December. The web site gives you a total for the donation from the purchase at checkout. In order for Word of Life donation to kick in, as you check out and after you select a BMW missionary, you have to put in our fund raiser code in the space provided- WordofLife_158 -for the camp scholarship. This fundraiser code is unique to the Hawkins' Team! Then check out and pay…it’s as simple as that. If you do not choose a missionary ½ of the profit will go to Biblical Ministries Worldwide's Indonesia project.

Prayer Update

Thank you for praying for our SMASH trip! We were able to take 9 youth from Durban, representing 4 local churches, and meet up with 6 other youth in Joburg from 3 more churches. This was our first SMASH missions trip from Durban. We were thrilled with the teens and their willingness to learn and to serve in any way asked! We had a very busy week and saw over 40 people choose to have faith in Christ! This couldn't happen without your support and prayers.
We arrived home on Saturday evening, and on Sunday morning Brad had the opportunity to preach at Reservoir Hills Bible Baptist Church. Two of the youth that went on SMASH with us, Mckaylin & Zain, are from this church, and it was exciting to be a part of the congregation and hear them report back on the trip.
Coming up next Saturday we will be having a leaders' fun day. We are excited to have the leaders from the different local churches using Word of Life materials here at our house for a time of fun, food and fellowship.

September 2015 Prayer Letter

Click on the Newsletter to read!

Brandon, SMASH and Prayer Partners

From Brandon:

My SMASH missions trip is coming up soon, and I have a need for at least 6 more prayer supporters. While in Johannesburg, we will be ministering in a variety of ways in order to share the Gospel with those we meet. We will have opportunities to help with Bible clubs in local settlements and partner with local churches in sharing Christ in their communities. Sports activities, Kids’ Fun Days, and door-to-door evangelism are other avenues that we will use to share the Gospel. Our team will also have a chance to do work projects on the Word of Life property. We will have a full schedule, sharing the hope of salvation with as many people as we can!

While I know that many of you would like to be there to help us and distance prevents that, you could still be a part of our team through prayer, which is equally vital! If you are willing to pray for me and the SMASH team, please let me know. Thank you!

Kids' Missions Conference

When I was in the US earlier this year, I was given the gift of 6 full size puppets. I was so excited to be bringing new friends back to Africa with me! I have always had a love for puppet ministry, which was only increased by the opportunities that I had to travel with the puppet team led by Pastor Dan-Judy Weir at Calvary Bible Church when I was a teenager. So when Dave Weir (Pastor Dan's son) asked if I had some extra space in my suitcase, I jumped at the opportunity!
Then a couple weeks ago, Jess Case, a short-term missionary with TEAM, was asked to help with puppets at a kids' missions conference for the Evangelical Bible Church in Queensburgh and she invited me to join her. So grateful, on this South African Heritage day, to have an opportunity to serve the Lord and point others toward him!

SMASH is coming soon!

Please continue to pray for our upcoming SMASH trip to Johannesburg from October 4-10. We had a great training session on Sunday and we are all getting excited! We have one more meeting on Sunday, September 27.
There are 9 youth that will be part of the team, along with Brad & Pastor Louis Fourie. And since there is 1 extra seat available, I will be tagging along, as well, so we have a female leader, and to fill in as "chief cook and bottle washer."
While in Johannesburg, we will have opportunities to help with Bible clubs in local settlements and partner with local churches in sharing Christ in their communities. Sports activities, Kids’ Fun Days, and door-to-door evangelism are other avenues that we will use to share the Gospel. Our team will also have a chance to do work projects on the Word of Life property. We will have a full schedule, sharing the hope of salvation with as many people as we can!
Please pray for Marissa and Mya, as they will remain in Durban. We are grateful to the Hugo family and Jess Case who will be caring for them in our absence!
Here are some photos of the team practicing evangelism last Sunday.

In ministry this week...

Saturday Brad met with Simon, a young homeless man, who is trying to find work in Durban and has a desire to study the Word of God. Please pray for him and for wisdom as to how we can be a help and encouragement to him.
A busy end to our week, as Mya, Brandon & I accompanied the Gopher group (preschool - Grade 2) to the Fire Station tonight to thank the firefighters for all they do, while Marissa & Brad helped/taught in Olympians (Gr 3-7). Then we all came home and brought the Sr. Youth (Grades 8-12) with us, and they met in our living room! I love being able to minister together as a family.

Sharing the Word in Schools

Please pray for our intern, Nhlaka Ndaba Buthelezi, as he has the opportunity to share for 10 minutes in 3 different Zulu school assemblies for the next three mornings! The schools range in size from 900-1200 students each.This has the potential to become a weekly meeting and spread to other schools. We are so excited to see God opening doors to share His Word!

Nhlaka, along with Cremelda (former DTC Student) at BattleZone Camp

A time of firsts…

When we moved to Durban we knew we were in for many firsts here as we got started in this area. Well it’s time for one more first to add to the growing list. We are planning our first short-term missions trip from this area. On this S.M.A.S.H. trip (Students Ministering and Serving Him) we will be taking 10 young people from local churches to Joburg from Oct 4th thru the 10th. We will be involved in many different ministries, from service to sharing our faith with others. I am looking forward to seeing what God will do in the lives of those who will be attending. Please pray for us as we are raising funds to cover the cost of the transport for this trip. We need to raise $400 (approximately R5000) to make this “FIRST” a possibility. If you want to be apart of this ministry please contact us or follow this link for online giving and note “SMASH” in the comments section. Thanks for being a part of this next first in our ministry here in Durban!

Kids' Fun Day

We had an amazing Kids' Fun Day on Saturday! We couldn't have done it without the help from the team from Joburg and all the volunteers from the local churches here in Durban! The volunteers jumped right in and amazed us with their willingness to serve. We had 53 kids attend, 11 salvation decisions and 6 kids counseled for assurance of their salvation. Thank you for your prayers!

RHBBC

Last night Brad had the privilege of teaching at the 3rd youth meeting at Reservoir Hills Bible Baptist Church! We are so excited to have the opportunity to minister alongside some amazing people!

Brandon's SMASH Trip 2015

Click on the letter to read:

July 2015 Prayer Letter

Click on the Newsletter to read!

Leaders' Conference

We are excited about our Leaders' Conference Saturday for Word of Life in Durban! Please keep us in your prayers as we seek to encourage and equip the laypeople of the local church.


* Here are a few pics!

Welcome Home!

I (Mary) received such a warm welcome home from my family and Jess! Thanks for making me feel loved!

Prayer Update

So exciting!!! Tonight is the kick-off Youth Meeting for the new youth at Reservoir Hills Bible Baptist Church! Brad will be sharing the gospel message. Please pray as they reach out into their community to reach unchurched youth, and for lives changed by Christ!

*Update*
Thanks for your prayers! 2 boys made decisions to trust Christ!

Prayer Update

There is a lot going on for our family and ministry, and I (Mary) thought I would post a quick update to keep you posted...
Yesterday a SMASH team (Students Ministering And Serving Him) of 20 arrived from Montana and Johannesburg, South Africa, including our teammates Luke & Erin Lacey, Fortunate Nyereyemhuka and S'bu Andile Dlamini. They came to help run 2 Holiday Bible Clubs at Grace Baptist Church Queensburgh and Ekukhanyeni Baptist Church, as well as do some evangelism in the community during the afternoons. We will try to keep you posted on all that they are involved in this week!
Short term TEAM missionary, Jess Case, also arrived in Durban this past week and has been spending a lot of time with our family and has jumped in to help with Holiday Bible Club, as well. She is a close friend, and I am thankful that she was able to return to South Africa! We spent some time ministering with her in Johannesburg years ago.
I am still in the US, due to the illness of a close family member. My return trip to South Africa will be July 8-10.
Thank you for your prayers!

SMASH

This team arrived in Durban yesterday for a jam packed week of ministry! Please pray for the team, Brad and the family as they run Holiday Bible Club (VBS) and have a variety of other opportunities to minister throughout the week.

Prayer Update

Please keep our family in your prayers. I (Mary) will be making an unplanned trip to the US tomorrow to spend some time with family due to the illness of a close loved one. We have been so blessed to see God answer specific prayers so that I can have this time, down to an amazing price on airfare, and a church sponsoring the ticket. My return trip to South Africa will be July 8-10.

Please pray for Brad, Brandon, Marissa & Mya as they remain in South Africa, continuing with ministry, homeschool and daily life. This is a long time for us to be separated! I am grateful for things like Skype so we can keep in touch.

Prayer Update

Please pray for the Bible students at Durban Bible College (DBC) as they take their exams this week for the second term of classes! Brad is giving his Evangelism Class exams on Friday.

Brad's DBC Students

Saturday, Brad will be meeting with the new leadership team at Reservoir Hills Bible Baptist Church to plan a kick off for their new youth in July, after the winter school holidays. Pray for wisdom in planning and preparation, and pray for a good turnout, as they will be reaching out to draw in youth from the community.
Also, this week we are busy planning ahead! Brad, Brandon & Nhlaka will be involved June 12-14 with Shawn S'the Duma in a youth camp on the South Coast.
Then June 28-July 5 we will be hosting a SMASH team (Students Ministering And Serving Him) on a missions trip from Word of Life in Johannesburg. While they are here, we will be helping with Holiday Bible Club (Vacation Bible School) at two churches, Ekukhanyeni Baptist and Grace Baptist Church Queensburgh, as well as training some of the youth from those churches in evangelism and providing outreach opportunities.

April 2015 Prayer Letter

Click on the Newsletter to read! (2 Pages)

Durban Bible College - Bible Study Methods

Here are some photos from Brad's Bible Study Methods class at Durban Bible College! Please pray for these students as they set aside to study God's Word.