June Hawkins' Headlines

Greetings from South Africa! So much has changed since our prayer letter, but we rejoice that the gospel isn’t on lockdown. We would love to share some of the many ways that we have been keeping busy in ministry.  The effects of the coronavirus are worldwide, and we too have been on lockdown. South Africa has created 5 levels of lockdown, with level 5 being the most stringent level. We are on day 75 of lockdown, and are currently in level 3. Most businesses are re-opened. Schools are beginning to re-open 2 grade levels at a time, as our school year runs Jan-Dec. We are able to go out for essential supplies, exercise within 3 miles of our home, and restaurants are open for take-out or delivery. We are to wear a mask any time we leave our own property. Discipleship despite lockdown…. We have been working hard to keep up with those that we disciple. It has taken some creativity, more phone calls and time spent on social media, but it is a blessing and an encouragement to stay connected.  Our team has opened a YouTube account so that we can record and upload video lessons for youth, as well as encouragement and training videos for youth leaders and pastors. You are never too old to learn new tricks! We have been busy working on lessons, making videos, editing, etc. We are not by any means professional, just striving to remain connected! You can check out our videos here, if you are interested: https://tinyurl.com/WOLZAYouTube.  In the last three months, Brandon has turned 21, Marissa, 18, and Mya 13. Such monumental birthdays! It is hard to believe how time flies. We are so pleased to see each of our children chasing after Jesus in their own ways. Brandon is continuing to serve with Word of Life in Taiwan. His stay there has been extended due to the coronavirus. He is really enjoying his experience there and is very busy teaching and discipling. Marissa will be graduating from her senior year soon, and is planning to attend the Word of Life Bible Institute in Florida starting in August. Mya is in the middle of her 7th grade of high school. Our furlough was scheduled for the beginning of July, but our plans are in limbo as we pray for wisdom and wait to see what opens up as far as international travel. Please join us in praying for wisdom in making choices!

It was a privilege to take part in several virtual camps. The Word of Life Africa team has run separate camps for youth, young adults, and men. There were attendees from at least 8 countries, including Uganda, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, Malawi, and South Africa. There were special speakers like Ray Pritchard, Greg Stier, and Phil Moser, with over 25 people making professions of faith!

Here is our May video update! Thanks for your support!

Just a quick update from South Africa! While there is a lot of change due to Covid-19 and social distancing, we are busy trying to adjust how we minister to others here in South Africa. Not only have our churches, youth groups, training sessions, etc., suspended meetings, we are used to having youth from the community in our home on almost a daily basis.
So the challenge is to remain CONNECTED - In a way, I feel that we are more connected to our "home" churches in the US in a new way right now. Everyone is reaching out via social media, and we can be a part of prayer meetings and watch services live-streamed. It is a blessing.
Here in South Africa, connecting is a little more challenging. Not everyone has access to WiFi and data. We are praying for wisdom for ways to stay connected and encourage those that we minister to. Please pray for us that we make wise decisions, trying to lower the curve, and yet be willing and available to serve however and wherever God would have us serve. We want to continue to be God's hands and feet in our community!

Sold Out

Great end to an amazing week of ministry. We had over 40 youth at our place to fellowship and work on our evangelism skills. Every teen everywhere hearing the gospel!

Love to hear the youth sing with such passion! Here are some of the lyrics to this song:

In a world full of followers

I'll be a leader

In a world full of doubters

I'll be a believer

I'm stepping out without a hesitation

Because the battle's already been won

I'm sold out

I'm no longer living

Just for myself

Running after Jesus

With my whole heart

2020 is flying by! We are thoroughly busy in the ministry and loving it! Here are a few photos from Brad's visit with the youth from Moorton EBC last week.

Please pray for our health as the flu is making its rounds in the house. The girls have been sick and recovered, I am beginning to get better with the exception of a cough. It really knocked me out of commission for the weekend and I am so grateful to those that stepped up and covered for me in my ministry responsibilities. Now Brad has a bit of a sore throat, and he has a super busy week ahead, teaching/preaching 5 times from Thursday-Sunday. Please pray that he stays healthy!

The property project plans continue to progress as far as authorization and behind the scenes work. Once we have some funds raised, we should be able to get started! Please keep praying for this process.

Brad has been training the youth leaders at Hillary Baptist Church to run Word of Life with their Sr. Youth, and is thrilled to be helping them run their first WOL youth meeting Friday night. Great times of ministry!

Hawkins' Headlines 2/2020

Sanibonani! Greetings from South Africa! 2019 has quickly come to an end, and 2020 lies before us. We are looking forward with anticipation as to what God has in store for us and our ministry in the upcoming year! Project team, left to right: Back: Levi, Brandon, Marissa, Brad & Lonnie Front: Lawrence, Byron, William, Lois, Mya & Mary

We recently hosted a work team in from Community Baptist Church in Montoursville, Pennsylvania and we are so grateful for all that they were able to accomplish! They were able to renovate a storage building into a classroom with tile, insulation, paint, etc., as well as complete many other projects around the property, including a fence on the property border. Visit our blog to see a video update of the renovation.

We were also grateful that Brad’s brother, Lonnie, and Brandon decided not only to join the work team, but also to arrive a couple of weeks early so that we could have some extra time together. It was such a blessing to have them here! It was Lonnie’s first visit to Africa, and it was so good to see Brandon after almost a year apart. They left, along with the team, on the 22 of November.

2020 holds much in store! The connections in ministry have been exciting and it is exciting to see God working! In the near future, we have Leader’s Kick-Off in our new classroom on February 8. We are starting Word of Life training in 6 new church youth groups, as well! The ministry is keeping us busy. Please pray for an intern or another missionary to join us, as the work is quickly becoming more than we can handle on our own. If you or someone you know might be interested in serving in Durban with us, whether for a few weeks, a few years, or longer, let us know!

2020 brings much change for our family. Mary & Brandon are studying online at Calvary University. Brandon is serving in Taiwan as a short-term missionary with WOL until May, when he returns to the US to work at WOL Florida for the summer camping season. Marissa is in her senior year of school, and will graduate and attend the WOL Bible Institute in Florida starting in August. Mya has just started her Grade 7 year of school and has ALMOST passed her mom in height.

Ngiyabonga! Thank you for praying for our family and our ministry.  Love, the Hawkins Fam

Update from Brandon

We are excited that Brandon has the opportunity to head to Taiwan as a short-term missionary with Word of Life as he continues his studies online with Calvary University. Follow this link to learn more about his trip: https://give.wol.org/bhawkins,
or sign up for his mailing list here:
https://tinyurl.com/brandontotaiwan.