Prayer Update

Greetings to all!

            It has been a great few weeks here!  We had a group in from Word of Life; they are students in the second year program at the Bible Institute.  We were able to do some amazing things with them and to show them every side of South Africa.  We first took them to a Community Center in Thembaletu, which is close to Swaziland.  I have seen many poor areas in my time here but this would be one of the worst.  We all went on “K-Walks” to visit those who can’t get out of their homes.  That was a real eye opener for all of us.  I had a chance to visit an orphanage in this area and it was simply horrible.  I almost brought a few home children with me. 

            We then brought them back to Jo’burg for some work in the area.  We took them to a “Place of Safety”, which is a temporary housing for children.  Ryne House keeps children from 0 to 18 years there.  We really had to pull everyone away from this place because the kids were in such desperate need of attention.  Here again there were a few little ones we all wanted to bring home.

            Their schedule had them flying out of here at 6:00 PM so we decided to run a Soccer Marathon that morning.  We went into an area we have been in before.  We have been trying to build relationships with the people there.  It was a great morning of soccer and sharing.  A local church donated clothes to give away and we provided lunch for all the players.  It was a wonderful way to finish a great week of ministry. 

            Be praying for those students who came on this trip.  We really gave them a lot to think about and challenged them on many different levels.  They wanted to see what missions in SA is like and they really were able to see it first hand.  Now they are back in classes and I know from experience that is a tough transition to make.

Prayer Request:

1.      Students heading back to US

2.      Furlough Schedule

3.      Paper work for Mya – We want to bring her to see you all.

4.      For our family as we try to get back to normal (not sure what normal is)

5.      Trip to Pietermaritzburg to visit a church (Brad)

 
Praise Items:

1.      Still loving the new computer

2.      Safety while traveling around SA

3.      Meetings already setup for furlough – still some openings, though going quick!

 

 

In His Service,

Brad Hawkins

Word of Life South Africa

Prayer Update

Thank you so much for your prayers for the Missions Reality team that is here from the Word of Life Bible Institute!  They have arrived safely and are having a great week of ministry.

It has been go, go, go from the minute they landed in Joburg! They have ministered in a settlement, practically by helping make bricks, painting, and visits to peoples homes.  Brad's heart was broken by an orphanage with 11 children living in a shack smaller than one of our kid's bedrooms.

Today was a day of ministry in one of the local prisons.  Mike Neilson, a national missionary, visits this prison on a regular basis, doing Bible Studies and discipleship with the prisoners.  He visits one wing at a time, and with 38 extra people today they were able to visit 4 wings at once! 

Tomorrow is a day of ministry at Norman House School and Reyn Place of Safety.  These are homes for troubled or orphaned children of all ages.  Please pray that God prepares the hearts of those that they will be ministering to. We will be sharing through drama, music, and gospel presentation in a group and one-on-one.

On Friday morning, we will be ministering at a local Primary school, and after a little sight seeing, splitting into three groups to visit three different Word of Life Clubs.

Saturday we will be running a Soccer Marathon in Diepsloot, a local settlement.  This is a ministry that uses soccer as a draw for people in the area, with an opportunity to share the gospel.  The soccer marathon should finish up around 1:00, and by 3:00 the team will be departing for the airport!

We are excited about the ministry that has happened this week, and about the ministry opportunities still available! Please pray for strength, endurance, and opportunities to lead souls to Christ!

Also, please pray that God clearly shows the students on the Mission Reality exactly what He has in store for them.  It is exciting to see that they want to follow Him wherever He will lead, whatever that may mean.

Thanks again, for your prayers!
Mary, for the fam
Brad, Mary, Brandon, Marissa & Mya Hawkins
Word of Life South Africa

Prayer Update

Dear Friends,

            Here we go again! I have so much to tell you and so little space to put it in.  If you remember from a few weeks back we asked that you pray about giving towards a new computer for me, well we had someone donate $200 towards that project.  That leaves us with $1000 to go.  We have a group coming over from the US soon and we would like purchase the computer before they leave.  Free Shipping!!!  Please continue to pray and maybe see about getting your church involved.

            I have had a dream for many years to be able to produce a QT that we could either sell or donate to students that are living in the “Informal Settlements” of South Africa.  We met with a friend and he and his daughter have come up with a version of our current QT that we can print for about $1.  Our current material costs about $11 per book.  This means we can actually give some of these away to those who desire to be in God's Word.  This is a HUGE answer to pray and I really must thank the people here who have made this possible. 

            As for Local Church Ministries, we are continuing with orientations and visits all the time it seems.  More churches have been calling us to use the material and that is just amazing.  I have been meeting with a leader of church new to WOL these last few weeks and this Sunday will be their kick-off for using the WOL material.  He is so excited about trying to make a difference in the teen’s lives.  Keep praying for all the new churches and the Students as we all make a difference for the LORD!!!

Prayer Request:

1.      Evangelistic events coming up for Olympians (calendar)

2.      My (Brad’s) laptop needs replaced ($1000) – Thank you for your donation!

3.      New churches getting ready to startup

4.      Paper work for Mya

 Praise Items:

1.      Orientations with new Leaders

2.      New QT printed for informal settlements

3.      God’s provision these last few weeks

In His Service,

Brad Hawkins