Leaders' Kick Off Conference - The Word

Thank you so much for your prayers for our Leader's Conference yesterday! We had around 35 in attendance representing 9 churches across the Durban area. It was a sweet time of fellowship and a reminder that we need to Live the Word, Teach the Word, and be faithful in assisting children and youth to Apply the Word.

May Hawkins' Headlines

 Sanibonani from Afrika!

We are excited to share with you some of the ministry opportunities we have already had this year! 

We had a great time of fellowship and encouragement at our Leader's Conference and an amazing challenge from the Word of God from Pastor Trent Eayrs. Thank you to all those that were able to come! We had representatives from 8 churches, and missed those that were unable to attend. Looking forward to a great year ahead working alongside them and pouring into the lives of youth at each of the churches!

Thank you for your continued prayers regarding Mary’s visa. At this point, she is here on a 90 day visitor’s visa and will have to request a 90 day extension at the beginning of June. In order for her to get a longer visa, she will have to return to the US to apply. We are praying for wisdom regarding each step we take in this process. To go to the US to apply would mean separation for an unknown period of time while she waits for the visa application to be processed. We know that God’s timing is perfect and He is in control.

Watch video update on KZN floods 14 April

In April, subtropical cyclone Issa passed through Durban resulting in massive flooding and over 430 deaths. We are fortunate that we did not have major damage to the Word of Life property. We lost the new retaining wall and have water in our newly renovated office block. Just as we started repairs, we had another major storm that resulted in more flooding and further damage to the property. Please pray for a quick resolution with the insurance company so that the repairs can be made before any further damage is done. 

We would like to present you with an opportunity to support Lamoudi Nawezi, a young lady with a desire to attend the Genesis Program with WOL South Africa. The aim of this program is to offer young adults an opportunity to study God's Word, be discipled, and get involved in various ministries in order to equip them to grow in their walk with the Lord and serve Him whole-heartedly wherever He takes them in life. The inclusive cost for studies, room and board, etc. is $1500. You can give to help cover her costs by indicating Genesis Project on the response slip and returning it to WOL, or by going to this website and noting Lamoudi’s name in the summary: https://give.wol.org/06128C. The Genesis Program is from July - December, but it is just the beginning!

Marissa has finished her academic year at the WOL Bible Institute in Florida, and is transitioning into counseling at camp for the next 6 weeks. Brandon & Brianna are waiting for Taiwan to open up for them to apply for visas, and in the meantime, they have been given the opportunity to also work in the camping ministry with Word of Life in Florida, so they will be on the same campus with Marissa. Mya turns 15 this month and is in Grade 9. 

February Prayer Letter

Please click on the newsletter below to read!

We are excited about our Leader's Kick Off this coming Saturday! We could potentially have leaders from 5 local churches. Please pray for us as we seek to prepare and excite them to pour into the lives of their youth in the upcoming year!

Prayer Update

Thank you so much for your prayers through the week! There is so much going on!

The Discipleship Training Centre is coming to the end of the second week of classes. The students are overwhelmed, but learning so much! Sbu and Muzi joined us for dinner last night, and we are looking forward to making this a weekly occurrence. Please pray for Sbu, Muzi, Lawrence and Thobile as they have a busy year ahead of classes and ministry. Pray that they are able to absorb all that they are being taught so that they can apply it to future ministry!

On Feb 12 we will be hosting our Leaders' Kick Off. We are excited at this opportunity to fellowship with all of the youth leaders in the area, as well as provide a chance for training. We will be providing seminars for the leaders to choose from taught by Mike VanBruggen, Brad's mom, Judy Hawkins, and Brad. Please pray for a good turnout! We'd like to be able to encourage every one of the churches we work with through this event.

We are beginning to fill dates for our home assignment later this year. We are planning to be in the US from approximately July 15 - Nov 21. We are currently planning to be in MI, MN, and PA. Please let us know if your church would be interested in allowing us to share about our ministry in South Africa! Also, please pray that we are able to raise the additional monthly support needed for our ministry. 

On a note of praise, Mya's passport in her "new name" is ready for pick up from the SA Home Affairs! Now we are just waiting for her long form birth certificate, as well as clarification as to what we need to do for her US Visa, as it was in her previous name. Prayers are being answered!

Thanks for your prayers!

Serving Him,

Mary, for the fam

Brad, Mary, Brandon, Marissa & Mya Hawkins