Durban S.M.A.S.H. 2021

As COVID lockdown levels were down, we decided it was time to have our annual S.M.A.S.H. (Students Ministering And Serving Him) missions trip in April. Yes, it would look different this time, but that's a sign of the times. We were excited to reconnect with our youth and challenge them, both in the Word of God and in their service for Him. While we were unable to travel or to stay overnight, we could have "day camp" and would serve right where we are, redecorating the youth room at church and renovating and serving at the Word of Life Durban property.

Every morning we had meetings and were challenged in the Word of God with messages from Dwight Hostetler. small group time for personal application, and of course some songs & games. Then, after lunch, we spent the afternoons serving. 

We painted, cleaned, and reorganized the youth room at Grace Baptist Church and did a few small projects around the property.

We had a generous donation from a supporting church and some help from some friends that run a business doing renovating, and we were able to remodel the interior of the cottage on the WOL Durban property! We are super grateful to Miccol Renovating Services for setting aside other work and travelling from Joburg to help with this project! Thanks, Michael & Eric. Below are some before and after pics.

Before

And After

They repaired and renovated the shower in the main house, built a new set of steps down to the cottage, and they also did some odd jobs around the Word of Life property. 

Durban SMASH 2017

Brad at the Opening Session

Thank you for your prayers for our recent SMASH Camp (Students Ministering and Serving Him). We had a total of 29 youth and leaders involved, and we had an amazing week, both in ministry, and sitting under the teaching of our country director, John Page.

Quillan, William & John Page

It is so exciting to see the faith of the teens and young adults grow as they raise their support, come away from the world to focus on the Word of God speaking into their lives, and step out of their comfort zones to serve others.
We had the opportunity to volunteer at a local home for mentally challenged residents, Horizon Farm. We also spent some time doing work projects on the property for the church that hosted us, Grace Baptist Church, Queensburgh. They worked hard, ministering to the residents, and serving there and at the church. A lot of physical work and it was HOT!

A small part of our team prepared songs, lessons and crafts and interacted directly with the residents at Horizon Farms. What a blessing to see our youth learning from them as the residents served each other happily, despite whatever physical or mental limitations they might have. We learned so much from them!

The students also had the opportunity to learn how to share the Gospel clearly, and how to effectively share their personal testimony. These sessions were taught by John Page and some of the young adult leaders in our group.

Brandon teaching about Evangelism

On Saturday, we joined up with the children from Grace Baptist Church, Queensburgh, and headed over to Flame Lily, a local retirement village. We were able to had out chocolate covered marshmallow Easter eggs and invitations to the Good Friday service. We sang to the residents, and were able to interact with the residents, giving hugs and smiles, and hopefully brightening a few people's days.

BZ Camp EBC 2016

We had a great whirlwind of ministry with the team from Johannesburg! We had 10 young adults come from Joburg, along with 1 that joined the team from the Durban area. Some of these were giving of their spring break, some taking leave from work, in order to spend some time with us in ministering in our local community.

We spent 2 days running a camp alongside Ekukhanyeni Baptist Church in New Germany. The gospel message was shared with over 17 teens and 125 children! The focus for the camp was relationships, first and foremost being their relationship with God.

The teens delved deeper into other relationships - parents/authority, friendships and dating. They had a lot of hard questions about how to honour God in their every day lives. Please pray for them, as well as  Pastor Henry and Janet,  Pastor Phakamani and Philani as they continue to minister to these young people on a daily basis, pouring into their lives and living an example of what it means to walk with God.

The team also helped with some work projects while they were here. We were able to purchase a storage shed to store our supplies for Word of Life, and the majority of the team helped finish it off - sealing the outside, painting the roof and putting up plywood on the inside.

While they worked on the storage shed, a few of us slipped over to Little Feet Baby Home and were able to help them clean and organize the donations that they've received recently. They are a fairly new baby home and have 4 sweet little babies that they care for.

The time that the team spent with us was fruitful and encouraging. Thank you for giving of your time and energy to serve the Lord! We appreciate each one of you!

Ekukhanyeni BattleZone 2016

One week from today we welcome a team of 10 young adults from Johannesburg to help with a BattleZone camp for Ekukhanyeni Baptist Church! This is a 2 day camp for Grades 1-12. It will be held at the local community hall where the church meets. We are excited about the opportunity to minister to this community and support this local church. This is our second BattleZone Camp at this location. Pray for us as we seek to strengthen and encourage the youth in their walks with Christ and help the church reach out into their community. Please pray, also, for good weather. With the age span that we have, we really will be running 2 programs, and will need to work with one group outside while the other uses the hall, and vice versa.

December Prayer Letter

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

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!

September Hawkins Headlines

August Prayer Letter

Here is a copy of our most recent prayer letter. Note that there are two attachments! There are two pages, one in each file.
You will need Adobe Reader to open the files. Click here to download free.

Brad, Mary, Brandon, Marissa & Mya
Word of Life South Africa

Attachment: Aug 2012.pdf
Attachment: Aug 2012 2.pdf

Prayer Update

After a busy 2 weeks with the Student Fusion team, they left to return to the US last Friday night. What an amazing 2 weeks of ministry! Here are a couple of links to pics if you are interested! Week 1 Week 2

Saturday night we were able to attend a dinner at Paseo Baptist Church. We have really appreciated their youth leadership, Derrick & Hadessah Martin Jones, and the friendship that we've developed with them. The youth from our church will be joining their youth this upcoming Friday night and we're looking forward to fun and fellowship!

Sunday morning Brad was able to visit Toekumsrus Baptist Church. Two of our Discipleship Training Center students are from this church, and the church also has an Olympians (Children's) program. It's always encouraging to worship with them!

Please pray for my friend, Memory, and her husband as their house burned down this week. They lived in a squatter camp and the fire took 2 lives and over 20 shacks. They have been told that they are not allowed to rebuild and they don't have anywhere else to go. It is winter in South Africa and there is supposed to be a cold front on it's way, and all they have left of their belongings is a mattress. Pray that God uses this situation to draw them closer to Him and that I can find an opportunity to share the gospel through this situation.

It's hard to believe that it is already August 1! That means 3 months and counting until the planned move date to Durban. There is so much to do!!! Please pray for us as we pare down some of our belongings and pack for the move.

Serving Him,
Mary, for the fam
Brad, Mary, Brandon, Marissa & Mya Hawkins