Sunday, October 30, 2011

A Tribute

A beautiful tribute to a beautiful princess.
Today we celebrate life in many ways. We celebrate with birthdays, holidays, anniversaries and even funerals. I would like to purpose that we learn how to celebrate life daily by living it to its fullest. Learn how to love a little more, laugh a little more and share a little more of our hearts with those we meet.

Last month we celebrated the life of a beautiful little girl. Mikayla was on this earth for 16 months and 2 days and touched lives around the world.

http://meetingmikayla.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html

Please take a moment to read her blog post "After it All". I am sure it will bless you.

God has put within each of us a wealth of treasures that were meant to be shared.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Kwa Mama Care Center

     Last week several ladies got together to help our friend, Liezel Essop, paint a local creche.The Kwa Mama Care Center is situated in Shaka's Head. At Kwa Mama they collect crumbs and create purpose on a daily basis.  Child care is provided free of charge to any child who lives in Shaka's Head. The center also provides opportunities for around 30 unemployed residents of this community. Each child gets feed two meals a day and have access to a library of knowledge for preschool and after school care.
This is the new look of Kwa Mama Care Center.
A few monkeys pitched up to paint. Bridget and I were two of them.

Before the painting started.

Liezel, the artist opening the the tools of creative expression.

Transformation has begun.


Lizzy's talent is admired by some of the kids.



Bridget is a flower painting extraordinaire.






Just look at those beautiful eyes.





I am told "that is not a heart, that is LOVE"

Now a welcoming place for everyone.
 For more information about the Kwa Mama Care Center see www.kwamama.co.za

August 29, 2011

August 29, 2011
We have recently returned from an annual leadership meeting in the Cape Town area of South Africa. Many of these leaders speak Xhosa and are part of the second largest tribal grouping in the nation. It has been very gratifying to see the relationships among many different Christian churches grow in recent years. 
Pastor Mqokeleli Mntanga of Harvester in Mbekweni Township, SA
Pastor Mntanga, or "Clock" as we know him, is a significant bridge among different fellowships in the Mbeqweni Township. This year our conference was hosted by four different fellowships rather than just one as in the past. It is great to report that this part of the Body of Christ is growing in their devotion to the person of Jesus.

The praise team at our recent leadership conference



This trip completed one of the busiest periods of
ministry we have ever had. We've been to
Capetown (twice), Brazil, Johannesburg, the
Drakensburg Mountains, and Zimbabwe all in the
course of the last three months. In each location
the pastors and leaders we relate with are making
Christ known throughout the communities they
serve.

Please pray for our plans to visit the USA
in November/December.

Blessings in Christ..............Rodney,Trina,Bridget

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Some of the rocks of Zimbabwe


In the month of July we had our good friend Pastor Jose Arimathea Cavalcanti from Brazil with us in Africa.  Rodney and Ari spent a weekend in Germiston, SA teaching and week in Zimbabwe teaching at the annual CUTFIC leadership gathering. There were leaders from all over Africa (and one from Brazil) in attendance. We also had a fun filled weekend in the Drakensberg Mountains with Pastor Mkolesi and some of the resident wild animals.
God stacked these rocks!


Some of the leaders.


Pastor John Mabunda and his family from Germiston, South Africa
More Zim rocks


"Have you seen a tasty aloe tree?"

"You might be good for desert!"

"Why are the stripes intruding on our spotted picture?"

"Do I look happy to see you?"

Mkulise Family Church

Snow on the Drakensberg Mountains means it is cold at the Mkulise home.
Several people received bibles thanks to a donation of 30 Zulu Bibles this month.

Monday, August 8, 2011

July 11, 2011

July 11, 2011
We have just come back from twenty days in several Brazilian cities.  Our primary focus in this nation is to encourage pastors that are already working on behalf of Christ.  During this time we saw many new pastors encouraged in the work they are doing.The "spirit of unity" referred to in Ephesians 4:3 was the regular theme as we spake with leaders from many different denominations in Brazil.
Pastor Eloi Lopes of Templo Deus Provedor in Joinville, Brazil
Over the eleven years that we have worked in this country, the number of evangelic Christians has nearly doubled! The question now facing the leadership is how to deal with the success. Many of the men and women serving the Lord are seeing that we must "love one another" in order to properly display we are as servants of Christ (see John 13:34-35). It is our hope to further solidify these relationships on our next visit to Brazil in March of 2012. Please pray for our covenant partner , Pastor Ari Cavalcanti, as he visits Africa for the first time July 14. We will be in many venues throughout South Africa and Zimbabwe over the weeks that he is here.
Pastors Ari Cavalcanti and Everaldo Borges in Curitiba, BR

Blessings in Christ............Rodney, Trina and Bridget  




Sunday, July 10, 2011

June 7, 2011

The Brothers and Sisters of Turning Point Church in Paarl East
We've just returned from a triumphant trip to the Western Cape province. We have worked with several churches and ministries in the Borland area of the province for many years. There has been a notable strength come from these relationships over time. Ephesians 4:15-16 says,
15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all
aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from
whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by
what every joint supplies, according to the proper working
of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for
the building up of itself in love.
The relationships we have with the Saints at First Love
Church and His Grace International would be best described
as "joint(s)" in the Body of Christ. Because we are received
by these groups, our special relationship with them causes a
spiritual "growth" in the people that helps them share Christ's
love in their communities.

We had a very exciting experience with a new Church in the
city of Paarl. A young pastor, Morton Sias, asked if there was
any way we could do a service with the church he has worked
with over the last four years. We agreed to do Sunday evening
service and the drive to the small meeting hall was ominous. 
The fellowship is located in Paarl East which is notorious for
crime, drugs and gang activity. It literally felt like we were
sneaking "behind enemy lines" as we drove through the
impoverished housing project to get to the church. What we
found was a packed house of believers and a tangible presence 
of the Holy Spirit. Not only was I filled with hope, it was clear
to me that the appearance of "doom and gloom" was a lie of the
enemy. Jesus is taking over this area and we got to participate in
His assault that evening. It served as a pointed reminder that
nothing can stop us when we are led by Him!
We have an amazingly busy few months. On June 15, I'll go to
Brazil for 20 days. This will be followed by a trip to Zimbabwe
in July and another to Capetown in August. Please be in prayer
for us as we do our best to spread the Gospel of the Kingdom!

Monday, June 6, 2011

May 3, 2011

 
 

Our friends Bruce and Lil Dickson of Salt Rock, SA




One of the things that is difficult to explain to people who aren't in a missions context is the blessing we get from true relationships. Bruce and Lil are some of God's gifts to us in this area. To be able to spend time with friends like them takes a lot of the challenge out of being away from our natural family! The Dickson's, along with several other families, supply us with second hand clothes and other items that we are able to give to those in need.


Some new additions from Congo to the Bible Study group in Etete


Here are two recent testimonies from a distribution of goods to some of the people we minister to in Etete: 1) A recent Congolese immigrant arrived with just enough money to buy a sewing machine. After attending our meeting the Lord touched her heart and she gave us a 20 rand ($2.5) offering (all she had). As we started going through the goods we had, there was a significant amount of unused fabric that we gave to her. We estimate that she'll be able to make 100 times what she gave from her heart. 2) One of the single mother's had a son that had been crying for shoes for more than a week. We had no idea, but the Lord obviously did because in her parcel of goods were three pairs of shoes that fit her young son!

It is very gratifying to simply serve people, but when you see the
Holy Spirit truly organizing things it is awesome! Please pray for
our trip to the Western Cape Provence this month and anything else
the Lord lays on your heart for us.

Blessings in Christ...........................................Rodney,Trina,Bridget



Friday, May 6, 2011

March 29, 2011 IRC Ministry News

March 29, 2011


A local spiritist cult who conducts their worship only outdoors
For several years now we have conducted a bible study/outreach in the eTete area near our home in South Africa. Our route to the site of the gathering has many noteable pictures that speak a lot about the nature of our ministry and the spiritual climate of much of South Africa. Spiritism is a major form of worship in most of Sub-saharan Africa. Groups that fall into this category seek guidance from the spirits of their own dead ancestors, animals and other forms of nature.
One of the most prominent buildings in ShakasKraal, the Mosque
More recently, Islam has become a significant presence. Much of this rise is due to their ability to provide financial opportunity for the poor in Africa. We have seen the love of Christ break these strongholds off of many through our meetings. We want you to pray for the Lord's direction to expand the work that He already has us involved in.
The location in the community of eTete that we hold bible study
Blessings in Christ.........................Rodney,Trina and Bridget




Tuesday, April 5, 2011

March 14, 2011 IRC Ministries News

March 14, 2011

Pastor David Banza of Harare, Zimbabwe visiting us in Durban SA

Today I spent most of the day with a beloved friend and co-laborer in the work of Christ, David Banza. We ere originally supposed to spend a bit of time together over breakfast, but it became clear during our conversation that I was supposed to help him in his quest to purchase a car for his family back in Zimbabwe. Here is a small list of our circumstances:
1) David has health challenges that cause him to fatigue quickly
2) The area where the cars are purchased is always very dangerous and more so when you are alone
3)Because of the banking situation in Zimbabwe, he had to carry thousands of US dollars in cash. To conceal this from greedy border guards and would be thieves, it was hidden in the soles of his shoes!

 John 13:34-35 (NASB)says,
34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

While I could only offer my car, time and prayerful consideration, it was clear that this not only helped my rother but greatly encouraged him in general. You could see the "worry" that was very evident on my friend earlier in the day slowly dissapate until only confidence was present. I went from walking hesitantly to experiencing a peace that I could not explain. In this specific situation, it is my conviction that because "love" was present between us that the enemy of our souls was defeated. It is also my belief that part of our personal access to the presence of Christ in all situations is tied to how we love, honor and cherish fellow believers in Christ with all the means at our disposal.

Blessings in Christ...............................Rodney, Trina, Bridget

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Baby Dedication

Momma T, Sylvie, babies Raphael & Trina
There are many things we can do to make a good life for our children. One of the most important things is to keep them and ourselves before the Lord. Some things in our relationship with God are very private and some things are done publicly to make a statement and to help us stay accountable.

Proverbs 22:6 says "train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it"

This Sunday we took the twins to a baby dedication service at one of our local churches. Batti and Sylvie are committed to raising their children in submission to the Lord and they want the world to know it. By making this public statement they are telling their brothers and sisters in Christ of their desire to be held accountable to this task.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

February 28, 2011 IRC Ministry News

February 28, 2011


A nice set of Giraffe at Hluhluwe Park near us.
We certainly consider it to be a honor to serve the Lord as missionaries in South Africa. We have completed three full years in this area and have been given permission to stay for another three. There is no possibility we could be here and work in places utterly foreign to our experience except that the Grace of God empowers us. However, even in the midst of walking out the path that Christ has given, sometimes there are trials and difficulties. The return to South Africa has been filled with challenges.

Our drive to the airport for the flight home took three hours (normally one) over ice and snow. We lost one of our bags (still not recovered) carrying approximately $1000 dollars worth of goods that are much more expensive here. The car was inoperable, the phone line/internet had electrical faults,the main computer crashed with everything on it, and one of our dogs died within one day of us being back.

 James 1:12 (NASB)says,
12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
We want to be people who "persevere under trial." Don't feel sympathy for what we've described, pray for us. Help us to get to the place of joy in the middle of these difficulties. We will not be detered from Christ's plan for our lives and are ready to go to another level of demonstrating His love, compassion and understanding for people. One of the biggest ways we speak to the world about Jesus is how we react to
trouble.
Blessings in Christ............................................................................Rodney, Trina, Bridget
Update: Praise the Lord!!!! The bag was finally found on Friday, March 4th at the airport police department along with about 40 other missing bags. It was only missing a few things and we are very greatful to God for the retun of the bag.

Monday, March 14, 2011

IRC News Februray 9, 2011

February 9, 2011

Recent Ministry with Mission Fellowship near Sao Paulo, Brazil
What an awesome close to 2010 with our time in Brazil! It was long overdue to visit the leaders we love and work with in that area and many new relationships began. This was followed by a wonderful time with our family around the Christmas holiday in the USA. It had been too long and we were together with family members we hadn't seen in several years!


Family vist: Mother, Judy, Sister in law, Bethany, Aunt Celia

Much of the rest of our time was spent with our supporters and Church relationships. While many people find this a difficult part ofthe missionary experience, it was a joy for us to be around the people of God. Our relationships in the Body of Christ are an exstention of our natural family and do a great job of supporting and encouraging us. As we've prayed about 2011, we believe our focus will remain on discipling leaders in the countries we visit. While there is a considerable amount of public preaching associated with this, we always want to make time with the individual leaders a priority. We are also making time to author a book by the end of the year.

We pray that all of you have a great 2011!


Blessings in Christ.....................................Rodney, Trina, Bridget





Sunday, February 27, 2011

A visit from family.

We were blessed to have my nephew Jeron and his girlfriend Hannah with us for two weeks in February. Hannah is on her first of hopefully many trips to South Africa. She has spent quite a bit of time in Cape Town working with one of the special needs orphanages, Sibongile. On her off time she is enjoying getting to know some of Jeron's friends at YWAM and seeing the sights of the Cape.

Jeron and Hannah

We took a drive up to Hluhluwe - iMfolozi game reserve and had a great time viewing all the animals from the safety of our car. It is a little unnerving when you stop for lunch at one of the picnic areas and hear a rustling in the bushes behind you as you munch a sandwich and think, "Will I soon be lunch?". 
iMfolozi Cheetah

If you would like to read more about Hannah's visit to South Africa you can check out her blog at http://frashabella.wordpress.com/ .    It was a real pleasure getting to know Hannah and watching her and Jeron explore the world around them. They will be greatly missed when they head off to Texas in March to start a new chapter in their lives. We send all our love with them.

Hannah, Jeron, Bridget, Rodney and Trina

Twins!

When we left South Africa in November we were expecting to return well before the February due date of Battie and Sylvie's little one. Surprise! In January, Sylvie finally got an appointment for a scan which not only showed two blessings but that they would need to be delivered early by the doctor.

 Raphael and Tryner, the Lingala version of Rodney and Trina were born a month early but are strong and health. Perfect is loving being a big brother but thinks two babies are a little loud for him.
Battie, Sylvie, Perfect, Raphael and Tryner
We enjoy loving on and spoiling all our African kids. They are truly blessings.