Blessings in Africa

Zachariah
Hello my name in Zac, I live at Hearts that Hope. My name means "the Lord Remembers" I was found living in a township with my step mom, she didn't call me by name only "boy" and she didn't feed me or look after me. When Hearts that Hope found me my life was sitting around hoping to be fed only to get sugar water to drink and sand and dirt to eat. I moved into my new home on the 19th of May 2012. Even when I was living with my step mom in the township "THE LORD REMEMBERED" me. Now I love it at Hearts that Hope!!! Zachariah  http://heartsthathope.com/

 

Bridget and I had the pleasure of looking after little Zacky on Saturday while his new mom and dad went to a wedding. We had so much fun loving on this sweet little guy. His story is not unlike many of the children here in Africa. The difference is that Zac's story has a happy ending.

"Speak up for those who can not speak for themselves."

Proverbs 31:8

A baby was recently found in Kempton Park, near Johannesburg in a roadside drain. She was found by a security guard who was walking to work. The guard heard a noise coming from the drain but was not sure what it was. The security guard went back home to call her husband to ask him to help open the drain. While opening the cover, some police happened to drive past and stopped to see what was happening. That’s when they found the baby, with a bag around her head and another one around her body. It is estimated that she was under 24hrs old and she was still alive! After a brief stay in hospital she has been relocated to a place of safety.

This kind of thing does not have to happen. There are other solutions. In the Durban area there are several baby safes. A baby safe provides an opportunity for a mother to leave a baby anonymously, while being assured that proper care will be given to the baby. Staff are notified by voice call when a baby is left in the safe. The baby safe is a pre-assembled box that can be easily installed in any door or wall. The safe has a variety of features that makes it truly a safe, low maintenance, yet a life saving option for women and young girls in desperate circumstances. http://thebabysafe.org/

We are convinced more than ever that God has astonishing plans to rescue defenseless babies from plastic bags, rubbish bins, dumpsters, the side of the road, and abandoned fields in South Africa and throughout Africa. Through partnering with organizations like Hearts that Hope and The Baby Safe we can make a difference one life at a time.

Blessings, Rodney and Trina

Family Milestones

Our three beautiful grandchildren.

Our son

We wanted to take the opportunity to brag a little on our family. In December we celebrated the birth of our grandson. In April our son-in-love came home from Afghanistan to his amazing wife and three beautiful children and in May our oldest son graduated from Ashford University. We are very proud of all our children. Our youngest is still loving life here in Africa with us but missing the family back home.

May 2, 2012

May 2012

Some of our good friends, Lijo and Bindu,with Bridget in London

We are entering a very busy time in ministry over the next three months.  Much of our work in the African countries is done over the winter period from June through August to limit the chances of mosquito born illness during the outreaches. At times the conditions are very rural causing transportation to be a significant challenge.  Also, during some of this ministry, Bridget and Trina will stay in South Africa adding the emotional strain of being separated from family. We will travel several places within South Africa, to Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and the United Kingdom. It is a wonderful privilege to serve the Lord in the capacity that we do, but we understand our utter dependence on Him more every day. Part of His Grace, is YOUR prayer support for us during this period.

Showing more of our majestic, local wildlife

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

March 29, 2012 We have returned to South Africa after a three month visit to the USA where we had a wonderful time with all parts of our family. December was spent with our immediate relatives in Alaska and Fort Worth, Texas. It was the first time in a number of years that we have been able so spend the entire holiday season with them. Our travel among the churches and Ministries we work with was equally fantastic. Philippians 4:1 (NASB) 1. Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.  Some of our friends in Fort Worth, Texas: Chris & Angela Hough, Cathy Spitale and James Jeter who is the founder of Bridges of Hope International. James Jeter gave me my first job in the ministry many years ago. He taught me that ministries should exist for the purpose of exalting Christ and benefiting His people. Trina and I will always be committed to these values in our work. These photos are some of the individuals we work with in the USA that make up our "joy and crown."

  Eric & Elaine Johnson of Optimum Lifestyle in Houston, Texas http://www.optimumlifestyle.org/

 Jay and Kathy Sharp with Jayden, Jeremiah and Benjerman in East Texas http://www.jayandkathy.com/

Blessings,      Rod and Trina Kirkpatrick ircministries.org

November 30, 2011

  

                 
                  Pastors from the Phoenix area of Durban, SA gathered for Praise and Worship


I recently spent a day of worship and intercession with many pastors from the Indian communities in the Durban, South Africa area. Just over 150 years ago, Indian nationals first arrived in South Africa as indentured servants trying to earn a better life for their families. Most of these original settlers were followers of Hinduism and to a lesser extent Islam. Over time the situation has changed dramatically. Once almost non-existant, Christianity is now estimated to be the choice of anywhere between 25 to 40 percent of the Asian community in South Africa! Trina and I are also privileged to work with communities, like the one in Durban, in the United Kingdom and Malaysia. Today their are approximately 2.8 billion Hindus and Muslims. This is nearly forty percent of the world's population and represents a profound harvest opportunity that the Church must not ignore. Consider 2 Timothy 1:7 which says,

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV)

During our years in South Africa, Trina and I have seen the aggression of eastern religions toward both their current followers and would be converts. It is important for Christians to be informed about the imperial nature that is fundamental to Islam and the demonic oppression that is synonymous with Hinduism. Both are very dangerous to the individuals they envelope and the nations that are influenced by these ideologies. We do need to pray for wisdom for Western leaders to make appropriate political choices that will not allow democratic freedoms to be compormised by the values of eastern religions. However, it is even more important that "fear" not be allowed to dictate the Church's response to these groups. Christian's, above all else, must be resolute in loving and ministering Christ to those lost in eastern religions. There is an overlooked element in the discussion about the Muslim "invasions" of Europe and the United States of America. What is largely lost in the debate is the opportunity presented by Muslims and Hindus coming to live in free societies. It is much easier to befriend and share Christ with a Muslim/Hindu in the UK or USA than in Saudi Arabia or rural India! It is our belief that the very strategy intended by the enemy to spread darkness will be turned around as a resounding victory for Christ. But the people of God are called to respond with a "sound mind" that knows its purpose to pray and see those in darkness set free. Please join us in this burden over the coming year. Ask the Lord's direction for how you can make a difference in the life of a Muslim or Hindu. Please pray for and support our ministry to these beautiful people.