November 2010 IRC Ministry update

December 2, 2010

We are just over half way through our time in Brazil and it has been fantastic.

Revelation 3:8 says,

8 "...I have put before you an open door which no one can shut..."

Our primary "door" in Brazil is Ari Cavalcanti. Through our relationship with him, we have worked with many different parts of the Body of Christ in the cities of Sao Paulo, Curitiba and San Francisco Du Sul. The bulk of our time has been spent in Curitiba working with many pastors and their fellowships. These groups are very diverse with pastors from mainline denominations like Methodist, Baptist, and non-denominational works as well. We are currently laying the ground work for a city wide leadership training time next year.

Please continue to pray for us as we finish our time in Brazil. We will have a short time with our family in December and then visit a number of churches in the USA during January.

Blessings in Christ,

Rodney, Trina and Bridget

Bridget's 14th Birthday

We had a great time celebrating Bridget's Birthday both in South Africa and in Brazil.

Fourteen years ago who would have thought that at this young age Bridget would have stepped foot on four different continents? I know she would never have dreamed she would be living in South Africa and traveling around the world.

We had a wonderful time celebrating her birthday with our South African family before we left for Brazil and what birthday would be complete without a celebration on the actual day. The family we are staying with took us to an all you can eat pizza place. The whole restaurant sang Happy Birthday in Portuguese as the waiter brought out an ice cream pizza with a sparkler on top.  What a treat!

We are all looking forward to spending Christmas in the USA.

IRC News Update, November 2, 2010

November 2, 2010

A young man gives his heart to Christ at Point Road

Recently we concluded a four day conference in the Point Road area of Durban, South Africa. We were able to accomplish a number of objectives such as:

1) Reach out to pastors in a part of Durban that we haven't yet done any leadership development.
2) Encourage both the lost and Christians with the transforming Gospel of Jesus
3) Consider future ministry by getting to know the spiritual climate of the Point Road area.

What a pleasure it is to announce that all three goals were more than met during our time. I was impressed with Zechariah 4:8-10 (NASB) which says,

8 Also the word of the Lord came to me, saying,

9 "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will finish it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you.

10 "For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven will be glad when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel�these are the eyes of the Lord which range to and fro throughout the earth."

These meetings have come out some of the "small things" we do with the bible study in the Etete area near our home. Several people who attend the bible study expressed an interest to see some of the things we teach communicated on a broader scale. Many of those that we work with had previously lived in the Point Road area and knew several pastors that had served the Lord in the area. As we prayed and reached out to the pastors, the Holy Spirit took over and everything fell into place. The area is heavily populated with immigrants to South Africa from other African nations and it is known for drug activity. Inspite of these things we were overwhelmingly encouraged by the presence of the Lord and the response of the people. Many were redeemed, restored and found Christ for the first time during the conference. The pastors were overwhelmingly supportive and inquiring about future events. Please continue to pray for unity among the leaders in this area and our part in encouraging the Church here.

We are leaving South Africa soon to visit the Church in Brazil and the USA. We are especially excited about the opportunity to get back to Brazil and South America. It has been several years since our last visit and this one is long overdue. We will visit old and new relationships in the USA. Please pray that we are led by the Holy Spirit in all that we do during the next three months.

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

IRC News update for October 25, 2010

October 25, 2010

Preaching with Emmanuel Kittay of Gilgal Assembly in Durban, SA

As many of you know we often find ourselves serving pastors and churches in the Indian areas around Durban. I cannot thank Jesus enough for the many open doors He has provided in these amazing communities. We were greatly encouraged while recently working with a church in the Claire Estate section of Durban. They were not only hungry for the word in the message but they also had an aggressive plan to share Christ in their community. After reflecting on our time and conversation I was impressed with Hebrews 13: 7-14 (NASB) which says,

7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

9 Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.

10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.

11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp.

12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate.

13 So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.

14 For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city whichis to come.

The burden of Christ was never reserved for a select few, as scripture plainly tells us that He loved the entire world. To often the Church today sits in a "camp" of comfort zones that reproduce the same religiously exclusive culture that Jesus openly despised. We are praying for every church, ministry and individual believer that we are associated with to hear His voice and go "outside the camp" to show Christ's love!

Over the next two weeks, we will have a set of meetings in Durban with a number of churches and then host another missionary from Capetown. After this, please pray for our upcoming trip to Brazil and the USA. We will be gone for nearly 10 weeks and we would really covet your prayers concerning the many expenses and details associated with the travel. Please also pray that we will be able to raise the funds for a new vehicle. This is our most pressing need in the ministry.


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

August 23, 2010

August 23, 2010
                                                       

One of the primary aspects of our ministry is to "come along side" churches and ministries, encouraging their work to the degree that they request and in the way the Holy Spirit is leading us to do so. One of our longstanding relationships is with a Xhosa pastor named Mqokeleli in Wellington, SA. We've worked with him since the church was planted and seen the Lord raise a bright light from almost nothing. On our most recent trip to work with his church it was clear that they have turned the corner and are really beginning to impact their community with the good news of Jesus. Trina and I have cried with this man on more than one occasion concering the work of the Lord and it is most satisfying to see this brother's ministry touching both individuals and leaders on a significant scale. 

Praying with Mqokeleli Mntanga of Harvester Community Church

We also had the chance to recently work with our son in the faith, Jeron Pearson, as he facilitates training through Youth With a Mission here in South Africa.

Ministry with Jeron Pearson at YWAM Muizenberg in Cape Town, SA

Finally, I wanted to let everyone know that while it is challenging for me, Bridget is growing into a wonderful young lady. It is difficult to "grow up" in a place far from where you were born, but Bridget is doing great and continuing to be a joy to us every single day.

Bridget at her friend Jessica Bouwer's sixteenth birthday party

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