Ministries abound in South Africa…
In the township of Sualala, Janette has started a sewing ministry where women can learn how to make items such as clothing and handbags which are then sold in an effort to support their families. While they are learning the tricks of the sewing trade, Janette is also discipling these ladies through Bible studies.
Kathy, originally from California, has been working on translating Bible school materials into Portuguese so that pastors in Mozambique can start small schools in their communities so that people can better understand the truths of the Word. She is also helping the pastors here in South Africa start-up Bible schools.
These ministries make up just a very small chunk of all that has been started by people from both South Africa and from around the world, by people that the Lord planted “for such a time as this”. God placed a need on their hearts. Then He gave them a vision that they are being obedient to. The Lord continues to meet all their daily needs as they serve Him without so much as a paycheck.
The needs here in South Africa are great, just as in just about every part of this world. And, I know for me, the needs can seem overwhelming. Where can you even start to make a difference? The neat thing is that it’s not really up to us where we are to go and serve. God reveals that. In His own perfect timing, He takes you one step at a time down the path known as “His Will”. The other neat thing is that your path and my path are likely not the same. Since there are so many needs in this world and because He’s created each of us uniquely, we are planted in different locations and in different areas of service. But, we all work together with one goal in mind: to serve God and God alone. You’re not in this thing by yourself. You’ve got sisters and brothers all over the world that are in this thing with you. I don’t know about you, but that gets me really excited to serve Him with everything I’ve got! You???!
Romans 12:4-8
“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
