JAM Newsletter

August 2013

Jabulani Africa Ministries

Each year, the American summer (SA winter) is one of our busiest seasons. With many JAM interns coming in from the States to spend their summer serving with us, hosting teams for short term trips, and leading our South African (winter) school holiday outreaches all over the country... These couple of months always seem to be here and gone before we know it! This year was no exception! In a period of 45 days, many of us were home in Cape Town for only 5 of them. We have been stretched, challenged and pushed to the very limits of our own abilities only to come back to the realization that none of it can be done out of our own. Through it all we have been reminded over and over again who we are serving and what the very root of these missions are... We have been reminded of the HOPE that can only come from Jesus, of a love so beautiful, so pure that it cannot be explained in words but merely experienced and felt through seless acts of service... through ones simple obedience in prayer & worship. We were reminded yet again that everything we try to do out of our own has limits... we will grow weary, our love will fall short, the challenges will appear far too great. But in Christ, there are no limits. His energy, His truth, His hope, His Love is always enough! - Ashley

Jabulani Africa Ministries is now a registered non-profit. Donations Receipt to Validate TAX DEDUCTIBILITY of Donation : Issued in terms of section 18A of the Income Tax Act of 1962, as amended. The donation received will be used exclusively for the objects of Jabulani African Ministries in carrying out public benefit

DEFINED
On the Dened outreach, I learned that there are many different ways to spread the Word of God to people. I didnt realize that you could use soccer as a door to talk about the Word and Gods love. This opportunity made me realize I can minister in many different ways by using peoples interests as an avenue to talk about Jesus. On this outreach we traveled through South Africa leading soccer clinics and tournaments in the

outreach

a journey into true identity, through soccer

He was interested and paying attention to the devotional and he wanted to know more. I told him about Jesus, that Jesus died for us on the cross and he's our father. I told him what God has done in my life and then the boy accepted Jesus. After that, I prayed with him. Jesus is truly alive and seeking after His children. I know God has bigger plans and a future for all of His children. -Masi

different villages and communities. With every drill or scrimmage we lead with our teams we had scriptures to tie in. During our time in the Transkei, one of the boys on my team decided to give his life to Christ. At the beginning of the week when we started, he did not know Jesus at all. But we had a devotional book that we went through each practice with our team. After one practice, the boy stayed after everyone had left.

When I heard this outreach was going to be about soccer I thought: great. Better pack my inhaler and bandaids. I dont play soccer. And that was my mindset the rst few days I spent on the team - that I had to be talented to share Jesus. And that stretches beyond soccer even. I thought I had to be talented at ministry to minister. I thought I had to be talented at loving to love people. I thought I had to be talented at Xhosa or other languages to communicate. I thought I had to be talented at understanding Jesus to share Jesus. Newsash: It really has nothing to do with me. I would say that was the biggest thing I learned on this outreach, which is ironic because it was all about how we dene ourselves. Our rst night in the Transkei, I had a horrible time because I didnt have the right perspective. I was still so

uncomfortable with the team, the ministry, the country, etc that I was literally useless. Molly took over with the soccer drills and the practice and I was as much help to her as a block of wood would have been. I didnt know how to play soccer. I didnt even know the rules. So I basically stood on the sidelines and watched, occasionally throwing in a go team! Yeah that probably sounded dumb too because we werent even playing a real soccer game, just running through drills. And then, when the sun went down, it was my turn to pull some weight for our team. I was supposed to lead the devotional. I got really cocky about it in my head all day. Its ministry. Im good at ministry. Ive been doing ministry for the past six months; I love it and students respond well to me. Well, thats in America. It doesnt work quite the same in South Africa, where they dont speak your language, they dont have the same needs as American kids, they dont respond to the same things. So yet again, I felt useless. The questions I was asking them were really dumb questions that wouldnt normally elicit good

responses. However, I think sometimes God looks down on me and says, I just wanted you to see what a fool you would look like if you didnt have me. And thats exactly what He did. Halfway through, in my head, I just completely submitted. I was tired. I didnt like looking inadequate in front of Schaun and Molly and Thabiso and Kevin and Rene, and more than anything, I wanted these kids to experience Jesus, not me speaking about Jesus. Thats when God came to my rescue and started moving in the boys lives despite my second rate leadership. They started giving very real and honest answers to each question. Their answers had a depth that went even further than the question allowed. They talked to us about the spiritual healers, drinking, drugs, disobedience at school, all sorts of things, and this was just the rst time we had met them. It was so special. After that I really began to reconsider what it meant to pursue Jesus. I realized that I really wasnt pursuing Jesus. I was pursuing things that were LIKE Jesus, but I was completely missing the real deal. -Laura
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I still don't know all of the rules of soccer. Off-sides has been explained to me at least twice, but I still only have a vague notion of the concept. Going into a soccer-focused outreach; I was worried about how I could be of any use at all. I feel most useful in situations where I am comfortable and in control, but God showed me over the past few weeks that He can use me even when I am WAY out of my comfort zone. I struggle with the concept of praying "over" people and praying for healing as well. Up until this outreach, I was able to avoid those situations or let someone else do the praying. When our visit to Langutelani Primary School in Mavhuza was nished, I planned to walk home with some of the children and let others stay and pray with those who chose to stay. But when I asked a little girl named Tintswalo, who was standing next to me, if she wanted to go home or stay and pray, she said that she wanted to stay. Okay, I thought, I'll just join a group with someone else and let them pray. But I guess God had other plans - somehow I

ended up on my own, with a translator I'd never met and a whole group of children. I tried to pray something that wasn't too cliche - something that would be meaningful to a group of kids. I don't even remember what I said, but I hope it was from God. Then, just when I thought I was off the hook, the young man who was translating for me had all of the children line up and told me that I must pray for each of them. What?! Overwhelmed, I took each kid's hands, asked their name, and prayed a similar prayer for each of them - that God would comfort them, remind them that He is near, be with their families, bring them joy, and help them to be a joy to others. Some of the younger ones probably didn't understand what I was saying, but I hope it comforted them to know that someone cares about them, and more importantly that God cares about them. Thankfully some of the other team members helped me and prayed for lots of the kids still waiting. Then, we started to head back to the base. Once again I thought I was off the hook, but suddenly Victor remembered that there

were several women waiting behind the school who wanted us to pray for them! For me, this was even more intimidating, because several of the women wanted us to pray for healing. In 2011, a woman from my church at home was very sick, and she died despite our desperate prayers that she be healed to remain with her husband and baby girl. Ever since then I have had an extremely hard time praying for healing, since I know that God will not always choose to heal someone and I am almost afraid to ask and get someone's hopes up. Thankfully I was able to pray alongside Sarah in Mavhuza, and I just prayed that God's will would be done, whether it was to miraculously heal these women or not. I did not become a soccer whiz on this outreach, and God did not use me to do some super miraculous instant healing. Honestly, I did not expect anything like that to happen. Instead, He grew me by forcing me WAY outside of my comfort zone, and I hope that He used me to point several children and women in Mavhuza towards Him as well. -Xandra

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become

children of God- John 1:12

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Hume Lake
It has been such an amazing journey at Hume Lake over the last 3 months. We have had the opportunity to share stories, the vision, and the heart of JAM with over 1500 campers each week. Having a chapel full of young people breaking up into small groups and praying for South Africa and JAM specically was denitely one of our highlights every week! We have had amazing conversations with campers whose hearts were touched and truly sensed a calling to become involved in missions or pursue a life as a missionary. We have spoken to youth pastors and counsellors expressing the desire to bring teams to South Africa in the near future. We have sold shirts by the hundreds of which the prot

Christian Camps
will go towards the ministry, and specically helping to send kids to camp. What an amazing privilege!! (And thats only the ministry side of things). Personally, it has been one of the best, most refreshing and impactful seasons of our lives. We have met not only friends, but now family members for life. We have had the honor of ministering as lead counsellors and spending time in cabins at night - talking to young people that are struggling through questions that are foundational to faith and life. There have been challenging (but character-building) issues in the lives of young people to deal with. Fun and adventure ! have also been part of our time here and we have seen God

Git & Mignons time as missionary speakers at HUME in California, USA

MOVE at Hume. We feel blessed to have had this time at Hume Lake. It has been refreshing to serve under amazing leadership and learn from 70 years of camping experience. We are denitely going home with many ideas on how to further develop our ministry, camps and staff. I know that being away has taken its toll on our staff and we feel so thankful to them for working extra hard in order for us to be at Hume. As the Hume logo shows, we truly believe that the ripple effect of a summer spent here, will reach places in ministry, the hearts of youngsters and the lives of many who are still living in darkness. Our hearts are so grateful -Mignon

Mavhuza
Before coming to Mavhuza, when I was still battling with fear, so many people told me that our time would be incredible, that I would see God move, and that I would love every minute of it. They were right. With only a week left in this incredible village, it is with a tear in my heart and a smile on my face that I reect on these glorious past few months.

Reflection over the past 5 months...

I think my biggest highlight of our time in Mavhuza was living and working with Lifter. Ive never met anyone with as much perseverance as he has. He gets hit hard with the many trials of life, but he painfully brings them to the cross, again and again. Giving up would be understandable for anyone whos experienced the things he has. But he doesnt. He keeps on going, seeking after Jesus. I learn so much from him. He teaches me without talking. He inuences me. That is a sign of a true leader. Another major highlight was working with the young people here who are devoting themselves to Christ. Victor, who spent a year with JAM in 2012, has grown tremendously in his leadership abilities. I loved watching him seek after
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God, and he has such a gift with young children. Secret, who is now called Reveal, has been deepening his relationship with Christ and learning the importance of fellowship and community. Surprise, is also in the process of turning his life around and running after Christ, the goal. Tsundukani, a beautiful young woman, has been such a blessing. Her roots in the Word and her silent strength have been an anchor to many of us here in the Village. Were hoping she joins us for a JAM-Year next year. Ive been blessed to live day by day with this amazing group of people. Hillside Primary School has been one of the biggest blessings. I had the privilege of

working as their Remedial Teacher and I saw little miracles happen in that school every week. I realized again the power of prayer. I was also blessed to be able to use my gifts for the Kingdom in a new way. God opened my eyes to His creativity and I found myself becoming more and more refreshed in my calling. Whoever said you get more by giving than receiving was right! During our time in Mavhuza, we were able to put on several leadership camps. Each camp encouraged me more and more that God is truly raising up a mass of young people, ready to stand up for his Name and impact the world. Seeing these leaders develop made me realize how small I am, and that

even when we give the smallest of gifts, God can multiply and expand it into something so much greater, just as he did with the loaves and the sh. Overall, the recurring theme is that its always better to follow Jesus. Its always better to choose faith over fear. Its always better to choose obedience. Its always better to step out into the dark, if thats where God is calling. Sometimes following Jesus means just sticking it out. Wherever you are, follow Him. Im trying my best to do the same. Now were onto the next journey with God: Cape Town. Thank you for joining us in this adventure. -Lisa

The Mavhuza Base/Campsite is in need of a large electrical Urn

average price: R900 Please contact Dereck Nunley at JabulaniAfricaMinistries @gmail.com if you are interested in helping with this need.

Join us in

r e y a Pr

- pray for our staff and team in this season of transition - pray for the students who are thinking, praying and inquiring about joining JAM year 2014 that those who God has called will respond eagerly to His calling
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