Newsletter July 2013

Hi, from Potch. We just finished with probably the coldest and busiest month thus far. I always thought July is really cold but cold was redefined when we went to Wisconsin in the USA where the snow was to our knees. I decided never to complain about Potch’s winters again.

 We had a wonderful & fruitful time this past month and we are really blessed.

 

Our first YWAM seminar in Potch

We had 10 students involved in the first seminar. 5 Qualified already and 4 did the optional outreach of 2 weeks. It was a life-changing experience and we had amazing sessions. In the outreach many doors opened. When Darren comes back from a week in Durban he is going to work at centre to do counselling with 40 people. Also “doors were opened” in the prison and we had very good discussions with the prison authorities. Garret, who came from Los-Angeles had the opportunity to talk to about a hundred prisoners.

In the outreach we also landed up praying for the new mayor, through one of our contacts. She was on the national news yesterday as she won a court case in the Tlokwe/Potch area. YWAM’s influence is spreading in a very interesting way and we also have a meeting with somebody high up in the University. All this happened through the TPM outreach that combined with an DTS outreach from Wiconsin USA!

Our first international outreach

We had a group of three ladies for their DTS outreach. 2 From the USA and 1 from Mexico. They are now half-way in their outreach that is a total of 5 weeks. Greg, who hosted us in Wisconsin, was also here for a week. We could really establish good relationships with the base in Wisconsin in the time he was here and we might get speakers from that base for our DTS. There are also talks of another possible outreach early next year.

It is just amazing to see how many things God stirred in this time as we were willing to go out and spread the gospel. The ladies helped us to establish a few more relationships with key students. This helped us tremendously as we are growing slowly but surely with every relationship we establish.

The greatest help was that some people start to realize what YWAM is about and the potential of an international base at the university.

We are also excited about another YWAM outreach team that possibly will come in October; they are still praying.

Two international interns

Garret and Kirsten is here from Los Angeles and San Diego. Garret was here for 6 weeks to do the TPM course and the outreach. He is a real great guy and we had an amazing time with him. He has qualified as TPM counsellor and can start doing sessions with his friends in the US. We might see him back with a few guys next year.

Kirsten is coming for a nursing outreach and is interested in serving in Africa after her studies.  She is experiencing a few different opportunities in this area. Like an old age home in Ikageng, work in the local hospital, Ikageng preschool and mobile clinic. She is flexible and very willing to learn and we hope she can become a long term missionary.  She is following Jesus daily and waiting on Him.

It is a great privilege to have these guys here and we enjoy them a lot.

What’s happening with the family?

We are staying presently house-sitting our parent‘s house. They have gone to Europe for 6 weeks. After  the 15 August we will be moving back to the YWAM house and probably stay there till end of November after which we will move back to our own house in Paryslaan. At that time it would have been two years since we decided to rent out our own house. We have given a period of two years for ourselves to establish YWAM in Potch and then move back to our home.

All the children are doing well and they are enjoying the mission as much as we are. They like playing games with Bernard and the other students and we also have enough babysitters! Our kids also like to invite their friends to Community Worship. Please pray for them as they minister to their friends.

How is the staff doing?

Currently we are seven more permanent staff with 2 joining us from the US in mid-August. We have really settled into a good working environment. We are constantly on a learning curve and we feel seasons start and stop. We will move into a new season now and we are growing closer continually.

Holy Spirit camp

We have another Holy Spirit camp  9 -11 August. The last camp was really blessed. We really need prayer as it a season of childbirth. It was crucial that we establish trust with individuals. We are going on with this process and it is slow and takes a lot of work. But the YWAM house was bustling with people and we really had a great month and a half. We thank and praise God.

REGISTER PLEASE:

Please register online for the Holy Spirit Camp  on our website: http://ywampotch.com

 

TPM course resumes

We are going on with the TPM course and also starting a new TPM course on Tuesday evenings. So we will have two different classes!

If you are interested in joining the TPM class of Tuesday evenings 18:30, you are still welcome! Contact us.

One of our TPM students  was in a serious accident and another student’s brother was also in that accident. Please pray for both of them, and their families!

Prayer topics:

1)      Transport. Our Combi has been giving problems continually. We hope it will stop breaking now but we are starting to pray for a new car. 

2)      Please pray for the next season in our base after the visitors leave.

3)      Please pray for the Holy Spirit Weekend !

Contact us !

Phone: Wikus 0845490914 / Christien 0829666753
New Address: Wilgen Street 39A or Woordkafee
Email: ywampotch@gmail.com 
FaceBook: ywam potchefstroom / WikusChristien
Account details: Potchefstroom Abundant Life Ministries  912 045 8116 Savings  ABSA TomStr.
PayPal: http://www.ywampotch.com/donate.html
BLOG: http://wikuschristien.blogspot.com/
VISIT our Website: http://ywampotch.com

  

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path  Ps 119:105