Greetings from Muizenberg,

It was very difficult to leave Worcester, but we are also excited to be here at the YWAM Muizenberg base. The weather is much cooler here and the beach is beautiful.

This past week, we have been busy working with many ministries. We have gone to the Living Hope soup kitchen, where we have led devotions, made relationships with the people and helped the staff to clean the place and prepare food.

We have gone to the refugee camp in Cape Town, where people are from Zimbabwe, Somalia, and Ethiopia. They live outside and wait everyday for papers that let them stay in South Africa so that they can get a job. We bring them sandwiches and drinks and we pray over them and hear their stories. Many are open to receiving prayer and many believe in God but are really discouraged and losing hope.

We have also gone to Reach Elderly Home, just to hang out with the elderly, listen to their stories, paint with them and go on walks with them. We have gone to the townships to work with a church and help out with the children’s church. We’ve also led bible studies in the homes of people from the church, gone to small groups for the youth and to people’s homes showing them love and praying over them.

Emmanuel has taken us on prayer walks to learn about the history of Muizenberg and to pray over the strongholds of the town. We have also worked around the base with whatever they need help with, like cleaning and making food.

As for fun activities, on Friday we went out to Cape Point and saw wild ostriches, then walked up to the lighthouse in Cape Point and saw the beautiful ocean. The Lord was with us as we went. To get into Cape Point park, there was a 55 Rand fee per person but the lady let the 10 of us go for 100 Rand! Then she asked us to pray for her to get a house. God is Awesome!
We also went to Simon’s Town where we saw penguins an inch away from us, they were so cute! Then to end the wonderful day, we went to Fish Hoek and watched the sunset on the beach.

Greetings from Nicosia, Sicily!

For the past two weeks we have had the privilege of caring for children at a children’s home called Il Faro, or the lighthouse, in Nicosia, Sicily. Il Faro was founded by a Swiss couple, Walter and Elisabeth Hasenfratz who felt that God was calling them to minister in Italy. After planting a church here in Sicily, the Lord opened a door for them to minister to single mothers. They welcomed single mothers into their home and from that Il Faro was established. The Lord is still using this ministry mightily even after seventeen years and they truly are a lighthouse for many children. Each of us has experienced the challenges and blessings of working with orphaned, abandoned, or neglected children while we have been here. As the date of our departure is approaching, we believe that we will find it hard to leave such a wonderful place.

Our ministry here has been largely practical as it has involved simply taking care of children. Il Faro is organized into four “houses” and each of us works separately within one of the “houses.” Priscilla has worked with children of varied ages which has required her to be creative and flexible. She has had opportunities to teach some of them English and has also helped prepare meals for them. Amanda has taken care of two babies, taking them for walks and pushing them on swings. She has seen that simply spending time with them has made a difference. She has become very attached to them and them to her. Angela has spent time working with six, school-age children including one boy who is autistic. She has enjoyed the duties that come with taking care of a household of children. She has perfected her ironing skills and is now an expert at sewing pillowcases.

The fact that we don’t speak Italian has not been an obstacle. The Lord has been so faithful! The children even find it amusing that we don’t speak Italian and enjoy teaching us new words or acting out what they are trying to say. We can confidently say that we have been a blessing at Il Faro. Even so, we have been equally blessed by the simple joy expressed in the children faces when we spend time with them. We hope that we have made a difference in their lives and, most importantly, that they will attribute our love and attention to the One who loves them the most, our Heavenly Father.

Love,
Priscilla, Angela, and Amanda

P.S. We would like to invite you to visit the website of Il Faro. The address is: www.ilfaronicosia.org.

“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
Mark 9:37

Hello from South Africa!
We had a hectic and good week here:
Monday we had the opportunity to do a program at a high school (of about 1,200 students) in a town close by. The staff from South Roots, the ministry we’ve been working with, did a performance and skit for them and then Julieta, Natasha, and Reese shared what God has been doing in their lives. Afterwards we got to go to some classrooms and talk with the students a bit more.

Tuesday we went to a primary to do a program for the students there. The past few weeks we had gotten the chance to teach the kids songs, stories from the Bible, and to pray for them. That afternoon we were blessed with being able to go to natural warm pools and relax and have fun.

Wednesday we were able to go a women’s prison here in Worcester. The South Roots guys came with us again and did dances and a performance. Chelsea, Courtney, Lisa, and Mary Beth shared their testimonies. When the program was done, we got to hear some of the women’s stories and talk with them in smaller groups.

Monday through Friday, except Tuesday, we worked with the Eco Boys where we did teaching, crafts, games, and other things. On Valentine’s Day we had a party for the boys where they got to make Valentines and have a fun day. It really has been a joy to work with these boys!

God bless and love,
South Africa Team

HELLO FROM Worcester, South Africa!

About our activities this week:

Every Monday and Thursday we’ve been involved in our ministry services in the crèche and library of the Kibbutz El Shammah and the Roodewal Primary School. It’s being a privilege for us to have the possibility of working with the Roodewal Primary School. We wrote a proposal for the government and other institutions which allow the school to get more financial support.

On Tuesday part of the team visited a drug and alcohol rehabilitation Centre. Cindy and Courtney shared their testimonies.

From Monday to Friday, as usual, we have been working with ECO Boys. This is a club for boys who have been involved in animal abuse. For one hour a day we take time with them, teaching them Christian values through games, songs, crafts and other activities. This week we have been teaching about God’s grace, mercy, forgiveness, friendship and about respecting one another.

At the end of the week, we had a Latin American evening at the Kibbutz. Brazil, Ecuador and Argentina were represented through a power point presentation. We also enjoyed traditional food, music and dance from these countries.

Praise to the Lord of all Nations and Cultures!!!!

Prayer Points:
-For continual protection, safety and strength of the team.
-For the people in the Roodewal area to open their eyes and ears to the Salvation of the Gospel.
-For health in the team.

God bless you all!
South African Team
Worcester, South Africa.

What God Has Spoken to Our Team

We have had a blessed time since we arrived in Italy. God has also spoken a lot about the spiritual situation here in Italy. We would like to share with you the things He has told us.

Milan-January 11, 2008 to January 26, 2008

While we were in Milan, we worked with a small church called Stazione di Lode. The church is alive and growing. During our time there, the Lord spoke to us concerning division and disunity within the churches of Italy. We came to find out that most evangelical churches in Milan were formed when a larger church divided. We have seen that the disunity brings discouragement to many Christians living in Milan.

Before coming to Milan, Priscilla had asked God to give her something to share with the church in Milan, and He gave her the word “reconciliation.” She had the opportunity to preach a message on the book of Philemon.

God has also revealed that the Italian people are closed to hearing the gospel. This is a stronghold within Italy, especially in Milan.

In Italy, God has given us a ministry of joy. We have seen how He has used us to bring joy into people’s lives and how it has encouraged the Body of Christ. We are continuing to pray for the issue of disunity within the churches of Milan and for those who are discouraged as well.

The people of Stazione di Lode also prayed for us during our final meeting with them to encourage us. Luigi received a prophesy about his calling as a leader and as a pioneer. He was encouraged in his desire to pioneer a YWAM base in Milan. Priscilla received a prophesy about her calling to be a worshipper and a teacher. Amanda received a prophesy regarding her calling to teach the church. And Angela received a prophecy about joy.

Pescara-January 26, 2008-February 17, 2008

While in Pescara, we became discouraged because our outreach wasn’t looking the way we had envisioned it. We began to feel useless because we weren’t seeing anyone come to the Lord. While we were piling olive branches and bamboo to be burned, the Lord spoke to Amanda. He said that in the same way we were preparing the olive orchard, we were preparing the mission field for the harvest. He said that our primary objective in Italy is to encourage the church and to build-up missionaries. This encouraged us in our ministry with Giuseppe and Cristiana Restivo, pioneers of YWAM Abruzzo.

The Lord also spoke to Priscilla through a dream. In her dream, we were ministering with Giuseppe and Cristiana. Then, in her dream, Priscilla came to find out that they had died and were buried in the ground. As she was standing at their grave, she said, “I don’t understand. I have been talking with them, and they have been dead the whole time.” She believed that this dream was from God and asked Him what it meant. He said that some people think that the ministry Giuseppe and Cristiana are pioneering is dead, but it isn’t. It’s alive. Giuseppe later confirmed the word the Lord had spoken to Priscilla. Giuseppe said that some churches in Pescara look to the ministry he and Cristiana are pioneering and doubt its prosperity.

God has been revealing Himself to us in amazing ways. He has spoken to us about our ministry in Italy, clarifying the plans He has for us while we are here. We are thankful for all He is doing in us and through us. We give Him all the glory.

Our Third Week in Milan/Pescara

Monday 21-01

On Monday, we left Eva’s home and went to Luigi and Paola’s flat. As we were there by ourselves, we spent time buying food, laundry and sorting things. We decide to clean the apartment. We had a pizza dinner with Carla and Andrea, who did their DTS in England. We had a wonderful time and they prayed with us before they left.

Tuesday 22-01

After our intercession time in the morning we spent all day in cleaning.

Wednesday 23-01

On Wednesday, we had prayer walking in the morning. Afternoon Luigi came to the flat and we spent some time together. He shared about their plans for Italy and about the reality of the spiritual situation of Milan.

Thursday 24-01

We had our intercession time together and free time. Afternoon we spent time praying for Milan and Luigi share more about the place that could be an YWAM base. We had prayer walking again and some cappuccino together.

Friday 25-01

On Friday, Luigi came in the morning to have our devotional time together. We had an opportunity to pray for Him specifically about pioneering the YWAM base. That night we attended the weekly praise and prayer night at Stazione di Lode, Luigi gave to them some encouragement and share about DTS and YWAM. Then the church prayed for us and blessed us.

Saturday 26-01

On Saturday, we went to Pescara.

Sunday 27-01

We attended at the church in Pescara and we gave our testimonies. God used us to share about how God is so faithful.

Our Arrival

At 4:30 am on Friday, January 11, we piled into Luigi’s vehicle, said goodbye to Emmanuel (who so graciously woke up at 4:00 am to tell us goodbye), and drove to the Luton airport to catch our 6:30 flight. At the RyanAir check-in, we placed our bags on the scale and they each weighed less than 10 kilos. We packed light following Matthew 10:9. We later regretted the decision to pack light as our jeans are now on day 5.

After flying over the snow covered Swiss Alps, we landed at the airport. We seamlessly went trough immigration, praise God. We were picked up at the airport by Patrizzia who then drove us to the home of Massimu and Dorkis Verga. Dorkis greeted us and then, noticing that we were very tired, allowed us to sleep. She kindly prepared our beds and we slept for four hours. That evening we attended a praise and prayer service at the Verga’s church. Each of us gave our testimonies and Amanda gave a message on God’s faithfulness.

Overall, our arrival in Milan was “perfecto”. We have found the Italian people to be very warm and hospitable. The food’s good too. We are adjusting well!

Our First Two Weeks in Milan:

Friday

We arrived! On Friday evening, we attended a praise and prayer service at Stazione di Lode with the Verga family, and we had the opportunity to meet many people from the church. We each gave our testimonies, and Amanda gave a message on God’s faithfulness.

Saturday

On Saturday afternoon, we attended a Bible study at Stazione di Lore. We prepared to sing Here I am to Worship for Sunday morning. We went to a youth service in the evening where we each gave a word of encouragement to the youth. We also had a nice Italian dinner. It was pasta, of course. It was good to spend time with the people we met at Stazione di Lode and to meet new people.

Sunday

We had the opportunity to sing Here I am to Worship in English, Portuguese, and Italian with some of the youth at Stazione di Lode. We were once again asked to give our testimonies as well. We spent the afternoon spending time with our new friends from the church.

Monday

On Monday, we had the opportunity to spend time together as a group praying and worshipping God. In the evening, we went to a Chinese restaurant to evangelize. Priscilla had the opportunity to witness to some prostitutes who had come into the restaurant to eat. The restaurant is owned by a Christian woman, and we were able to worship and pray there.

Tuesday

We went to Venice on Tuesday! It was great a great day off, and the city is beautiful. We walked over cobblestone streets visiting the shops along the way.

Wednesday

On Wednesday, we moved to Eva’s home. Eva attends Stazione di Lode and is friends with the Verga family. That evening we went to Il Duomo, the centre of Milan. We went inside the cathedral there and also window shopped as we walked around. Some new friends of ours, Anna and Maria Grace showed us all the sights. Then we went to Le Pecore, a Christian pub, for a service.

Thursday

On Thursday, we went to the central train station to evangelize with people from Stazione di Lode.

Friday

On Friday, we attended the weekly praise and prayer night at Stazione di Lode, and Priscilla preached on reconciliation. Then the church prayed for us and blessed us.

Saturday

On Saturday, we went to Stazione di Lode to hang out with the youth and to prepare for evangelism on Sunday.

Sunday

On Sunday, we went to Stazione di Lode for church and then to evangelize on the street with the church.

This past Saturday thru Tuesday we were doing street evangelism during Carnival.
We did a lot of prayer walking and spiritual warfare during this time. We walked the streets with a few hundred other young people from all over Brazil. We worshiped and prayed as we walked through the streets.
The leaders of the “Impacto” felt that we were supposed to lay down on the main bridge,where most people walk, and pray. After this a horn was blown and we all got up and began to worship. We had drummers at the head of our group. It was a very powerful time. After this we walked to a different part of the city where more partying was going on. We made a circle and other teams performed dances and dramas.
Monday night our crew performed the “Timbalada” dance! Lots of fun. Tuesday was our last day. We were out the whole afternoon prayer walking in a city close by called Olinda. The streets were packed full! Later that evening we performed our dance once again along with other teams.
It was a long four days, but we all had a good time! We head off to Rio on Friday!
Prayer requests: That Kesia would get money to fly back to England with the team, that Brad would find his bank card, physical and spiritual strength for the rest of the team, and joy!
Love to all!

Team Extreme Brazil!

We spent our first ten days in Joao Pessoa working with a church called “MIRR”. We gave English lessons for four nights and to anyone who wanted to come. We all had a very good time teaching them funny sayings and singing childrens songs with hand motions! We spent two days visiting a childrens hospital and another two days at an old folks home.

We are now in Recife staying on the Jocum YWAM base. We spent last Thursday to Sunday on a jungle adventure. The whole focus was to spend time with God and giving up our everyday comforts such as: Bathrooms,showers,beds,chairs,toiletries,pretty much everything nice. We split into teams and learned about leadership and how to work together with people who you don’t know and don’t necessarily speak you’re language. We went on a 16k hike (10mi), and the mosquitos definately loved us all. We were very happy to come back to the base on Sunday evening and sleep in a real bed!

We will be doing outreach ministry during “Carnival”, we will also be working with a ministry called “The Hope House” that works with street kids.

We are all doing wonderful and made it through our jungle adventure alive and well!

We miss you all, please continue to pray for our health and safety and that we will be able to make an impact in peoples live while we’re here!

God Bless!
Love,
Team Brazil