"Out of Africa: Prayer for Côte d'Ivoire" Out of Africa of The African Region of the Global Church of the Nazarene of Johannesburg, South Africa, Africa for Thursday, 17 March 2016
Church of the Nazarene Africa Region newsletter for March 2016
Table of contents
- Special Prayer for Cote d'Ivoire and Regional Conference
- African Missionaries Commissioned to Africa
- Exactly Where God Needs YOU to Be
- Kafubu Nazarene School: A Vision Turned Reality
- NYC 2016 is Coming!
- Prayer requests
Special Prayer for Côte d'Ivoire and Regional Conference
Sunday, March 13, early in the afternoon, a group of armed men attacked three hotels located on the beaches of Grand-Bassam, Côte d'Ivoire, and killed more than sixteen people. Local officials say, the gunmen have been "neutralized" and a terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack. This is the first time the country of Côte d'Ivoire is going though such an attack.
Côte d'Ivoire is the same country where we are planning our Regional Conference in less than two weeks.
I invite all the leaders and the churches to a time of prayer. Let's pray for:
- The victim's families as they mourn their loved ones.
- The Ivorian authorities that God gives them wisdom in this situation.
- For the field leadership team and the DS leadership team in Côte d'Ivoire that God gives wisdom and discernment during these coming days.
- For God's protection over the communities in Côte d'Ivoire and abroad.
- For God to reveal clearly His will as we continue to prepare the conference.
- Pray for those traveling by road from other countries to the conference, that with the increased security on the borders there will be no problem with the making their way to the conference.
I count on your prayers and commitment to encourage our churches to stand firm and strong in such a difficult time.
His promise never fails: "And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,' declares the Lord, 'and I will be its glory within." Zechariah 2:5[Rev. Daniel Gomis, Field Strategy Coordinator, Africa West Field]
African Missionaries Commissioned to Africa
In recent years, there has been an emphasis on the Africa Region about developing, sending and then commissioning African missionaries to Africa. At the recent General Board Meetings in Ede, Netherlands, the General Board commissioned 7 new missionary couples, and two of those couples being commissioned are African missionaries being sent to Africa.
The first couple commissioned are long-time African Nazarenes who have dedicated their lives to ministry and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who have never heard it before. They are a humble and loving couple who have a great desire to share God's love with the lost. Their ministry takes them to Creative Access areas, so, for security purposes, we cannot mention their names. However, please pray for all of our missionaries who find themselves working in Creative Access areas.
Ronald and Shelly Miller are South African Nazarenes. They both began their missions experience as singles, but as a family, they have ministered as pastors of two churches on the RSA KwaZulu Natal
District,
as missionaries in Swaziland in 2010 and in February of 2011, they began serving in Madagascar as the mission coordinators and in Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. In late 2015, after almost 5 years in Madagascar, the family was called back to South Africa where Ronald currently serves as the Regional Youth Ministries Coordinator and Urban Ministries Coordinator at the Africa Regional Office, and Shelly is helping with the Out of Africa and guest flats. Ronald and Shelly have 4 young children, Abigail, Malachi, Elijah and Eden. Their home district is the RSA KwaZulu Natal District.
These African missionaries are excited for the ministries that God has given them and what God is doing on the Africa Region.
Exactly Where God Needs YOU to Be
What drives us to reach out to others?
Young people painting
As I prepared for the RSA Gauteng District Work and Witness project, people inquired from me, "Of all the places you could go and reach out to, why the Limpopo Province? Why the town of Jane Fures, South Africa?"
I answered that question rather matter-of-factly. The Africa South Field office sent me details of this church on the RSA North Central District who needed help and it met the requirements for our district Work and Witness (WW) project. But God had a reason for everything connected to this Work and Witness project--and he knew all the answers to our "whys".
The team chosen by God
Why did God choose this little troop of people to help with painting, clearing of a field in the scorching heat, with little man power, digging post holes and building a jungle gym. God chose our group to have daily interaction with the children and youth of the community, feeding every child and person who helped, as well as transporting children and buying supplies. All this done in the scorching heat we weren't accustomed to. Even in the final hours on the last day, we managed to add a small garden to brighten things and offer an incentive to the young people to take care of and add to it over time.
Each member of the team has a special story to tell of how they came to be a part of the team. Some joined at the last minute as they thought they would not have the money. Some were teenagers and young people, and one young lady had just completed high school, a time in South Africa when young people are usually celebrating with friends, not giving of themselves in another community.
Through all the hard work, we learned about living with less. We were able to see and experience how others live and to appreciate what we have. It was a chance for us to stop complaining about trivial things.
So the question still remains: What drives us to reach out to others?
We reach out to others because it's a desire God has given to his children--to help our fellow man, to lend a hand where needed. Everyone can do this.
We achieved all of the goals we set out in our planning, but, most importantly, the people we encountered as a team will forever remain in our hearts. For as much as they thanked us countless times for our assistance, we thank them for the seed they planted in our hearts, and we pray that seed will continue to grow.
It is my prayer as an African that more people will consider organizing and participating in a Work and Witness trip. Gather friends and family, young and old, and it will be a life changing experience.
Whatever you choose to do or wherever you are led to help, know that you are exactly where God needs you to be.[by Georgene Steele, Work and Witness Team Member]
Kafubu Nazarene School: A Vision Turned Reality
These African missionaries are excited for the ministries that God has given them and what God is doing on the Africa Region.
Exactly Where God Needs YOU to Be
What drives us to reach out to others?
Young people painting
As I prepared for the RSA Gauteng District Work and Witness project, people inquired from me, "Of all the places you could go and reach out to, why the Limpopo Province? Why the town of Jane Fures, South Africa?"
I answered that question rather matter-of-factly. The Africa South Field office sent me details of this church on the RSA North Central District who needed help and it met the requirements for our district Work and Witness (WW) project. But God had a reason for everything connected to this Work and Witness project--and he knew all the answers to our "whys".
The team chosen by God
Why did God choose this little troop of people to help with painting, clearing of a field in the scorching heat, with little man power, digging post holes and building a jungle gym. God chose our group to have daily interaction with the children and youth of the community, feeding every child and person who helped, as well as transporting children and buying supplies. All this done in the scorching heat we weren't accustomed to. Even in the final hours on the last day, we managed to add a small garden to brighten things and offer an incentive to the young people to take care of and add to it over time.
Each member of the team has a special story to tell of how they came to be a part of the team. Some joined at the last minute as they thought they would not have the money. Some were teenagers and young people, and one young lady had just completed high school, a time in South Africa when young people are usually celebrating with friends, not giving of themselves in another community.
Through all the hard work, we learned about living with less. We were able to see and experience how others live and to appreciate what we have. It was a chance for us to stop complaining about trivial things.
So the question still remains: What drives us to reach out to others?
We reach out to others because it's a desire God has given to his children--to help our fellow man, to lend a hand where needed. Everyone can do this.
We achieved all of the goals we set out in our planning, but, most importantly, the people we encountered as a team will forever remain in our hearts. For as much as they thanked us countless times for our assistance, we thank them for the seed they planted in our hearts, and we pray that seed will continue to grow.
It is my prayer as an African that more people will consider organizing and participating in a Work and Witness trip. Gather friends and family, young and old, and it will be a life changing experience.
Whatever you choose to do or wherever you are led to help, know that you are exactly where God needs you to be.[by Georgene Steele, Work and Witness Team Member]
Kafubu Nazarene School: A Vision Turned Reality
Rev. Aime and his wifeI can hardly believe that it has taken nearly two years to be able to say this, but the School in Kafubu, DRC, started by Rev. Aimé is now finished. IT IS FINISHED!
Throughout this building process, Rev. Aimé has suffered quite a bit because of his obedience. An angry mob destroyed the first church they built in the village, which doubled as a two room school house for only three weeks before it was destroyed. Rev. Aimé (whose name means loved) was thrown in jail for more than a week before the church members were able to get him out. After much struggle, the village finally accepted him as a pastor and a servant of the Lord, he built a second church only to have it destroyed after heavy rains.
The completed school
If it were me, I would most likely have given up long ago. But I am thankful for servants and pastors like Rev. Aimé who remind me that once God gives a vision, He will see it through to the end. Eventually, a church was built and stands to this day. In the original location, they were able to start the school with the arrival of a Work and Witness team from Point Loma in July of 2014 and the Congo Jam event in the USA which helped to raise money. They struggled again with land disputes and getting official documents, but the Lord was faithful and the financing came in from various partners who were also touched by God's vision for Kafubu. Today, the school is teaching the adults who never got a chance to go to school how to read. In September, it will begin teaching children from grades 1 - 8 so they no longer have to take 10-mile, round-trip, walk to the next town for education.[Rev. Gavin Fothergill, missionary to DRC]
NYC 2016 Is Coming!
December 14-18 2016, the first-ever continent-wide Nazarene Youth Connection (NYC), with the theme of, "Chosen 2 Change", will be held at the Good News Convention Center in Johannesburg, South Africa. The cost of this event will be $130 (USD) including meals and accommodation, but excluding travel costs. Online registration is simple, quick and easy, and it can be done here.
This is going to be an exciting time for all young people ages 16-35. Start saving your money now and planning to be in Johannesburg, South Africa, in December of this year. This will be a time for spiritual growth, service projects into the community, concerts with well-known African artists and a time for connecting with other like-minded African young people who are also Chosen 2 Change their communities, churches and world.
For further information and the official promotion video, have a look at www.nycafrica2016.com or with specific questions, feel free to email nyc2016@africanazarene.org.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Throughout this building process, Rev. Aimé has suffered quite a bit because of his obedience. An angry mob destroyed the first church they built in the village, which doubled as a two room school house for only three weeks before it was destroyed. Rev. Aimé (whose name means loved) was thrown in jail for more than a week before the church members were able to get him out. After much struggle, the village finally accepted him as a pastor and a servant of the Lord, he built a second church only to have it destroyed after heavy rains.
The completed school
If it were me, I would most likely have given up long ago. But I am thankful for servants and pastors like Rev. Aimé who remind me that once God gives a vision, He will see it through to the end. Eventually, a church was built and stands to this day. In the original location, they were able to start the school with the arrival of a Work and Witness team from Point Loma in July of 2014 and the Congo Jam event in the USA which helped to raise money. They struggled again with land disputes and getting official documents, but the Lord was faithful and the financing came in from various partners who were also touched by God's vision for Kafubu. Today, the school is teaching the adults who never got a chance to go to school how to read. In September, it will begin teaching children from grades 1 - 8 so they no longer have to take 10-mile, round-trip, walk to the next town for education.[Rev. Gavin Fothergill, missionary to DRC]
NYC 2016 Is Coming!
December 14-18 2016, the first-ever continent-wide Nazarene Youth Connection (NYC), with the theme of, "Chosen 2 Change", will be held at the Good News Convention Center in Johannesburg, South Africa. The cost of this event will be $130 (USD) including meals and accommodation, but excluding travel costs. Online registration is simple, quick and easy, and it can be done here.
This is going to be an exciting time for all young people ages 16-35. Start saving your money now and planning to be in Johannesburg, South Africa, in December of this year. This will be a time for spiritual growth, service projects into the community, concerts with well-known African artists and a time for connecting with other like-minded African young people who are also Chosen 2 Change their communities, churches and world.
For further information and the official promotion video, have a look at www.nycafrica2016.com or with specific questions, feel free to email nyc2016@africanazarene.org.
PRAYER REQUESTS
- Please pray for the upcoming Africa Regional Conference and the country of Cote d'Ivoire on the West Africa Field, to be held 30 March to 3 April 2016. This is the third and final event in the series of conferences across the continent.
- After a year of unusually low rainfall, the drought in southern Africa has become so severe that officials declared a state of disaster. Additionally, Ethiopia is experiencing its worst drought in decades, with more than 10 million people needing emergency aid.
- Please pray for missionaries Friday and Mary Ghanda, serving in Burundi, as they are mourning the loss of Friday's father on the 4th of March. Please remember the Ghanda family as they have also recently lost Friday's brother.
The Nazarene Church is in 42 countries in Africa, with more than 600,000 members in six fields.
What would you like to see in Out of Africa?
Email us at news@africanazarene.org.
English / Français/ Português 
@NazAfrica
Shelly Miller, editor
Africa Region Church of the Nazarene
What would you like to see in Out of Africa?
Email us at news@africanazarene.org.
English / Français/ Português @NazAfrica Shelly Miller, editor
Africa Region Church of the Nazarene
17 Botes Street
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
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