Sushi

Joshuwa turned 7 this week. 

As per our family tradition, Joshuwa got to pick the restaurant where we celebrated his special day. We headed to the Cape Town Fish Market so he could eat his favorite meal - SUSHI.

I DON'T LIKE SUSHI.

In fact, I don't enjoy any seafood at all. Nevertheless we headed to CTFM because it had a conveyor belt which continually rotated with different kinds of sushi, giving Josh ample choices. Needless to say he had a great time and I enjoyed the meal - because I saw him enjoying himself. I tried the vegetarian sushi and it was good - but not great. The meal took a decidedly upward turn when the conveyer belt brought dessert  . . . I helped myself to brownies! That was a mind changing selection. I actually enjoyed the experience.

I DON'T LIKE SUSHI - I LOVE IT!

Vote

Wednesday 22 April is Election Day

South Africa is tasked to elect its next president. 

The ballot is interesting in that it offers the ability to vote for any one of 40 parties. There are the more well known parties such as ANC - African National Congress and COPE - Congress of the People and DA - Democratic Alliance.

But they are joined by others such as "A Party" - "KISS - Keep it Straight and Simple" - "SAPP - South African Political Party" 

I would ask you to join me in praying that the elections would be free, fair and without incident. Please pray for the Independent Electoral Commission. 

Christian

I have been meditating on this text from Acts 11:26 [ESV].

"And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians."

The ESV Study Bible says this "probably reflects a label applied by the unbelieving public."

Today, the term Christian continues to be given to believers just as it was in the early church. But, I see the title being given exclusively from within the body of Christ, which is substantially different. For a brother in Christ to "observe my life" and say that I am a Christian is gratifying. But, for an unbeliever to "observe my life" and say that I am a Christian is abundantly more gratifying. In fact Matthew 5:16 [ESV] says it gives "glory to [my] Father in heaven."

My goal for 2009 is to have an unbeliever call me a Christian! It is my desire to live as salt and light - so that someone from outside the body of Christ would testify to the fact based on what he observes from my life. To the glory of God!

 

Table Mountain

Thought I would share some pictures I took while  on holiday with my parents in Cape Town.

Robben Island is where many political prisoners were held during apartheid including Nelson Mandela and Jacob Zuma.

Cape Point is the southern most part of the continent where the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean meet.

Hout Bay is where we stayed. You can see the kids playing in the Ocean.

The last picture is of Table Mountain (with a table cloth) from the V&A waterfront.

There is a lot of beautiful creation in that part of our world. It was awesome to see the creative work of our God!

How Loud Are You?

This question goes out to all the RADi8ers from MK Camp.

Are You Speaking Loud Enough?

In the car today, RAH played  Speaking Louder Than Before by Jeremy Camp from the same titled CD. The message is the same as the one I shared at Camp. Here are some of the words . . . 

We are the light to reach this word.

We are the salt preserving these souls.

Lets show them all the love that we've received.

We are, we are in desperation.

We need to reach this generation.

                         We are speaking louder than before.

                      We need to be the image of Christ, to show love and serve at all times.

                     We can make a difference in this land.

                     The need is real can't you feel this call to revolution?

                     My beating heart is breaking for them.

                    That's why I'm speaking up that's why I'm speaking now.

                    I'm asking you the same question I am asking myself

                    Are You Speaking Loud Enough?

Sangoma Salvation

I shared in a recent blog that sangomas are, at times, overwhelming.

Here is a God is good all the time story!

Yesterday I received a phone call from Aaron (the pastor of the Good News Baptist Church in Braamfisherville, Soweto). He asked if I could do a baptism for him today. I was thrilled, but confused why it had to be on a Thursday. He related the story of Elizabeth, an ex-sangoma, who was saved earlier this week when her sister shared the Gospel with her. Elizabeth said she could not wait several weeks to be baptized. Her excitement was contagious and I was honored to be a part of the special occasion.

Please pray for her as she grows in her faith! 

Sangomas on my street

On Saturday, as we walked the streets of Soweto, a sangoma passed us on the street. A sangoma is most clearly explained as a witch doctor. When I mentioned the sangoma to Janna Kay the person we were walking with said "they are everywhere." I asked them to clarify the word "everywhere." They pointed to each finger on one hand while naming a name. Then they started over. Finally they said to me there are 8 on my street. I was shocked! Honestly, it took away my breath. I was trying to grasp this so I asked them - how many houses are on your street? After a very short pause they said "20." I am still finding the answer very difficult to understand. 

8 of the 20 houses on this person's street are inhabited by sangomas! That is 40%. 

Can you imagine if almost every other house on your street was home to a witch doctor? Unfathomable!

That could be a major reason why we struggle to plant churches in Soweto. 

Your prayer are greatly appreciated. You can find my weekly prayer requests at our WGET blog.