DO NOT GROW WEARY.
The passage in Hebrews 12:3 Where it is written; “3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart,” has been a passage that has been on my mind this year. Especially as the year has flown by and I find myself feeling rather weary with each passing week. I am really excited about Jesus coming back, actually I long for that day and then realize that there are many people who still need to know Jesus. There is still much work to be done and so I try not to get distracted by the hardships but to set my gaze on Jesus the author and perfector of our faith.
PRAY FOR EACH OTHER OFTEN.
You may remember this extract from our last newsletter. “A few days ago, an American church planter was kidnapped in the area that we visit 2 times a week. Kidnapping for ransom is on the increase in South Africa, please pray for protection.
For those of you who are praying for us, we are so grateful. Toward the end of July, while Barry was in Kamvelihle he was hijacked. He had left the soup kitchen with the bishop and one of the church ladies in the car, they were on their way to sort out banking stuff for their application to social development. They were about 100meters from the church when two gunmen stopped them at an intersection in the road. They made the two passengers get out the car and they told Barry to sit on the back seat. They took his phone and bank cards. He had to give them passwords and pin numbers. He was taken to a storm water drain about 1km away. One robber kept watch over him there, while the other took the car and went and drew what money they could from the ATM. They returned the car, took what cash Barry had on him as well as the money from Bible sales. They then told him to drive off in a westerly direction while they casually walked away with their spoils.
Barry went straight to the police station that is about 1km away. When he arrived there he met the folk from the church who were reporting his hijacking/ kidnapping. This has left the church in Kamvelihle as well as our family, traumatized. We are thankful that they did not keep Barry and ask for a ransom of millions of rands.
We do give thanks to the Lord that we got off so lightly compared to what could have happened and appreciate your continued prayers for us and the church in Kamvelihle.
ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS.
From this experience we realize that we will need to be doing ministry a little differently in the future. It has become clear that Louise should not be going into the area where we work alone. Barry also needs to be using a burner phone that does not have all our personal stuff on it, like banking apps. We need to know exactly what emergency numbers to call.
The folk that we meet with in the township are not only afraid for us. They are afraid that by us being with them, we then make them targets. In reality though they have been robbing folk of valuables this last year especially in various churches in the townships. Safety for everyone is an issue.
ON THE HOME FRONT.
The high-jacking incident with Barry has left us all in shock. While we are really grateful that Barry was not physically hurt or held for ransom, and we are scared each time he goes into Motherwell.
Nathan is excited to see his chickens laying a variety of colorful eggs. He has a few different breeds of hens. The easter eggers lay pastel color green blue and pink eggs. He is in the process of building up a customer base, please pray for that as well.
Nathan was wanting a multipurpose piece of gym equipment. After much discussion and planning between the boys it was decided that Barry would put up a pully system with weights for Nathan. Long story short, Barry fell off the small table he was standing on and dislocated as well as fractured his wrist on Saturday afternoon. He had surgery on Sunday morning, and he is now home recovering. He shared today how his speaking Xhosa opened doors for him to chat to a whole lot of people while he was in hospital. He was able to share about the goodness and faithfulness of God in our lives.
It has been a busy and difficult time and we appreciate that we are privileged to serve God in this way. Please pray for us as we persevere to not grow weary as we consider Him!
Barry, Louise and children.
Giving in South Africa:
Bank details.
Standard Bank Current Account; Acc name: ZEMA; Acc no: 081047401;
King Williams Town; Branch no: 050419; Ref: “Your name/ Adkins
