As our halfway mark, here is a bit(e) of every country Northbound have visited so far 2013...
#1 Momos ... NEPAL
Our time in Nepal mostly consisted out of house fellowships with fellow believers. In Kathmandu we met some amazing people, had some good payer walks praying for the people an the country, spending time with boys at a children home teaching them some African songs, ministering at different churches and just encouraging the "lights" in that city. In Pokhara we spent some time distributing tracks to unreached tribes; sharing Gods love with the people there; climbing some mountains; spending time with and loving some old, unbelievers; and just admiring Gods creation (the beautiful mountains). Nepal was definitely a tie where I discovered the power of prayer. I also saw the difference in peoples lives when they know Jesus and definitely realised the privilege we have to know the King of Kings!
#2 Jepatti... INDIA
Arriving in India being totally fooled by the empty metro and being welcomed by an amazing woman of God (in a city full of darkness). But after almost a month in India I have a very different impression... The smell is not that great, the Metro not that empty and the people, they are totally lost! For the first week we had some intense Bible study, learning about the importance of the old Testament. What a blessing! The rest of the time we spent at a children home. We had three weeks to scrape and paint the boys hostel, clean the boys toilets and impact 450 childrens lives. Children who does not have all the things that we take for granted! In having nothing they still serve God with everything they have. So for 3 weeks we scraped, sanded, painted, scrubbed, loved served and saw God providing miraculously.
#3 Siticky rice & Mngo... THAILAND
We split up in two groups- one going to Takua Pa and the other ones going to Phuket. I went to Phuket and our ministry there was serving at a Muslim school. Our mission...1- Scrape and paint the inside and outside walls of two classrooms and the hallways of the school and 2- Love the people! Mission completed! In this time we really saw that just by loving the people unconditionally, with the same love that God loves us, can touch the lives of so many people. We spent some time with Tobi (a old Global challenger) and his family and we were really blessed! As a small group we spent some time in the book of Philippians and we saw Gods heart concerning unity in the Church, humbleness, gaining Christ, and knowing who you are IN Christ. We are citizens of heaven (Phil 3)
We also had 4 days of preparing for the next part of our journey while camping on the beach, next to the ocean in Phuket. It was such a great time where we saw Gods beauty and just re united as a team :)
#4 Mangos, peanuts& corn... LAOS
LUKE 10! After 4 days of preparing for Luke 10 the red team set off for our journey of faith to Laos. We had to trust God for Visas on time, transport there (and eventually back), accommodation, food and revelations. This was definitely a time for us to learn how to wait on God and "patiently endure. We were prepared for that by getting 2 Thessalonians 3:5 ("patient endurance that comes from Christ"). The first 3 days we stayed in a park with no food, spending most of our time in prayer. even there God was so faithful, providing us with clean water an protecting us. After 3 days we met the people God had planned for us to meet. We spent a few days with great children of God! Had life- touching moments, heard life changing testimonies, spent some time with passionate believers whose aim is to impact Laos, received so many blessings and encouraging our family in Christ. What a great time! We saw Gods heart and His provision. "even when we are faithless, God is FAITHFULL"! - 2 Timothy 2:13
#5Coffee...VIETNAM
Helping out at a Christian coffee shop, helping with some English classes, Distributing some food bags while sharing Gods love, having some “treasure hunts” and spending time with humble Christians! Having revelations about God the FATHER, how He cares for us and loves us!
#6 Roti Bakar... INDONESIA
We spent all our time in Yogjakart, a "student" city. Having some South African visitors (Gerrie, Lize and Reinardt) was great! Connecting with the local student church and Christian school for three weeks, we had a lot of amazing moments! We had some house fellowships with the young people, rooted in Gods Word and seeking more of Him. We also had devotions with the kids at the school (KIndergarder and Primary school children), thought them some English and a little bit of Afrikaans. Seeing those children being raised in Christian homes and the students seeking God was so encouraging, seeing some light shining through all the darkness. We had some great moments with the locals and also amazing worship sessions with our Northbound team and visitors! Indonesia was definitely a time of blessings, God provided in every way possible!
#7 Fish...PHILIPPINES
Philippines was a tough time in our journey. The people really needs the true Jesus, they need His love, His grace and His support. In Philippines we saw what a life without Jesus is like: sad, hard, unfruitful and heartbreaking. Most of our time was spent doing house visits, crusades, handing out tracks and invitations and praying that God will soften the peoples “coral-hard” hearts. We planted the seeds but did not really see the harvest. It was a tiring time and my heart broke for every lost soul. I just realised that even when I’m empty Gods love never runs dry, and just by loving the people we can make a change. One thing I know and hold on to is that God will do the rest, we`ve done our part. And just knowing that He IS in control gives me great joy!
#8 Dim Sum... HONG KONG
Our resting time. We are busy spending 10 days in Hong Kong resting before we leave to Russia for the second half of our journey. Resting was definitely needed J What i`ve realised in these few days is that we have to stay engaged even when our aim is not to specifically minister. Stay engaged, keep on praying for this lost world. We as Children of God should do all we can to save lives for Christ. James 5:20 – “Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death...”
*** What a privilege to serve the nations!! :) God you are so good!