We thank you Lord

Here is a short clip of the Kids at Beam Africa praying before they sit down and share a meal together. If you have some time please read through the interview that is in my last post. Erika, the owner and operator of Beam Africa, explains where the center is currently and where they desire to go. Also, in the last question, she shares some specific prayer requests. Even though the Durban team isn’t visiting Beam Africa weekly, the children and staff there are very important to us. I hope you enjoy this short clip.   

Interview with Erika from Beam Africa

My teammate James did an interview with the founder of Beam Africa. Erika has posted this same interview on the organizations website. Even though the Durban team is no longer serving consistently at Beam, our hearts and prayers are still with Erika and all the families at Beam Africa. I hope you feel closer to everyone at Beam after reading through this interview. 

Beam Africa: 

1. Why did you start BEAM Africa?
     There is never just one reason for starting a Ministry—it is always a series of events which lead in a direction. The Scripture which led us to the place where BEAM Africa Network started to take shape, was Isaiah 58:3-9.  If one looks at the specific community where our office is situated, I believe that our video on the Home page addresses that issue where Louis speaks about the "NEED!”  (Go to BEAM to see the video and other info for BEAM.)

2. What exciting things are happening at BEAM Africa currently?  
     We have had a talk on a national Christian Radio Station. Due to that a lady who has had various clothing factories has contacted us and has become involved by training some of our beneficiaries as well as taking them into the manufacturing of certain items.
     We have had a visit from the Member of the Mayor's Committee for Housing. He came to see us to thank us for our work in Nellmapius.  We took the opportunity to discuss our need for a larger property with him. We are excited to say that on his recommendation we went to look at different stands last week and will be reporting back to him with our findings this coming week.
     We have also seen the need for housing volunteers as we were contacted by a few people from oversees who would like to come for longer periods than a week at a time. We prayed about it and a few months ago a piece of residential property came to our attention. We believe that this piece of property will cater for the need to house volunteers. We finally made an offer 3 weeks ago. Although we have not received the go- ahead, we believe that this will soon happen as we have taken the first steps in the right direction.
     BEAM Africa Training Centre is currently registering to become accredited with SAQA. Personally, I feel so humbled by the way that it is happening. It also opens doors for many more ways in which people will be able to share their expertise with those in need.
     

3. How do you feel that running BEAM Africa has changed/touched our hearts?
     We have discussed this and feel that the following scripture is appropriate: Mark 8: 23b-25: "And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. And he looked and said, "I see men like trees walking." Then he put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.” We feel that in this Ministry we have been taken through a process to be able to really SEE the people who we are dealing with.
     

4.  What are your biggest challenges?
     One would be to capacitate our staff to move with the same heart that we have.  At present another would be space for our children to be able to have Holiday schools and play.  To develop training material in certain subjects of which Computer/Administrative is the most important.
    

 5. What are you long term goals?
     To set up more Centers like BEAM in this community and other communities.
   

6. How can we be praying for you?
     That we would have favor as we embark on applying for property in the township.
     That the Lord will provide financially for us in buying the property for housing Volunteers and others.
     That we will find the right staff-members. We need to appoint a Project Coordinator to assist with programs which should get off the ground.  This should be a skilled person, but also one with the right heart.  We also need a person to assist for 6 months  with computer training.  Training and developing our current facilitator as well as training material. 

Pray with us for Dan

Recently I asked everyone to pray for my teammate Dan, who has been sick for over 2 months now. I wanted to update all of you and ask you for your continued prayer. I am so sad to share that the decision to send Dan home has been made. Dan's battled this illness for quite sometime now. It was only a few weeks after we arrived in South Africa that Dan's health started to deteriorate. We originally thought it was a parasite, but after a few hospital visits, and several different medications there was no change in his health, leaving the problem unclear. As a result of the mystery digestive/intestinal problem, Dan has lost a lot of weight, causing him to be light headed and dizzy most of the day. As of today we still don't know what exactly is causing the problem. Its best to send Dan home to be with his family, and receive proper treatment.  In order to get healthy and truly recover from this illness, its best to send him back to the states. Please pray with our team for Dan. 

I am so sad to see him go home, but the past few months have been very difficult for him and being sent home presents some new challenges. Please pray for his heart and for his health. Also, please pray that our team would have wisdom in how to continue to care for Dan from South Africa. God has sent him home, but he is still very much a part of the South Africa team. If you would like to read more specific details of the last few months for Dan, you can visit his blog site. 

Dan Nifong

 

Last Monday Dan landed safely in Denver. He is seeking out proper medical care, and will hopefully find the problem sooner rather than later. When we get an update I promise to update all of you. Thank you for all of your prayers. I will update you on Dan situation as soon as possible. 

Ben's Story

Hi Everyone! 

I wanted to share a wicked awesome story with all of you. My team leader Kendra posted this story on her blog about a week back. It is incredible how we are seeing the Lord moves across South Africa. This story is from the U.J. campus. Kendra tells the story of a guy named Ben who she randomly met on campus. His story is touching.  Please click on the link below and read about what the Lord has done in his life. I heard about Ben and realized, it is such a great pleasure to watch the Lord work.

My Name is Ben