The Time Is Now!!

Well we've been saying it, we've been preparing for it, and the Lord has been blessing. "The Mission Is For Life" is our theme for this year's mission. We've been on our knees and now it's time to Roll Up those sleeves!!! All our volunteers, let us convene at Park Station at 11:30 am on Sunday the 1st Dec, 2013. Kindly note that the transport to mission will leave Park Station at 12:00 noon. Don't miss it!! Let's finish this work!! See you there!!

Tick Tock

The clock is ticking; we have no time to loose. With just a few days away from the much anticipated mission, we’re more than excited to be able to serve. This mission will require stamina; it will require your skills, your energy and zest! We will be based at Lehae, in the South of Johannesburg from the 1^st-8^th December, 2013, so be prepared to share your faith, be prepared to share and experience life with others.

Pre-Mission prep for December:

1.       All the registered volunteers are required to meet on Sunday 24^th November at 10am, in preparation for the mission. *Venue to be announced*

2.       Please bring a Bible, a needle for sewing, some scissors (the one’s used for cutting clothing material), bring beads, buttons and or pieces of material with you on the 24^th November. Some of the donated clothing items have got loose buttons and zips etc. and need some creativity to mend them. If you can’t sew, that’s alright, we’ll teach you J

3.       If you still have clothes, shoes, books or toys which you wish to donate for the children at Lehae, please bring them with you on the 24^th November, 2013.

December Mission: How you can get involved

·         COME! You will not regret making a difference in the people’s lives. Stay on the loop of what’s happening by regularly visiting our Facebook page and our blog.

·         Invite a friend, spread the word!

·         Sponsor a young person to COME

·         Buy one of our T-shirts in support of this work

·         Help to clothe a child by donating a set of clothes or shoes for the children at Lehae.

·         Pray that we would see God work powerfully at this mission and that God would raise up young leaders and labourers for the harvest.

The Mission is for Life!

What to bring on mission:

1.       A heart ready to serve, a teachable spirit and rolled up sleeves

2.       A sleeping bag (kindly avoid bedding and luggage, rather opt for a backpack or a small bag, we have limited space at the mission site)

3.       Your Bible, note book and pen/pencil

4.       Your Toiletries (don’t forget your toothbrush J)

5.       A cap/hat, durable, comfortable clothes (it might get rainy), rubber gloves, old clothes, sneakers

6.       Some of the roads are dusty, and when it rains it gets really muddy

7.       Tact and humility

8.       Kindly leave electronics and valuables at home

The Joy of Giving

It's that time of year again, the malls are crowded, the music is different, airy, fairy and seasonal. Everyone seems happy...I guess. Across the street as I stand waiting for the bus, is a young boy who appears to be pestering the passers by. He approaches close to where I'm standing in the queue, and starts begging from the very first person, "sisi (sister/lady) can you please give me money to buy food?" The eyes that meet his, express that sudden suspicion you have when you meet one of 'them.' Dirty, tattered, worn-out clothes and barely any shoes left on his soiled feet. As he moves down the queue, I try to look away, the lump in my throat grows bigger, he moves to the next person, and the next, and the next, till he gets to me.  Without saying a word, he stares at me, and his beady eyes speak to my heart echoing the words: "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."

So I pull out my purse and pass him a R5 coin. 'I hope that helps' I think to myself, the lump gets loosened and my eyes fill with uncontrollable tears. The bus arrives and I hop on, I look away so as to hide my teary eyes. 'Lord' I pray, 'make me a servant to the needs of humanity. I do not have full capacity, but with what I have, help me to serve.' I then start singing the song "make me a servant, humble and meek, Lord let me lift up those who are weak, and may the prayer of my heart always be...make me a servant, make me a servant, make me a servant today!" Have you ever seen these fellows, across your very own door step? have you seen the widow and orphan across the road? have you seen them on your way to church and to the park? Who is my neighbour? 

It's all about God, it's all about love, it's summed up in service. "God desires us to give -- cheerfully, willingly, gladly...happiness is the gift of God to him who in the spirit of Christ toils for the good of others."

With just 26 days away from the Mission on 1-8 Dec, 2013, we would like to give a bit more to those who do not always get the benefit of the doubt. 

How can I assist?

We need shoes, boxes, clothes, toys, children's Bibles and wrapping paper, all these for children of all ages including teenagers. We need your hands and whatever else you think we will need in order to give.

Who do I contact?

 073-365-5282 or missiontwety4@gmail.com

~ Here Am I; Send Me ~

Reflection before Mission

"Loving ministry will break down prejudice, and win souls to God." Christ Object Lessons Pg 386

As we prepare for the Mission trip from 1-8 Dec 2013, may we reflect and ask ourselves these questions: what is the primary purpose of going to this mission? what talents/spiritual gifts can I bring to enhance the mission experience? with willingness, will I co-operate and do my humble, God-appointed service?

Missiontwenty4's guarantee for going on this mission. You will:

1. Get a bigger picture of the Great Commission

2. Experience first-hand experience, living in another culture and religious setting

3. Explore ministry and discipleship in its different facets

4. Exercise faith and will be drawn closer to God

5. Remember this, "His biddings are enablings."

*What must I do to volunteer?
*Please visit the "Get involved" page or

*Donate the following items for children (clothes, shoes, food stuff, kids Bibles or story books, shoe boxes, toys and whatever else you think the kids at the mission site may need)
*Please visit our "contacts" page for contact details

*Where will the mission be held? Please visit the "December Mission 2013 Registration" page for more details

"By accepting this work of ministry, we place ourselves in His [Christ's] school, to be fitted for the courts of God...angels of heaven welcome those who on earth have lived not to be ministered unto, but to minister. In this blessed companionship we shall learn, to our eternal joy, all that is wrapped up in the question, "Who is my neighbour?"

Get ready to Roll up your sleeves.

The Scarlet Cord

What comes to your mind when you think of a cord? If you’re a woman or a mother you’d perhaps think “an umbilical cord,” the only link between you and your unborn child, on the contrary if you’re a musical person you’ve probably already thought of “a harmonic set of three or more notes,” if you’re an electrician, your first thought may have been “a power cord” the only means of getting a connection from one point to another and if you’re a seamstress quite a lot comes to mind.

Regardless of the type of cord you may have thought of, they all have one purpose, they are a link or an unbroken connection to something or someone, and they give life, bring light, create melody or keep things in tact. I’m talking about God’s cord of affection, when He gave His Son Jesus Christ to die on Calvary’s cross, God was sending a powerful message to the universe that says that He was intentional about bringing hope to our shattered lives, the hope of forgiveness and healing, the hope of a sinless and guiltless life, the hope of righteousness by faith.

Through Jesus’ blood-stained cord, scarlet from the pain we caused Him, from the torment He suffered on our behalf, we can experience joy and peace; free from the shackles of sin and the frustration it brings. When we confess our sins “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.” Jesus has promised that when we confess, He will pardon us and empower us to live faithful lives that are worthy of note, in His eyes. Have you grasped hold of the scarlet cord? Have you connected with Jesus today? 

The Mission Is For Life

Join us as we go on a mission to share Jesus Christ to many...details in the Camp 2013 Registration page.

I Will Show Thee Kindness

Do you want to adopt? There are quite a number of people who are unable to have a child of their own and they opt for adoption. I wonder how people stay motivated especially in light of the long process that does not guarantee that you will get the precious gift. There is so much process involved that one may even consider giving up. Hold on, don’t give up just yet! Adoption is an act of love toward one who does not necessarily deserve the privileges that you wish to afford them; the act certainly does something to the one being adopted as well as the one who adopts. Imagine being at an orphanage or foster home for years and no one seems to be interested in you, that is what most children have to face daily.

Adoption means that the child is now like your very own; you provide and care for them as though the child is from your own bosom. I remember a time when we were looking for a dog; we wanted one just the right age (not too small and not too experienced) it had to be just right. Well we could not find one, God sent one. Just about 6 and 1/2 months, this puppy was abandoned, he had an owner who was quite negligent of him and often the puppy followed people just to get a crumb of bread.

One day the pup followed us home and we gave him some bread, which was the only thing we could offer him. Everyday this pup would come to our gate; we’d open up for him and give him food and water. So we decided that we would buy him dog food when we did our shopping, and we did, however; the puppy was nowhere to be found, he had disappeared for a week or two and every morning and evening like the father of the prodigal son, we would look outside the gate hoping to see our little friend.

One Sabbath morning, after a stormy night, we were having breakfast when we heard a bark at the gate. Hurriedly we looked outside and yes, it was him, he was back. Most of the weeks he was away, we prayed for his safety, we hoped he was still alive and would come back, though not human; he had already touched a chord of our affection. Matt went to open the gate and he (the pup) sped through to the usual place where he would find food and water, but we noticed that he had a large scar probably through some kind of abuse or accident. What a joyful experience it was for us to be able to nurse him back to health.

We kept him with us for about a week, however; he seemed depressed, it’s logical we reckoned he missed his owner, so we decided to contact his owner, but he was pretty much indifferent about the dog and his condition as well as getting him back. For about a month of fostering the puppy (buying him food, a house toys and spending time with him), we did not know whether the owner would claim him (we hoped he would not). We decided to make an arrangement to talk to the owner regarding snoopy, and we were glad to learn that he wanted us to keep him, but through that simple encounter about a dog the owner has expressed his desire come to church with us (we did not invite him and we did not tell him we were Christians).

2 Samuel 9 dawned on our minds, the very expressive story of Mephibosheth. How undeserving he was of King David’s consideration, yet David adopted him into his family. What sense does it make? Isn’t that our state? “Behold what manner of love, the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God…Beloved now are we the sons of God and it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 Jn 3:1 God sent Jesus Christ to come and live with us and among us, in order to save us. He decided he would adopt us into His family through redemption. 

Just a side note, “And God said; let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion (“a territory or sphere of influence or control; a realm) over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Gen 1:26 God has given us dominion, and dominion means responsibility. It’s called stewardship, you guessed it, we are also stewards of God’s creatures. Who knows whom God might send your way? No one is beyond the reach, the mercy and the love of God. In our case God used a puppy in order to give us joy, but more importantly for us to indirectly appeal to the man’s need for a Saviour. Be careful who you turn away from your door step. “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” Proverbs 12:10.

Reach Out and Touch

“And being moved with compassion, He (Jesus) stretched out His hand, and touched him, and said to him, I am willing; be made clean.” Mark 1:41 (RV)

The account of Jesus with the leper is very close to my heart. I am especially intrigued by the leper’s sincerity when he approaches Jesus and from his speech one can almost see the trial of his life. The leper could have been you or me, he may have been to different physicians, the best of the best specialists, homeopaths, or perhaps in his last resort he even visited witch doctors, but still “there was no hope; there was nothing anyone could do.” The leper’s years of disappointment to and from the hospital, the church (synagogue) and wherever else he may have gone, leads him to enquire about a man they called Jesus. With little or no hope of ever being healed he approaches Jesus and utters those touching words of a sin-sick soul, and at the feet of the Saviour he pleads “if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

Among the symptoms of leprosy, is the loss of sensation on the hands and feet, one may cut, burn, and prick or injure oneself without feeling pain. The long-term effect which is infection to the area/s untreated can possibly lead to a slow, miserable death as the organs shut down. Due to the contagious nature of the disease, lepers were removed from society and lived in isolation. Do you know of a leper? The leprosy of sin makes us numb to the sensation of the Holy Spirit and leads us to spiritual death; this disease also has the ability of making us numb to the needs of others, we somehow become forgetful of God’s blueprint as in Matthew 22:37-39. “Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel the sympathy of our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin.” Hebrews 4:15

In the same way that Jesus experiences the pain caused by our sin-sickness, the tears He sheds and the broken heartedness He feels when we wander off with the enemy, we are to manifest the same spirit of service to others, for while we help others as Matthew 25:36-40 says, God works on refining our characters for eternity. There is healing in serving.

Go Fish

Every morning at the crack of dawn, a startling sound can be heard, there's no doubt the sound is that of an engine being switched on. While most people are peacefully asleep, this fisherman is awake, he moves the ropes from the dock, neatly arranges them and off he sails right into the darkness of the deep blue sea. This tradition of fishing in the early hours of the morning has continued for a long period of time. Fisherman know quite well and attest to the fact that, 'if you start early, you stand a better chance of success.'

This principle is pretty much applicable to the Christian life don't you think? The householder in Matthew 20:1 went to hire labourers early in the morning, Jesus resurrected early on the first day of the week according to Mark 16:9. Mark 1:35 further records Jesus waking up early (before or at dawn) in the morning, went to a secluded place and there held communion with His Father. All these encounters indicate that there is a special blessing that comes in the early hours of the morning. Have you been having communion with God in the early hours of each morning? If the success/victory of Jesus was dependent on those early hours, imagine how much victory we can gain when we do the same. 

In Mark 1:17 Jesus says to them "...come after me and I will make you to become fishers of men." Jesus leads by example, He calls them to be like Him for He came to serve, He came to restore and redeem humanity. Similarly, we like the great fisherman can serve (service to God and man) while it is still day. Is it no wonder that John records Jesus saying "I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." John 9:4

The work of fishing for souls or witnessing for Jesus, is not done haphazardly, it is done skillfully like the fisherman does. It is not a work that is just done by teaching, but is characterized by practice, through leading an exemplary life -- a life of sacrifice, we will be given power to reach many. "The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth reapers into his harvest." Let's go fishing.

"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23

Backpacking Through Life

Preparing for a wilderness adventure is exciting -- backpacking/camping call it whatever you like, it's convenient, low-cost and gets us in touch with nature and with each other, that's what matters. But before venturing off we need to get a few things in place, number one is, doing proper planning and thorough research, we need to determine where we are going in order to get to our destination. Two, we need publications about our desired destination, which language is spoken in that area and three, we need to determine how we'll get there as well as some tools to bring along while we journey on. 

First things first we need friends and food (for obvious reasons), utensils, a map, torch, tough shoes, warm clothing, a camera, pen, note pad/journal, hat, tent (including add ins), money and some determination, now we're set. The Christian walk is an adventure and the Great Commission is the greatest adventure we have been given. Making friends and telling them about our heavenly family, about our loving Father. What do you think? What are some of your perceptions about Christianity? Do you think it's fun and exciting? Do you find pleasure in seeking for souls and making new friends of different languages and different races and cultures?

Friends our destination is Heaven, and for us to get there, we need to study a bit more about Heaven, the language, the atmosphere and the entry level to Heaven. Wouldn't it be powerful to bring all your friends to your new home? Think about it, why would you go to Heaven alone? Why wait for your family or friends to perish when you have all the resources to help them get there? With God's word (Bible) as our map and torch according to Psalm 119:9-12, verse 103 and 105. And maintaining a personal companionship and connection with Jesus, as our way to heaven according to John 14:6, we also need others, as Jesus did in Matthew 26:36,37 so why not bring a friend? James 2:14 & 17.

"All these people died having faith. They did not receive the things that were promised, yet they saw them in the distant future and welcomed them, acknowledging that they were strangers and foreigners on earth." Hebrews 11:13  (ISV)

Trade

"Those who are willing to sacrifice all for eternal life will have it; but it will be worth suffering for, worth crucifying self and sacrificing every idol for. The far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory will outweigh every earthly treasure and eclipse every earthly attraction. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Will we let Him in? He would not have us stand at this time, amid the perils of the last days, in our own finite strength...It is our privilege to walk in the sunshine of His presence, and weave into the characters we are forming the golden threads of cheerfulness, gratitude, forbearance, and love. We may thus show the power of divine grace, and reflect light from Heaven amid all the frets and irritations that come to us day by day. Then why do we go stumbling along without light?" ~ Our High Calling pg. 351,352

The Mission-Minded Family

In an age where the world is in a chaotic state, a time when wars and disasters are on every side, when families live in fear, and hope for the better grows vague, at this time when our shrines of self-sufficiency come crumbling down “…I [hear] the voice of the Lord, saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us?...”

Can you vividly remember those early years in the classroom when teachers would ask us what we wanted to be when we grew up? Certainly, from that point on the expectation was set, that of making a ‘success’ of life. From the world around us, we learnt that in order to be successful, we needed to attain wealth or fame, and upon this and many other ideas our young minds imbibed.

The rat race began - - in pursuit of happiness (wealth) and it only later dawns in most minds that success does not constitute material wealth alone, for even Solomon in all his wealth and wisdom could not but utter that “all is vanity.” Success is having the will to surrender your future plans to the hands of the One who knows the end from the beginning.

Mission-minded families are the answer to societal ills. A mission-minded family is one that realizes that there is life beyond the house, work and play, one that is focused on serving God and humanity. A family unit that has a passion for the lost, widowed, orphaned and homeless is a great model, a home where both parents and children work together to make God known by precept and example.

Mission-minded parents encourage and bring up their children to use their vigour of youth, talent, and courage to serve. Indeed our families may be of worth to society, for “even so have I also sent them into the world" says the Lord. The call has been made, the God of Heaven and Earth has heard the cries of His people; not that He has been deaf, He sees the sufferings of humanity, not that He has been blind, but that we had strayed from the Almighty, from our purpose.

The Saviour is even now asking, who will be willing to represent my love on earth? Who will be an instrument of hope and mercy on earth? “Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

Are YOU a Missionary?

When we were growing up, despite our different upbringings and backgrounds, most of us were told stories about missionaries - - those extraordinary people who sacrificed their lives for the good of others, yea for the love of gospel service to their fellow man in foreign countries, they suffered privation, pain and some even death, and this, in order to make known to others the love of God, the grace of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.

For many of us, a vivid picture in our minds was painted, one which readily stirred our hearts as we listened. Missionaries - - such people still exist today, however; our perceptions of missions and missionaries is still rather bleak. So what is a missionary? a missionary is said to be "a  person sent on a religious mission, especially one sent to promote Christianity in a foreign country."

The definition is definitely saturated with meaning, but is that the only definition of what a missionary is? To serve in a foreign land is a great adventure, however; only a few are afforded that opportunity. When the great commission was first given to the disciples in the twenty eighth chapter of Matthew, Jesus assures and commands them saying: 

“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

From the words of Jesus Christ himself, we get an indication that there is a part for all to play. ‘Go ye’ shouldn't that mean me? ‘teach all nations’ But we can’t all go to foreign lands or can we? ‘whatsoever I have commanded you.’ The mandate comes from God, the method comes from God, the vessel? that’s you and me.

Hudson Taylor once stated that "the Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed."

We may not all be able to travel to foreign lands to do missions, but we have all been called to serve; now how may I serve? One may ask? Have you ever wondered how many people in your family, your neighborhood, your community, your College, University, your workplace and your areas of influence actually know about God? Have you ever thought how the power of living an exemplary, godly Christian life can show the practicality of true Christianity? Let your sphere of influence become your mission field!  

One of the most expressive writers of all time Ellen White, writes “Every son and daughter of God is called to be a missionary; we are called to the service of God and our fellow men; and to fit us for this service should be the object of our education.”

Are YOU a missionary?

Imagine

One winter morn in 1976, a group of young people led an uprising in one of the townships in Soweto, South Africa. The protest was bound to change the whole South African education system. Both young and old braved the circumstances that surrounded them, their aim was ONE - - to effect a revolutionary change in society. Whenever South Africans think of this year (1976), the still image of young Hector, Antionette and Mbuyisa is brought to mind and it does nothing but brings tears to the conscientious eyes.

It took a group of young people to effect a change in society; the outcome could have been different had they not decided to do something. Imagine a group of young people, adults and children leading a revolutionary uprising activated by their love for God and for their fellow man. Imagine a revival of primitive godliness in their homes and neighbourhoods, in schools, in churches and various institutions. Imagine the wave of change in your Province, Parish, Country or State. Imagine!

“And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.” Isaiah 58:12

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world..." ~Margaret Mead~

In Times Like These

When we were young, we used to ignorantly chant “thank You for the world so sweet, thank You for the food we eat, thank You Lord for everything Amen.” We still thank God for the wonderful gift of life, we thank Him for the provision of food and for everything He grants us; however lately it is a real blessing to say thank you to God, not that is was not a blessing then, but that it makes a lot more sense now - - the realization that the world is no longer as ‘sweet’ as we perceived it was in our younger years, times have indeed changed.

We live in a society where we more often hear of the brutality of humans to other humans and particularly interesting are news headlines of youth killing other youth, children killing family members etc. On a Primary/Elementary level, school used to be a place where we loved to go, it was a place where we had loving teachers, where we made friends and ‘enemies’ we had groupies and we enjoyed playing in the sand, playing “tag, you’re it!” black maipatile, scotch, going to Bible club and doing many other fun activities.

In our Secondary/High school level things were a bit more advanced than playing in the sandpit J it was about the music, making the first team in whatever, it was about academics, friends, and family, it was about going to leadership camp and Bible camp. Came the varsity years, we focused a lot more on our calling, sealing close relationships, going for mission and making plans for the future, that was life, and indeed for some people it still is.

How rapidly things change, what we now perceive as an advanced age with developments in technology, medical facilities, gadgets and wat ookal, has also turned out to be an age advanced in crime, immorality and more psychotic behaviour. Perhaps it’s just ignorance, but it surely never dawned in some of our minds that school would ever be a place of horror, a place where children fear to tread. Not that some of these things were not happening, of course the casual bullying on the school grounds, the pick-pocketing and a few others, well at least in the context of South Africa, it was rare, if at all to hear that a pupil has hanged his fellow for their pocket money or that a pupil decided to go on a killing spree.

“The curse causeless shall not come” we oft look at coming up with a remedy for a disease while we hesitate to look at the cause. What could be causing the current state of society and of our schools? It is said that the home is the heart of the community and quite frankly when you think about it the heart and the brain work as one. Where there is an improper function of the brain and the heart in the human organism, there is a threat to the existence of that organism, it will cease to exist.

What has gone wrong with society today? When a 14 year old is convicted for murder, where do we suggest the problem lies? Some may well come from good families, so where exactly is the problem? Let us hear your thoughts.

Truth

Is this true? Tell us your thoughts.

The Mission Begins With You!

Have YOU ever wondered why the world is in it's current state? Perhaps you know, but have YOU ever considered this: YOU are what your family, community and society have been waiting for! Be part of the change generation - - the mission begins with YOU!

Follow us on Facebook, subscribe to our blog and channel. Suggest our Facebook Page to your friends and their friends and their friends friends and join us as we effect a change peradventure we will be in your area. YOU can serve too! Watch the space!

Welcome!

Welcome to our blog! We trust that you will work together with us to bring a radical transformation in society..let the journey begin!

“If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honour, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?” 
~D. Livingstone~