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Hope for the Hopeless, Future for the Fatherless “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
God's Pace: Amazing!
this together and it amazes us each time we see his hand weaving the tapestry together.
Doors have opened that are revealing ministry needs and how our specific skill sets fit right in. As a very wise individual recently asked Lonnie, "So how did God use your years at the city as an inspector as an apprenticeship for this mission season in When we arrived in June 2012 we your life?" What a great question and he is anticipated the first year to be focused on still pondering that one! But, the fact is God building relationships and trust, identifying uses everything for His good. Think for a ministry needs, and feeling "at home" on a different continent. The Lord must have been moment, “ What am I doing right now as an smiling at us. He knew the plans he had for apprenticeship in Kingdom work?” us, but I have to think He just didn't want to overwhelm us. We have been here 7 months and we are in the full of ministry. The Lord has connected us with amazing pastors that have become our friends. He has introduced Abba's Pride to other ministries in the area and partnerships are developing. We are all in
SAVE THE DATE~ WE’LL BE THERE ABBA’S PRIDE BENEFIT DINNER
FRIDAY, JUNE 7TH 6 p.m. THALIA LYNN BAPTIST CHURCH
Visit www. abbaspride.com for more information
THE KIDS ALL CAME TO VISIT In December we welcomed my mom, Michael, Rebecca and her finance Josiah Jones, along with his parents Bonnie and Mark. Yep, there is going to be a wedding June 28th. We traveled to Kruger Park and the Panoramic View before Christmas. Christmas Day was a meal prepared on the grill!
Christmas Day 2012 Pretoria, South Africa
Abba’s Pride
In January James and Kelsey arrived on a Thursday. Friday we were doing a Leadership Workshop. No time for jet lag. During their visit we traveled to Cape Town for a week (Thanks to my mom and friends at Eastside). The last day of January we said goodbye to mom, James and Kelsey. We were empty nesters again.
January 2013 Kauk Bay
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Mission Highlights 6,000 meals a month since we began delivery in September 2012. Thank You to Eastside Community Church's Feeding Challenge donations and Coastal Community Church's Change for Changed Lives.
New worship center/early childhood center at Rock of Ages Living Church. Early childhood rooms are receiving makeovers at Charity Christian Fellowship! Thank You, Donor! Morning breakfast program for school age children begun at three churches. 70 people participated in Discipleship taught at 3 churches. 40 teens from different orphanages participated in a volleyball clinic at Charity Christian in December. Thanks to Coach Mike, Coach Becca, and Coach Josiah. Thank You, Lindenwood University for the jerseys. They were a huge hit! 80 people attend a Leadership Workshop in January. The workshop was helpd in the rural area so that pastors could bring their leaders. Thank you to the presenters: Pastor Riaan Niemand from Eastside, Danie du Preez, Desmond Henry, James Warren, Debbie Warren. We were especially thankful to Mabopane Baptist for meal preparation, and Rock of Ages for praise and worship. Volunteering weekly at Tshepo ya Bana, a children's home. The Warrens, Payne, and Jones decorated gingerbread people with the children then took them to the mall to purchase small Christmas gifts for their house parents, Darin and Jonna Fey. This was the first time the children have had the opportunity to know the joy of giving. They were very excited to give their gifts on Christmas morning. Numerous clothing items distributed ... bags and bags! Teddy bears and fleece tops made by Eastside members and another kind lady were distributed. Hats and scarves received from Coastal to be distributed when winter approaches. Opportunities to speak in rural churches and Deb participating in an African wedding. A sign that relationships and trust are occurring. Ministry relationships built with Take Action, James 1:27 Trust, and Hope Alive
Coach Mike’s Crew Warrens and Jones at Tshepo ya Bana Abba’s Pride
James Teaching at Leadership Workshop 2
They are the Pride of Abba -
Please Pray ~ The Warrens “Your prayers and support are the means in which lives are changed.” Pray: * Discipleship teaching for Pastor’s and leaders in March/April * Safety as we are on the road and at home * We discern God’s location for the second trailer team this summer * The Coastal team that is fund raising for their trip here in July * The Coastal Men’s retreat in May. That it will impact lives * Our parents’ health * Mike’s future job opportunities. Graduates in May with MBA * Protection of Rebecca and Josiah in Ghana * James and Kelsey as they prepare to return with students on mission Abba’s Pride
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Pastor Amos Masanab, Charity Christian Fellowship Leading his congregation to live out James 1:27 Pray: • • • • •
Teachers for the center. The lead teachers have experienced family hardships and have had to step back. Favor with grant application to begin a Grade R (kindergarten) so children are school ready. Finances to pay current teachers and hire additional teachers (Currently 3 adults caring for 100 children). Renovation supplies- materials and labor for two additional classrooms. Pastor Amos and Emma with Michael in Lindenwood Gear Protection against witchcraft in community.
Pastor George Rabothata, Faith Restoration Born Again Christian Teach a person to farm so they can provide for themselves and others. Pray: • • • • •
Buyer for the crops. Farmers stay focused and see God's provision. Discipleship of teens and young adults. Children and Sunday School leaders that have begun "Saturday School". Finances to install a borehole (drill a well).
Pastor with Council Man on farm
Pastor Paul Mopereo, New Creation Ministries "Teach us to have a children's Sunday school." Pray: • • • •
Refurbishing of former church tent into children's area. Financial provision for a couple of young adults to attend college. Before school breakfast program. Ability to carry out vision to begin an Early Childhood Center
Pastor Silas Motshegoa, Rock of Ages Living Church i"How can we preach to people and not take care of them?" Pray: • •
Creche supplies and supplement for children's meal. Resources to provide training and income for Early Childhood Center workers. Protection from spiritual warfare.
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Maria registered for ECD Course!
Pastor Jeffrey Sandi, Mabopane Baptist Church "Children in this Creche are starving. Can we give them a bag of porridge?" Pray: • • • Abba’s Pride
Wisdom to carry out God’s plan with large piece of land. (Church, clinic, creche) Men that are able and capable of assisting with the preaching rotation. Currently travels to three locations on a Sunday. Safety and provision for his young family.
Pastor Jeffrey and Rebecca Sandi
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