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Wow where do I start……We got back from a week of Beat the Drum this past Saturday. It was an amazing week to say the least. God did so much work in the hearts and lives of not only the students but also the community that we were working in. We arrived to Somerset East, South Africa on Friday, October 10th.  That day we got settled in to the places we were staying.  We all stayed with different host families. It was so great to get to know the families we were staying with. They were gracious enough to give us a place to stay and provided food for us everyday.  We also broke up into teams by what schools we were going to.

Saturday we did a lot of training, going over the curriculum we were going to be teaching in the schools all the next week. God broke so many of the student’s lives wide-open all week long. Sunday we had a huge youth rally where we had hundreds of people show up.

Every morning we would come together as a group and spent time in praying and reading the word. We would have someone give a devotional every morning. Then we would split up groups and headed off to the schools. On Monday we showed our school (Johnson) the movie Beat the Drum. My teaching team (Melissa & Beth) taught 8th grade. We taught about the HIV/AIDS virus and abstinence for the rest of the week in the schools. We were introduced to the whole school on the first day. They screamed and hollered for us. They were so excited we were there. Everyday they were so excited to see us.  In the classroom it was hard to get them to talk the first few days. On Wednesday morning we prayed that the students would open up and be more responsive to us. On Wednesday it was like a different school, they really started talking and opening up their lives to us.

We also had a team that ministered to the community and farms. Over a hundred people came to know the Lord that week. So many people committed to abstain from sex until marriage. On Friday we had free AIDS testing at the youth center. There were hundreds of people that came for that.  It was a very emotional time to say the least.  God really did some amazing things in so many lives that week. I think that community will remember that week for a long time. We were very blessed by the support we had from different churches in the community along with the people of the town. They would just come up to us and thank us for coming there and sharing the truth and the gospel.
 
Here’s some pictures I took in Somerset East, South Africa.
 
 
 
 
This is the church we used for all our meetings/worship
 

 
 
 

 

Johnson is the school I worked at
 

 
 
The Johnson team.
 
 
 

9 responses to “Beat The Drum”

  1. Wow, God is so good! What an amazing week it sounds like!

    My other friend that was in Africa building churches for 2 months came home Thursday night! He was fired up when I hung out with him Friday!

    Glad that it’s going well and that God is moving in your life and using you! Stay strong as the road may get weary and long but will be worth it for just one more soul!

    God bless you in your travels and ministry over there! Can’t wait to hear the next chapter!

    Kyle

  2. Dee Dee,
    I’m sure it’s a week you’ll remember for a long time as well. What an amazing opportunity God has given you to influence these people and encourage them to find Christ and to live for Him! I miss you, but I’m so proud of you for your obedience to God, and for wanting to make a difference in people’s lives. We rejoice with you over the decisions that were made and the lives that were changed for all eternity.
    Love & prayers, Mom

  3. What a wonderful update, Dee Dee! It is so encouraging and refreshing to see how HE is using you and your team. Many thoughts…

  4. Wow Dee Dee! That is sooo awesome that so many were saved! I can imagine how on fire for God everybody is! Makes me wish I was there w/ you! I’m sure the impact you guys made on the school was a huge one! God is good!

  5. DeeDee,

    It was such a joy to hear that your work is going so well! I must admit I was a bit reluctant to have you go so far away, but I see that you were obeying the Lord’s direction and when that happens you can count on good results. What a wonderful blessing to see so many come to the Lord, if I know you, you are really fired up now!

    Take care and know that we love you and are praying for you.
    Love,
    Pat

  6. WOW! What you and the others are doing is so amazing! I am praying for you and hope you are adjusting well. If you need anything just let me know I would be more than happy to send you a care package. TTYL

  7. thanks for the great update…GOD is really getting the glory and honor thru the ministry there…how awesome that is.
    i am so bummed that i didn’t really get to talk long last time you called. try me again sometime soon…love and miss you.

  8. Dee Dee! What an amazing update…I’m so glad to read of the good things God is doing through you in S.A. Keeping you in my prayers! Love, Mandy

  9. Dee Dee, I am so happy that things are going so well for you there. It sounds like God is using you all in a powerful way! I’m proud of you and can’t wait to see you when you get back. Know you are being thought of and prayed for!

    Love, Sharon